The Social Investment Agency (SIA) was established on 1 July 2024 as a central agency to lead, develop and demonstrate a social investment approach in action.
We report to the Minister for Social Investment, Hon Nicola Willis(external link), who leads the social investment work programme along with a group of Social Investment Ministers.
The Minister for Social Investment also receives independent advice from the Social Investment Board - a ministerial advisory group established in late 2024.
As SIA has progressed its work programme it has become increasingly clear the status quo is not working for our most vulnerable people, whānau and communities.
SIA is leading change across the public sector to improve how it works with and invests in the social sector.
SIA has the following functions:
We're changing the way government works, so that:
Our name Toi Hau Tāngata signifies the valuable aspects of living life – manifesting in the wellbeing of the people. The individual words have many meanings, including: Toi - peak, Hau - vital essence and Tāngata - humankind.
Mohi Apou of Taranaki-Whanganui descent gifted the name to us. Toi Hau Tāngata comes from a karakia unique to Taranaki-Whanganui Iwi, ‘Te Hau Tai Tāngata’ – the principles influencing the creation of mankind. The karakia is not written but passed from one generation to the next as the taonga tuku iho, or oral tradition. Our reo Māori name aligns with our vision that ‘People, whānau and communities live the life to which they aspire’.
Our values guide our work.