Bill English's approach to helping New Zealand's most vulnerable is based on targeted spending to ultimately save money - and that is a logical approach, says Castlecliff Community Charitable Trust community developer Des Warahi.
He was one of about 30 people from non-government organisations who listened to the deputy Prime Minister in Wanganui on Friday. Whanganui MP Chester Borrows had invited Mr English to speak to not-for-profit social service providers after hearing how Jigsaw Whanganui found itself unexpectedly short of funds.
Mr English told the group, and later members of the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce, his National-led government was changing the way social services were funded.
He said it was the "weakest, most vulnerable people with the most chaotic lives" that cost the country billions in social service provision.
Government wanted social services directed toward them.