{{Short description|Government organisation in Wellington, New Zealand}} {{About|the former New Zealand government body|the French supermarket Super U|Système U}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox government agency | agency_name = Superu (Social Policy Evaluation and Research Unit) | nativename = | logo = | logo_width = 140 px | logo_caption = | seal = | seal_width = | seal_caption = | formed = 2003 | preceding1 = Families Commission | dissolved = 2018 (by the Families Commission Act Repeal Act) | superseding = | jurisdiction = | headquarters = Wellington | employees = | budget = | minister1_name = | minister1_pfo = Minister for Social Development | minister2_name = | minister2_pfo = | chief1_name = Len Cook | chief1_position = Last Families Commissioner | chief2_name = Dr Malcolm Menzies | chief2_position = Last Chief Executive | website = {{URL|http://www.superu.govt.nz/}} | footnotes = }}
The '''Social Policy Research and Evaluation Unit''', known as '''Superu''' and previously known as the '''Families Commission''', was an autonomous New Zealand Crown entity which undertook social science research and advocated to government on behalf of families. It commenced operating on 1 July 2004 and was disestablished on 30 June 2018.
== Purpose == At its establishment, the main function of the Families Commission was to "act as an advocate for the interests of families generally," but not on behalf of particular families in respect of specific issues.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sections 7–8, Families Commission Act 2003 No 128 (as at 26 April 2005) |url=https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2003/0128/4.0/whole.html#DLM236136 |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.legislation.govt.nz}}</ref> It had additional functions related to undertaking investigations on behalf of the government and promoting research into any matter relating to the interests of families.
From 2014, the commission was restructured and rebranded as Superu and given a stronger monitoring, evaluation, and research function.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Section 8A, Families Commission Act 2003 No 128 (as at 30 June 2018) |url=https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2003/0128/latest/whole.html#DLM6012322 |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.legislation.govt.nz}}</ref> At the point of its disestablishment in 2018, Superu managed:
* an extensive online catalogue of government social science research dating back to 2000; * the government contract for the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal study; * the government contract for the New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Where to find Superu resources and work after they close {{!}} New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse |url=https://nzfvc.org.nz/news/where-find-superu-resources-and-work-after-they-close |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=nzfvc.org.nz}}</ref>
== History ==
=== Establishment: Families Commission Act 2003 === The creation of the Families Commission was an outcome of post-election political negotiations between the Labour Party and United Future in 2002. Labour had decided to form a confidence and supply agreement with United Future enabling it to continue the Fifth Labour Government into a second term. Establishing a "Commission for the Family" that would be a national research centre, coordinate government departments and facilitate advice for families had been an election pledge for the smaller party. Labour had promoted a similar initiative, called the "parenting council," in its campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |last=New Zealand Labour Party |date=1 July 2002 |title=Parents Council To Promote Positive Parenting |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0207/S00020/parents-council-to-promote-positive-parenting.htm |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.scoop.co.nz}}</ref> The agreement between Labour leader Helen Clark and United Future leader Peter Dunne included a commitment to develop proposals for such a commission as an immediate priority with implementation planned for the 2003/04 financial year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Agreement for Confidence and Supply between the Labour/Progressive Government and the United Future Parliamentary Caucus |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/agreement-confidence-and-supply-between-labourprogressive-government-and-united-future |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}</ref>
Steve Maharey, as Minister of Social Services and Employment, introduced the Families Commission Bill which was considered by the social services committee after passing its first reading 60–56 on 13 May 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Families Commission Bill — First Reading - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/47HansD_20030513_00000742/families-commission-bill-first-reading |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}}</ref> The four parties which did not comprise the government—National, New Zealand First, the Greens and ACT—all voted against the legislation. New Zealand First MP Dail Jones described United Future as having "sold out" to Labour and suggested that the draft legislation did not sufficiently advance United Future's policy goals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Future accused of 'selling out' out over families |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/united-future-accused-of-selling-out-out-over-families/PWXHDONDCSWQZIEJHRDYTTI4IQ/ |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref> He later criticised the Bill as doing "nothing to support the traditional standard relationship of a man and a woman with their children."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dail Jones: Care of Children Bill seems to have no useful purpose |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/idail-jonesi-care-of-children-bill-seems-to-have-no-useful-purpose/ZWRXQQIJTVL7DGQ7U547OMB2JM/ |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref> The social services committee was balanced between members who supported the bill and those who did not, and it was not able to report progress on the bill when its time for consideration expired.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Families Commission Bill — Second Reading - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/47HansD_20031119_00001208/families-commission-bill-second-reading |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=United Future cries foul over Families Commission legislation |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/united-future-cries-foul-over-families-commission-legislation/HRUT6ODEUYPWX3L46YZQHMGOKE/ |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref> Despite this, the legislation eventually completed its third reading on 11 December 2003 by a vote of 62–56.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Families Commission Bill — Third Reading - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/47HansD_20031211_00000920/families-commission-bill-third-reading |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}}</ref>
The first round of six appointments to the Families Commission was announced in June 2004, prior to the commission's formal establishment on 1 July. Rajen Prasad, a social worker and academic who had been race relations conciliator from 1996 to 2001, was appointed chief commissioner and continued in that position until 2008 when he became a Labour MP. Sharron Cole, Mason Durie, Sandra Alofivae, Carolynn Bull, and Lyn Campbell filled the other positions.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=24 June 2004 |title=Families Commissioners appointed |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/families-commissioners-appointed |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}</ref> Prasad was criticised in 2005 when he authorised a confidential settlement with the commission's inaugural chief executive.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Payout to CEO puts Prasad's job on line |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/payout-to-ceo-puts-prasads-job-on-line/L4JPQRTCNRGAX3ALBVTBF3F3C4/ |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CEO leaves Families Commission after only five months |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/ceo-leaves-families-commission-after-only-five-months/5CCN3RICGHFQVDGAQYWXYWGO5A/ |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
An attempt by New Zealand First to replace the Families Commission in 2004 failed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Commission for the Family Bill - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/00DBHOH_BILL6021_1/commission-for-the-family-bill |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}}</ref> Labour and United Future continued their political alliance after the 2005 general election. Their post-election agreement specified that the Families Commission would not be downgraded.<ref>{{Cite web |last=New Zealand Labour Party |date=October 2005 |title=Confidence and Supply Agreement with United Future |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/United.pdf |access-date=5 February 2023 |website=The Beehive}}</ref> At the election, National had pledged to keep the post of families commissioner but reposition the role within the Children's Commissioner.<ref name="stuff.co.nz">{{Cite web |date=2009-01-31 |title=Key accused of Families Commission flip-flop |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/vote-08/news/620144/Key-accused-of-Families-Commission-flip-flop |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref> Jan Pryor succeeded Prasad as chief commissioner in August 2008 and held office until her resignation in May 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Not so happy Families Commission |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/not-so-happy-families-commission/AR4TH3B6I3RVVDSV5WTNDECSLI/ |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Kay |first=Martin |date=2010-03-25 |title=Commission boss quits 'for family reasons' |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3508925/Commission-boss-quits-for-family-reasons |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref>
=== Reform: Families Commission Amendment Act 2014 === Reform to the commission was mooted by National Party leader John Key during the 2008 general election but ruled out when National and United Future formed a government together.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-09-09 |title=Dunne dismayed at Families Commission plan |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/dunne-dismayed-families-commission-plan |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name="stuff.co.nz"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=New Zealand National Party |date=November 2008 |title=Confidence and Supply Agreement with United Future |url=https://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0811/NationalUF_agreement.pdf |website=Scoop.co.nz}}</ref> Bruce Pilcrow and Christine Rankin were appointed as commissioners in May 2009, with Rankin's appointment, and the process for the appointment, being criticised by MPs including United Future leader Peter Dunne and Labour deputy leader Annette King.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Welham |first=Keri |last2=Watkins |first2=Tracy |date=2009-05-19 |title=Families appointment: Rankin 'surprised' by reaction |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2402725/Families-appointment-Rankin-surprised-by-reaction |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rankin not first choice for Families Commission |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/rankin-not-first-choice-for-families-commission/N2FL2LDQ62JZEVMFJDHP7CE4TI/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-05-13 |title=Rankin appointment "end for Families Commission" |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/rankin-appointment-end-families-commission |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}}</ref>
In May 2012, after the National government won a second term, social development minister Paula Bennett announced a suite of reforms that had been foreshadowed in the renewed National–United Future agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=29 May 2012 |title=Families Commission refocused |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/families-commission-refocused |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=New Zealand National Party |date=December 2011 |title=Confidence and Supply Agreement with United Future New Zealand |url=https://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1112/United_Future_Confidence_and_Supply_Agreement.pdf |website=Scoop.co.nz}}</ref> The commission was proposed to renamed as the Social Policy Research and Evaluation Unit (Superu) with a single-commissioner structure, minister-appointed governance board and stronger research function.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davidson |first=Isaac |date=29 May 2013 |title=Families Commission in for major shake up |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/families-commission-in-for-major-shake-up/I6FENPD5JSWY7DWPSQYVWUK7MU/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mussen |first1=Deidre |title=Families Commission shake up |publisher=The Dominion Post |agency=Stuff.co.nz |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10230358/Families-Commission-shake-up |url-status=live |accessdate=14 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814160103/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10230358/Families-Commission-shake-up |archive-date=14 August 2017}}</ref> During the restructure, Sir Wira Gardiner and Parmjeet Parmar were appointed as commissioners.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=14 May 2013 |title=Families Commission Board appointments |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/families-commission-board-appointments |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}</ref> Legislation to enact the changes, the Families Commission Amendment Bill, completed its third reading on 24 March 2014 in a 64–56 vote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Families Commission Amendment Bill — Third Reading - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/50HansD_20140319_00000016/families-commission-amendment-bill-third-reading |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}}</ref> Labour's opposition to the changes was led by former chief commissioner Rajen Prasad, by then a member of Parliament. In lieu of what it described as a "compromised" commission, Labour proposed establishing a new Ministry for Children, which had been party policy since 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Small |first=Vernon |date=2011-05-21 |title=Labour will do away with Families Commission |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5036744/Labour-will-do-away-with-Families-Commission |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=New Zealand Labour Party |date=17 June 2014 |title=Ticking all the right boxes |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1406/S00227/ticking-all-the-right-boxes.htm |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=www.scoop.co.nz}}</ref> The creation of a child-centred ministry (Oranga Tamariki) was announced by the National government in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 August 2016 |title=New ministry dedicated to care and protection |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-ministry-dedicated-care-and-protection |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}</ref>
=== Disestablishment: Families Commission Act Repeal Act 2018 === Labour followed through on its pledge to disestablish Superu after it formed a new government in 2017, although by this time the previous government had commenced work to consider the disestablishment of the Crown entity.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 November 2017 |title=Key work programmes head to other agencies |url=http://www.superu.govt.nz/key-work-programmes-head-other-agencies |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121082343/http://www.superu.govt.nz/key-work-programmes-head-other-agencies |archive-date=21 January 2018 |access-date=5 February 2023 |website=Superu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Families Commission Act Repeal Bill — First Reading - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20180220_20180220_12 |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2017 |title=Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Social Development |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/sites/default/files/2017-12/Superu.pdf |access-date=5 February 2023 |website=www.beehive.govt.nz |quote=As part of reconfiguring agencies and resources to support social investment, the previous Government set up a Social Investment Agency (SIA) to provide leadership for this approach. It also decided to disestablish Superu.}}</ref> The Families Commission Act Repeal Bill received unanimous support at its third reading on 23 May 2018.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Families Commission Act Repeal Bill — Third Reading - New Zealand Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20180523_20180523_20 |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=www.parliament.nz |language=en}}</ref> The sole post-reform commissioner position, then held by former national statistician Len Cook since 1 July 2015, was disestablished.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=5 June 2015 |title=New chair appointed to Families Commission |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-chair-appointed-families-commission |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Superu |date=29 June 2018 |title=Over and out from Superu and the Families Commissioner |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1806/S00350/over-and-out-from-superu-and-the-families-commissioner.htm |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=www.scoop.co.nz}}</ref> Superu closed on 30 June 2018 and its surviving functions were reassigned to the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Justice and the Social Wellbeing Agency.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
== List of chief commissioners == {| class="wikitable" |+ !No. !Name ! colspan="2" |Term of office |- !1 |Rajen Prasad |1 July 2004<ref name=":2" /> |August 2008<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=5 August 2008 |title=Appointments to Families Commission Announced |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/appointments-families-commission-announced |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}</ref> |- !2 |Jan Pryor |August 2008<ref name=":5" /> |March 2010<ref name=":3" /> |- !- |Bruce Pilbrow (acting) |March 2010<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=30 July 2010 |title=Chief Families Commissioner appointed |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/chief-families-commissioner-appointed |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}</ref> |1 August 2010 |- !3 |Carl Davidson |1 August 2010<ref name=":6" /> |1 February 2013 |- !4 |Belinda Milnes |1 February 2013<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 February 2013 |title=Outgoing Chief families Commissioner thanked |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/outgoing-chief-families-commissioner-thanked |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 July 2013 |title=New Chief Families Commissioner |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-chief-families-commissioner |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}</ref> (acting until July 2013) |20 October 2014<ref>{{Cite web |last=McQuillan |first=Laura |title=Families Commissioner takes up Beehive job |url=https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/families-commissioner-takes-up-beehive-job/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=ZB |language=en-nz}}</ref> |- !- |Jo-ann Wilkinson (interim) |29 October 2014<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interim Families Commissioner appointed |url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/interim-families-commissioner-appointed |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=The Beehive |language=en}}</ref> |1 July 2015 |- !5 |Len Cook |1 July 2015<ref name=":4" /> |30 June 2018 |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{URL|http://www.superu.govt.nz/}}
{{NZ crown entities/Autonomous crown entities}} {{Authority control}}
Category:New Zealand autonomous Crown entities Category:Government agencies established in 2003 Category:2003 establishments in New Zealand Category:Government agencies disestablished in 2018 Category:2018 disestablishments in New Zealand