Predictable is not the word to describe the times in which we find ourselves. The ongoing pandemic – and the response to it – continued to impact our world and our mahi this year. Here in Aotearoa, Auckland, in particular, bore the brunt of regular and extended lockdowns. For those supporting affected New Zealanders it’s meant hard lengthy days, as long-brewing inequities have become unavoidably obvious and, in some cases, have reached crises points.
The challenges continue in the festive season, traditionally a high-demand time of year. As we adjust to the traffic light protection system, perhaps there is a little more hope for some sense of ‘normality’ in the year ahead.
In looking back before we move into a new year, despite the various hurdles and disruptions, 2021 had its highlights. For us here at NZCCSS…
We welcomed new Executive Officer Nikki Hurst late March, 2021.
NZCCSS maintained a robust schedule of providing feedback to a range of Government initiatives – 17 submissions from June 2021. See our website for details.
Kore Hiakai launched:
- ‘Mana to Mana’ Principles of Practice in Community Food Distribution providing a Te Ao Māori grounding to guide this mahi
- the ‘Aotearoa Standard Food Parcel Measure’ (including a nutritional guide for community food distributors) informed by earlier research ‘What is a Food Parcel?’
- Ka Mākona – a report on income inadequacy providing a snapshot of the current reality for New Zealanders experiencing food insecurity
We completed the delivery of Tiaki Tamariki and Sharing Information workshops in partnership with Social Service Providers Aotearoa, building social services’ capability to meet Section 7AA (Oranga Tamariki Act) requirements.
We gave voice to a range of issues impacting our member organisations, including:
- A call-to-action to the Minister for Seniors and the Banking Ombudsman on the increasing electronic disenfranchisement of vulnerable and older people.
- Participation on the Ministry of Health’s Older People Engagement group.
- Input into the development of Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment good practice procurement guide for government sector engagement with NGO community/social service.
- Input to the National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence
- Advocating with partners in the aged residential care sector to highlight the crisis caused by workforce challenges.
Multiple meetings with Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry for Children Oranga Tamariki and other ministries’ staff share experiences and raise voices of our members and those they work alongside.
That’s a brief summary of our 2021 calendar year. For the highlights – and reports on the highlights and challenges of our 2020-21 year, you can read the NZCCSS annual report here.