Let us carefully cultivate hope, that small flower which we should always bring to those in need. Suzanne Aubert Welcome to the latest Policy Watch e-letter highlighting the latest news, research and policy developments relevant to NZCCSS’ core mission to work for a just and compassionate society in Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s been all go…
Help shape the Action Plan for 2019-2023 The Government is hosting meetings across the country in July and August to discuss what priorities it should focus on for family carers for the new Carers’ Strategy Action Plan. For the first time issues such as paid family care will be on the table for the Carers’…
Important for NZCCSS members to note! New information sharing provisions come into force 1 July 2019. Oranga Tamariki and the Ministry of Justice have released separate guidance on new information sharing provisions under the OrangaTamariki Act 1989 and the Family Violence Act 2019. The Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 [Sections 65A to 66Q] New provisions enable…
The contribution of the churches in social policy and social change is the focus of a research report published this year by the Centre for Theology and Public Issues at Otago University. The report Making a Difference: Faith-Based Organisations Contributing to Social Change in Aotearoa written by Dr Richard Davis, gives some insight into the…
During 2019 NZCCSS is marking 50 years since the organization was established. In February we began the year with a vigil at Wellington Anglican Cathedral of St Paul. Emily Menkes, our social media coordinator, has been interviewing some of the people who have helped shape the history of NZCCSS. This interview is with NZCCSS Council…
Wellbeing Budget 2019: How transformative is it? “The Wellbeing Budget is about a new approach to tackling New Zealand’s long-term challenges. It’s about a joined up government focused on building capabilities of our future generations”. Minister for Finance, Hon Grant Robertson Ki te kahore he whakakitenga ka ngaro te iwi – Without foresight or…
MEDIA RELEASE: Thursday 30 May 2019 “We are encouraged by the 2019 Wellbeing Budget and see hopeful signs for the future if this beginning is more strongly built on in future Budgets”, said Trevor McGlinchey, Executive Officer, New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS). “The investment in our children, in addressing New Zealand’s mental…
MEDIA RELEASE: Friday 3rd May 2019 NZCCSS welcomes the release of the WEAG report Whakamana Tāngata: Restoring Dignity to Social Security in New Zealand. “It is wonderful to see that this report places the dignity and the mana of people at the centre of its recommendations,” says Ian Hutson, NZCCSS President. “This means providing hope…
MEDIA RELEASE: Tuesday 16th April 2019 Now is the time to make the decision to increase fairness in our tax system and close the biggest gap caused by the lack of taxes on wealth in this country, says NZCCSS. That is why we are joining with the other supporters of Tax Justice Aotearoa to urge…
Text supplied by IRD Over the last couple of months, we’ve told you about some of the upcoming changes to income tax via our ‘Changing for You’ campaign. In March 2019, Parliament passed legislation to make the income tax process for most individuals more straightforward. These changes will apply from 1 April 2019 and to…
MEDIA RELEASE: Wednesday 3 April The Statistics New Zealand release of the baseline statistics of child poverty in New Zealand is welcomed by the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS). This will provide for the measuring of future progress in the reduction of poverty for our children and their families and whānau. Relentless,…
On February 20th, NZCCSS Council members gathered to celebrate 50 years since the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services was formed. At Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, member churches, social service agencies and the public gathered to commemorate the ecumenical contribution made by NZCCSS since 1969. The Joint Day of Worship, as suggested by…
MEDIA RELEASE: Monday 25th February 2019 This is the right thing to do and the right time to do it, says NZ Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) Policy Advisor Paul Barber, in response to the new Healthy Homes Standards just released. This is about saving lives of young children and older people especially, who…
Prayer for the United Nations International Day of Social Justice & the celebration for the unity on the 50th Anniversary of the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services Karakia for Social Service Agencies for the beginning of the day – Wednesday 20 February 2019 (created for use in our social service agencies – but…
MEDIA RELEASE: Friday 25 January 2019 On February 20th, the United Nations Day of Social Justice, the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services will join together with its member churches and church social services agencies in a joint worship to focus on those who are poor and marginalised in society. Joining together in prayer is a…