International Day of Older Persons 2018 Seniors who are champions for human rights are the focus of celebrations for the 2018 International Day of Older Persons. In New Zealand Minister for Seniors Hon Tracey Martin named equal pay campaigner Kristine Bartlett, 2018 New Zealander of the Year, and justice reform campaigner Kim Workman, 2018 Senior…
Some ideas for first steps towards better taxing income on capital were a feature of the interim report of the Tax Working Group (TWG) released on 19th September. The TWG is asking for feedback over the next few weeks on two options as it prepares it final report, as well as the other interim findings….
Social Security Re-write to become law A modern, clear, and accessible Social Security Act Under the previous National-led government, a complete re-write of the Social Security Act 1964 was initiated. NZCCSS was among the many people who made submissions on the resulting Social Security Rewrite Bill (see our 2016 article on this and submission). The…
Kia Pike Ake – Welfare Expert Advisory Group The Kia Pike Ake The Welfare Expert Advisory Group (WEAG) was established by the Minister for Social Development Hon Carmel Sepuloni in June 2018 to conduct a review of the social welfare system. The government describes its vision for welfare as: “A welfare system that ensures people…
A Decade Overdue: the need for regulation of property management in New Zealand Anglican Advocacy in Christchurch released this damning report on the antics of the property management industry on 28th August. Tenants and property owners shared their stories of how property managers have broken the law or failed to provide even the most basic…
A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for”. Anonymous Tēnā koutou and welcome to the latest Policy Watch e-letter highlighting the latest news, research and policy developments relevant to the NZCCSS mission to work for a just and…
Positive Ageing Strategy Consultation – ends 24th August How do we plan together as a country for the impact of our ageing population? The combination of a lower birth rate and people enjoying longer lives means that the structure of our population is in the middle of a massive shift. In 20 years’ time there…
The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) welcomes the launch today of the Renters United Plan To Fix Renting. For many years NZCCSS and other community based have been calling for better rental laws. Our member social services report the desperate situations that many people on low incomes find themselves in. “NZCCSS members…
Mā tāu rourou, me tāku rourou ka ora ai te iwi With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive Tēnā koutou and welcome to the latest Policy Watch e-letter highlighting the latest news, research and policy developments relevant to the NZCCSS mission to work for a just and compassionate society…
Policy Watch: Budget 2018 Special “Budget 18 sets out the first steps in a plan for transformation – a transformation of our economy, a transformation of our public services, and a transformation of the way we work together to improve the lives of all New Zealanders”. Hon Grant Robertson, Minister of Finance All eyes were…
MEDIA RELEASE: Thursday 17 May 2018 “This Budget has not recognised the extremely dire situation that community social services are experiencing”, said Trevor McGlinchey, Executive Officer New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services. “While, we are pleased to see the initiatives which will begin to address the needs of those in our communities who are…
“We will measure our progress as a Government differently – by focusing on improving wellbeing and lifting living standards.” This Policy Watch edition comes hard on the heels of the latest Kete Kupu newsletter, published last week covering in more detail the policy and social justice issues that we at NZCCSS working on. Some areas…
Minister for Seniors Tracey Martin has signalled that promoting housing options for older people will be one of two key areas focus for a new Positive Ageing Strategy to be developed this year. The current Positive Ageing Strategy was written in 2001 and needs to be updated to reflect the continuing changes as our population…
Disappointment that the Select Committee has not recommend changes in key areas of the Bill on scope of practice for social work was the first reaction from social workers’ organisations to the report on the Social Workers Registration Amendment Bill released on 19th April. Both the Association of Social Workers and the Public Service Association…
More good news for low income renters was the decision by Housing Minister Phil Twyford to pause all tenancy reviews for people living in public housing, which are Housing NZ or community housing where an income-related rent subsidy (IRRS) is paid. The introduction of tenancy reviews for almost all of those living in social housing…