AUGUST 2023

But test everything; hold fast to what is good
1 Thessalonians 5:21

Tēnā Koe!
Our aim at NZCCSS is to approach most things with goodwill and a critical eye – and this month is no different. We’ve seen this in our new report Te Kōrero mō ngā Kaumātua, which outlines the vast array of research, knowledge and support available about and for older people in Aotearoa, while also highlighting what is missing for this cohort and our nationwide lack of preparedness for our ageing population.

We will take the same approach for our Election 2023 coverage which we’re busy preparing to launch later this month. As we begin to hear more from all parties as the election ramps up, our hope is for discussions based on sound policies and not soundbites.

Ngā mihi nui,
From all of us at NZCCSS

Last week, NZCCSS launched an online resource designed to support understanding of the context of older people in Aotearoa, at a societal and structural level.

Te Kōrero mō ngā Kaumātua provides the fullest possible picture of  the social, environment and structural context of older people in New Zealand – as well as what is missing. By framing it as an easy-to-read guide with links to further information, we hope it will be of benefit to our members as well as to the people they serve in their communities.

Gaining a better understanding of our older people – through resources such as this guide – means we are better able to value and support our kaumātua to thrive.

Click HERE to read > 

With an election fast approaching in October, NZCCSS will be keeping the spotlight firmly on ideas and policies which will impact the social services sector, especially within our three main focus areas of Equity and Inclusion (especially in regards to tax), Children and Families, and Older People.

Keep an eye on our website, where we will bring you:

• interactive policy comparison tables for the major parties
• blogs from our members about their key election issues
• questions we’ve sent to, and any responses we receive from, the major parties about their policies

We hope our coverage will provide both clarity, in the form of easily searchable tables focussed on policies which will impact our sector and the people we serve, as well as hope within the blogs which highlight innovate solutions for individual and systemic change.

Our Kaiwhakahaere Matua | Executive Officer Nikki Hurst will be sharing our stories, findings and advocacy plans with two speaking engagements this month.

She’ll be presenting Te Kōrero mō ngā Kaumatua and our plans for Election 2023 coverage at the NZ Society of Diversional and Recreational Therapists Annual Conference in Pōneke this week. The event is sold out but if you already have a ticket, please say kia ora!

On 21 August at 7pm, Nikki will also be taking part in a free online webinar for the Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign, presented by Oxfam and the Salvation Army. The aim of the session is to discuss how taxes impact poverty and inequality in Aotearoa and how a different tax system could lead to a more fair and equal society.
Click HERE to register >

Last month, NZCCSS released our latest issue of Kete Kupu, a magazine-style newsletter which shares stories from us and our members from all across the motu.

This Matariki issue of our twice-yearly magazine showcased new thinking and fresh approaches, including:

• The first of our election blogs
• Stories about members’ community programmes
• Meet the Team staff profile
• Some of our favourite tools

If you’ve got a story you’d love us to share in a future issue of Kete Kupu, please let us know.

Click HERE to view > 

Here’s a summary of our policy team’s mahi over the last month, with links to the submissions.

Grocery Supply Draft Code of Conduct Submission
We fundamentally agree with and support the majority of changes made under this Code of Conduct.
Read more >

Independent Electoral Review Submission
We fundamentally agree with the majority of recommendations made by this commission. We strongly recommend that consideration is given to addressing six key areas.
Read more >

Corrections Amendment Bill
We broadly support the kaupapa to make adjustments to allow for greater integration of Hōkai Rangi and obligations to Te Tiriti. We do, however, hold serious concern regarding the changes to allow the mixing of youth and adult prisoners.
Read more >

Last month a collection of community advocates (including NZCCSS) sent a joint letter to Government Ministers calling for an immediate moratorium on attachment orders against all social security benefits, a practice that affects 20,000 people at a total cost of $29 million a year.

An attachment order can be granted by the courts to order to pay off debt, with an amount being deducted from income each week. The system works in a way that makes it easier to get an attachment order against a benefit than a wage. Currently 80% of all orders are collected from beneficiaries and they bear the brunt of this punitive practice, causing significant financial harm alongside the flow-on impacts on the health and wellbeing of their families.

Click HERE to read the letter>

Find out more and sign the petition HERE >

Young people, Youth Workers and other kaimahi, friends and whānau are invited to join VOYCE Whakarongo Mai as they hikoi to Parliament to hand over their 6 Promises petition. The 6 Promises for 6,000 (children in care) campaign was established by care-experienced young people, calling on the State to uphold the most basic rights for children and young people in care – things like stability, good education and healthcare, a feeling of belonging, and having a say in decisions about them.
Sign the petition HERE >

Everyone in Wellington is invited to hikoi with them on 30 August to help surround care-experienced kids with love. Meet at 12.30pm by the Wharewaka at 21 Cable Street or at Parliament Grounds at 1pm.
Register to join the hikoi HERE >

In the last Policy Watch we wrote about the recently published and final report as part of the A Fair Chance for All inquiry, Breaking the Cycle of Persistent Disadvantage, from the Productivity Commission.

Part of the Terms of Reference for the inquiry noted that there is limited understanding of how trends in economic inclusion and social mobility impact on individuals, different population groups and wider society, and their dynamics across lifetimes and generations.

Aiming to help fill that gap in understanding, the supplementary report A quantitative analysis of disadvantage and how it persists in Aotearoa New Zealand is now available and should be read alongside the final inquiry report.

Find out more and read the report HERE >

Te Ao Māori is shaping the future of Aotearoa and has been doing so for some time – but law firm Chapman Tripp have discovered we are now seeing a quickening in the pace of that transformative change.

Their new publication, Te Ao Māori Trends and Insights explores:

• The growing recognition of tikanga and Te Tiriti in law and policy;
• Tikanga as a source of legal rights;
• The growth of the Māori economy; and
• The rise in a mana motuhake approach.

Find out more and read the guidelines HERE >

Good Shepherd, a charitable organisation which works to address the critical, contemporary issues facing women, girls and families, have released the results of the evaluation of their Economic Harm Support Service pilot.

The evaluation found that people affected by family harm are responsible for debts created under threats of violence, the cost of damage to property, and the cost of becoming safe. It also found that the provision of specialist economic harm support, alongside the support offered by family violence agencies and other social services, is making a difference to the ability of clients to get back on their feet and live lives free from violence.

Read the report HERE >

Earlier this week, the refreshed Youth Plan “Voice, Leadership, Action” was released by Willow-Jean Prime, the Minister for Youth.

The plan aims to amplify youth voice in government policy and decision-making, as well as ensure processes are in place for young people to have meaningful input. It also aims to increase opportunities for young people to lead their own lives and have their identities seen, valued and respected.

Read more about the plan HERE > 

Te Kāhui Kāhu helps to ensure that key requirements of the Social Workers Registration Act 2003 are met. Under the Act, people who present themselves or practise as a social worker must be registered with the Social Workers Registration Board. Te Kāhui Kāhu works closely with the Board to investigate where there are concerns that someone is not registered but is practising or presenting themselves as if they are a registered social worker.

Anyone can get in touch with Te Kāhui Kāhu if they have these concerns about a person or an organisation. They follow up every notification to ensure that the requirements of the Act are being met. They take an educational approach in discussions with individuals and organisations and support those who are eligible to be registered with information on how they can meet the requirements of the Act. The email address for notifications is [email protected]. 

Read more HERE > 

The Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga, have released the first report of their current research project which you may have read about in our last Policy Watch.  This report looks at how much households spend on four types of infrastructure services – land transport, energy, water and telecommunications. The findings of the research suggest that it can be challenging to effectively target assistance to those in need through built infrastructure solutions.

The research project will inform the Commission’s advice on how equity should be considered in deciding what and where infrastructure is provided – and, importantly, who pays for it.

Read more HERE >

The Charities Act 2005 has now been amended by the Charities Amendment Bill, which came into force last month. There are a wide range of changes for charities to be aware of. To help you stay on top of what changes will affect you and when, Ngā Ratonga Kaupapa Atawhai | Charities Services, have set up a Charities Act Hub on their website. This clearly lays out the dates and details for all the changes being introduced over the next year.

Read more HERE > 

Inspiring Communities have created an online introductory/refresher course for people working in all kinds of community-led development roles and contexts. This flexible and self-paced course takes around 5 hours to complete and is packed with useful ideas, resources and tools, as well as inspiring stories and experiences shared from community initiatives. The aim is to help those who attend to drive positive change in their own community mahi.

Course content covers:

• Introduction to community-led development
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• The Eco-cycle
• Top tips to get started

Pricing (GST incl):

• $74.75  – Individual/Community group/NGO
• $172.50  – Local/Central Government

They offer tiered group discounts for 2 or more people, and the option to pay by invoice. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

See the course outline HERE > 

The Health and Disability Commission have updated their resources to aid understanding of the Code of Rights. Their Code of Rights poster now incorporates English, te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language. Their Code of Rights pamphlet is now called “Your Rights” and is written in clear, concise language (in English and te reo Māori). They also have pocket cards available in English/Māori, New Zealand Sign Language, Arabic, Cook Islands Māori, Hindi, Niuean, Samoan, Simplified Chinese and Tongan. All are available to purchase on their website.
Read more HERE > 

In addition, they also have free online learning modules to improve providers’ knowledge and understanding of people’s health and disability rights. These short modules cover how the Code of Rights improves health and disability services, what you need to know about informed consent, as well as complaints management and early resolution. They support learning in a way that is relevant for everyone working across the health and disability sector, from specialists to support staff, and can be used towards continuous professional development.
Read more HERE > 

Workshop: How to sharpen your political nous in Government – 31 August

The McGuinness Institute is hosting the last of their “Bursting Bubbles” learning and networking sessions this month.

This session, held in person and online, will be led by Sally Washington, who heads the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) operations in Aotearoa New Zealand.

When:  Thursday, 31 August
Time:   5:00PM – 6.00PM
Where: McGuinness Institute, 1a/15 Allen Street, Te Aro, Wellington (or online)

Find out more and register to attend HERE

Random Acts of Kindness Day – 1 September
Started in Aotearoa in 2005, the first day of spring marks Random Acts of Kindness Day where all New Zealanders are encouraged to do something kind for a stranger.
Become a RAKtivist HERE

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – 11-17 September
Māori Language Week is an annual event which encourages everyone from across Aotearoa to give te reo Māori a go, as part of the larger goal of having 1 million speakers of te reo Māori by 2040. Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori!
Find out more HERE

World Alzheimer’s Day – 21 September
To mark World Alzheimer’s Day, the second instalment of Alzheimers NZ’s “Repositioning Dementia” one-day events will be held in Christchurch. Tickets are available to attend in person or online.
Find out more and register to attend HERE

Mental Health Awareness Week – 18-24 September
Run by the Mental Health Foundation, the theme of MHAW this year is Five Ways, Five Days: Proven Tools to Boost our Mental Health and is underpinned by the wellbeing model Te Whare Tapa Wha.
Find out more HERE