FEBRUARY 2023

Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa

Let us keep closer together, not wide apart.

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.

Nahum 1:7 (NIV)

Tēnā koe!

In this month’s Policy Watch:

  • MSD Cyclone Response Community Support Package
  • Hui E! Grant Writing Support
  • Foundation North & Centre for Social Impact’s Flood Relief & Resources Guide
  • Summary of recent NZCCSS submissions
  • NZCCSS Workforce Guide
  • The Salvation Army: State of the Nation 2023 Report
  • Inspiring Communities Online Funding Workshop
  • UN Review on Children’s Rights Progress
  • A fair chance for all – Summary of Submissions on interim report
  • Consultation-Supporting oranga for disabled people
  • Alzheimers NZ Repositioning Dementia Event
  • It makes you think
  • Neighbours Aotearoa

Cyclone Gabrielle Government Funding Support Available

We have an update on how to apply for the Ministry of Social Development’s $11.5 million support packages available for providers.

Click HERE to learn more about the Community Support Package and to find the links to apply.

Hui E! Grant writing support

Hui E! provide free grant-writing support for community groups, and have a team ready to support urgent applications needed in the wake of the weather events.

Click HERE to apply for a free grant writer to help with your MSD application.

Foundation North flood relief and resources guide

Foundation North and the Centre for Social Impact have compiled a fantastic funding resource that collates a wide range of resources in response to the weather events in one handy PDF.

Click HERE to view the guide.

Summary of recent NZCCSS submissions

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

Buy Now-Pay Later Regulations
NZCCSS believes clearer regulation and oversight of these service providers is timely. For many, it is a useful opportunity to purchase what is needed, when needed, while spreading the cost. For others, the very low criteria to access these schemes are compounding financial issues.
Read more >

Long-Term Insights Briefing: Improving Pacific Data Equity
NZCCSS supports the kaupapa by the Ministry of Pacific Peoples to improve Pacific data equity. In their  work alongside Pacific people, NZCCSS members recognise the need for improvements to current  systems that are government-driven and culturally lacking.
Read more >

Charities Amendment Bill
We support the kaupapa to bring the laws governing charities into the modern era. We do, however,  have reservations surrounding the implications of some segments of this legislation and their possible subsequent regulations.
Read more >
See all NZCCSS submissions on our website here.

NZCSSS Workforce Guide 

In December we were excited to release ‘The Workforce Guide’ – a guide designed to support understanding of the variety of roles across the social, community and health workforce.

The resource celebrates the strength of our often-undervalued workforce. We know that our sector is highly relational, and our super-power is when we all work together. But we all have unique strengths, ways of practicing, knowledge and expertise – the guide aims to highlight, and celebrate this.

Click HERE to view the guide.

The Salvation Army: State of the Nation 2023 Report – ‘Costs…of Living – Nga Rourou Whakaiti.’

Last week the Salvation Army launched their 2023 State of the Nation 2023 Report.

The report provides a thorough and insightful analysis of how the whānau and communities of Aotearoa/New Zealand are doing.

This is essential reading for those seeking to understand what can be done to build a better world.

Below are links  to a video presentation of the report, a summary report document, and the full report:

Video Presentation >

Summary Report Document >

Full Report >

Inspiring Communities Online Funding Workshop

TOPIC: Yes We Can. Fund effectively, Change will happen.
Wednesday March 1st 2023 10am – 11am

Well-constructed, high trust funding systems have the power to create change and equity. What does it look like then when we fund effectively, what happens and what results do we get?

Link for Registrations >

Link for information on Inspiring Communities Website >

Everyone who registers will receive a link to the recording afterwards.

UN Review on Children’s Rights progress

As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Government of Aotearoa New Zealand is required to make regular reports on progress towards implementation of the convention.

The most recent reporting occurred, in person, to the Committee, late January. You can find a full summary of reports, statements and issues linked below.

Read more >

NZCCSS analyst Melanie Wilson, joined Whānau Awhina Plunket, Save the Children, the Children’s Poverty Action Group in supporting the Children’s Right’s Alliance to provide additional materials in relation to The Basic Health and Welfare Rights of Children 0-5.

A fair chance for all – Summary of Submissions on interim report

This week we saw the release of the Summary of Submissions received on the interim report for the Commission’s inquiry into economic inclusion and social mobility – A fair chance for all. 

68 submissions (including one from NZCCSS) covering a range of perspectives were submitted, and a broad spectrum of themes, with submitters united in their passion for addressing persistent disadvantage.

A full and final report from the Commission is expected in May 2023. This report will collate and summarise all findings and offer clear recommendations to the Government on options to tackle persistent disadvantage.

Read the report >

Consultation: Supporting oranga for disabled people 

Oranga Tamariki are consulting on how to support oranga for disabled people through a future disability strategy. We are keen to hear from you if you would like to participate in a group workshop as part of this consultation.

There is more information about the consultation process HERE

If you are interested in being part of the workshop please email [email protected] and she will be in touch to identify a suitable time.

One day Event: Repositioning Dementia-a new start

Register now for Alzheimers NZ’s one-day event on March 23rd

The latest news and updates, thought-provoking discussion and the opportunity to shape the future of dementia mate wareware in Aotearoa New Zealand are all great reasons to take part in the new one-day event.

Repositioning Dementia: A new start is on Thursday 23 March at the National Library of New Zealand, Wellington – both in person and online.

Register HERE >

Well deserved honour for Bonnie Robinson

We are thrilled to acknowledge that Bonnie Robinson has been awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the New Zealand New Year’s Honours List for her services to seniors and social services. Bonnie’s leadership qualities, innovative ideas and tireless service to others means this award is richly deserved.

NZCCSS Explainer on Economic Frameworks

Election year 2023 is rapidly approaching. NZCCSS is planning a suite of information resources that will be released over the coming months. As a precursor to that, Policy Analyst Hamish Jarvie has produced an explainer on our economy, delving into some of the key concepts, frames of reference and major issues.

Read more >

Selwyn expands charitable mission

The Selwyn Foundation is set to expand its charitable funding for work that brings real improvement in the lives of disadvantaged older people living in the community.

Read more >

Neighbours Aotearoa

Neighbours Aotearoa is a month-long initiative from the 1st to the 31st of March 2023, which encourages people to organise an activity or event for their community around this year’s theme ‘Let’s Share!’

Neighbours Aotearoa has evolved and grown since its initial one day event in 2009: after later expanding to ten days, 2023 will see the initiative span the entire month of March and beyond.

Read more >

We welcome your feedback on POLICY WATCH and other publications produced by the Council, email: [email protected]

Ngā mihi nui

From all of us in the team at NZCCSS