JULY 2022

Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua.

If we take care of the earth, if we take care of the people, we will take care of the future.

Tēnā koe!

We hope that our first-ever holiday celebrating Matariki gave you an opportunity to take a break from the mahi and to spend time with loved ones. For us at NZCCSS, as we head into the second half of the calendar year, there’s an intensity and urgency to developments in nearly every sector in which NZCCSS has an interest. In the last month, we’re seeing the funding crisis in aged care further reducing the living options available to New Zealanders. Now, a changing landscape in the provision of prevention services is putting at risk the lives of tamariki and rangatahi in Aotearoa. As expressed by this month’s whakatauki/proverb above, if we want to enjoy a good future, we need to look after people and place today.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
Proverbs 3:27

In this month’s Policy Watch:

  • Lack of transparency in Oranga Tamariki review
  • Concerns with Oranga Tamariki Oversight persist
  • Saving aged care in Aotearoa
  • Pay equity claim for care and support workers
  • Capital grants now available to community housing providers
  • Problem gambling framed as an equity issue
  • Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People now in place
  • Selwyn Foundation appoints new Chief Executive
  • Fresh challenges for Sonia Scott
  • Register for seminar on ageing migrants in Aotearoa
  • The Business of Ageing
  • Digital Tech – your data is needed!

Kia noho haumaru

The Team at NZCCSS

Summary of recent NZCCSS submissions

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

Kāinga Ora 2023 Strategy Consultation (4) – Generally, NZCCSS supports the establishment of a long-term strategy plan that prioritises client wellbeing and social cohesion. However, we note that the success parameters are not embedded in community outcomes, as is currently worded. Read more here >

Mandatory Unit Pricing – NZCCSS welcomes the implementation of mandatory unit pricing on grocery items as this will help consumers make more informed decisions amidst significant inflation of essential grocery items. We also recommend that the size and competitive advantage of larger market players needs consideration in order to maintain a fair market. Read more here >

Improving Arrangements for Surrogacy – NZCCSS supports the improved access to surrogacy and protect the rights of surrogate-born tamariki, proposed in the Improving Arrangements for Surrogacy Bill. Read more here >

Wayfinding for Civil Justice  – NZCCSS supports the kaupapa of this framework to improve access to justice, but seeks some strengthening, such as including a greater focus on service user outcomes, embedding Te Tiriti in the framework, and a greater focus on equality within principles and goals. Read more here >

Recognising Gender on Birth Certificates – NZCCSS supports efforts to ensure the rights and dignity of transgender, intersex and takatāpui people. This extends to legal recognition/proof of identified gender, through amending birth certificates, and for the development of processes contributing to an improved sense of identity and safety. Read more here >

Employment Relations Amendment Bill – NZCCSS supports extending the time period provided for raising a personal grievance on the grounds of sexual harassment. Read more here >

GloBe Tax Rules – Broadly, NZCCSS supports the implementation of the GloBE tax rules recommended by the OECD. These rules mostly impact excess incomes made by Multinational Entities for which earnings are currently untaxed. However, we believe the rules need to be implemented following or alongside New Zealand’s large partner economies (eg, Australia). Read more here >

Search and Surveillance Act Review – NZCCSS supports giving effect to the recommendations of the 2016/17 statutory review of the Search and Surveillance Act and the recommendations from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch terrorist attacks.  Read more here >

Response on Building Code Update 2022 – Broadly, NZCCSS supports the changes proposed by the review, but recommends that it would now be opportune to bring the Building Code in line with the Healthy Homes standards, in particular regarding heating, ventilation and moisture ingress. Read more here >

NZCCSS Submissions for the Youth Parliament 2022

NZCCSS put forward two submissions for debate by Youth MPs at the Youth Parliament 2022 held in Wellington 19-20 July:

The Government and Te Tiriti – That Māori must have equal representation in central and local government, and that the government must be required to act on all Waitingi Tribunal recommendations. Read more here >

Relationships and Sexuality Education – That evidence-based relationship and sexuality education is an imperative for the development of rangatahi, and that the national curriculum include mandatory education on consent. Read more here >

See all NZCCSS submissions on our website here.

Lack of transparency in Oranga Tamariki review

On 27 June, Oranga Tamariki (OT) advised its service providers that it was reviewing all service contracts and, as an interim measure, would confirm funding for the following three-to-six months only. Coming without warning and only a few days before the start of the new financial year, this pronouncement triggered weeks of uncertainty for the sector. From Friday 22 July, OT began communicating directly with services about the impacts of its review. For some providers, the resulting changes will significantly impact their operations. Others are seeing lesser impacts, but still reductions.

While it is entirely legitimate for OT to review what it does and how it does it, at NZCCSS, we are troubled by the way in which this process is proceeding, a point we have repeatedly made over the last four weeks to OT itself, to Government ministers and to partners across the public sector. A number of the questions we have been asking remain unanswered:

  • How will OT ensure there is a safe transition for tamariki and rangatahi/how is OT holding their interests central to the decision making? Where are their voices in this process?
  • Will there be consultation with the wider sector or opportunities to collaborate? Will communities themselves be consulted on these changes and their impacts?
  • What is the exact criteria being used to make these decisions? What evidence informed this process?

To date, OT has not provided to the sector the criteria that it is using to determine which services it will fund and which it will not. Last week, after several requests, OT Chief Executive Chappie Te Kani shared five guiding principles. But these are not criteria and they do little to shed light on the basis of assessment.

NZCCSS is continuing to encourage transparency around the process and is working with members on ways to best represent their interests.

Radio New Zealand’s Kathryn Ryan interviewed NZCCSS Executive Officer Nikki Hurst on our concerns. Listen to the interview here >

We’re here to help: If you’ve received advice from Oranga Tamairki and would like support for your next steps, please reach out. You can email us here   

Concerns with Oranga Tamariki Oversight persist

NZCCSS is one of many in the sector voicing opposition to the proposed Oranga Tamariki (OT) Oversight Bill. In its current form, the Bill would see the role of the independent Children’s Commissioner replaced. It would also see advocacy become the role of a board of up to six people, while oversight of OT would split between an independent monitor and the Ombudsman.

It is the view of much of the sector, that now more than ever (see above), a genuinely independent monitor of OT is crucial. There is also widespread concern that those most affected by the proposed changes have not been consulted on them.

Aaron Hendry, youth housing service lead for NZCCSS member organisation LifeWise, says one of the primary concerns for Manaaki Rangatahi was that the change in oversight could exacerbate youth homelessness. Aaron expressed concern that the bill is moving with speed through Parliament without having provided for the voice of rangatahi to be heard. Aaron has launched a petition calling for the Government to listen to young people.

See the petition here >

See NZCCSS’s submission on the proposed Bill made earlier in the year here >

See NZCCSS’s media statement How not to engage with tamariki and rangatahi here >  

Saving aged care in Aotearoa

Aged care in Aotearoa is in crisis. Yes, crisis – we’re prepared to call it. Especially in the not-for-profit sector, some providers have been forced to reduce their intake to manage the number of beds they can offer safely; some are contemplating closure.

The NZ Aged Care Association together with Care Association New Zealand is running a petition on www.change.org. By signing, you will join the call to Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora and Minister Little to adequately fund aged care and ensure its survival for current and future generations.

Sign or find out more about the petition for change here >

A recent Radio New Zealand article spotlighted the difficult solutions some providers and their staff are forced to take to keep operating. Read here >

Pay equity claim for care and support workers

Unions for care and support workers lodged a pay equity claim earlier this month. The claim  seeks to right the imbalance for a mostly female workforce that has been long undervalued, while undertaking vital work in communities in Aotearoa.

According to E tū, NZNO, and PSA, the last time care and support workers received a decent pay rise was in 2017 and that with the cost of living now spiralling, this low-paid group of workers is struggling to survive. The Unions say that this directly impacts those who need care and support: elderly, people with disabilities, and those with mental health and addictions needs, and their whānau.

“Raising pay rates and creating viable career pathways is a major factor in ensuring care and support workers have decent work, but also in making sure that people in our communities have access to the care they need and deserve.”

Read more about the claim here >

A pay equity claim for NGO social workers is also in progress. See more details from our friends at SSPA here >

Capital grants available to community housing providers

The first round of the Government’s $350 million Affordable Housing Fund is now open. In this round, community housing providers have the opportunity to apply for capital grants -an opportunity available for the first time in six years.

The first $50 million of this fund has been earmarked to provide for rental developments for lower income people who cannot afford a market rent but can’t access public housing.

To be eligible to apply, not-for-profit groups need to be working towards the development of new rental homes for households on lower incomes that stay affordable over the long-term.

Read the Government announcement here >

Find out how to apply to the Fund here >

Problem gambling framed as an equity issue

About one in five New Zealanders will experience harm in their lifetime due to their own or someone else’s gambling, according to a new strategy launched by the Ministry of Health. The Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm also frames problem gambling as an equity issue, “given that Māori pacific people, some Asian communities, young people/ rangatahi, and people on lower incomes are disproportionately affected.” Informed by publicly-funded research conducted by the University of Auckland, key changes include a strengthened public health approach and service response through:

  • strengthening partnership approaches to the design and delivery of services
  • increasing awareness and engagement for those at risk, with a greater focus on targeted public health initiatives developed in collaboration with priority populations, particularly young people/rangatahi
  • Other new initiatives include:
  • developing and expanding digital services and supports to improve the range of services and service access
  • developing and evaluating new services to increase choice and strengthen evidenced based service improvements, using more action research methods with affected communities.

Read the strategy here >

See NZCCSS’s submission on reducing pokies harm here >

Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People now in place

The end of June saw the launch of Whaikaha, the new Ministry of Disabled People. For disabled people in Aotearoa, this was the realisation of more than 40 years of advocacy.

Whaikaha is now the single point of contact for people using Disability Support Services. It will also further develop Enabling Good Lives, which aims to give people more control over their own budgets and decision making. The new Ministry incorporates the former Office for Disability Issues. As such, it will develop access legislation and will work across government on big issues such as employment for people with disabilities.

Around $2 billion has been allocated to support the operation of Whaikaha, including an extra $735 million to deal with growing demand for support services.

Read more in this Radio New Zealand article here >

Selwyn Foundation appoints new Chief Executive

Denise Cosgrove has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of The Selwyn Foundation, one of New Zealand’s largest charities serving older people and their families. Ms Cosgrove, who is the current CEO of Presbyterian Support Northern, Auckland, will succeed Garry Smith who recently retired after ten years in the role.

Fresh challenges for Sonia Scott

Sonia Scott will be a familiar name and face to many in the NZCCSS network, as one of the policy team that researches and provides insights for our advocacy work. Sonia has invested deeply in understanding the issues at the heart of NZCCSS’s mahi, most latterly as policy analyst for our Older People Policy Group. But after eight years, Sonia has decided that it is time for a fresh challenge and has left NZCCSS to give time to her community. Thank you, Sonia, for your hard work and heart work in advocating for the ‘lowest and the least’ over the years. We will miss your positivity and your care for others, and we wish you all the very best for your new future. Haere ra, Sonia. Ngā manaakitanga.

Register for Seminar on Ageing Migrants in Aotearoa

Researchers, policy makers and professionals are invited to join the discussion around ageing migrants in Aotearoa New Zealand. Featuring current research findings, the seminar can be attended in person or online. The afternoon includes a practical workshop for those attending in person.

When: Friday, 28 October, 9.00- 12.00pm (Seminar); 1.00-3.00pm (Workshop)

Where: Rutherford House (RHMZ03), Pipitea, Wellington

See more seminar details here >

Visit the website on ageing migrants here >  

The Business of Ageing

The number of older people in the workforce – currently 194,700 – is expected to double by 2071. Currently, older peoples’ earnings from renumerated work is $6.39 billion. By 2071, this is projected to be $27.64 billion. Correspondingly, the tax take from older people is likely to rise from $9.7 billion to $46 billion by 2071.  In short, older people have an increasingly significant contribution to make to the New Zealand economy. That’s the premise of the Business of Ageing Project that reports annually on the growing value of the labour market participation, income, tax, spending, and voluntary/unpaid work of seniors.

The fifth and latest report – Business of Ageing 2021 – is now available.
See the report here >

Digital technology survey – your data is needed

If you’re a not-for-profit/charitable organisation, the Digital Technology Survey needs you!  The aim of the survey is to better understand how not-for-profit organisations are using technology, so that growth areas and areas needing improvement can be identified. The survey has been running for seven years and provides the sector’s most comprehensive view of technology use including information systems, staff capability, security, online presence and emerging technologies.

Find out more/ take part here >

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