“Leadership is made for service.” Jack Hyles

Tēnā koutou katoa,

Welcome to the November issue of Policy Watch, a short edition this month with news of the recently appointed Government Cabinet and a departure from the NZCCSS Secretariat.

New Government Cabinet announced

The October 2020 Parliamentary election produced a solidly conclusive result for the New Zealand Labour Party. The substantial majority delivered by voters handed Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern the ability to assemble the first single-party controlled Cabinet in 30 years. The SpinOff’s political editor Justin Giovannetti insightfully describes the new cabinet as “built around a health team to battle coronavirus and an economic team to rebuild from it”.

The newly appointed executive team is large – with 28 members – and represents broad diversity, including 13 women, 8 Maori and 4 who identify as LGBTQ.

Ministry portfolios of particular interest to NZCCSS: (listed in Cabinet ranking order):
Prime Minister, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern: Minister for Child Poverty Reduction
Hon Kelvin Davis: Minister for Children
Hon Dr Megan Woods: Minister of Housing
Hon Chris Hipkins: Minister for COVID-19 Response
Hon Carmel Sepuloni: Minister for Social Development and Employment
Hon Andrew Little: Minister of Health
Hon Poto Williams: Associate Minister for Children; Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing)
Hon Peeni Henare: Minister for Whānau Ora; Associate Minister of Health (Maori Health); Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing)
Ayesha Verrall: Minister for Seniors; Associate Minister of Health

Ministers outside Cabinet:
Hon Aupito William Sio: Minister for Pacific Peoples; Associate Minister of Health (Pacific Peoples)
Priyanca Radhakrishnan: Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector; Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities; Minister for Youth; Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment

Co-operation Agreement Ministers:
Marama Davidson: Associate Minister of Housing (Homelessness).

See the full list of Cabinet Ministers and their portfolios here.

Now is the time to get moving

It’s great to see such diversity and inclusion in this Cabinet. The reason often given for constrained progress in the Labour-led Government’s first term was the handbrake of coalition partners. With that handbrake off, we’re looking forward to seeing the single-party Labour Government make real and fast progress in addressing the inequalities in Aotearoa-New Zealand. On election night Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern committed to govern for all New Zealanders. Our expectations are high. In the days ahead we will be encouraging this Government to:

• immediately and substantially increase the construction of public housing in both government and community housing sectors so that all New Zealanders can access affordable, secure and quality housing.
• increase the benefit levels and support the payment of a liveable wage to ensure that all New Zealanders have an income that provides the necessities of life and can meaningfully participate with dignity in our communities.

With food insecurity and homelessness ballooning, now really is time to get moving.

Haere rā, Trevor McGlinchey, QSM

After 14 years at the helm of NZCCS, Trevor McGlinchey QSM, will be finishing in his role of Council Executive Director on 24 December 2020. Trevor has accepted a role with his iwi, Ngāi Tahu, which will focus on building the wellbeing of whānau.

Here at the NZCCSS Secretariat we are sad that Trevor is leaving but glad for him that he will get to spend more time in Te Waipounamu with his treasured mokopuna and whānau. Go well Trevor in your new venture in 2021.

Ehara koe i te ringa huti punga!
[It is indeed that (powerful) arm that hauls up the anchor of the canoe].