Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua
I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past
Tēnā Koe!
As 14 October grows ever closer, we continue to update our Election 2023 coverage. This week we have added the parties answers’ to our questions about their commitments to supporting older people in Aotearoa. You can see them here.
This week is National Diversional and Recreational Therapy Week. The theme this year is Hidden Gems, which is what so many Diversional and Recreational Therapists are. Please celebrate the DRTs you know in your mahi or life, and if you don’t know much about Diversional and Recreational Therapy yet, then you can find out more here.
Finally, we are beginning to share more of our mahi on Linked In. Please follow our company page to join the conversations. We look forward to seeing you there.
Ngā mihi nui,
From all of us at NZCCSS |
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Our Election 2023 coverage is live!
In the lead-up to the Election next month, we’re focussing our coverage on the things that matter to us, our members, and the communities they serve.
We’re highlighting policies, promises and perspectives relating to Tamariki | Children, Kaumātua | Older People, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our sector (health, community and social services).
This week we’ve added the responses from parties to our questions about their commitment to older people. Click HERE to read >
Our aim is to provide clear, accessible and neutral information, in easily understood formats, based on:
- published manifestos and press releases
- answers received directly from parties
In addition, we’re posting a series of blogs from our members and kaimahi, highlighting what they’re seeing in their communities right now and their hopeful solutions for positive change.
Click HERE to read > |
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| Our Kaiwhakahaere Matua | Executive Officer Nikki Hurst appeared on TVNZ’s Breakfast earlier this month. She was discussing proposed tax changes ahead of the 2023 election, recommending a complete change to Aotearoa’s tax system rather than a piecemeal approach.
“We have a broad-based tax system that tries very hard not to be overly specific and in doing so you have an odd number of people or organisations who use the existing law to their advantage… If we have a challenge with how our tax system is structured, picking things off one by one is not a useful way to tackle it.”
To watch the interview in full, click on the video above or CLICK HERE > |
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| Our Policy Analyst’s thesis published by the UN
Huge congratulations to our very own Hamish Jarvie (Kaitātari Kaupapa | Policy Analyst) who has had his Masters thesis published by the United Nations this month. “The Venezuela Dilemma: Why Do Sanctions Continue to Fail to Dislodge the Venezuelan Regime?” is available online on the UN’s Sanction Research Platform.
It’s a little different from our mahi, but we’re proud (and not surprised) that the UN has recognised Hamish’s work. He brings these research and writing skills to his role here in Wellington as the lead analyst for our Equity and Inclusion Policy Group.
Click HERE to read > |
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| Nikki expanded on her ideas for New Zealand’s tax system, as part of an online panel discussing what changes could be made so it is more equitable for all. Joining Nikki on the panel was author Max Rushbrooke and Geordie Rogers from Renters United.
To watch the panel in full, click on the picture above or CLICK HERE > |
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| Last month, NZCCSS released our latest report Te Kōrero mō ngā Kaumātua, which explores the context of older people in Aotearoa. We’ve been heartened by the response to this work and appreciate the feedback its received from people in the community, members and Ministers alike.
If you haven’t yet, we’d love for you to read it and share it with colleagues and whānau. 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 > |
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| Working together to end tamariki homelessness
Catholic Social Services Manager Luis Arevalo has laid down a wero to business leaders in Ōtautahi Christchurch. He calls on everyone to come together to create and fund programmes to address child homelessness in the region.
Luis says “Any social service professional will tell you that we cannot keep up with what is coming through our doors today, let alone in the future. We must dramatically change our approach and urgently arrest the causes of these serious issues.”
If you’d like to be involved, you can email Luis on [email protected], or click below to read his piece in Inform magazine (page 8).
Click HERE to read > |
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Tick 4 Kids Scorecards
We’re proud to be one of the organisations behind Tick 4 Kids. Their scorecards to help you understand party policy in relation to tamariki are now available.
Click HERE to read > |
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Pressing Issues – Election coverage from the Salvation Army
In the lead up to the election The Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit (SPPU) are releasing a series of briefings under the title Pressing Issues. The briefings will cover issues such as jobs, incomes and tax; children and youth, and housing deprivation.
The Pressing Issues series offers a snapshot of the issues that the SPPU believe are important for the more than 150,000 people who The Salvation Army works with each year. They look at innovations and ideas which could make a difference, as well as questions to ask of political candidates about the issues and what they plan to do about it.
Click HERE to read > |
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Visionwest’s Flood and Cyclone Report
This report records Visionwest’s response to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s catastrophic weather events earlier in 2023. Within hours of the flooding , team members were on the ground providing for the needs of those displaced from their homes. Visionwest then continued to provide wraparound support; this is ongoing and expected to be required for months, perhaps years, to come.
Click HERE to read > |
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| September is World Alzheimers Month
September is World Alzheimers Month and your chance to show your support for people and their whānau living with dementia mate wareware in Aotearoa New Zealand. The theme for 2023 is ‘never too early, never too late’ to emphasise what we can do as individuals to reduce our risk, including keeping active, checking our hearing, keeping connected, eating well and looking after our heart.
Find out more HERE >
Alzheimers New Zealand asked political parties several policy questions in the lead up to the 2023 General Election to understand where dementia mate wareware is on their agenda.
Read the responses HERE > |
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Te Mauri o Rongo – NZ Health Charter
The Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 requires the tabling of a Charter – referred to now as Te Mauri o Rongo | the New Zealand Health Charter, released by Te Whatu Ora this month. The Charter describes the values, principles and behaviour of entities that are publicly funded to provide care, and workers involved in delivering that care. are expected to demonstrate.
Click HERE to download> |
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| Updated Inland Revenue website for not-for-profits and charities
Inland Revenue recently reviewed and refreshed the content for not-for-profit and charities customers on their website to make it easier to get information.
They’ve reduced the pages across their site down to one dedicated section that’s been written specifically for not-for-profits and charities.
See the new website HERE > |
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Youth Engagement Resources
The Ministry of Youth Development Te Manatū Whakahiato Taiohi has released a suite of updated Youth Engagement Resources. They aim to support youth voice to be meaning-fully embedded in decision-making so that young people’s perspectives can be listened to, valued, and guide action.
Download them all HERE > |
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| Enabling Good Lives eLearning module – from Te Whatu Ora
Te Whatu Ora have launched their eLearning module on the Enabling Good Lives (EGL) Principles, and how to apply them in health settings. Disabled people in Aotearoa New Zealand face inequity and challenges when accessing health services. Professional development for those working with disabled people in the health system is vital in order to address these inequities. Learning is focussed on the eight EGL Principles: Self-Determination, Beginning Early, Ordinary Life Outcomes, Mainstream First, Person Centred, Mana Enhancing, Easy to Use, Relationship Building.
Currently the module is only available in Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley, with the hope the programme will soon expand nationally. Any queries should be emailed to [email protected] |
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| IT MAKES YOU THINK…
In the lead-up to Election 2023, we’re posting a series of blogs written by our members and kaimahi, tied together with threads of hope and optimism for how Aotearoa might change in the near future.
We want to highlight what our members are seeing out there in their communities, and also suggest innovative solutions for positive systemic and individual change.
Cyclone Gabrielle – a Catalyst for Social Change
Sarah Mulcahy (Anglican Care) writes about her experiences in Te Matau-a-Māui | Hawke’s Bay following the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle, and outlines that it’s crucial to allow for, trust and invest in community empowerment and resilience.
Read the blog here >
Becoming a Dementia Friendly Organisation
Claire Booth (Wesley Community Action) writes about becoming a Dementia Friendly organisation has led to better experiences for staff and the people they work with to support.
Read the blog here >
Who Will Be the Voice for Children?
Melanie Wilson (NZCCSS) writes about the rights of tamariki | children in New Zealand, what our aspirations as a nation are, and where to read more to inform your voting decision.
Read the blog here >
Freedom from Post Pay Purchases
Fraser Kearse (The Salvation Army) writes about the post pay purchase apps that many whānau are currently having to rely on. He looks toward a near future when using these payment methods is an empowered choice rather than an absolute necessity, for everyone.
Read the blog here > |
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| SPOT THE DIFFERENCE! Nikki Hurst (Kaiwhakahaere Matua, NZCCSS) was the keynote speaker at the annual conference for the NZ Society of Diversional and Recreational Therapy in August.
Pictured below with Orquidea Tamayo Mortera (President, NZSDRT) and Katherine Foulkes (Principal Advisor Aged Care, HDC), the trio highlighted the importance of play and fun while trying to pose for serious photos to mark the day. We love to see it! |
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Dates for your Diary
International Day of Older Persons – 1 October
Led by the UN, the theme for this year focuses on making sure that older people can fully enjoy their universal rights and fundamental freedoms.
Read more HERE
New Zealand General Election – 2-14 October
You don’t have to wait until Election Day to vote! Voting starts on Monday 2 October, and you can vote at any voting place in New Zealand. On election day, Saturday 14 October, all voting places will be open from 9am to 7pm.
Find out more HERE
Baby Loss Awareness Week – 9-15 October
Led by the charity Sands, this week provides an opportunity for parents, families and whānau around New Zealand to come together and remember the lives of their babies who have died. Events are taking place across the motu.
Find out more HERE
World Food Day – 16 October
This year’s World Food Day is focussed on Water. Water is essential to life on Earth. But this precious resource is not infinite and we need to stop taking it for granted. What we eat, and how that food is produced all affect water.
Find out more HERE |
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Mental Health Awareness Week has shared five proven ways to boost your mental health. Reading this issue of Policy Watch means you’ve ticked off number 5 – Keep Learning. Which one will you look to next?
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| For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. (Romans 14:9)
We welcome your feedback on POLICY WATCH and other publications produced by the Council, please email us at: [email protected] |
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