ISSUE 33, NOVEMBER 2014

The newsletter of the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services

Incoming Government 2014 Child poverty a priority CONTENTS

Incoming Government 2014 n a clear and direct response to the two years ago, including refusing to the really poor and disadvantaged. the tax/benefit interface and effective Maggie Barrie: ‘The wellbeing of Ihigh level of public concern about measure child poverty. Perhaps they will choose to ‘target’ marginal tax rates are fair and pro- older New Zealanders is close to poverty and inequality during the elec- The pressing question is whether the 135,000 children who live in se- vide the right incentives.’ my heart’ 2 tion campaign, following his re-elec- this change of language is a sig- vere poverty (i.e. with household in- If the Prime Minister is seeking Taking on the big challenges in an tion as Prime Minister has nal of serious change in policy? comes below 40% of median income advice on how to reduce child pov- ageing society 2 declared child poverty to be a top pri- Unfortunately initial hints from the after housing costs [MSD Household erty then he does not need to look Getting ready for large scale state ority for his government. This repre- limited information that can be ob- Incomes Report, 2014]). far – the Children’s Commissioner housing sell-off? 3 sents a important change and is a small tained from briefings and papers that The Treasury briefing to the in- has given a very helpful set of options Pay equity and the Services for victory for all those who have worked have been released suggest that the coming government talks a great deal to reduce poverty, 78 of them in fact. Older People sector 4 so hard to change attitudes about pov- overall approach remains the same as about better data matching and ‘seg- The key recommendations around erty and inequality. Previously John for the past six years – ‘incentivising’ menting’ of information in an attempt lifting incomes are important: Conference report: Social Justice in Communities 5 Key has denied it is an issue and large- people off benefits and into paid work to identify the children who really are • increasing the Family Tax Credit ly ignored the comprehensive and au- and an obsession with ‘targeting’ a de- poor and ‘deserving’ more assistance. to equal the rate paid for the first Conference report: NZ Faith thoritative work of the Expert Group fined ‘population’ of ‘at risk’ children The MSD Briefing to Incoming child and eliminating the differ- Community Nursing Assoc. 8 on Child Poverty reports he received that the government has decided are Government clearly identifies that the ent rates based on the number of Legislation & submissions people most affected by poverty are children in a family. Productivity and Social Services 9 Comparisons between average wages, NZ super & benefi t levels those who rely on a benefit. Benefit • reforming the In-Work Tax Treasury requests information on levels have fallen in real terms since Credit to make it available to vulnerable (at-risk) children 9 Net average the mid-1980s, especially for sole families not in employment and ordinary time earnings Draft Code of Responsible Lending 10 parents while average wages, house- combining this with changes to Gambling Amendment Bill (Nr 3) 10 120 hold income and NZ Super have all abatement rates, work-hours tests increased over the same period. and thresholds, having the level Social Security Act re-write and Index: 1983 = 100 basic principles of social security 10 NZ Super The information clearly shows that of assistance more closely related benefit incomes are too low and are to the number of children and 100 driving people into deep and persis- have time limited assistance car- estimated $6–8 billion annual cost of tent poverty but the neither Treasury rying over into employment (e.g. child poverty to New Zealand. As an nor MSD mention the obvious solu- for the first 6–12 months). ‘investment’ in the terms being used tion to lift core benefit rates above by the government to describe its ap- While increasing benefit payments recognised poverty lines (as is done proach to welfare, it appears to be a 80 DPB plus family costs more (between $1.5–2.0 bil- with NZ Super). The best thatMSD ‘no brainer’ – for every dollar spent, assistance (one child) lion was estimated in the EAG re- can offer is to suggest ‘ensuring that up to $4 is saved. 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 port) that report also documents the KETE KUPU ISSUE 33, NOVEMBER 2014 2 ‘The wellbeing of older Incoming Government 2014 New Zealanders is close Taking on the big challenges in an ageing society to my heart’ A message from an we expect significant change Cunder the new trio of ministers? HON PESETA SAM LOTU-IIGA, ASSOCIATE MINISTER Hon Maggie Barry ONZM, It seems unlikely, as the political suc- OF HEALTH (responsible for aged care) Minister for Senior Citizens cess of former Health Minister Hon Hon Pesera Sam Lotu-liga has been in Parliament since 2008 as MP for Maungakiekie was in his ability to keep and lives in Onehunga in Auckland and is an active leader in the Pacific community s the new Minister for Senior vulnerable older people who don’t health out of the ‘bad news’ headlines holding the high chief title of Peseta. He has a background in commerce and law work- ACitizens, I intend to be a strong always have the advocates and safe- for the government, while at the same ing with prominent law and consultancy firms in Australia, UK as well as New Zealand. advocate for older New Zealanders, guards they need, and they deserve time keeping the lid (sinking) on real He is ranked 19th in Cabinet and also holds the Corrections and being invited into Cabinet by the dignity and respect in their final levels of health funding while con- portfolio and is Minister for Pacific Peoples and Minister for Prime Minister means the voice of years. tinuing to squeeze additional pro- Ethnic Communities. your sector will now be heard around I have also been actively involved ductivity gains out of health spend- He has been given the ministerial delegation for aged the top table. The wellbeing of older in the palliative care sector for many ing. Low paid frontline care workers care as well as responsibility health certification of health New Zealanders is close to my heart years as a former Patron of Hospice and closed community-based health services and the Health & Disability (Safety) Act, which and I will be travelling around the NZ. Prior to entering Parliament, services have been among the casual- makes him a key minister for those involved in service for country to meet as many of the se- I chaired a working party into the ties of this push to meet a few nar- older people such as aged residential care and home based niors groups and key stakeholders in care of those who are dying and rowly focused health targets, but it support services. the sector as I can. during the last Parliamentary term, seems unlikely that a new ministers As Minister for Senior Citizens, I founded the All Party Palliative will want to depart from this winning I take a whole of government advo- Care Group, a cross-party initiative formula. HON JONATHAN COLEMAN, MINISTER OF HEALTH cacy role on behalf of older people, to raise awareness and support in The equal pay legal action and the particularly in relation to policy de- Parliament for the care of people who continuing pressure on the aged care Dr Jonathan Coleman is MP for Northcote and has been in Parliament since 2005 and a Cabinet Minister since 2008 that included being an velopment and decision making. are dying. I am also a co-founder of sector wages and service delivery Associate Minister of Health. He is a qualified doctor and has worked This means supporting positive the Care Alliance which is a coalition needs constructive attention and this in obstetrics and general practice as well management consultancy. ageing and the wellbeing of older assembled to oppose euthanasia and represents an opportunity for those His background no doubt makes him very familiar with New Zealand’s New Zealanders in a range of areas assisted suicide. working with older people and other health system and we await with interest signs of his particular inter- and I’ll be your advocate across retire- As the Minister for Senior Citizens, advocates to build pressure for more est in responding to the challenges facing aged care, home sup- ment income, employment, housing, my priorities will include working to future-focused approach to the chal- port and other services for older people. transport, ageing in the community, change attitudes towards ageing by lenges ahead. disability support, community and encouraging people to value the role Older people have gained two new voluntary sector involvement and of older people in the workforce, as ministerial advocates at the Cabinet Cabinet role. New Minister Maggie as he has budget responsibility for the protection of older people’s rights taxpayers and consumers. Most im- table in new Cabinet. With this move, Barrie is indeed in Cabinet, even if aged care and unlike his predecessor and interests. portantly I will be raising awareness another of the ten recommendations the lowest ranked member at 20th. , is now part of Cabinet I’m very aware after experienc- of elder abuse and neglect and social of the 2012 Caring Counts report has The addition of Associate Minister ranked 19th. es with my own mother’s decline isolation, issues which I believe need been partially implemented with the of Health Peseta Sam Lotu-liga to These two low-ranked Cabinet into dementia, that there are many to be taken seriously. Minister for Senior Citizens now a Cabinet is also a win for older people, Continued over… KETE KUPU ISSUE 33, NOVEMBER 2014 3 Continued from page 2 Incoming Government 2014 voices combine with the new Minister of Health Hon Jonathan Getting ready for large scale state housing sell-off? Coleman, who is ranked 6th in Cabinet, reflecting the importance he three housing ministers in the the new role as an invitation to run the very least, to keep the govern- housing organisations have virtu- of the health portfolio and its role in Tnew Cabinet need no introduc- down his own department at every ment to its existing commitment to ally no new funding to build new government. As one of the Cabinet tion, Hon , Hon Paula opportunity. He seemed to delight government-owned housing while at housing and local authorities such senior ministers, it remains to be Bennett and Hon Nick Smith. The in describing how badly his depart- the same time supporting local gov- as Christchurch and Hamilton are seen how much of an advocate and three senior and well-known Cabinet ment treats people in government- ernment and community housing or- looking at selling their current stock. supporter of services for older people Ministers will be turning their com- owned housing and in his public ganisations to significantly grow their In addition, the government has he will be. It is to be hoped that the bined energies to housing in the new comments is quite open about his stock of housing. We need at least ‘capped’ the amount of income re- two new ministers will work hard to Cabinet. The most intriguing part of desire to extract more ‘value’ out of 15,000 more social housing units as lated rent subsidy (IRRS) it will pay in keep the importance of the issues fac- this is creating the new Ministerial the $18 billion housing asset. His soon as possible in addition to the the coming years, meaning that there ing older people, their support ser- role of Minister for Social Housing interpretation of extracting value current level, yet HNZ in its Briefing will be some form of ‘contestability’ vices and those working in the sector for Hon . Now ranked seems narrowly focused on extract- to the Incoming Government says it required between HNZ and other so- higher up the government’s priority 5th in Cabinet, after muscling welfare ing higher dividends and selling off has only managed to build 274 of the cial housing providers to receive this list. Maggie Barry, well-known as a reform and the vulnerable children’s state houses to fund subsidies for 2,000 houses the Prime Minister in subsidy. At the moment about 50 television personality and journal- work through in social development, private rental housing or simply to January 2013 announced would be community housing units are receiv- ist, receiving the Order of NZ Merit she has presumably been given the top-up the government’s coffers. built by December 2015. Community ing the IRRS subsidy. in 1996, has sent us a message (see task of implementing the same ‘tough Paula Bennett in contrast, seems page 3) pledging her commitment to love’ approach she took with welfare to be clearer that the government be an advocate for older people in the to social housing. Given that most of wants to increase the number of so- HON , MINISTER FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT new Cabinet and noting her special those on the receiving end of her at- cial houses and that any proceeds Anne Tolley is MP for East Coast and has been in Parliament since 1999 and since 2005 interest in palliative care, dementia tention will be very familiar with her of sales of state houses would be has held a range of different portfolios including being Minister of Education 2008–11 and being an advocate for vulnerable style and her interests, it is very much recycled back into increasing social as the National Standards policy was introduced and Minister of Police and Minister of older people. NZCCSS looks forward a case of ‘we know what to expect’. housing numbers. Corrections 2001–14. She lives in Gisborne and before entering Parliament was Napier to working with her towards achiev- Paula Bennett has earned respect for The government is sending mixed deputy mayor as well as serving on the Board of Napier Girls High School and the trust ing progress. her willingness to front up on her messages about what social housing board of the Hawkes Bay Community Law Centre. work and policies but that does not should be, and appears to be float- The new minister is ranked 11th in Cabinet and will be in- disguise the fact that the experience ing ideas in public to see how much heriting from previous Minister Paula Bennett the Children’s of people receiving wel- opposition there is, es- Action Plan work on vulnerable children that the Prime fare in this country has pecially to the idea of Minister has high in the government’s priority list in this term. not improved under her further large scale sales She will no doubt also have a role to play in implementing watch. of HNZ housing. A major the commitments made by the Prime Minister on responding Bill English is also ap- challenge for all those to child poverty as well as overseeing the planned rewrite of pointed to a new port- concerned about quality the Social Security Act scheduled for 2015. folio as Minister for and affordable housing Housing New Zealand. for people on the low- He appears to be using est incomes will be, at KETE KUPU ISSUE 33, NOVEMBER 2014 4 Pay equity and the Services for Older People sector

he pressure on government to decisions about engaging with the way government is recognising and growing as the population ages and support for families. lift wages in the aged care sec - legal process. responding to the pressure to act. we can expect considerable future job T Welfare savings: Investing in better tor is growing, as demonstrated by NZCCSS sees its role in support- The travel time settlement includes a creation in aged care. It is important pay rates in the sector will generate the recent decision of the Court of ing the advocacy and sector wide commitment to establish a Reference that the investment in job creation fiscal savings in other areas of gov- Appeal to uphold the interpreta- coalition-building that is needed to Group to undertake a comprehensive in this sector is focused on creating ernment. Most directly in reduced tion of the Equal Pay Act used in the achieve changes in the way the sec- analysis of the wider sector issues the best quality jobs as possible that tax credits and income support pay- Employment Court case taken by tor is funded to enable care workers in home support including levels of include fair rates of pay, stable hours ments and more indirectly through aged care worker Kristine Bartlett to be paid higher wage rates. Our and complexity of demand, service but with reasonable flexibility to savings to other government social against her employer Terra Nova. involvement with the Caring Counts changes and funding levels. Noting meet the needs of clients and workers services by reducing families’ vul- Some NZCCSS member organisa- Coalition, a cross-sector group that that the government sets the fees for as well as training, skills and career nerability to poverty and associated tions are among the aged care pro- is following through on the recom- aged residential care and homecare development. Higher wages would health and social issues. viders who are included in the con- mendations of the Human Rights services are constrained by the level increase the incentive for people on tinuing employment court litigation, Commission 2012 aged care inquiry of government/DHB funding, a sig- benefits to take up work and over- International commitment to hu- that is now going to the Supreme report ‘Caring Counts’, the support nificantly greater increase in funding come barriers such as the additional man rights: The commitment to em- Court, meaning the court process for Living Wage campaign and the is needed before any provider will be childcare and travel costs. ployment equity is part of our coun- is likely to continue over the next Closer Together Whakatata Mai – re- in a position to pay equitable wages try’s formal legal commitment to Child poverty reduction: Many of couple of years before it can be con- ducing inequalities information pro- to those who work in these sectors. internationally agreed human rights the children living in poverty live in cluded. NZCCSS is not participating gramme are all contributing to rais- More work is needed but there are conventions. Taking steps to lift the families where one or more fam- in the legal process and individual ing wider awareness, concern and real opportunities for change and wages in aged care is a strong signal ily members may be employed in the member agencies make their own willingness to support the necessary organisations, boards and individu- to the international community that aged care sector. Government invest- actions to help lift wages for als within our networks can support New Zealand takes those commit- ment in higher wages for this sector workers in our sector. this by both public commitments to ments seriously. In a time when New would help lift children in these fam- For the first time in some principles and initiatives as well as Zealand is on the Security Council of ilies out of poverty. The current set- years we have a situation advocating with local MPs and gov- the United Nations, such steps have tings for Working for Families do not where employers, sector asso- ernment officials. strong significance and show real work well for workers such as those ciations, unions and consum- leadership on the world stage. in aged care, whose incomes may er groups agree on the need Lifting wages is an investment vary and hover around the cut-off Transparency: The clear commit- to raise wages and have made in wellbeing for workers, their levels and abatement points for In- ment of all involved in the sector to public commitments to act on families and the older people they support Work Tax credits and other income lift wages needs to be accompanied this, should the funding situa- by processes of transparency that tion allow this to happen. Job Creation: Somewhere around MUST READ: Insite magazine can show how increased government The small increase in fund- 50,000 care workers are employed journalist Jude Barback has funding is being applied to lift wages ing for rest home providers in the home support and aged resi- published an excellent article giving and conditions. Options such as us- and the home support work- dential care sector. Most of them are a very thorough coverage of the ing a minimum or industry mid- ers travel time settlement are women and most work part-time. situation in the equal pay litigation point for wages rates could be one two examples this year of the The demand for aged care services is Aged care worker Kristine Bartlett. part of such a process. KETE KUPU ISSUE 33, NOVEMBER 2014 5 Conference report: Social Justice in Communities 23–24 October 2014, Christchurch, hosted by Community Networks Aotearoa and NZCCSS

t was important to be in Christ­ A tale of two cities of self-determination, with priorities Ichurch for a social justice confer- On the second morning of the con- around investment in education, re- ence and it was wonderful to have ference at the transitional Cathedral, juvenation of the language and re- more than 120 people gather there former Methodist Mission CEO storing land which was central in October. The brand new hotel and Mary Richardson reminded us that to the claim and is vital to the the temporary Cathedral that were the story of the disaster and its after- future of the iwi. The iwi also the conference venues are two new math is and remains a ‘tale of two cit- seeks to build people’s wealth buildings amongst demolition and ies’. There is one where there is eco- through Whai Rawa (Building construction sites, damaged and der- nomic growth and vast wealth, and Wealth), their own KiwiSaver-style elict houses. There is a huge amount there is another where people are saving scheme, which has subsi- of work still do to rebuild the city and sleeping in garages and dying eight dised peoples own savings more to do it in a way that is just, fair and years earlier than they would have than doubling contributions from alongside whanau to empower them inclusive. So it was that Christchurch done prior to the earthquakes. On $17 million to $36 million. Ngāi Tahu to transform their wellbeing. She de- voices were prominent in the pro- one side the wealthy, well-connected is also implementing Whanau Ora scribes it a an ‘investment into a ho- gramme and led the debate. and powerful who have largely suc- agenda in the South Island, working listic sense of growing community’. cessfully sought to preserve their Build the hope budget wealth and privilege and interests She reminded us that it was the iwi in the response to the crisis. On the and hapu of Ngāi Tahu that wel- Australian based community builder other side, are the ordinary folk and comed, helped feed and house and ‘Start with people and place and Gilbert Rochecouste, literally got ev- the disadvantaged many of whom are traded with the early whalers and set- you get people and place’ eryone moving with his many stories still cannot find decent or affordable tlers in the late 18th Century, before of working with local people in many housing, whose homes have not be the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. places around the world over the last repaired or replaced and whose lives The Treaty is for Ngāi Tahu a central 20 years to create more vibrant, con- are still in disarray. justice document, negotiated by their nected and resilient communities. He tupuna in good faith with the Crown. spoke about the ‘in-between stories’ Social justice is self-determination Fifteen years after their Treaty set- and transition process as communi- Faced with such huge disparity it tlement Ngāi Tahu is moving to deliv- ties adapt to social and environmen- is important to find ways forward ering on social justice, spending $32 tal change and try to overcome the that can lead to greater justice. million on social and cultural devel- inequalities that are damaging all of Arihia Bennett, CEO of Ngāi Tahu, opment each year. This is thepractice us. He pointed to the work of eco- logical entrepreneur Paul Hawkin’s began the conference, speaking about ‘The greatest threat to our Blessed Unrest (see video and web- the aspirations of Ngāi Tahu for social health is inequality. Equality and justice. She said that for Ngāi Tahu site) and about the diverse move- egalitarianism are natural states’ social justice is self-determination. ment from communities to organise KETE KUPU ISSUE 33, NOVEMBER 2014 6 for human rights and social justice. promote re-localisation. The combi- degrading the wellbe- Hundreds of thousands of organ- nation of social justice and social en- ing of ALL other people isations and groups with common trepreneurship is appearing in many – now and in the future’. goals and visions have emerged and forms. He shared the story of Lentil Think 100 years into continue to emerge as a powerful, as Anything, an Australian free dona- the future, she told the non-ideological groups for change. tion café where no-one has to pay but conference, ask ‘where Hawkins describes it as ‘humanity’s donations are invited. It has been so you would need to be?’ immune response to resist and heal successful that they have been able to and work backwards political disease, economic infection train over 500 refugee and migrant about the steps needed and ecological corruption.’ workers. He urged us to ‘build the to get there. If we want Rochecouste emphasised that the hope budget’ and create powerful a city like Christchurch search for meaning is the biggest gap stories of change that can inspire oth- to be liveable without for people of all ages in our com- ers to take action. vast consumption of munities and that in our work with fossil fuels, what would communities we need to make use of Energy injustice – What would a it need to look like? The the emerging technologies as game- city without oil look like? answer lies as much in changers for organising, the ‘pop-up’ Engineering profes- our past as in the fu- culture as an easy fast and cheap way sor Susan Krum­dieck ture. Christchurch was to try new ideas, and participatory took the conference a very liveable city full democracy as the way for communi- on a journey into of cyclists and pedes- ties to make decisions. a locally-based re- trians as well as a few He shared some of the vast num- sponse to energy in- buses and cars in the bers of clever and creative initiatives justice. She asked the simple question 1920s and using far less oil than the ‘30% of people alive today Beyond housing – happening, using public spaces to do if we know that in the next 30 years city of today. Thinking forward 100 use too much energy’ creating communities of hope fun, temporary ‘interventions’ that the supply of oil will have dropped years means to learn from this for and belonging open up new possibilities to break to below the level of the early 1970s how Christchurch can be ‘affordable, Christ­church suburb next to the Another voice of hope was Lisa down corporate retail oligopolies and then should we not be designing and accessible, vibrant, prosperous and University. They want to use a so- Woolley, CEO of VisionWest in building our com- educated without using oil’. cial business model that will be de- Auckland. She leads an organisation munities to live She and a team of Christchurch signed to be highly liveable with that has grown out of her church’s without oil? She engineering students have set out more people within walking and work in west Auckland into a major pointed out that in cycling distance of the work, shops ‘Energy injustice = people using provider of social services and hous- New Zealand we and community amenities they need ing. She shared her research work copious quantities of fossil fuels are among the ‘30% to thrive. They are looking for part- into homelessness and how the sup- of people alive to- degrading the wellbeing of ALL other ners in the community to help get portive housing her organisation day use too much people – now and in the future’ the project moving, to work with the provides works to change the lives energy’ and that 120 or so property owners with the of people who have been formerly energy injustice through their transition engi­neering suburb to gain their buy-in to take homeless. is ‘people using projects to work with communi- part in project. Find out more at With around 34,000 people in New copious quanti- ties in Christchurch to try and ini- transitionengineering.co.nz Zealand affected by ‘severe hous- ties of fossil fuels tiate a re-development of a cen­tral ing deprivation’ and much of that KETE KUPU ISSUE 33, NOVEMBER 2014 7 need concentrated in Auckland and Such investments in hope for NGO contracts with ‘gag clauses’ has Christchurch, the need for good re- people are returned with gratitude doubled to more than a quarter of all sponses is urgent. Looking in detail and transformed lives. Her presen- respondents, with people saying that at the stories of the people her agency tation is full of quotes from the par- under contract they are ‘not allowed works with, Lisa showed the com- ticipants in the research emphasising to make public criticism’, for example. plexity of peoples’ lives and the is- the importance of their experience of Organisations also report it is harder sues that led them into homelessness. community: to influence policy direction and that Experiences of trauma such as fam- ‘It’s very important to me, because meaningful consultation has also de- ily violence, lack of support, release without community I don’t think clined. They are also more concerned from prison, poverty and unafford- as a solo mum I would have safety about losing government funding if able rents are among the experiences and friendship with others.’ they speak out. she reports. Grey & Sedgwick see this evidence VisionWest’s ‘housing first’ re- of the undermining of democracy, a Threats to democracy – it’s getting sponse means giving people a safe climate of intimidation and the ma- harder to challenge and secure place to live is the starting nipulation of decisions behind closed Neighbours Day 2015 will take ‘I found the conference point for dealing with the other issues Victoria University academics doors by key power-holders. They are place on 28–29 March and people are to be re-energizing and Dr Sandra Grey and Dr Charles than so many of the clients face. It calling for a review of the Charities invited to start getting to know your inspiring on the whole’ means offering them the experience Sedgwick shared the results of two Act that is being used to pressure neighbours right now. Lots of good of community and belonging that en- surveys of NGOs they have under- NGOs to retreat from advocacy. They ways are available to help get over the ‘Best conference ever – it is going to ables them to move on in life (but not taken, in 2008 and again in 2013, also call for NGOs to work out the barriers both big and small that mean be a hard act to follow for the future’ necessarily their housing). The com- that show a disquieting growth in the core messages for engagement and we don’t know one another in our mitment is to house people long term number of NGO organisations that seek change in what is ‘counted’. communities. Check out the website thanks goes out to all those involved and not to move them on and it is feel constrained in their ability to neighboursday.org.nz in making this conference happen enormously cost effective, less than a speak out and advocate in the current Make your summer a summer of – to the hard working organising third of what it would cost to ‘house’ political and funding environment. neighbourliness Workshops team, especially Fionn Peat from a person in prison for example! They reported that the number of The conference saw the launch of The conference workshops provided CNA and Sharee Eden from NZCCSS. Christchurch church network Te a great opportunity to discuss work- Conference MC Adrian Te Patu Raranga’s summer of fun project force development, building neigh- guided us through the two days with launched together with Neighbours bourliness, overcoming inequality, a lot of humour and insight and the Day Aotearoa. The Te Raranga net- community change, safe communities Ridges Hotel team kept us well fed work grew out of churches getting and the NGO sector. Notes and pre- and watered! together in the aftermath of the 2011 sentations of some of the workshops Thank you to all of those who took earthquake to coordinate their work are online at the conference website. part and for the great feedback you to support communities. Churches have given us that will help with throughout Christchurch will be Thank you! planning future events. holding Summer of Fun events dur- This was the first time the two social ing December and January and a service umbrella organisations have programme of those events is online organised a conference together and New Zealand Council of at raranga.org.nz/summer-of-fun/ it was a great success. A huge vote of Christian Social Services KETE KUPU ISSUE 33, NOVEMBER 2014 8

Sustainability of practice A report on New Zealand Faith Community Nursing Association (NZFCNA) conference 11–13 September 2014 held at the Cathedral of St Paul in

ew Zealand Faith Community denominations including Salvation opposite of those words, isn’t it? “I Acts 17:28. Therefore our ministries attendees to name some of the skills NNursing Association (NZFCNA) Army, Anglican and Baptist. Other inspired you to this ministry, yes, are in His strength. that nurses have that make them is a national Christian organisation speakers were from the group’s mem- so let us proceed together and at the He suggested that each of us has a valuable in building God’s kingdom. that equips nurses to serve in their bers. They provided the nursing edu- first hint of a problem I will be there plant on our desk to remind us that The group identified at least 15 skills local community. Christian nurses cational aspect of the conference. to guide you through.” I can imagine like plants we are all different and including compassion, communi- are in a unique and privileged posi- Heather Rodwell from the Salvation God saying that, can you?’ have different needs. We only see the cators, trustworthy, availability and tion as they are bilingual in faith and Army led a directed retreat to com- He reminded the nurses of Psalm part of the plant that is above the soil leadership. The FCN’s perspective as health. As nursing professionals they mence the conference, this was a 55:22 ‘Cast your burden on the Lord, as others only see the outside of us. health care professionals counts and can serve an important role in the valuable time for all those who were and he will sustain you; he will never If neglected the plant will not flour- they need to let churches know the community, promoting health and able to attend. permit the righteous to be moved.’ ish as will we if we neglect our own value of nurses in ministry. well-being through education, advo- The Very Reverend Charles Tyrrell, The main speaker was Pastor relationship with God. Isabel Mordecai, Chairperson of cacy and care management as well as the Patron of NZFCNA, officially Simon Alexander, from Te Awamutu Archdeacon Wendy Scott spoke NZFCNA, spoke on sustaining our vi- providing pastoral support through opened the conference. Charles is the Baptist church, he spoke on sustain- on the ministry of Faith Community sion as an organisation, she briefly a church fellowship. Whether it is Bishop’s advisor for the Care of Older able biblical principles and guide- Nursing from many perspectives; talked of the history of the organisa- guiding someone through the health People in the Diocese of Nelson. lines. Simon reminded us that when Wendy has been a FCN and a Parish tion and described the functions of care system, or sharing their journey To quote Charles: ‘The theme for we become Christians we are in Jesus; Vicar with a FCN on her ministry the Board as a whole and also the role of faith, Faith Community Nurses are this conference is “Sustainability ‘For in him we live and move and team and is now the Archdeacon for of individual members and how they passionate about providing truly ho- of Practice” and I don’t want to say have our being.’ As some of your own Ministry Development in the dio- work to support the nurses. listic healthcare. much about it save this. When God poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ cese of Wellington. Wendy asked the Diane Webster, National Liaison In keeping with having a foot in calls us into a particular ministry and Coordinator of NZFCNA, highlighted both the faith camp and the health we respond obediently then his sus- some of the key things that lead to camp the annual conference pro- taining love enables us to carry on to Faith Community Nurses continuing vided teaching in both these areas. fulfil that vision. We are never called long term in their roles. These includ- The conference had 28 attendees into a ‘nothingness’, a void if you like, ed support from the Association, from over the two and a half day period; but into a relationship where hand local peers, and from a shared owner- amongst the delegates there was 968 in hand with God we serve his pre- ship of the ministry with the church. years of nursing practice, an average cious people in his name. God never The need for preparation prior to be- of 34.5 years per person. This rep- pushes us out of the door and says as ginning the ministry by completing resented a wealth of experience in it were, “I inspired you to this minis- the education modules provided by many different disciplines. The mem- try, now get out there and get on with the Association was emphasised. bers of NZFCNA come from different it and don’t come running back to me Learn more about NZFCA’s denominations and so there were at the first hint of a problem.” In fact conference at www.faithnursing.co.nz/ speakers who represented several if anything is true it is the complete latest-news/2014-conference KETE KUPU ISSUE 33, NOVEMBER 2014 9 Legislation and submissions

Productivity and • An evaluation of specific social holistic services being available comments and submissions on the documents, that lack of income (oth- policies where they are needed, when they Green & White Paper process on erwise known as poverty) is the main Social Services • A review of the level of funds are needed. Vulnerable Children and the result- causal factor contributing to must SUBMISSIONS DUE 2 DECEMBER allocated to services or service 4. NZCCSS providers caution ing Children’s Action Plan process forms of vulnerability (e.g. hunger providers against the commodifi­ ca­ tion­ nor with the hugely comprehensive and poor nutrition, disease and poor he Productivity Commission • An assessment of the level at of social services and excessive­ Children’s Commissioner’s Expert health, inadequate housing, disrupt- Tis undertaking an enquiry into which welfare benefits are set privati­ sa­ tion­ of social service Advisory Group on Child Poverty ed education) for children and the ‘More Effective Social Services’ and • The productivity of the public delivery. report and working papers series. best form of ‘intervention’ is to en- has released an Issues Paper to help sector Perhaps they have overlooked the sure that their families have sufficient Both Productivity Commissions inform their enquiry. The enquiry • An investigation of appropriate work of the Mini­sterial Committee on income to live with dignity. Seeing Issues Paper and the submis- will focus on: levels of public expenditure or Poverty, which might be understand- as most of the ‘at-risk’ children are sions made to it are available here. • The strengths and weaknesses of employ­ment. able as this committee seems to have in households relying on a benefit, Unfortunately after taking more than the current approaches to pur- faded out of existence over the past 18 Treasury might like to consider the Within this context NZCCSS made 14 weeks to produce the issues pa- chasing social services months? simple step of increasing benefit lev- four recommendations for the per, they have allowed only a eight • Lessons from recent initiatives Is Treasury to be congratulated for els above recognised poverty lines as Productivity Commission to focus weeks for submissions that close 2 and new approaches its openness to going out to the pub- an ‘effective intervention’? on when preparing their enquiry December. A draft report from the • How to combine public services, lic with such an RFI when in the past Of course Treasury might rule out report: Commission will be published in not for profit and private sectors it has tended to live in its own spe- such an option because increasing 1. NZCCSS sees a strong network early March for further comment be- to tackle difficult social problems cial analytical world unencumbered benefit levels might mean having to of well supported community fore the final report is completed in • Improving coordination within by the inconvenient complexities of postpone tax cuts or (heaven forbid) based not for profit social ser- mid-2015. and between government agen- the real world? Or are they making require an increase in taxes. Giving vices organisations as critical cies and service providers inefficient use of their own and oth- more money to ‘at-risk’ families might providing more effective social • How government can shape the ers resources, doubling up on the be (horror of horrors!) inflationary or services. Treasury requests long-term sustainability of the consultation and analysis that has al- cause interest rates to rise. No doubt 2. NZCCSS recognises the need for information on vulnerable market for social services ready been done at great length and Treasury will feel it must reluctantly community involvement in local • How agencies can build and (at-risk) children expense by others? conclude that the price of reducing decision-making and supports maintain capability to support vulnerability for children is ‘too high’ the development of regional so- DUE 4 DECEMBER better outcomes. Lack of income puts children if it puts ‘at risk’ higher priorities such cial services boards which will ‘at risk’ as achieving a budget surplus, or main- Unfortunately the enquiry will not work in conjunction with the Earlier this month a Request for With only a few days left until sub- taining low inflation & interest rates. investigate what creates the need for public service to devise local so- Information (FRI) appeared on the missions close, anyone wanting to No doubt the hungry children social services or what approaches lutions to local issues. Treasury website asking for informa- make a submission to Treasury in would understand that these goals are could be taken to decrease the vul- 3. NZCCSS supports a well-in- tion on how the government can im- this RFI process might want to draw in the end much more important… nerability of families, whānau and formed, capable public service prove results for our most vulnerable to Treasury’s attention the con- Comment is due by 4 December. community. Specifically ruled out are empowered to make cross sec- (at-risk) children and their families. tinuing strong evidence, including Download the RFI on the Treasury such issues as: toral decisions which result in Treasury appears not to be con- tent with the thousands of public that contained in Treasury’s own website. KETE KUPU ISSUE 33, NOVEMBER 2014 10

Legislation and submissions (continued)

Draft Code of Responsible with credit contracts; to provide for interest to charge are essential in efficiency of the appeals process is Word Basket Lending the disclosure of adequate informa- the Code; not undermined.’ ISSN 1174-2514 (Print) tion to consumers under consumer • Fees must be fair and reasonable Reintroducing commissions for COMMENT DUE 23 DECEMBER ISSN 1174-2526 (Online) credit contracts; to provide rules and not punitive and exploitative; gaming venues is however one sig- The newsletter of the NZ Council of about interest charges, fees, and pay- • Lenders should not be allowed to nificant concern that theGreen Party Just in case you have nothing better Christian Social Services ments in relation to consumer credit use direct debits for loan repay- has identified in this Bill. They point to do in the lead up to Christmas, the contracts; to enable consumers to ments; and out that commissions were expressly PO Box 12-090, Thorndon, Minister of Commerce & Consumer seek reasonable changes to consumer • Lenders must demonstrate that banned in the 2003 Act because they Wellington 6144 Affairs has released theDraft credit contracts on the grounds of they have assessed people’s ability incentivise venues such as pubs to 3 George Street, Thorndon Responsible Lending Code for com- unforeseen hardship; and to prevent to re-pay before lending promote gambling and seek excessive Wellington ment. Comments are due by 5pm 23 oppressive credit contracts and op- • Cooling-off period should be as commissions as was the case before December 2014 and the Draft Code If you would like to receive this pressive conduct by creditors. long as possible. the 2003 Act was introduced. and other documents are online at newsletter in a different format We note that social services and Read more on the Parliament the Consumer Affairs website. Our full submission is on the NZCCSS (by email, mail or both) please other community agencies such as website. NZCCSS will be submitting com- website at www.nzccss.org.nz under contact NZCCSS (04) 473 2627 or Community Law Centres are expe- ment based on the comments we Submissions. [email protected] riencing higher demand for their made earlier this year when the Acknowledgements: In addition to advocacy, advice and budgeting ser- Social Security Act Ministry asks for ideas on what to in- its member subscriptions, NZCCSS vices at the same time as their own clude in the Draft Code. In summary Gambling Amendment Bill re-write and basic extends its thanks to: JR McKenzie funding sources through donations, our submission said: (Nr 3) principles of social Trust, TG Macarthy Trust, Tindall Trust charitable grants and government NZCCSS member agencies work security and Think Tank Trust for the grants contracts are static or declining. It SUBMISSIONS DUE 30 JANUARY 2015 every day with people affected by and donations that help to make the is therefore important that govern- No new information has been made non-bank fringe lenders. We wel- work of NZCCSS possible. ment consumer oversight steps up This latest piece of gambling leg- public but MSD notes that work on come the steps taken in the new leg- and takes a lead in setting strong and islation has a number small steps this is continuing with a view to re- Disclaimer: Every effort is made islation to control the sector and this effective guidelines to back up the to reduce gambling harm, aiming leasing a draft Bill in December 2015. to ensure the correctness of facts should help improve the situation for objectives of the legislation. It is also to ‘increase transparency of grant- Read our article in Kete Kupu #32 for and information in this newsletter. people who are vulnerable or on low important that the Code be regularly making from the proceeds of Class some initial analysis and comments However, we cannot accept incomes. We believe the Responsible reviewed to test its effectiveness in 4 gambling; reduce potential con- on the principles that should under- responsibility for any errors. Items Lending Code must contain strong achieving the objectives of the leg- flicts of interest situations between lie social welfare in this country. from this newsletter may be freely guidelines as to what is reasonable islation. We recommend an initial Class 4 gambling operators (societ- copied provided the author and the behaviour by lenders. The current review one year after the Code is ies), venues, and grant recipients; sources are acknowledged. situation is unacceptable and ex- implemented. improve transparency surrounding ploitative and the Code must sup- There are five main points that we management companies that provide port the goals of the amended Credit wish to make in these comments: societies with services; simplify com- Contract and Consumer Finance Act • In the absence of a formal leg- pliance and reduce costs for societies 2003 (Part 1, Para 3): to protect the New Zealand Council of islative interest rate cap, strong and venue owners; and ensure the interests of consumers in connection Christian Social Services guidelines on reasonable levels of