Strategy 2002-2003

(left to right) Sukhi Turner (), Chris Lux (Thames-Coromandel), Basil Morrison (Hauraki), Graeme Ramsey (Kaipara) and Pat O’Dea (Buller).

goals

By 2005, no young person under 25 years will be out of work or training in our communities. By 2009, all people in our communities will have the opportunity to be in work or training.

critical issues

objectives The ability to : • influence real job creation

• to provide a national focus of • apply longer-term thinking to the leadership on the jobs issue employment issue through co-operation between Mayors concerned about • devise programmes which are employment issues in their effective in addressing the Maori and Pacific Island unemployment in communities mission our communities • to share best practice on what we • halt the decline of rural and can achieve on employment at working towards the local level regional communities the “zero waste” • to create local and national • advocate for the re-building the forums which address the “big of New Zealanders not-for-profit and community sector picture” of trends on the issues of • develop a more active partnership income and work between local and central • to link with imaginative private government sector initiatives that are • encourage government addressing unemployment organisations to be flexible in the way they allocate resources at a

local level • access local funding for projects and initiatives

we believe that Mayors, irrespective of their different political persuasions, can work together for this common purpose Mayors and local authorities can take a proactive leadership role in addressing employment issues in their communities Mayors can also take leadership in ensuring the co-ordination and co-operation of employment initiatives across sectors at the local level We are committed to a robust long-term partnership with central government We need to retain young people in our communities, and they need to see a viable local future for themselves and their families We recognise the importance of local economic development initiatives We also recognise that many of the jobs in the future will come from us valuing different things, particularly in the not-for-profit and environmental sectors We need to pursue longer-term strategies within an overall vision for local social, economic and environmental sustainability We acknowledge the changing nature of work in our society and recognise the need to investigate new ways of doing things Page 2 Mayors Taskforce for Jobs

Who is Involved?

Core Group

Garry Moore (, Chair of the Taskforce) Sukhi Turner (, Deputy Chair of the Taskforce) Pat O'Dea (Mayor of Buller) Yvonne Sharp (Mayor of Far North) Basil Morrison () (Mayor of ) Graeme Ramsey () Jenny Brash () Frana Cardno (Mayor of Southland)

Other Participating Mayors

Murray Anderson (Mayor of Ashburton) Bob Parker (Mayor of Banks Peninsula) Malcolm Macpherson (Mayor of Central Otago) Juno Hayes (Mayor of Clutha) Owen O’Connor (Mayor of Gore) Kevin Brown (Mayor of Grey) David Braithwaite (Mayor of Hamilton) Tom Robinson () Tony Arps (Mayor of Hurunui) John Terris (Mayor of Hutt) Jim Abernethy (Mayor of Kaikoura) Alan Milne (Mayor of Kapiti) Stan Scorringe (Mayor of Mackenzie) Sir Barry Curtis (Mayor of Manukau) Bob Francis (Mayor of ) Paul Matheson (Mayor of Nelson) Peter Tennent () John Forbes (Mayor of Opotiki) Mark Bell-Booth (Mayor of Palmerston North) David Buist (Mayor of Papakura) Clive Geddes (Mayor of Queenstown-Lakes) Grahame Hall (Mayor of ) Sue Morris (Mayor of Ruapehu) Michael McEvedy () Mary Bourke (Mayor of South Taranaki) Gordon Blake (Mayor of South ) Brian Jeffares (Mayor of Stratford) Maureen Reynolds () Jan Beange () Chris Lux (Mayor of Thames-Coromandel) Wynne Raymond (Mayor of Timaru) () David Owen (Mayor of Waimate) working towards the “zero waste” of New Zealanders Page 3

Les Probert (Mayor of ) Bob Harvey (Mayor of Waitakere) Alan McLay (Mayor of Waitaki) Chas Poynter (Mayor of Wanganui) Kerry Prendergast (Mayor of ) John Drylie (Mayor of Westland) Colin Hammond (Mayor of Whakatane) Craig Brown ()

(50 participating Mayors as at September 2002)

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Support

Executive Officer: Jan Francis

Executive Assistant: Mo Pettit

Executive Assistant to Mayor Garry Moore: Linda Manco

Community Adviser to the Taskforce: Vivian Hutchinson (The Jobs Research Trust)

Partnerships

Key Partnerships and Memorandum of Understandings have been reached with: The Government (Ministers of Economic Development and Social Services and Employment) Ministry of Social Development (Work & Income) The Community Employment Group (Department of Labour) The Jobs Research Trust (Charitable Trust) The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development Local Government New Zealand

Funding

Major Funding for this Taskforce initiative has been provided by:

All participating Mayors and Councils

The Ministry of Economic Development

The Ministry of Social Development

The Community Employment Group

Local Government New Zealand

Tindall Foundation (Employment Catalyst)

working towards the “zero waste” of New Zealanders Page 5

Website

ALL INFORMATION on the activities of the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs can be accessed on our website at

www.jobsletter.org.nz/mtfjobs.htm This contains our current strategies, news reports and photos from recent meetings, and copies of our M emorandum of Understandings with our partner groups. Egroups: Participating Mayors in this Taskforce are linked with each other over the internet using email networking groups.

The Jobs Letter

THE MAYORS TASKFORCE for JOBS has signed a Memorandum of Partnership with the Jobs Research Trust, a national charitable trust, based in New Plymouth.

Every 2-3 weeks, the Jobs Research Trust publishes The Jobs Letter, which the Mayors Taskforce (in its Memorandum) describes as “…an important community- owned tool for helping people become wiser and more effective in acting on the challenge of jobs and livelihood in our communities.”

Funding support, through the Mayors Taskforce, is enabling The Jobs Letter to be electronically distributed free of charge to individuals, community groups, local authorities and government departments throughout New Zealand.

The New Zealand Council for Sustainable Development

In partnership with the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs, the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development (NZBCSD) is establishing a Youth Employment Project in which it intends to foster the important role that NZ businesses can take in ensuring employment and training opportunities for all young New Zealanders. The Youth Employment Project which includes leading companies such as Fonterra, Telecom and the Warehouse will produce an industry guide on how businesses can help stimulate youth employment, and all members of NZBCSD plan to commit to and repor t against local employment or training targets.

For more information see the NZBCSD website: www.nzbcsd.org.nz

The Employment Catalyst

The Employment Catalyst Fund is a project of The Jobs Research Trust, which is acting as a funding manager for The Tindall Foundation. The priority of the Fund is to support initiatives emerging from the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs, and specifically contribute to their first goal that, “by 2005, no young person under 25 years will be out of work or training in our communities.”

A full list of projects being funded by the Employment Catalyst can be found at www.jobsletter.org.nz/catalyst.htm

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Taskforce Progress

INCE THE LAUNCH of the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs in April 2000, the Taskforce has had significant achievements and received some high profile S media attention. Mayors from around the country have seen the Taskforce as a way to provide leadership on the crucial issue of unemployment in their communities, to support local initiatives and to work together to share successful projects and solutions.

• 50 Mayors (68% of all Mayors) have signed up to the Taskforce

• Partnerships have been developed with the Ministers of Economic Development and Social Services and Employment, the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Social Development, the Community Employment Group (Department of Labour), Local Government New Zealand, The Jobs Research Trust and the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development

• A website has been developed and is regularly updated, at www.jobsletter.org.nz/mtfj.jobs.htm

• National forums to which all Mayors were invited have been held in Wellington, Christchurch and Rotorua.

• The Community Employment Group of the Department of Labour has given a commitment to support each Mayor in the Taskforce with field workers

• A partnership with the Ministry of Social Development has provided funding, for Mayors projects, through Regional Commissioners

• Development of a Youth Project with the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development will see businesses focus on the youth goal

• A pilot project (destinations and tracking) in Christchurch and Porirua in conjunction with Career Services and Skill New Zealand will provide data on school leavers

• The partnership with the Jobs Research Trust has seen the establishment of the Employment Catalyst Fund for Mayors initiatives in the regions

• Mayors have shared information and championed new initiatives locally. S ome examples are: — Free fees at Southland Polytechnic — A campaign to employ young people in the not-for-profit sector in New P lymouth — A project to ensure the availability of seasonal workers for Central O tago working towards the “zero waste” of New Zealanders Page 8

— A scheme to put 40 apprentices in trades in Dunedin — A youth centre development in Buller, which will assist small business owners to take on more young people — The Employment Scholarship Programme which places school leavers in paid office work, ensures on the job and polytechnic training, and post p lacement support, in Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington and Tauranga — A youth training and development seminar in Wairoa — A one more worker scheme in Porirua — The Actionworks project in Christchurch — A business enterprise competition in Hokitika — A life skills project for young people in Southland — A walking trail in the Far North as part of the Te Araroa Project

The Taskforce Green team working on the Herekino Section of the Te Araroa ocean- to-ocean trail from Ahipara to Kerikeri.

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Strategy 2002-2003

1. Hold one public forum annually to which all Mayors and media are invited and where information and ideas can be shared on what we can achieve on employment at the local level.

PURPOSE: Generating public dialogue on the issues, “The Mayors Taskforce for taking time for ourselves to look at the “big picture” on the Jobs is a very positive future of work and income, educating ourselves, asking the initiative. I’m here to learn as much as I can.” bigger questions and sharing information and ideas. — Peter Tennent Mayor of New Plymouth ACTION: The forum would be: • A two day event, where Mayors meet to share

“All the work is not done information and ideas and where workshops will be and we must find new held on specific issues relevant to our project. Council methods to find people officers will be invited to attend the second day meaningful occupations. workshops. We will have to redefine the meaning of work. It • Used to chart progress and monitor goal achievement will be different from what by the Mayors we have known in the • Provide peer support for local and national strategies past. That is our and initiatives challenge. If we shift our employment figures we • Inform all Mayors on new initiatives from partnerships move a lot of other negative statistics in our In addition, groups of Mayors who are interested and society.” available will meet with possible new partner groups: — Garry Moore • The Council of Trade Unions Mayor of Christchurch Taskforce Chair • Industry New Zealand • The Ministry of Education

“Mayors Taskforce for Jobs is not just about TIMEFRAME: February (forum) projecting a positive vision, but also about creating constructive solutions within a collaborative community ethos.” — Sukhi Turner Mayor of Dunedin Taskforce Deputy Chair

(left to right) Tony Arps (Hurunui), Alan McLay, (Waitaki), David Owen (Waimate) and Jim Gerard (Waimakariri).

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2. Sharing of best practice nationwide

PURPOSE: To avoid duplication of effort, maximise the “I have joined the use of resources, encourage collaboration, increase local Taskforce because I knowledge and assist the development of nationwide believe it will bring added value to what we packages to address unemployment and employment are doing by listening issues. and sharing experiences from other regions, from ACTION: talking with Mayors from other districts.” • Develop best practice website — Grahame Hall • Provide Mayors with individual briefings on partnerships, resources and new initiatives • Provide individual Mayors with support/advice on “I look forward to sharing information with other possible local initiatives Mayors on what works • Work with Ministry of Social Development Regional and what doesn’t and Commissioners and Community Employment Group doing some lateral fieldworkers to disseminate ideas and pilot local thinking on this issue. initiatives We are in unique situations as Mayors in • Participate in appropriate conferences knowing the make-up of • Report progress on achievement of Taskforce goals on our cities and districts in a regional and national basis ways that few others do.” — Jenny Brash Mayor of Porirua TIMEFRAME: On-going

(left to right) Colin Hammond (Whakatane), Anne Candy (Deputy, Manukau), Bob Parker (Banks Peninsula), Owen O’Connor (Gore), Jenny Brash (Porirua), Alison Wall (Deputy, Palmerston North) and Wynne Raymond (Timaru).

3. Taking leadership locally on employment issues particularly focusing on the Taskforce’s first goal – that “by 2005, no young person under 25 years will be out of work or training in our communities”

“There is a feel good PURPOSE: To encourage debate and dialogue, develop spirit in our community new local initiatives, support existing initiatives; raise the and together we’re profile of employment issues locally and to gain looking at new information for policy input. initiatives.” — John Forbes Mayor of Opotiki ACTION: • Link with Community Employment Group and Local “We’re optimistic now Employment Co-ordination Groups to develop local with new growth and the action plans opening of our Youth Centre thanks to Mayors • Hold Mayoral forums bringing people together to Taskforce for Jobs support local projects, network, share best practice and partnerships.” discuss local issues — Pat O’Dea • Each Mayor to identify their number one priority for Mayor of Buller action, report on progress and monitor effectiveness

“In Kaipara we are • Use Council contracts to promote apprenticeships and committed to improving employment of young people the quality of people’s • Promote apprenticeships/cadetships within Councils lives. Central to this is • Form alliances with Maori Trust Boards employment – particularly of young • Profile young entrepreneurs in local areas people. There is no reason why we should accept the under- TIMEFRAME: On-going utilisation of this resource. It will only persist if we are prepared to allow it.” — Graeme Ramsay Mayor of Kaipara

(left to right) Bruce Ash (Regional Commissioner, Ministry of Social Development), Hon. Steve Maharey (Minister of Social Services & Employment) and Garry Moore at the announcement of funds for employment initiatives in Christchurch.

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4. Provide advocacy on nation-wide policies and programmes in light of local experience.

PURPOSE: To ensure government policies and “Nationally I am committed to working programmes are effective at the local level and that barriers alongside my to the achievement of the Taskforce’s goals are removed. colleagues, sharing ideas and developing ACTION: Specific advocacy (especially relating to Goal One) initiatives to support the suggested by Mayors include: Taskforce’s mission • A mechanism to track all school leavers “working towards the zero waste of New • Making the unemployment benefit portable to Zealanders”. The encourage work based training and employment collective approach of the Mayors Taskforce for • Re-instating the training allowance for 16 & 17 year olds Jobs gives us a strong • Assessing the capacity of the voluntary sector to take national voice to address employment and training on young people for our future • Development of work in the public sector to create generations through developing partnerships additional jobs with people and • Developing local venture funding – the co-ordinated organisations that care as much about our use of community capital young people as we do.” • Promoting flexible use of government funding and — Yvonne Sharp Mayor of Far North programmes in local areas • Developing regional tourism ventures to create jobs “I see the need for the New Zealand Apprentice • Development of new forestry initiatives Scheme to be revived, • Advancing Te Araroa – The Long Pathway project as there is a huge skill shortage in the rural (from Cape Reinga to Stewart Island) as a national sector, e.g. carpenters, employment initiative plumbers, electricians etc. This will enable us • Increasing the modern apprenticeships programme in to achieve zero specific areas of identified need unemployment and at the same time get the • Zero Waste job strategies tradesmen skill base • Developing strategies to deal with skill shortages and back in our communities retention of qualified and skilled people within our and to give our school communities leavers a sense of • Exploring the application of the Topoclimate project to direction and purpose in life.” other regions — Tony Arps • Exploring the application of the Southland Polytechnics Mayor of Hurunui ‘free fees’ scheme to other regions • Establishing a national action group comprising “I hope the Mayors Taskforce will also business, union, Maori, local and central government examine the job situation and community interests to develop coherent youth from an international employment strategies perspective. I am very • Amending the privacy legislation to enable service impressed for example providers to contact individual school leavers regarding with the way France is dealing with the issue of their future training and employment options unemployment.” • Developing local initiatives to address high Maori and — Tim Shadbolt Pacific Islander unemployment rates • Developing entrepreneurial and enterprise education packages at all levels of the education system working towards the “zero waste” of New Zealanders Page 13

PROCESS

“We need to work • Mayors to prioritise above actions closely with government agencies • Develop internal lobby teams to make specific united and make sure they submissions work with the community groups in • Work with Local Government New Zealand to help our area.” write proposals — Frana Cardno Mayor or Southland • Use individual relationships with relevant Ministers to advance proposals

" We’re working with Community Employment Group to TIMEFRAME: On-going increase youth focused activities and opportunities to our area.” — Jan Beange Mayor of Tauranga

Breakfast Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton (from left to right) Sukhi Turner (Dunedin), Yvonne Sharp (Far North), Frana Cardno (Southland), David Owen (Waimate), Jenny Brash (Porirua) and Jim Anderton.

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5. Build strong relationships with central government agencies

“When I am asked, will PURPOSE: To ensure that central government agencies New Zealand solve unemployment?…I like work co-operatively at the local level and assist with the to turn the question Mayors’ projects. around, and ask, has New Zealand in the ACTION: last century ever solved • As many Mayors as possible to meet quarterly with the unemployment? The Ministers of Economic Development and Social answer to this second Service and Employment. question is: yes. We’ve done it before, • Work with Community Employment Group to make and we are certainly the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs a national strategy capable of doing it within the organisation and assign up to six again…” fieldworkers to work with the Taskforce. — Jim Anderton Minister of Economic • Ensure Mayors Taskforce for Jobs members have Development active input into each Ministry of Social Development, Skill New Zealand and Industry New Zealand regional plans. “Together we have • Mayors to participate in government agency networks achieved a great deal over the past two to achieve local taskforce goals. years. Because we • Work with Ministry of Social Development, are both impatient and particularly Regional Commissioners to advance ambitious for our communities and our projects at the local level nation we tend to • Work with the Ministry of Economic Development and discount our past Industry New Zealand to ensure collaboration at the achievements against local level our future challenges. There is much to be done, but we should TIMEFRAME: On-going take pride in what we have achieved thus far, and in so doing recommit to the project that brings us together at this time.” — Steve Maharey Minister of Social Services

“What I’d like to do is see the Mayors take a more active role in helping us direct where some of the resourcing goes Panel of CEOs and leaders of government because I think they’ve departments (left to right) Geoff Bascand (General got some good ideas Manager, Labour Market Policy Group, Dept. of about what their Labour), Alison Dalziel (Ministry of Economic communities will Development), Leith Comer (CEO Te Puni Kokiri), benefit from.” Peter Hughes (CEO Ministry of Social Development), — Ray Smith Ray Smith (National Commissioner, Ministry of Social National Development), Max Kerr (General Manager, Skill New Commissioner Zealand), Jay Sepie (Southern Regional Manager, Ministry of Social Community Employment Group). Development

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6. Link with imaginative private sector initiatives that are addressing unemployment

“If the goals of the PURPOSE: To encourage the business sector to work with Mayors Taskforce and the Taskforce and take the fullest role possible to achieve this project are able to the Taskforce youth goal. be met, it will make for a much better New ACTION: Zealand. The members of the Business Council • Encourage the development of a nation-wide strategy felt that this was one for enterprise area we could contribute • Work with the New Zealand Business Council for because we have a large Sustainable Development on the youth project number of members who employ an awful lot of • Mayors develop and maintain relationships at the local people and have job level with business organisations, Business for Social opportunities going Responsibility and the New Zealand Business Council forward.” for Sustainable Development companies — Stephen Tindall • Disseminate information on business initiatives which NZBCSD Chairperson and Founder of The encourage local employment growth Warehouse Group • Work with Economic Development Agencies of New Zealand and New Zealand Small Business Enterprise Centre networks and participate in national conferences “There are far fewer young people entering • Develop a partnership with the Council of Trade our type of industry. We Unions need to be providing more opportunities for TIMEFRAME: On-going young people through work experience or training so that they can see there is a real career path they can follow.” — Liz Barton Staff Development Manager City Care

“Our education and skills training forum with local leaders showed the need to inform young people about trades opportunities.” — Les Probert Launch of the Partnership between the Mayors Taskforce and the NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development. (left to right) Liz Barton of Christchurch City Care, project champion for Youth Employment Project, Rodger Spiller, Executive Director of NZBCSD and Taskforce Chair, Garry Moore.

7. Further developing the Taskforce structure, administration and partnerships

PURPOSE: To secure a long-term commitment to the “We need to encourage Taskforce goals and to ensure the most effective and agencies to take risks, efficient use of Taskforce resources. then stand alongside them.” — Garry Moore ACTION: Mayor of Christchurch • Develop ‘buddy’ system for members and encourage Taskforce Chair visits

“I joined the Mayors • Publicise member statements in booklet form Taskforce for Jobs group • Monitor progress of Memorandums Of Understanding because I believe that • Ensure on-going funding and financial planning for the political leadership in New Taskforce Zealand must strive for full employment throughout • Maintain partnerships with key stakeholders the entire nation.” • Promote the Taskforce through regional forums — Sukhi Turner • Participating Mayors to raise profile of Taskforce in Mayor of Dunedin own areas Taskforce Deputy Chair • Monitor progress with CEG fieldworkers and MSD “The Mayors Taskforce for regional commissioners Jobs umbrella has enabled • Reach agreement on priorities for advocacy projects us to develop a number of with central government and obtain Mayors initiatives and partnerships in our area.” commitment — Malcolm Macpherson • Provide Local Government zone meeting Mayors with Mayor of Central Otago Taskforce presentation • Continue to explore ways of widening funding base “As Mayor of the Hurunui District Council I have • Continue to support partnership with the Jobs Research joined the Mayors Trust Taskforce for Jobs • Negotiate continued support of the Employment because I believe any Catalyst Fund student leaving today’s • Encourage Mayors to sign up to the Taskforce for their education system should be able to be employed in Mayoral term the district they have • Encourage links with Economic Development Agencies grown up in, if they so wish.” — Tony Arps TIMEFRAME: On-going Mayor of Hurunui

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