Issue 56, october 2020

The newsletter of the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services Election 2020: A fair and compassionate future for all New Zealanders

After a shaky start, due to the failings and inequalities of our mar- Statement is underpinned by a vi- on i ss re-emergence of Covid-19 in ket-based economy, which have cre- sion of Aotearoa New Zealand as a i Auckland, Election 2020 is back on ated the conditions needed for pov- fair and compassionate society in omm track and New Zealanders will go to erty and exclusion to thrive – a low which everyone has a ‘liveable in- lectoral C t: E t: the polls on Saturday 17 October to wage economy, high housing costs, come’, a warm, safe home and can i red elect the next government. and a low top tax rate. participate meaningfully in their C 2020 continues to present unprec- ‘Every day NZCCSS members see community. edented challenges for New Zealand desperate families and whānau both clothes and shoes, and to join their All New Zealanders have a What does a fair and and the rest of the world, and these in work and receiving income support friends at sports, kapa haka, mu- liveable Income compassionate society, will remain until a vaccine is found. struggling to provide food and shelter. sic and other activities. • Increase benefit levels and sup- Covid-19 has exposed many of the Their income is simply not enough to manaakitia te ara whakamua, NZCCSS believe there are enough port the payment of a liveable cover both rent for housing and the basic mean? resources in Aotearoa New Zealand wage to ensure all New Zealanders essentials necessary for their health and • Our poorest families and whānau Election 2020 resources 2 to enable everyone to live with dig- have an income that provides the wellbeing. Having a liveable income and have sufficient income to live their Talking cents 3 nity. In a fair and compassionate necessities of life and can mean- Election 2020: Referendums 4 a warm, safe home is fundamental to lives with mana and dignity, join society there are mechanisms to ingfully participate with dignity Letter “To the Voters of NZ” 4 the protection of our intrinsic value and in local activities, and feel con- distribute public resources so that in our communities. Equality Network Scorecard 5 dignity as human beings made in God’s nected to their community. everyone can experience a baseline Tick for kids Scorecard 6 image,’ says NZCCSS President, Ian All New Zealanders can access My whare youth housing pilot 7 • Our poorest families and whānau standard of living that enables peo- Hutson. affordable, secure and quality An insight into youth housing in can afford to live in a permanent, ple to develop and flourish. Christchurch 8 quality home, that enables their housing Rethinking our values and NZCCSS is calling on political More evidence to support lifting core children/tamariki to participate • Immediately and substantially in- benefit rates 9 harnessing our sense of common parties to commit to immediate at the local school and to access crease the construction of public A game changer from the Wellington good, compassion and fairness changes to address income adequa- City Mission 9 health supports. cy and affordable, secure and quali- housing in both the government Election 2020 is a time to re-think Research on Pacific Island carers aged • Our poorest families and whānau ty housing. and community housing sectors. 16–24 10 our society’s values and harness our can provide for their children/ Good Information Sharing Regional sense of common good, compassion Background paper

i s i ssue tamariki to eat fresh fruit and veg- Workshops 11 and fairness. NZCCSS’ Election Māori language week 12 etables and meat, to wear warm Read more about NZCCSS’ thinking on Election 2020 here. In th Election 2020

Kete Kupu Issue 56, october 2020 2 Election 2020 resources

Credit: Electoral Commission The New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Election 2020 Catholic Social Justice Week 2020 general election statement Methodist

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ 2020 general election statement draws The Methodist Alliance election pri- on Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’: ‘Everything is connected. Concern for the orities to reduce poverty lift benefit environment needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an levels and abatement thresholds. unwavering commitment to resolving The Methodist Alliance of nation- During Catholic Social Justice Week the problems of society.’ al alliance of social service agencies (6–12 September) Caritas focussed Voters are also being asked to re- is calling on political candidates to on social justice principles as a spond to two referendum questions increase benefits and the income framework to interpret social issues on euthanasia and making recrea- threshold at which benefits are cut and to take action to seek social jus- tional cannabis legal. In reflecting so that people on benefits can get tice – Easy as CST: Unlocking the on these questions, the bishops say, back to work, contribute to the eco- Church’s potential Māmā noa, pēnei ‘we again need to look at the wider nomic recovery and lift themselves i te CST: Te tuku i ngā Pūmanawa o te picture; asking how the proposed out of poverty. hāhi kia whai hua. law changes will affect the vulnerable and our connectedness to one another.’ In addition to increasing bene- Human dignity, solidarity, sub- More information on the Catholic Bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand’s fits and raising the benefit abate- sidiarity, stewardship, common 2020 Election statement is available in the September Welcom. ment threshold to the equivalent good, participation, and preferen- of 15 hours per week at the mini- tial option for the poor, distributive mum wage, the Methodist Alliance justice, and the promotion of peace also calls for the recommendations are eight Catholic Social Teachings of the Welfare Expert Advisory (CST) that underpin ethical deci- Group report Whakamana Tāngata: Election 2020: make your vote count sions and actions. Restoring Dignity to Social Security ‘The Church’s teachings are a rich From the Presbyterian Moderator in New Zealand to be put in place. treasure that help us to apply Gospel val- The abatement threshold must ues such as love, peace, justice, compas- ‘Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities for there is no also be raised. This is the amount sion and community to today’s issues, authority except that which God has established.’ Romans 13:1. of money a person on a benefit can enabling us to work towards building Right Rev Fakaofo Kaio, Moderator, Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New earn before the benefit is cut. It a just and fair society,’ said Caritas Zealand, is urging people to vote. ‘There are many who argue, and who believe was set up in 1986 based on 15 hours Director Julianne Hickey. strongly, that State and Church affairs should not be intertwined and merged to- work per week at the minimum The CST resources offer another gether. That they should be far apart from each other. New Zealand has a history of wage, which at the time, represent- tool to help us think about Election Church and State working together for the betterment of the nation. Though, in later ed $80 per week. It is still only $90. years the two seem to be significantly apart. Whatever your view, and stance, please 2020 and what policies we want to in this year’s General Election, make your vote.’ support. Election 2020

Kete Kupu Issue 56, october 2020 3 Election 2020 resources

Credit: Electoral Commission

Talking Cents September 2020

Talking Cents is an ecumenical group a framework to guide the develop- community governance by defining that shape the way we manage our charged by the Auckland Anglican ment of a short, medium and long- us from a non-Māori perspective. public life. The picture overall is not Salvation Army – Diocesan Council to promote an alter- term future, post Covid-19, one that The obvious results are usually pre- flattering. However, it provides us Voting, your part in the native to current economic and political we could all be proud of. sented as Māori failure rather than a with a useful overview of how well thought and to encourage debate within Our settler history shows endur- failure of the system.2 we are doing at present. It also pro- future of our country the church. People are encouraged to ing links with key western world- The highly contentious ‘full and vides a platform for transformative The Salvation Army is calling distribute these articles widely. This view values that focus on individual final settlement’ dimension of the change, a base on which we can cre- on everyone to be active citi- contribution is from Anton Spelman achievement in the way we structure current Treaty of Waitangi settle- ate a better future for a much wider zens in the 2020 Election and (Ngāti Hikairo) and Jean Brookes, both and operate our public life, and in the ment process highlights the unfin- range of New Zealanders than is the vote on Election Day, 17 October. parishioners of St Matthew-in-the-City way we measure and reward success. ished business that exists with re- case at present. A General Election 2020 Issues in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. There is, however, a strong egalitari- spect to constitutional change, i.e. Currently, individualistic values Booklet has been prepared by the an dimension within Pākehā culture securing the rangatiratanga rights are dominant, where the primary Holding it all together with Policy and Parliamentary Unit. that insists on the importance of of Māori alongside those of Tangata accountability is to ourselves and kindness Transformational change is the hope forging links across traditional bar- Tiriti in the future governance ar- our immediate whānau for the way 3 expressed in the Salvation Army’s We are in a highly pragmatic elec- riers rather than maintaining rigid rangements of the country. we live. This means achievement election 2020 resource material. tion campaign where important social distinctions. This egalitari- This points us to the need for a and success are measured primarily ‘Child poverty, homelessness and questions about the future direction an impulse has been seen by many new framework for our time, one in terms of individual characteris- inequality were significant matters of of Aotearoa New Zealand are still up change agents as an important key based on a complete transformation tics. On this basis, the effort of indi- concern that have been hugely ampli- in the air. A number of contempo- to unlocking movement on bias and of the principles and values which viduals who see the world collective- fied by the pandemic. There is a hope rary New Zealand think-tanks have prejudice in personal behaviour and have informed our nation’s history ly is excluded, discounted or denied. that the opportunity that comes from highlighted key assumptions that in the oppressive systems and pro- to the present. In the first part of this Wealth creation as reward is shared pain of this health and economic underpin our current situation. We cesses that regulate the way we live article, we reflect on the ongoing primarily for individual effort and crisis can, through our collective effort believe these need major attention in communities. problems associated with four of our measured in monetary terms. The and goodwill, create transformation- as we shape up the future direction Māori history, on the other hand, currently-held principles and values measurement of wealth typical- 1 al change where inequality and pov- for our country. It is possible to dis- shows an equally enduring com- ly excludes a measurement of the 2 erty can be radically reduced or even til, from the work of these different mitment to collectivist values that Ranginui Walker. (2004) Ka whawhai impact on the environment and on groups, some core components of focus on economic outcomes for the tonu mātou: Struggle without end (Rev. ed.). communities that are structurally eradicated.’ Auckland: Penguin. Additional Election 2020 resourc- 1 Economic and Social Research whole group as well as individuals 3 The Report of Matike Mai Aotearoa marginalised. The evidence of nega- es, including short videos, slides, Aotearoa. https://esra.nz/fu- within it. The colonisation history – The Independent Working Group tive outcomes is clearly seen in our ture-proofing-aotearoa-new-zea- on Constitutional Transformation. and documents, are also available of Aotearoa documents the exclu- land-life-covid-19/ https://esra.nz/ sion of Māori from the processes of http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/ on the website. taking-the-initiative-in-a-time-of-crisis/. MatikeMaiAotearoaReport.pdf. Continued p. 4 Election 2020

Kete Kupu Issue 56, october 2020 4 Election 2020 resources

Credit: Electoral Commission

Talking Cents Advertisement Election 2020: Referendums TO THE VOTERS OF NEW ZEALAND At the upcoming General Election, you will be asked to vote in a binding referendum on the End of Life Choice Act 2019. We, the undersigned religious leaders, wish to share with you our grave concerns about the final form of this Act. health, education, housing and em- We speak out of our extensive experience of caring for the dying. We know the effectiveness of compassionate end of life palliative care At this year’s general election, along with voting in a new – care that is able to address not just the physical suffering of people who are dying, but also their emotional, spiritual and psychological ployment statistics. VXIIHULQJDVZHOODVWKDWRIZKƗQDXDQGIULHQGV government, we can vote in two referendums: the End of Life Medical practices that are part of good end-of-life care – ceasing treatment, Do Not Resuscitate Orders, Advanced Care Directives and A market approach is taken to turning off life support – are already legal and part of our health care choices and are not part of this proposed law. The referendum question is notDERXWWKHGHVLUDELOLW\RIVRPHIRUPRIµDVVLVWHGG\LQJ¶5DWKHUZHDUHEHLQJDVNHGWRYRWHRQDVSHFL¿F Choice and Cannabis legalisation and Control referendums. piece of legislation – the End of Life Choice Act. The key consideration for all of us is the robustness and safety of this Act. Our concerns the operation of capital. Market val- are about the lack of safeguards in the Act and the dangers it would present. ues reinforce the focus of effort on We note that the Act differs in the quality of its processes and safeguards from other laws overseas: End of Life Choice referendum ‡ The Act is not just designed for a small number of hard cases. It is broader than laws in Victoria and the United States growth in the economy at the ex- because it allows both assisted suicide and euthanasia. You can vote on whether the End of ‡ This is not an Act of ‘last resort’ – there is no requirement to try effective treatments or palliative care. There is also no pense of equity and justice. The rich/ corresponding right in the proposed law for people to access palliative care. Life Choice Act 2019 should come ‡ People will be able to access an assisted death without being in any physical pain. Overseas statistics show people poor gap is ever-widening; funding choose assisted death primarily out of a fear of being a burden and/or being disabled.1 into force. The Act would give people ‡ 7KH$FWGRHVQRWUHTXLUHDSDWLHQWWRGLVFXVVWKHLUGHFLVLRQZLWKDIDPLO\PHPEHURURWKHUVLJQL¿FDQWSHUVRQ$OOHOLJLEOH the affluence of the few has become persons, 18 years and over, could choose an assisted death without family knowing. with a terminal illness the option of ‡ There is no mandatory psychological assessment or effective screening for depression. Research shows that requests the burden of the many. IRUDQDVVLVWHGGHDWKDUHFRPPRQO\LQÀXHQFHGE\GHSUHVVLRQ2VRPHWKLQJWKDWLVH[WUHPHO\GLI¿FXOWWRGHWHFWDQGRIWHQ requesting assisted dying. mistaken for ‘appropriate sadness’. Humanity exercises the con- ‡ The NZ Medical Association and Hospice NZ, who oppose the Act,3 share concerns that it lacks processes enabling Source: referendums.govt.nz FOLQLFLDQVWREHFRQ¿GHQWDSHUVRQLVPDNLQJWKHLUUHTXHVWIUHHRISUHVVXUHIURPRWKHUV trolling interest with respect to the The referendum question is: ‡ The two doctor ‘safeguard’ is weak; neither of the doctors need to have met the person previously. ‡ There is no mandatory stand-down period as there is in other countries - under the Act, a person could be dead less than environment; this is at the expense Do you support the End of Life Cannabis legalisation and con- 4 days after diagnosis. of all other parties in the natural Choice Act 2019 coming into trol referendum – you can vote on ‡ Unlike laws overseas, there is no requirement for independent observers or witnesses at any stage. ‡ The Act does not require a person to be assessed for competency at the time when the lethal dose is being administered, order. The position has been greatly force? whether the recreational use of can- as is the case with laws overseas. influenced by an excessively anthro- nabis should become legal. The referendum is binding, meaning the Act cannot be changed - it will be enacted in its current form. You can choose 1 of these 2 answers: We are also concerned that the practice of assisted suicide and euthanasia will become normalised over time, leading to a broadening of the criteria for eligibility as seen overseas. There is also evidence showing that people choose assisted death because of a lack of adequate care pocentric interpretation of Genesis The referendum question is: options.4 There is a risk this will also happen in New Zealand, especially because effective palliative care is not yet universally available to all. 1. Yes, I support the End of Life We acknowledge the importance of exercising freedom of choice. At the same time there is a need to balance individual choice with the chapter one, especially verses 26 and FRPPRQJRRGRIVRFLHW\2QEDODQFHZHEHOLHYHWKDWWKHVLJQL¿FDQWZHDNQHVVHVDQGGDQJHUVRIWKH$FWVWURQJO\RXWZHLJKWKHEHQH¿WV Choice Act 2019 coming into Do you support the proposed that supporters of euthanasia seek. 28.4 force. Cannabis Legalisation and Even those who favour some form of assisted death have many reasons to Vote NO to the End of Life Choice Act. “We could transform, restructure, and Control Bill? 2. No, I do not support the End of Archbishop Philip Richardson Primate, Senior Bishop of the New Zealand Pakeha Archbishop Don Tamihere Primate, Pihopa o Aotearoa and Pihopa o Te Tairawhiti Dioceses and Bishop of Diocese of Waikato & Taranaki Rev Setaita Taumoepeau K. Veikune President, Methodist Church of New Zealand re-present the above principles and val- Bishop Jay Behan Church of Confessing Anglicans, Aotearoa New Zealand Pastor Adam White Leader, New Life Churches of New Zealand Life Choice Act 2019 coming into You can choose 1 of these 2 answers: Pastor Steve Burgess 5HJLRQDO'LUHFWRU&&KXUFKHV3DFLƓF %LVKRS0DUN:KLWƓHOG Lutheran Church of New Zealand ues for the future in an integrated way.” Commissioner Mark Campbell Territorial Commander, Salvation Army, New Zealand Bishop Ross Bay Anglican Diocese of Auckland force. Territory Bishop Steven Benford Anglican Diocese of Dunedin 1. Yes, I support the proposed Bishop Patrick Dunn President of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference; Bishop Peter Carrell Anglican Diocese of Christchurch Catholic Diocese of Auckland Cardinal John Dew Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington Cannabis Legalisation and Dr Mustafa Farouk QSM President, The Federation of Islamic Associations of NZ Bishop Michael Dooley Catholic Diocese of Dunedin (FIANZ) Bishop Justin Duckworth Anglican Diocese of Wellington To find out how, read the full article Rev Tavita Joseph Filemoni General Secretary, Wesleyan Samoan Methodist Church of Pastor Max Faletutulu Senior Pastor, Titahi Bay Community Church, Wellington Control Bill. New Zealand & Australia Bishop Michael Gielen Catholic Diocese of Auckland - Auxiliary Charles Hewlett National Leader of the Baptist Churches of NZ Bishop Andrew Hedge Anglican Diocese of Waiapu here. Rev. Brett Jones National Superintendent (Acting), Wesleyan Methodist Bishop Stephen Lowe Catholic Diocese of Hamilton 2. No, I do not support the pro- Church of NZ Bishop Steve Maina Anglican Diocese of Nelson Right Reverend Fakaofo Kaio Moderator, The Presbyterian Church in New Zealand Pastor Kaio Mamea The Light of All Nations Church, Wellington posed Cannabis Legalisation Metropolitan Myron New Zealand Greek Orthodox Church Bishop Paul Martin SM Catholic Diocese of Christchurch Rev Dr Stuart Lange National Director, New Zealand Christian Network Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu Pihopatanga o Te Taitokerau Pastor David MacGregor National Director, Vineyard Churches Aotearoa NZ; Bishop Waitohiariki Quayle Pihopatanga o Te Upoko o Te Ika and Control Bill. Senior Pastor, Grace Vineyard Church Christchurch Rt Revd Dr Eleanor Sanderson Assistant Anglican Bishop of Wellington Rev Andrew Marshall National Director, Alliance Churches of New Zealand Bishop Richard Wallace Pihopatanga o Te Waipounamu Pastor Peter Mortlock Senior Pastor, City Impact Churches of NZ Rev Brian Walsh Local Administrator, Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North 4 The Bible – New Revised Standard Version Authorised by Archbishop Philip Richardson, 566 Mangorei Road, New Plymouth 1 See Oregon Death with Dignity 2019 Data Summary, page 12. http://tiny.cc/Oregon2019 2 See, for example, Chochinov HM, Wilson KG, and Enns M. et al. Desire for death in the terminally ill. Am J Psychiatry. 1995 152:1185–1191. https://www.biblestudytools.com/nrs/ 3 See https://www.nzma.org.nz/news/an-important-choice-end-of-life-choice-act-referendum-fact-sheet; https://www.hospice.org.nz/resources/end-of-life-choice-act-our-concerns/euthanasia-our-opinion/ genesis/1.html 4 See, for example, Herx L, Cottle M, and Scott J. The “Normalization” of Euthanasia in Canada: the Cautionary Tale Continues. World Medical Journal, https://www.wma.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/newwmj_2_2020_WEB.pdf Election 2020

Kete Kupu Issue 56, october 2020 5 Election 2020

Credit: Electoral Commission A Star Chart for the Parties on their promises to reduce Scorecard of the Parties eequalitynetwork.org.nz/election2020qualitynetwork.org.nz/election2020 inequality Our Overall Policy Ranking for each Party: Green Party Which policies are most likely to make good progress to reduce wealth and income inequality? Labour The Maori Party Eight major Parties have been scrutinised for their com- The Opportunities Party NZ First mitment to addressing inequality with policies proven National Act New Conservative to reduce wealth and income inequality. The Equality Network, a group of Three immediate ambitions to reduce income and wealth inequality: New Zealand organisations, including NZCCSS, united by the vision of a New Green Maori Labour TOP NZFirst National Act Conser more equal Aotearoa New Zealand, have released their Party Scorecard, giv- vative ing up to three gold stars, for policies likely to have a very positive impact, or A Living Wage and higher benefits a black star for no policy, or policies likely to have a negative impact. Increased taxes on Read the full Policy Matrix for Party policies on addressing inequality here. wealth and high incomes Build more state and Find out how each of the parties scored at affordable housing equalitynetwork.org.nz/election2020. Seven long-term commitments to reduce inequality: New Green Maori Labour TOP NZFirst National Act Conser vative Tiriti partnership

A free healthcare system

Increased education funding

Investment in retraining

Stronger collective bargaining

Curbs on political donations More public interest broadcasting

Likely to have very Likely to make Unlikely to progress but not likely No policy or likely to positive impact good progress to worsen the situation have a negative impact

This Scorecard is authorised by Prudence Stone, 1/61 Severn St, Island Bay Wellington 6023 Election 2020

Kete Kupu Issue 56, october 2020 6 Election 2020 resources

Credit: Electoral Commission Tick for Kids Party Score Card

NZCCSS supports the Tick4Kids cam- paign to make children’s interests a cen- tral focus for Election 2020. New Zealand’s main political parties were asked by Tick for Kids whether they support action on 40 evidence-based policies that the Tick for Kids members advocate for children’s and young peo- ple’s well-being. The following 6 scorecards based on Parties’ survey responses were pro- duced, providing another important tool to help you vote on election day. Houyousintgh Kete Kupu Issue 56, october 2020 7 7 My Whare – One Answer to the Homelessness of Youth VisionWest Community Trust

Youth homelessness is a key issue in New Zealand with over half the New Zealand homeless population being un- der the age of 25. Youth homelessness is driven largely by rangatahi transitions out of care, youth leaving the justice system with inadequate supports, and the rise of mental health struggles amongst vulnerable young people. In 2019, as part of our fight to end homelessness, VisionWest Community Trust launched a youth housing programme called “My Whare”. My Whare is an innovative housing solution to youth homelessness, placing state of the art one-bedroom stu- dios on residential properties for the use of youth who have had a challenging start. The programme includes supportive mentoring from the host family to support the young resident to define and reach education and employment goals. The young person also receives con- nection to community through shared meals and experi- ences, while being given the space to grow independently. Designed by Pat de Pont at SGA Architects, each My Whare is able to be transported on a trailer. A year on, the first of the My Whare units have been completed. Transported at night to avoid traf- fic, they are sitting in storage wait- ing for host families to be allocated. VisionWest believe this pro- gramme can start turning the tide on youth homelessness and provide the sense of hope homeless youth need for a brighter future. Houyousintgh Kete Kupu Issue 56, october 2020 8 An insight into youth housing in Christchurch

Like many places, with either Kāinga and Salvation Army only takes re- unfortunately couch surfing can at Christchurch has lim- Ora or Otautahi ferrals for males once they turn 18. At times availability to times be seen as a safer option than ited housing options Community Housing These options are not overly helpful access emergency housing emergency housing depending on for youth, at Youth Trust is lengthy, and for our clients as the only clients we is limited especially around the young person’s circumstances. Service we have little it is extremely rare have over 18 years of age are young school and public holidays. Due to the complexity of our young resources available to for our clients with- parents and these placements are people’s situation it is often chal- assist young people out dependents to not suitable for them to go to with a for emergency situations and it is lenging for them to find placements with this essential need. get accommodation through this baby. important that we assess whether it that are safe and stable. When place- At Youth Service we work with means. The wait for our young A lot of our young people struggle is suitable for the young people de- ments do breakdown especially if young people receiving the Youth parents for social housing is often to get private rentals as people are pending on if they have a baby and Payment who are aged between over 3 months or clients may get often reluctant to rent to youth, of- how stable their mental health is. It is often challenging for 16–17 years of age where it is has referred to transitional housing if ten our clients don’t have references At times availability to access emer- them to find placements been assessed that they are unable it is available. Transitional housing and particularly for young people gency housing is limited especially that are safe and stable. to live at home due to either safety options can be accessed through under 18 they can’t sign a tenancy around school and public holidays concerns or a relationship break- Vision West, Methodist Mission without a guarantor, as a lot of our and the Christmas new year period. down with their parents. We also and Emerge Aotearoa. Transitional We also need to take into account there is family harm involved emer- work with those receiving the Young housing is assessed on the young that probation also put their clients gency accommodation is the only A lot of our young people person’s needs and can be declined in some of the motels that are ap- option and again we need to assess struggle to get private The wait for a property if the provider does not think it is proved for our young people and so how safe this will be for the young rentals as people are often with either Kāinga Ora suitable or feels that it is unsafe for we need to assess their vulnerability person if there is significant risk to reluctant to rent to youth. or Otautahi Community the young person based on other to see if it is suitable. their safety. people already accessing housing at With Emergency Housing clients Housing Trust is lengthy. Cheryl Yusaf the same location. young people have had family break- need to apply every 7 days for this as- Family Works YMCA and Salvation Army are downs this is not an option. sistance, they need to be proactively Parent Payment who are 16–19 years some newer options for housing, We can place clients in Emergency looking for accommodation options of age and have had a baby, they may however both only accept referrals housing, the young person needs to and provide evidence of this. not have had a family breakdown for over 18 year olds. YMCA requires have exhausted all other options and As described most of the options and are still able to live with their young people to be in education not have anywhere else they can stay. available for housing have con- parents. Emergency Housing options include siderable barriers for young peo- We can arrange a phone screening YMCA and Salvation Army are motels and backpackers that have ple we do a lot of work with young for social housing for our clients, some newer options for housing. been approved by MSD this includes people to explore what options are however the wait for a property the YWCA. These are only option available with all family or friends, Poverty & Inequality

9 Kete Kupu Issue 56, october 2020 More evidence to lift core benefits This election, NZCCSS is calling for an evidence-based approach to income support that provides a liveable income and not a poverty-driven benefit.

The Welfare Expert Advisory Group ‘All that is holding us back is an al- (WEAG) commissioned research on most wilful prejudice against people income adequacy and found that for who have had the misfortune to end a variety of different family circum- up on a benefit.’ stances, income support payments A game changer on its way from had a shortfall from $50 per week to New survey on Covid-19 income $320 per week. relief payment the Wellington City Mission Findings from two further studies Early findings from a new survey support the WEAG report’s call to gives more weight to calls to urgent- A transformative community hub is ‘The building project “Whakamaru”, increase core benefits. ly lift benefit levels.. on its way to the Wellington region a name gifted by Mana Whenua The University of Auckland, Child thanks to $10 million shovel-ready meaning “to shelter, to safeguard, to NZIER report supports the lifting Poverty Action Group, Auckland grant to the Wellington City Mission protect”, is set to be a game chang- The New Zealand Institute of Action Against Poverty and FIRST for a Whakamaru providing 35 er for the Wellington region,’ says Economic Research (NZIER), has Union are collaborating on a survey homes for around 40 Wellington Murray Edridge, Wellington City released a report that will also bene- to compare the experiences of peo- residents. Missioner. fit the economy by ‘creating a short- ple receiving different types of in- The Mission will also transform ‘Whakamaru will help us respond term fiscal stimulus and increasing come support (Job Seeker Support; its other services, to build an in- to some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s productivity and GDP’. Sole Parent Support; Supported clusive community, centralise the greatest challenges such as housing Welfare advocate Key Brereton, Living Payment; Youth Payment; Mission’s services into one location, supply and homelessness, food inse- a member of the Government’s Young Parent Payment). while also providing a community curity and social isolation. This will WEAG, said the report showed there Louise Humpage, lead research- café, cooking classes and a social give us far greater capacity to serve was no reason to keep benefits at er, at the University of Auckland, supermarket. and support some of our city’s most ‘sub-poverty rates’. found those receiving the Covid-19 vulnerable.’ ‘And by raising benefits the income relief payment ($490 a week) Government can ensure more mon- are fairing better than those on oth- ey goes into local communities and er income support payments ($250). local businesses because our people This is in spite of the Government’s spend any extra money on the ne- $25 a week increase to benefits an- cessities of life they can’t otherwise nounced by the Government earlier afford. in March. NZCCSS looks forward to reading the findings of this report, when they become available.

Older people Kete Kupu Issue 56, october 2020 10 Selwyn Foundation invites you to join our first We need you Ageing and Spirituality Webinar Family carers aged 16–24 years who care Due to COVID-19 we have moved our annual conferences, seminars, workshops etc to virtual events. for a family member living with a disability or

We invite you to join us on challenges and losses over long-term chronic condition Wednesday 14 October 2020 from time. Well engaged mor- 7pm – 9pm for an interactive webinar tality strengthens growth. Pacific family carers ex- With funding where Selwyn Foundation Spiritual The knowledge of negoti- perience high levels of from the National Director Reverend Caroline Leys ating the personal concept unmet needs and poor Science Challenge and Hospice NZ Clinical Advisor of mortality, that is our life access to health, educa- for Ageing Well, the Professor Rod MacLeod will discuss as we know it is finite. This can chal- tion and social services. study is being led by fluency to open opportunities for the topic ‘The Last Stage of Human lenge us, it can bring to the surface A team of researchers Dr Ofa Dewes of the these conversations, and to be ready Growth is Mortality’, they will dis- questions such as: from the University University of Auckland’s to have the conversations that are cuss questions from the audience. of Auckland, Pacific School of Nursing • Have we made a difference? difficult. Home Care, the Tongan and Department of The focus of the discussion will be • Are we leaving a legacy? On the Webinar, Rod and Caroline Health Society, and NZ Dr Ofa Dewes Molecular Medicine & on older people, although what we • Are we surrounded by love or are will engage in these conversations. Council of Christian Pathology. If you are discuss will have some relevance for we alone? They will explore all these factors Social Services want to help ensure interested to learn more and take death from mid-life years, but not • Do we need to find reconciliation and how family encounter and cope, our health, education and social ser- part in the study, please contact so much relevance for children and because of difficulty? or not, with what their elder is real- vices meet their needs. To do this, Ofa on (09) 373 7599 extn 83364 or young adults. These questions are in the realm of ly needing and wanting in the last the team need to understand the ex- email: [email protected] for periences of younger family carers the participant information sheet All stages of life provide opportuni- spirituality, they are philosophical stage of their life. Rod and Caroline and help find ways to ensure their and consent form. Participants who ty for growth and discovery, espe- questions about meaning and pur- invite you to join them to advance needs are met. agree to take part in the interview cially if we meet life challenges with pose. However, we may be fright- the discussion. will receive a gift voucher valued at an open heart and mind. Elders, in ened of everything we know coming For more information about the $30 in acknowledgement of their spite of losses and physical declines to an end, or it may be painful to Webinar and the presenters please time and contribution to the study. in later life frequently report feeling have the honest discussion, we may click here. content, research shows they have find it difficult to raise the matters lower rates of psychopathology than that concern us. Registration is now open via the general population. Older people It is our belief that those of us who eventbrite. often see themselves as resilient be- work with people near the end cause of adversity and their ongoing of their life, need to develop our skill, in negotiating and overcoming wha

t Kete Kupu Issue 56, october 2020 11 ’s on Good Information August 2019 CC6996 Seniorline Sharing Regional Workshops Navigating services for older people A joint-venture capability develop- session that aims to promote good • support consistent understand- ment programme of Social Services information sharing practice across ing of the information sharing Providers Aotearoa and NZCCSS. professionals working in child wel- requirements The half-day workshop will sup- fare and protection. • help build strong regional port the implementation of the in- The workshop is open to front line connections. formation provisions in the Oranga staff as well as supervisors and man- Tamariki Act that came into force agers from both NGOs and Oranga on 1 July 2019. It is an interactive Tamariki and aims to:

Upcoming Workshops n Auckland (West) – Thursday October 15th – Te Pai Centre n Auckland (North) – Wednesday October 21st – Netball North Harbour n Auckland (Central) – Tuesday October 20th – Anglican Trust for Women & Children (ATWC) n Auckland (South) – Wednesday October 14th – Life Conference Centre n Nelson – Wednesday October 21st – Safeguarding Children, Sports House n Greymouth – Tuesday 13th October – Ashley Hotel

National information on Links to the registration how to get help at home, https://www.sspa.org.nz/events/capability-development-programme/18-events/342-information-sharing community health services and rest homes.

09 375 4395 or 0800 725 463 8am - 4pm | Monday - Friday

www.seniorline.org.nz

CC6996 SENIORLINE (NAT) DLE 99x210mm AUG2019_GENERIC.indd 1 03/09/2019 11:47:08 Kete Kupu Issue 56, october 2020 12 ‘ko te reo taikura o te whakaao marama’ Language is the key to understanding Word Basket ISSN 1174-2514 (Print) Aotearoa New Zealand hit a mile- Māori in schools Tōku ake haerenga i te reo Māori (Personal Te Reo Journey) ISSN 1174-2526 (Online) stone on Monday 14 September has not been Pukamata (Facebook) The newsletter of the NZ Council of when over one million people came achieved, the so- Christian Social Services Whakahuatanga (Pronunciation) together at midday to celebrate cial and cultural Te Kākano - Learning to Pronounce Kupu Maori (words) PO Box 12-090, Thorndon, Māori language week, and te reo climate for learn- Wellington 6144 Māori as the official language since ing te reo and ti- Tōku Reo Series 3 George Street, Thorndon, 1979. kanga has never been more positive. Te Kākano - Tōku Reo Series 1 Wellington ‘This is the largest, single celebration Here at the NZCCSS Secretariat, Te Kākano - Tōku Reo Series 2 To receive this newsletter in a of te reo Māori in history. We have nev- we celebrated Māori language week Te Kākano - Tōku Reo Series 3 different format (by email, mail or er had this many people celebrating our with a te reo Māori lesson and waita, Te Kākano - Tōku Reo Series 4 both), contact NZCCSS (04) 473 2627 language together at the same time,’ ‘Te aroha’. Te Kakano - Tōku Reo Series 5 or [email protected] said Māori Language Commissioner Fred Astle, Tumu Whakarae Acknowledgements: In addition to Te Kākano, Te Pihinga, Te Māhuri, Te Kōhure Professor Rawinia Higgins. Māori, Head of Māori Development, its member subscriptions, NZCCSS extends its thanks to Combined It was 48 years ago in 1972 that a Vision Community West Trust, and 1. Te Kākano Beginners Level 1 - Wahanga Tuatahi Community Trusts and TG McCarthy petition with over 30,000 signatures member of the NZCCSS Child and 2. Te Pihinga Intermediate Level - Wahanga Tuatahi 3. Te Māhuri Upper Intermediate Level 1 - Wahanga Tuatahi Trust for grant funding as well as was presented to the government Family Policy Group, has forwarded Ministry of Social Development, 4. Te Kōhure Advance Level 1 - Wahanga Tuatahi calling for te reo Māori to be taught the following Te Kākano Māori lan- Oranga Tamariki, MInistry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the in schools. Seven years later te reo guage resources, phrases and songs Waiata Māori was officially recognised. ‘to support you in standing to speak Ministry of Health for contract funding 1. Ka Waiata that help to make the work of NZCCSS Although compulsory te reo and sing in the Māori language’. 2. He Honore possible. 3. Purea Nei Disclaimer: Every effort is made 4. Māku E Mihi Atu to ensure the correctness of facts and information in this newsletter. However, we cannot accept responsibility for any errors. Items from this newsletter may be freely copied provided the author and the sources are acknowledged. S ource: nzh ource: i story.govt.nz