Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Community sector under huge strain

22 June 2016

Community sector under huge strain after eight-year funding freeze

The Government needs to urgently increase funding for community sector groups which are struggling to cope with the growing number of people who need their help, the Green Party said today.

The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services released its Vulnerability Report today which outlines the huge strain that the community sector is under because of an eight-year funding freeze by the National Government.

“Thousands of New Zealanders depend on organisations like the Salvation Army and Presbyterian Support to house, feed and clothe their families, because they can’t get that help from this Government,” Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said.

“When these community organisations are pushed to financial breaking point, like they are now, it means our most vulnerable New Zealanders are missing out on the help they desperately need.

“The chronic housing shortage, the growing homelessness problem, and the growing reliance of some families on foodbanks shows that New Zealand desperately needs a more compassionate government than what National is offering up.

“If the Government doesn’t want to take responsibility for directly providing these desperately needed services, then the community sector should get adequate support and funding to be able to.

“We need a well-connected and resourced community sector to ensure that children are not falling through the gaps,” said Mrs Turei.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.