Joint Media Statement
Thursday 9 April 2009

Prime Minister meets with Church leaders

Church leaders from the Anglican, Baptist, Catholic. Methodist, Presbyterian, Assemblies of God and Salvation Army churches met at the Beehive yesterday with Prime Minister John Key and Minister of Finance Bill English to discuss pragmatic responses to the local social impacts of the global economic crisis and to shape some priorities that can be supported by Churches and their social service agencies.

Church leaders made the point to Mr Key and Mr English that Church networks and social service agencies are operating at the ‘sharp end’ of the recession, and from that perspective they can provide the government with helpful warning indicators of the severity of the recession’s impact on families they assist – many of whom are often already at the extreme edge of poverty and hardship.

Church leaders left the meeting confident that a purposeful dialogue has been entered into with the government. They were encouraged by the Prime Minister’s acknowledgement of the valued and trusted services already being provided, and by his invitation for Church networks and social services to be “part of the solution”.

Church leaders were also encouraged by signals from Mr Key and Mr English that the government is interested in receiving regular reports about the increasing demand being placed on their social service networks. As a result of the meeting a “feedback loop” is being established through the Prime Minister’s office so that updates can be provided to him on the changing situation as experienced at the level of Church parishes and Christian social services.

During the hour-long meeting Church leaders, supported by the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS), took the opportunity to canvass issues contained in a brief discussion paper on possible responses to the recession titled “Together We Can”. This paper had been developed by Church leaders and NZCCSS in Wellington on 27 February – the same day as the Prime Minister’s Job Summit (see www.justiceandcompassion.org.nz )

A particular issue in the “Together We Can” paper is the evidence that trends in child poverty worsen when unemployment worsens. This has again raised the long-term need for the government to commit to well-chosen measures that can do more to counter the damaging consequences of child poverty.

For their part Church leaders spoke to the Prime Minister about their commitment to rallying and maximising the “good work” already done at parish level and by Christian social services. More and more examples of a strong community spirit are coming to light, and are being highlighted by Church and Christian media.

Actions taken since the 27 February meeting of Church leaders with NZCCSS have included a meeting with Mâori advisors at Poupatate Marae north of Feilding to workshop responses particular to Mâori; a gathering of social policy researchers from agencies such as NZCCSS, Caritas and The Family Centre to develop closer monitoring and reporting on the impacts of the recession; commencement of a survey of the scale of NZCCSS member services; and a project to more widely publicise activity and initiatives being taken to strengthen community spirit and practical responses to hard times.

Church leaders present at the meeting were: Archbishop David Moxon, Anglican Church; Rodney McCann, Baptist Church; Archbishop John Dew, Catholic Church; Jill van de Geer, Methodist Church ; Dr Graham Redding, Presbyterian Church; Ken Harrison, Assemblies of God; Donald Bell, Salvation Army.

ENDS