Prime Minister’s Focus on Change And Impact to New Zealand’s Social Issues Floats Well with SEA

Monday, 13 February 2017
Media Release: Social Enterprise Auckland

Social Enterprise Auckland (SEA), which supports Auckland’s social enterprises to transform communities, is heartened to see the Prime Minister acknowledge the importance of investing in social and environmental returns in Wednesday’s Statement.

SEA Chairperson, Tricia Fitzgerald said, “The Prime Minister's emphasis on investment to deliver social rewards is important and social enterprise is one of the most effective ways to achieve this. From offshore farming to social housing, there are opportunities to create and share new value for Kiwis through social enterprise. “

“As an economic model for social and environmental investment, social enterprise can increase self-reliance and empower whole communities.”

Nevertheless, providing essential social services adequate support is complex and Social Enterprise Auckland urges caution when reducing and restructuring these areas.

“While not claiming that social enterprise will ever provide the only way to meet social and environmental need, the potential of the social enterprise sector is only just starting to be realised in New Zealand.” said Fitzgerald.

In September 2017, New Zealand will host the Social Enterprise World Forum in Christchurch. This will bring leading entrepreneurs, researchers and leaders together with local counterparts.

"The Forum will be an extraordinary opportunity to inject our own social enterprise sector with new vigour and inspiration”, said Fitzgerald.

She cautioned that the nation will also be on show to the world and government support is essential to back the sector to thrive.

About:

The Social Enterprise World Forum 2017 is an international event for social enterprises from all over the world to come together, share wisdom, build networks and discuss how to create a more sustainable future. The event attracts social enterprise practitioners, social entrepreneurs, policy-makers, community leaders, investors, activists, academics and more from across the globe. The Forum will take place on 27-29 September in Christchurch.

Social Enterprise Auckland (SEA) is a collaborative group of social enterprises and their supporters working for sustainable social change in Auckland. A hub for inspiration, information and connection, SEA empowers and represents enterprises trading for social good in Auckland. SEA helps social enterprises thrive, delivering social, environmental and economic benefit for Aucklanders. For more seewww.socialenterpriseauckland.org.nz

ends

© Scoop Media