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Working for the eradication of poverty in NZ
The historical approach of The Salvation Army to social need in New Zealand
For 120 years The Salvation Army in New Zealand has consistently cared for people. In the past 20 years however as New Zealand has reformed its economic and social structures the group of people requiring the Army's help with welfare-related needs has increased dramatically. In 1990 for example, The Salvation Army gave out nationally a little under 5,000 food parcels. A decade later, this number exceeds 27,000.
Since 1989 The Salvation Army has annually invested millions of dollars in welfare and social services aimed at assisting the most vulnerable.
Despite this, and the wider investment in welfare services, data from the Ministry of Social Development shows that the number of people living below the Government defined poverty line has increased from 17% to 24% of the population.
Change is needed
The Salvation Army is pleased to provide support services and stand alongside fellow New Zealanders in times of critical need, but we don't want to see a continuation of a situation where so many New Zealanders face critical need. It is time for a change. New Zealand needs to develop and implement policies that will permanently improve the social climate of New Zealand and reduce social need.
The Social Policy & Parliamentary Unit
To help achieve change, The Salvation Army has established a national unit, based in South Auckland, that will provide a focus for social research and engage with national opinion makers in politics, government, business, media and education. The unit was created expressly to work towards the eradication of poverty in New Zealand. In working to achieve this goal, it will encourage policies and practices that will strengthen the social framework of new Zealand.
What will the Social Policy & Parliamentary Unit deliver?
The unit will achieve its purposes by providing a programme of:
- Engagement with leading New Zealanders whose opinions and actions influence New Zealand economic and social policy;
- Policy analysis and research focused on reducing the number of people in poverty;
- Engagement with government and politicians on social policy;
- Targeted public information campaigns that provide credible information on social need;
- Bringing issues of social justice and social need into public awareness.
Reports on major social issues
To date the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit has published six significant reports on major social issues:
- 'Rebuilding the Kiwi dream'(August 2007) a proposal for affordable housing in New Zealand.
- 'Forgotten People' (August 2006) a report outlining the circumstances of men who use social services who live outside of a defacto/marriage relationship or family household.
- 'Beyond the Holding Tank' (February 2006) highlights pathways to rehabilitative and restorative prison policy.
- 'A Home I Could Own' (September 2005) highlights that the majority of low income families—involved in the survey—aspire to own their own homes.
- 'From Housing to Homes' (February 2005) identified strategies to assist low and modest income New Zealand households into homeownership.
- The units first report, 'A New Zealand that Demands Attention' (August 2004), identified the social issues experienced by the social services of The Salvation Army.
Printed copies of the reports can be obtained directly from the unit, or viewed online...
Parliamentary Submissions
Newsletters
The unit also publishes newsletters at regular intervals. These are available from the unit on request, or can be viewed online...
Conferences—Just Action
In line with its mandate to engage leading New Zealanders on issues of economic and social policy, and to bring these same issues into public awareness, the unit will from time to time run seminars and conferences on relevant topics—so watch this space.
Fact Sheets 'Election/05'
The unit prepared information on a range of social issues to assist New Zealanders as they prepared to vote in the 2005 General Election. Fact sheets were published on topics such as: health and addictions, housing, gambling, family, welfare and incomes, justice and crime.
Contact SPPU
The Salvation Army
Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit
PO Box 76249 Manukau City
Auckland
Ph. +64 9 262 2332
Fax +64 9 262 4103
email SPPU
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