Buzz from the Beehive
Another initiative which stems from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch mosque attacks in 2019 was announced today in a statement strong on extolling the virtues of social cohesion but sparse on detailing what we can expect to happen.
Nor was there any mention of the amount of money involved.
Associate Social Development Minister Priyanca Radhakrishnan said the Government
… is supporting more opportunities for communities to come together and build on the values we share, strengthening New Zealand’s social cohesion.
She proceeded to declare that Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion has been released today,
… including a community fund supporting initiatives that bring out the best of our communities.
Splendid. But how much money has been tossed into this fund and who will decide the worthiness of initiatives that bring out the best of our communities?
Radhakrishnan’s press release can be found on the Beehive website along with news that our hard-working ministers have been …
Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash proudly announced the Government has contributed $10.5 million towards a new synthetic track surface at Awapuni Racecourse.
Does a synthetic track replace grass and is this environmentally friendly?
Nash rationalised the investment – or is it a punt? – by maintaining the upgrading of regional and sporting facilities is an important part of supporting communities to sustain their economies and local industries.
The Government is pitching in with much of the money needed for the $13.5 million project, which he describes as the third and final project completed as part of a $27.75 million trifecta of contributions from the Provincial Growth Fund. New tracks at Cambridge and Riccarton have already been completed, receiving positive feedback from local trainers.
Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty was joining students at Waimea Intermediate School in Nelson this morning to practice what to do when an earthquake or tsunami hits, as part of something called “ShakeOut”.
ShakeOut is New Zealand’s annual earthquake drill and “tsunami hikoi” (the minister did not explain what this hikoi entailed) and “is a chance to put your preparedness to the test”.
The Government has been taking action to strengthen New Zealand’s readiness for a natural disaster, McAnulty said, including launching the first nationwide tsunami evacuation map, rolling out the Emergency Mobile Alert system, and opening NEMA’s 24-7 Monitoring, Alerting and Reporting (MAR) Centre.
If you want to do your bit, it’s not too late to be part of ShakeOut. McAnulty tells us:
“you can sign up your business, school, household or community and do the drill anytime in the next two weeks and still be counted.”
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood whooped that the Government has delivered on its election promise to support the lifting of incomes and working conditions of everyday kiwis with the passing of the Fair Pay Agreements Bill through Parliament.
He declared:
“We are ending New Zealand’s 30-year failed experiment with a low-cost labour model. Over this period, many workers, have suffered through a ‘race to the bottom’, but, equally, our rates of labour productivity have been amongst the worst in the world.”
The Fair Pay Agreements Bill will enable employers and employees to bargain collectively for industry or occupation-wide minimum employment terms.
The results will be… well, astonishingly positive, apparently, and sure to close equity gaps.
Wood promises:
“By increasing bargaining co-ordination to agree minimum employment terms within a sector, outcomes for vulnerable employees will be improved and we will see growth in the incomes of New Zealand employees.
“This is especially the case for Māori, Pacific peoples, young people, and people with disabilities, who are over-represented in occupations which will benefit from a Fair Pay Agreement.”
And:
“Fair Pay Agreements will help businesses, by levelling the playing field so that employers who are trying hard to offer fair terms for their employees don’t get undercut and disadvantaged.”
More detailed guidance for employers, employees and bargaining parties will be made available when the FPA system comes into effect on 1 December.
Acting Prime Minister Grant Robertson has congratulated Rishi Sunak on his appointment as Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti announced that Julia Steenson, Commissioner of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care, resigned from her role on 17 October 2022.
That was 10 days ago.
Ms Steenson advised that her final day at the Royal Commission will be Thursday 27th October 2022 – that’s today – and intended to move into new leadership roles.
Has Tinetti only just found out?
The Royal Commission was established on February 1, 2018, to investigate what happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in State and faith-based care between the years 1950-99.
The commission recently held its final public hearing to examine the responses of faith-based institutions to abuse and neglect in their care.
Priyanca Radhakrishnan, announcing the release of Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion, also mentioned a community fund (of unspecified size) to support initiatives “that bring out the best of our communities”.
We may suppose this refers to initiatives that will improve our wellbeing because the Minister said:
“We are delivering on recommendations in the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the March 15 mosque attacks, ensuring New Zealand is a place where everyone feels connected, respected and safe.”
But must we improve our performance on the social front?
Apparently so, because Radhakrishnan said:
“New Zealand is one of the most diverse nations in the world, and already ranks highly for a number of social cohesion outcomes by OECD standards. However, we know this is not experienced equally by all groups and there is more work to be done.
“It is clear that community initiatives have a big impact on bringing people together and breaking down barriers, whether it be sports days, A&P shows or cultural events. We are launching a community fund to support groups to do more of what strengthens our communities.”
Hmm. Perhaps synthetic racetracks could get backing from this fund.
The press statement proceeds to explain that “the strategic framework, and related tools and resources” were also launched today at Takapūwāhia Marae in Porirua.
Again, the Minister spiced her language with mentions of “social cohesion”:
“It is important that we have a shared understanding of what social cohesion is and take actions we know can strengthen it,” Priyanca Radhakrishnan said.
“Strengthening social cohesion in New Zealand is a collective effort. Everyone has a role to play including government, communities, NGOs and the private sector. The tools released today will help guide our collective action.”
Let’s not forget the Treaty of Waitangi and the need to smatter press statements with a bit of te reo, notwithstanding those words will bewilder the great majority of New Zealanders:
“Te Tiriti o Waitangi makes Aotearoa unique and lays the foundation by embedding important values like manaakitanga and whanaungatanga at the heart of what we do. It helps us ensure that everyone is respected and that social connections are strengthened.”
And to wrap up:
“Our diversity as a nation is a source of strength. We now need to take tangible steps to become more inclusive so that our diverse communities can thrive and we all have a role to play in making this happen.”
But Radhakrishnan was vague about what this entails, except to invite us to queue at the new trough and go online for the details she did not provide.
Nor did she provide a link:
From today, communities will be able to apply to the Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion community fund and access the tools and resources via the Ministry of Social Development website.
Latest from the Beehive
27 OCTOBER 2022
Awapuni on track for regional racing boost
A new synthetic track surface at Awapuni Racecourse has set the course for a regional economic boost with a great summer of events now on the cards at the Palmerston North racing centre.
Aotearoa puts preparedness to the test
Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty will be joining students at Waimea Intermediate School in Nelson this morning to practice what to do when an earthquake or tsunami hits, as part of ShakeOut.
Backing communities to drive social cohesion
The Government is supporting more opportunities for communities to come together and build on the values we share, strengthening New Zealand’s social cohesion.
Historic day for everyday workers as Fair Pay Agreements Bill passes third reading
The Government has delivered on its election promise to support the lifting of incomes and working conditions of everyday kiwis with the passing of the Fair Pay Agreements Bill through Parliament.
26 OCTOBER 2022
Acting PM congratulates new United Kingdom PM
Acting Prime Minister Grant Robertson has congratulated Rishi Sunak on his appointment as Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Julia Steenson, Commissioner of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care, resigned from her role on 17 October 2022.
Point of Order 
This is bizarre from a government that is constantly bulldozing through divisive race based policies that have polarised NZ communities as never before in our history.
Left hand right hand?????
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