rise - issue 27 - june 2014

“What is the most important thing in the world? I tell you. It is people, it is people, it is people!”

“He aha te mea nui o te ao? Mäku e kï atu. He tangata, he tangata, he tangata!”

Partnership A teacher, a dancer and a future – Maureen Brown

Make it happen – action for the Far North

Homes for those in need – backing community housing

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTISSUE 27 – JUNE 2014

ISSN 1178-4709 (Print)

ISSN 1178-4717 (Online)

Printed in New Zealand by Blue Star Print Group (NZ) Ltd using

FSC® mix paper from responsible resources, using mineral oil free,

soy-based vegetable inks.

The information provided in this Ministry of Social Development

publication is intended to profile initiatives, research and opinions related

to the social sector, and all reasonable measures have been taken to

ensure that the information set out in this publication is accurate.

However, readers are advised that:

» The Ministry does not implicitly or impliedly endorse the views

presented in this publication unless otherwise stated.

» The information provided does not replace or alter the laws of

New Zealand or any other official guidelines or requirements.

» The contents of this publication should not be construed as legal

advice. Before relying on any information in this publication,

users should independently verify its relevance for their purposes.

Welcome to the June 2014 issue of Rise.

“None of us can do this alone.” That is

what Te Aupouri Mäori Trust Board chief

executive Lee West says about tackling the

complex issues facing the Far North (story on

page 8).

There is no doubt that he is right.

From individuals to entire communities

to social service agencies to industry and

employers, we can do more to help people

succeed if we work in partnership.

In the Far North, government agencies,

Ministers, iwi leaders and communities

are creating positive change through

partnership, thanks to a new Treaty Accord

and a community call to action.

In social housing, the government has

recognised that it cannot work alone to

meet the needs of our most vulnerable

people. That’s why it is supporting and

strengthening the work of community social

housing organisations, such as Comcare

in Christchurch. There’s an article about that

on page 6.

Our cover story features a young woman

whose own determination, as well as the

Brendan BoyleChief Executive

This issue of Rise is about Partnership

incredible support of her caregiver and

others in her life, have set her up for a bright

future after a rough start.

In Levin, an iconic kiwi clothing company

has teamed with Work and Income to create

jobs for local people and to keep its products

proudly made in New Zealand.

Working in partnership often means

changing the way we do things and the way

we think, but it is the way forward across

the social sector if we are going to make

a bigger difference to the lives of people

who need us.

With that in mind, I hope you’ll find the

stories in this issue of Rise thought-provoking

and inspiring.

Kia kaha

Brendan Boyle

Chief Executive, Ministry of Social Development

Southern

Canterbury

Nelson/ Marlborough/ West Coast Wellington

East Coast

Northland

Auckland

Taranaki/ King Country/Whanganui

Waikato

Bay of Plenty

Central

Welcome

RISE: Issue 27 – June 2014 RISE: Issue 27 – June 2014ii

Contents

Cover storyI can and I willA passion for dance, a school teacher who cared, and a scholarship for outstanding young people in care helped 18-year-old Maureen Brown pursue her dreams.

Feature stories Fired up At-risk young people get a glimpse of life as a fire fighter and other possibilities that the future could hold.

Homes for those in needCommunity housing providers support some of our most vulnerable New Zealanders and that’s one reason why change is afoot to strengthen the work they do.

A future in the Far NorthA Treaty Accord and a community call to action are building commitment to the Far North.

The future starts here A committed employer is getting behind young Limited Service Volunteer graduates.

Off-beat allies An unlikely new partnership is making a big difference to troubled young people and their families in Christchurch.

Made by New Zealanders Outdoor clothing company Swazi has formed a partnership with Work and Income.

Spotlight on Bay of PlentyTwo men get young people into trades, and an adventurer connects youth with their communities.

Spotlight on the East Coast The pipfruit industry grows workers as well as apples, Aunty Sass gets her sass back, and a Gisborne couple provide far more than just accommodation.

Spotlight on Taranaki, King Country and WhanganuiKids and parents get to work at Castlecliff School and Nicola beats the odds to become a nurse.

Regular columnsRegional round-up

Tips, links and news – RealMe®, plus making it

easier to access Rise

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RISE: Issue 27 – June 2014 RISE: Issue 27 – June 2014 1

I can and I will

A passion for dance, a school teacher who opened her heart and home, and a scholarship for outstanding young people in care helped a young dancer pursue her dreams.

RISE: Issue 27 – June 20142

Eighteen-year-old dancer Maureen Brown has a personal mantra: I can and I will. Just watch me.

But in fact, when Maureen dances it’s not

about just watching. It’s more about being

unable to take your eyes off her. She may be

reluctant to speak in public, but as a dancer

and choreographer she’s vivid and eloquent.

After growing up in state care without

her own family, one of Maureen’s goals is to

run her own dance school to give children in

dysfunctional families a chance to show their

true selves.

Right now, Maureen is studying dance

at the Whitirea Performing Arts Centre in

Wellington. She’s been supported in part by

a Vodafone Vocational Scholarship through

the 2012 William Wallace Awards for

outstanding young people in care.

“We all have our demons to deal with,”

she says. “I have been in care since I was

nine months old. I have eight siblings still in

care. I worry about them and the challenges

they face.

“But I’ve been fortunate to have friends

and carers who love me and care about me.

Dance has helped me let go of my issues and

deal with life. Having direction and passion

enabled me to follow a dream.”

Last year, in front of the Prime Minister,

other Government Ministers and the 2013

William Wallace Award winners, Maureen

presented a movie about her journey as

a dancer and a young person growing up

in care.

Watching proudly in the audience was

Kelly Doran. Kelly has cared for Maureen

since she was 12 years old. The pair first

met at primary school where Maureen

was a student; Kelly had just joined the

teaching staff.

Primary school was a hard time for

Maureen. She was often angry. Difficult.

Distracted and hard to connect with.

“I was having problems at home. I didn’t

feel as if I was really there,” she says.

However, behind the challenges, Kelly

saw there was more to Maureen. At 12,

she was helping out as a student librarian.

She was a show stopper at kapahaka and a

leader in the lunch hour dance battles that

the kids organised for themselves.

“She had so much potential,” Kelly says.

“I remember saying to the principal one day,

‘She’s such a good kid. I just want to take

care of her.’

“But I was 42, single, never had kids, and

I’d only just returned from overseas. I thought,

what sort of a home would that be?”

Yet the connection remained after

Maureen moved on to high school. One

day a desperate email arrived. Struggling in

her current home, depressed and suicidal,

Maureen wasn’t opening up to anyone. Kelly

stepped in and suddenly fostering wasn’t

a dilemma anymore. She asked Maureen if

she’d consider coming to live with her and

Maureen said yes.

“We’ve had some hard issues to sort

out,” says Kelly. “But Maureen has always

made incredibly good choices. I’ve never had

to worry about her drinking or sneaking out

because once she found dance, that’s just

what she wanted to do. I’m incredibly proud

of her.”

Maureen’s first formal dance lesson wasn’t

until she was in Year 9. It was a late start, but

she was a natural. Hip-hop, contemporary,

jazz, ballet and tap – she took to them all.

RISE: Issue 27 – June 2014 3

She started to win competitions and people

started to notice her.

The dances that she choreographs often

have social justice themes – apartheid, human

rights. Others are more personal, dealing

with loss, healing, fear and resolution.

“But the best thing so far is teaching. I love

it. It’s so amazing to see your dances come

alive. It’s great to share the passion you have

for something. I’ve enjoyed mentoring and

being a friend for the students.”

At the 2013 William Wallace Awards,

Maureen shared some words of motivation

for the latest award winners.

“We have all been given an amazing

opportunity here. Don’t waste it. You have

to be dedicated. You’ve got to know what

you want. Stay focused. Surround yourself

with good people you can trust. Talk to

them. We are not the only people with

issues. It helps to talk.

“Get a mantra – it may sound silly but it

works. When you repeat it often enough,

something might just happen. It did for me.”

WILLIAM WALLACE AWARDS – 2014 NOMINATIONS

Do you know of an outstanding young person in care or who has recently turned 17 and come out of care?

Nominations are open now for the 2014 William Wallace Awards. The awards help the young person pursue their dreams of tertiary, vocational or leadership training. Award winners are honoured at a ceremony in Wellington later in the year.

WEB LINK

www.cyf.govt.nz/Williamwallace

“I’ve been fortunate tohave friends and carers

who love me and care about me.”


Fired upThere were just 90 frantic seconds

to don full fire fighting kit. Then it was

all high-pressure hoses, hydrants, knots,

ladders and building a pool out of

tarpaulin to treat burn victims.

It was all in a day’s work for the 13 young

people spending time with the Taranaki Fire

Service, the Police and Child, Youth and

Family. The group included teenagers who

had become involved with crime, were at risk

of doing so, or were struggling with truancy.

Under the experienced eyes of fire fighters

Rachael Lind and Dave Tomlinson, the group

spent the day looking at what it takes to

become a fire fighter.

It was an eye-opener for several of the

young people:

“Fire people do heaps! They are pretty

handy eh?”

“Fire fighters are actually quite cool!

They do lots of stuff.”

“I’m volunteering next year!”

The day was one of a series of outings

which has also included the Police College,

Waiouru Army Base and Sir George Seymour

College for flight attendants. The trips are a

team effort by the Police, Child, Youth and

Family and other organisations.

Senior Constable Peter Wright says the trips

aim to inspire and challenge the young people

to think about what they can do in life. “Nobody

is going to hand a good job to them on a plate.

“A few of them have dropped out of

education, and some of them are saying they

want to go back, because they now know

what they have to achieve.

“We have three young people with specific

goals – one wants to be a flight attendant

and two want to be police officers.”

At the Fire Service, Rachael and Dave used

the day to encourage the young people to stay

at school and get some workforce experience.

“We wanted to show at-risk young people

that anyone can be a fire fighter if they stay

away from bad choices and put their mind

to it,” says Rachael.

“Yes, you need to be fit and strong in the

Fire Service, but you also need lots of other

attributes such as problem solving, the ability

to work in a team, camaraderie and skills for

many different tasks.”

Child, Youth and Family youth justice

co-ordinator Mana Lawrence says she hopes

the young people find their passion in life.

“We want them to see the passion that

others have for their jobs, and experience

the hard work, discipline, commitment and

fun involved.

“We want to empower young people to

think about what they want to be, to set

their sights, and go for it. We also want

them to know that we support and believe

in them too.”


Homes for those in needThey’re more than just bricks and mortar, the units and houses that belong to the Comcare Trust. They give some of Christchurch’s most vulnerable people a chance to create something many take for granted – a home.

Gordon* is one such person. Prone

to serious mental illness, Gordon’s

health deteriorated badly after the 2011

earthquake. Living in a privately-rented

and badly damaged flat, he isolated himself

from people and services. It was cold,

unsafe and squalid. If anyone approached,

he hid. It wasn’t until a neighbour heard

a worrying sound that the police broke in

and found Gordon. He’d tried to commit

suicide, and was admitted to hospital.

When he’d recovered sufficiently, both

physically and mentally, a Comcare support

worker visited Gordon to help plan his

move back into the community, and to offer

Gordon a unit owned by the Comcare Trust.

The Comcare Trust is a large not-for-profit

provider of a wide range of mental health

and community support services. One of

those services is long-term social housing

for people who experience mental illness,

but are able to live relatively independently

with the right support.

“Gordon’s new flat is warm and sunny and

close to health and community support. We’ve

seen a huge improvement in his mental and

physical health. He’s also starting to take part

in community life,” says Annette Sutherland,

manager of Comcare Housing Services.

“Comcare is very focused on whatever

people need for quality of life in their homes

and the community – from personal support,

life skills, housing, connection with other

people, access to benefits and services, a job,

achieving life goals, health and fitness.

“We leave clinical care to the specialists,

but we help take care of everything else with

practical, one-on-one support.”

However, there’s a careful and deliberate

separation between Comcare’s housing

service and its other community support

services. “As a landlord, you are in a power

relationship. You can’t have care workers so

closely linked to the landlord that people feel

they can’t confide in them.”

Nonetheless, as a landlord, Comcare

Housing Services does a lot more than

inspect properties and collect rent.

“We help people find, set up and keep their

housing, and we offer low key support to help

them maintain their tenancies – as individuals

or in group flats.

“We’re working with people who struggle

to get into or maintain other tenancies.

They’re vulnerable to exploitation and have

histories of rapid deterioration in their mental

health,” says Annette. “We try to make sure

Community housing providers often do a lot more than provide a roof over people’s heads. They also support some of our most vulnerable people. That’s one reason why social housing reforms aim to strengthen the sector and create more options for people in need.

*Names changed to protect privacy; stories published with individual’s consent.RISE: Issue 27 – June 20146

easier for people to get more support in one

place, and it will mean that people in need

will gain more options for housing,” says

Debbie Power, who leads Work and Income

for the Ministry of Social Development.

The Ministry now manages people’s

applications for social housing, referring

them to approved social housing providers,

administering the income-related rent scheme,

helping people with options for housing, and

reviewing eligibility for social housing.

Since April, more than 32 community

housing providers have registered with the

Community Housing Regulatory Authority.

The goal is for 20 per cent of the country’s social

housing to be provided by non-government

organisations by 2017.

WEB LINKS

The Comcare Trust:

comcare.org.nz

Information for people seeking housing assistance:

www.housing.msd.govt.nz

Information on social housing and social housing reform:

www.msd.govt.nz/social-housing

they don’t lose their homes because of a blip

in their health.

“Jack*, for example, has been with us

for three years now. Before that, frequent

mental illness, his unwillingness to accept

help, growing debt and arguments with

neighbours meant he was often homeless.

“With security of tenure and

encouragement to accept help, he’s finally

engaged with a community support worker

who is helping him with budgeting and

relationship skills. And he has voluntarily

sought help for his addictions.

“He has autonomy and independence,

but he also has the security of ready access

to support when he needs it.”

Boosting social housingIn her position, Annette is all too aware of

the housing challenges facing the vulnerable

people in Christchurch. With so many homes

destroyed in the earthquake and the rebuild

still underway, rents are rising and affordable

accommodation is in short supply.

Comcare Housing Services works with

around 420 people each year, providing

emergency or long-term housing and

support. It controls about 85 properties

which it either owns or leases. Since the

earthquakes, housing referrals to Comcare

have risen by 70 per cent. It’s taking a lot

longer and it’s a lot harder to find places for

people to live.

That’s one reason why Annette was keen

to be part of working groups to develop the

Government’s social housing reforms, the

latest of which went live in April this year.

The reforms aim to improve housing

options for people in need by creating a

greater diversity of social providers beyond

Housing New Zealand.

Annette says she appreciates that

there’s been a significant shift to grow the

not-for-profit community housing sector.

“It’s early yet, but if it goes well over time

it will be good for the people we work with

and it will be good for us as a provider.”

At present, just five per cent of social

housing is provided by community housing

organisations. The state-owned Housing

New Zealand, with about 64,000 tenanted

properties, carries the lion’s share. This is

mainly because up until April this year, Housing

New Zealand was the only housing provider to

receive state-funded rent subsidies for tenants

on low incomes.

Under the reforms, approved community

housing providers are now able to receive the

rent subsidies on the same basis as Housing

New Zealand.

The reforms have also shifted social

housing needs assessment from Housing New

Zealand to the Ministry of Social Development,

integrating it with the Ministry’s income,

employment and social support services. In

fact, the Ministry already works with 8 out

of 10 Housing New Zealand tenants who are

receiving a benefit or superannuation.

“It creates a more level playing field for

community housing providers, it makes it


A future in the

Far NorthA Treaty Accord and a community

call to action are building commitment to make the Far North

a place where people thrive now and a long way into the future.


For 18-year-old Raewyn Williams, Te Hiku in the Far North is where she belongs.

A talented singer and songwriter,

she’s strongly focused on her community.

“We are blessed to live here,” she says.

“We don’t have the best reputation for some

things, but I was born here, I want to bring

up a family here, and I want to work for

my community.”

As she hunted for a job, however, Raewyn

found herself facing the dilemma that most

young people encounter in the Far North,

where employment rates are among the

lowest in the country.

“We want to work, but we don’t want to

go to Australia or Auckland.”

Te HikuTe Hiku is a large area of the very Far

North. It extends from Cape Reinga to the

north, Hokianga in the west. Its main urban

centre is the township of Kaitaia, population

4,887. Nearly half of the people in Te Hiku

live in isolated rural areas, some more than

two hours drive from Kaitaia.

The contrast is stark as you drive east to

west across the top of the north. The yachts,

cafes and well-appointed holiday homes

of the Bay of Islands disappear suddenly.

The buildings get older and more isolated.

The sense of affluence vanishes.

Compared to most of the country,

household incomes are low, numbers of sole

parent families are high, access to technology

is limited, unemployment is high, more

people are receiving some form of income

support, and educational achievement is low.

In addition, recent high-profile abuse

cases against children and young people

in care and in school have hit community

morale hard.

A new chapter – the Social Accord

It paints an austere future for the high

proportion of young people – especially

young Mäori – who live in the region.

But lately, a wave

of commitment from

the community, iwi and

government is starting to

change things for the people

of the Far North.

It marks a new chapter in a story

which began back in 1986 when the

iwi of the Far North came together to

lodge the Muriwhenua claim with the

Waitangi Tribunal.

In those early hearings, kaumatua and

kuia spoke of a day when grievances were

resolved and they could focus on re-building

strong lives for Te Hiku people.

The final settlement included the Te Hiku

Social and Wellbeing Accord, signed by four

iwi* of Te Hiku, the Prime Minister and two

Cabinet Ministers. The Social Accord places

iwi at the decision-making table alongside

the government agencies that invest in social

services, education, health and justice.

The Te Hiku Iwi Development Trust

was created to manage the iwi side of the

relationship. Chairman Hugh Karena says

the Social Accord means a whole change of

mindset for both Treaty partners.

“Iwi have never been part of this process

before,” Hugh says. “And government

agencies, which have signed their

commitment to achieving the goals set out

in the Accord, are having to work together

in a whole new way as well.

“For the first time, we’ve got local voices

supported by connected Crown resources.

We’re identifying and prioritising far-reaching

solutions for better education, health, housing,

welfare and wellbeing for Far North people.

Te Hiku iwi and the Crown are working

together for the long-term betterment of Te

Hiku people – to free whänau from deprivation,

which is the worst in New Zealand.”

Make it HappenAs the Social Accord builds iwi and

government relationships and long-term plans,

a separate but complementary project has

also galvanised

the wider Te

Hiku community

towards social change.

Last year, Social

Development Minister Paula

Bennett stood in front of a

packed community meeting in

Kaitaia to launch Make it Happen

Te Hiku. She challenged people to start

with a blank page and set out their hopes

for their communities, the changes they

wanted, the support and services they needed.

In April she returned as community

representatives, from children to community

leaders, read out their aspirations and goals.

For Sheridan Waitai it was a stand-out

moment to cap months of unprecedented

community activity. Sheridan is from Te

Hiku. She’s also a lead strategic advisor for

the Ministry of Social Development and has

been co-ordinating Make it Happen Te Hiku

in Kaitaia.

“We had an incredible level of engagement.

Fifty people volunteered to train and run

discussions – people who never volunteer for

anything. More than 1250 people took part,

including 600 young people.”

Over two months, adults, young people

and children met on marae and in homes,

schoolrooms, church halls, workplaces and

community halls. One discussion even took

place on a school bus.

Their feedback has been used to create

a community action plan. The plan talks of

more jobs, safe and healthy children, quality

education, growing businesses, safe places

and activities for young people, less crime,

alcohol and drugs, more connection with

marae and cultural roots, and better services

for remote communities.

“People have realised they are not just

stakeholders, but game changers,” says

Sheridan.

“While the Social Accord is about long term,

sustainable change, Make it Happen Te Hiku

has captured hearts and minds and helped us

see what we can achieve for ourselves.”

*Ngai Takoto, Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa and Ngati Kuri.

Raewyn Williams


In March, Kaitaia staged its first ever

Te Hiku Careers Expo, supported by more

than 50 local and national employers, as well

as training and tertiary education providers.

Throughout the day, a rolling powhiri

welcomed more than 1,500 children and

young people and their families to Te Kura

Kaupapa Mäori o Pukemiro.

Young people and kids chatted to local

police and fire officers, tried on uniforms,

talked to contractors, medical and service staff,

clambered though trucks, learned CPR with

medics and chatted to army and navy staff.

For Eru, the events are part of a sea change

for Kaitaia. “Just seeing different sectors and

people connecting – employers, iwi leaders,

the people in this community – there’s a new

sense of social cohesion and energy.”

We can’t do this aloneLee West is the chief executive of

Te Aupouri Mäori Trust Board, based in

Kaitaia. The Trust provides social services,

a pre-school programme, numeracy and

literacy tuition, and adult education, training

and in-work support. It is soon to launch a

Social Work certificate and degree courses

in partnership with Manukau Institute

of Technology.

Lee says that the impetus generated

by the Social Accord and Make It Happen

Te Hiku is changing the way people and

sectors approach problems and each other.

“There’s a genuine sense that none of us

can do this alone. We’re getting a deeper

understanding of other organisations’

strengths and the need to work together.”

This year, Te Aupouri Mäori Trust Board

teamed up with Work and Income to create

Project Mahi.

Project Mahi first trains and then employs

young people through a purpose-made social

enterprise. The core principle is continuous

support for the young people in training and

in work, especially when life issues threaten to

push them off track.

Now working in horticulture, the first 10

graduates have become a top producing

team, setting all-time picking records. Lee says

they are also gaining confidence, learning

to how deal with issues and challenges,

make good decisions and take responsibility

for consequences.

“It’s not lack of skill that hijacks most

of these young people. It’s what happens in

their lives.”

Lee says he is amazed by the ease

and speed with which partnerships have

developed, uniting people, funding and

support. The Trust is also part of a collective

of five iwi social service providers, called

Te Kahu Oranga Whanau (CoLab), working

together for better results. “That’s a huge

change in thinking.”

At work in Te HikuAs for Raewyn Williams, early this year she

seized an opportunity offered to her and 10

other young women on the inaugural Te Hiku

Social Accord Cadetship Programme.

She is now working for the Kaitaia

Museum and i-Site, which committed

to employing her and another graduate

for at least a year following two months of

pre-employment training.

“Cara from People Potential, she drove up

from Whangarei every day to tutor us. Work

and Income found employers who would

give us all jobs.”

Ten of the group, some of whom are young

mothers, have started work for the local council,

hospital, iwi services, the Ministry of Justice,

a private contractor, and Dr Lance O’Sullivan

(2013’s New Zealander of the Year).

At the graduation, Dr O’Sullivan

highlighted the importance of guidance for

young people, along with self-belief and

commitment to hard work.

Tutor Cara Norman recalls a group that

started off shy and nervous.

“At their first meeting, they struggled

to speak in front of one another, let alone

anyone else. At graduation, they sang

Real change, right nowWhile the Social Accord focuses

on profound long-term change, the

importance of tangible community

momentum is also clear to Eru Lyndon, the

Ministry of Social Development’s regional

commissioner for Northland.

Alongside Ngai Takato chief executive

Rangitane Marsden, Eru co-chairs the Social

Accord Secretariat of iwi representatives

and senior government officials who meet

monthly in Kaitaia.

Charged with driving the Social Accord,

the Secretariat is planning far-reaching

action to change the lives of the people of

Te Hiku.

Behind the scenes in Wellington, a team

in the Ministry of Social Development is

supporting the Social Accord with a key

piece of research, the Te Hiku Wellbeing

Report. It’s an in-depth assessment of the

social and economic issues facing the iwi of

the Far North. (The same team also worked

on the shorter-term Make it Happen Te Hiku

community action plan launched in April.)

Although the Social Accord is focused

on far-reaching issues and relationships, the

Secretariat was keen to make it meaningful

to the community from the start.

“We wanted to make it dynamic from the

beginning,” says Eru, “to show people that

the Social Accord means real change now

and in the future.”

That led to a series of monthly events

which run before each Social Accord

meeting. The events bring iwi, employers,

local jobseekers, government officials and

private sector experts together to discuss

experiences and issues. They profile topical

subjects such as irrigation, or sectors such

as avocado growers, aquaculture and the

honey industry, aiming to boost production

and work opportunities.

The events have seen jobseekers gaining

work and new partnerships forming,

including an irrigation project to improve the

production of iwi-owned farms.


and spoke in front of their

peers, whänau, Te Hiku and

community leaders.”

Raewyn says the cadetship and

her new job have changed her life.

“It changed our whole outlook – just

the fact that they were giving us all a chance

so that we could work here.

“We don’t walk around town in hoodies

and trackies anymore. We’re dressed

properly. We speak properly. We get

together on lunch breaks. It’s so cool.

“I’m going up and up and it’s the best

feeling ever.”

WEB LINKS

Learn more about the Te Hiku Social Accord

www.tehiku.iwi.nz/social-accord.html

Learn more about Make it Happen Te Hiku and read the Community Action Plan

www.msd.govt.nz/makeithappen


“Make it Happen Te Hiku has captured

hearts and minds and helped us see

what we can achieve for ourselves.”

Make it Happen Te Hiku

co-ordinator Sheridan Waitai.

Ministry regional commissioner Eru Lyndon and Ngai Takato chief executive Rangitane Marsden.

ALSCO’s regional operations manager Robbie Turnbull with Renee and Losa.

Less than a year ago, 21-year-old Renee’s life consisted of avoiding study, drinking a lot and doing nothing much else.

“I got lazy, started missing classes and

got fat. I put on 15 kilograms. I had no job

experience. I couldn’t afford to flat anymore

so moved home and kept on doing nothing.

I was stuck. I turned 21 and I knew I needed

to get my life together.”

Two things helped Renee turn her life

around: a six-week Limited Service Volunteer

(LSV) programme for unemployed young

people and ALSCO NZ in Palmerston North

– an employer who believes in giving LSV

graduates a start in the workforce.

LSV is a six-week live-in training

programme for young people run by the

New Zealand Defence Force on behalf of

Work and Income. There’s a strong focus on

teamwork and discipline to achieve physical

and mental challenges, build confidence,

life skills and motivation to gain a job.

Renee says LSV helped her to find her

self-confidence, motivate herself and take a

positive outlook on life. She was determined

to get a job.

Two days after completing the LSV

programme Renee was referred for an

interview with the central production

hub of ALSCO NZ in Palmerston North

– a company that specialises in laundry

services for uniforms, linens, mats and

towelling, as well as hygiene products and

managed first aid systems.

A month later Renee was offered a

full-time position. She’s been working for

The future starts here


WEB LINK

Find out more about the Limited Service Volunteer programme for young people:

www.workandincome.govt.nz/lsv

seven months and she loves it. She’s lost

20 kilograms, made good friends and has

plans for the future.

“I like the physical, hands-on part of the

job. I can see myself here for a couple more

years and with the experience I get from here

I want to work toward my long-term goal to

work with youth.”

Employer award for ALSCO

Giving unemployed young people a start

in work after they’ve graduated as Limited

Service Volunteers is part of ALSCO’s

responsibility to the community, says Robbie

Turnbull, the regional operations manager.

It’s also a great way to find disciplined,

motivated young workers.

ALSCO’s commitment to employing

young LSV graduates won it the 2014

Employer of the Year Award from the

Territorial Forces Employer Support Council

in the Manawatu-Whanganui-Kapiti region.

It’s the first time such an award has been

given to an employer in relation to LSV

graduates. ALSCO was selected from 14

employers nominated by Work and Income.

Work and Income’s Regional

Commissioner Penny Rounthwaite says

employers like ALSCO help to change young

people’s lives. “They’re realistic and they

know that sometimes it doesn’t work out,

but they are still committed to giving youth a

chance,” she says. “LSV is a big investment

in young people, but committed employers

help turn that investment into reality.”

Robbie Turnbull says employing LSV

graduates is part of the company’s

approach to social responsibility in the

communities in which it operates. “These

young people are genuinely grateful for

the start we offer them and that tends

to result in people that give back to our

company and to their community.

“It’s also beneficial for us. LSV graduates

have learned about time management,

resilience, leadership and

integrity. They have great

discipline and a good attitude

to work and teamwork – that

rubs off well on the other staff,”

says Robbie.

The partnership between

Work and Income and ALSCO’s

central production hub in

Palmerston North has grown over

the past two years. The company

uses Work and Income’s work

brokerage and free recruitment

service as their first port of call to

fill vacancies.

“Our work broker Filipo Saua is on

the ground with people who are ready

to work. He understands our industry,

knows the types of people we are

looking for and always has someone for

the vacancies list,” Robbie says.

Another LSV graduate that ALSCO

has employed through Work and Income

is Losa. She has been with the company

for nearly two years. “Work and Income

called me in for a seminar after being on

the benefit for four months and I thought

LSV looked pretty cooI – but I didn’t know

what I was getting myself into!”

For the first three days of LSV all Losa

wanted to do was go home. “It was a culture

shock. I was used to doing things in my own

time with no one shouting at me. It was the

hardest thing I have ever done.”

What Losa took from the LSV programme

was personal pride in pushing herself to

the limit, leadership and time management

skills and the satisfaction that comes from

achieving tasks under pressure.

“All of these things helped me to get

this job. Starting at 0600 every morning and

being respectful to my bosses are things that I

learned at LSV. ALSCO has given me a start in

the workforce and I hope to use my tourism

qualification to go on and do something in

that industry when the time is right.”

LSV programme outcomes:

Self-confidence

Positive outlook

Team work

Great discipline

Time management

Resilience

Leadership

Integrity

Good attitude


On the face of it, they are worlds apart – the well-established Christchurch Methodist Mission and the edgier, streetwise Youth Cultural Development (or YCD). But this unlikely partnership is making a big difference to troubled young people and their families.

“Ten years ago people would have said

‘What! YCD and the Christchurch Methodist

Mission are working together?” say the

leaders of both, laughing because they’ve

just spoken in unison.

It’s a nice snapshot of a partnership

where strength comes from differences,

underpinned by a common motivation to do

better for at-risk teenagers and families.

The Methodist Mission has served families

in need for nearly 80 years, working to

counter disadvantage in the community.

“We support people from the cradle to the

grave, with a range of home and group

services,” says Sue van Deurs, manager of

the Mission’s social services division.

YCD, on the other hand, emerged in the

1990s along with rising youth crime and

violent offences in Christchurch’s inner city.

YCD’s youth and social workers use innovative

ways to engage at-risk young people – from

under-age sex workers to youth at risk of

getting involved in crime to those who are

already facing the consequences of it.

“We’ve had to change in response to

the ever-changing needs of young people.

Over the years our focus has moved through

stages of sport, dance, music, turntablism,

DJ-ing and graffiti art,” says Anni Watkin,

YCD’s general manager.

Focused on meeting the physical, mental,

cultural and spiritual needs of young people,

YCD realised that they also needed to engage

whänau and families in order to achieve

real change.

“Our youth workers were doing whänau

work by default,” Anni recalls. “We could

see that this work was going to become

overwhelming.”

The connection with the Methodist

Mission was made in 2013, at a meeting set

up by Lynette Ebborn, a Child, Youth and

Family funding and contracting manager.

“To be honest, at the beginning we all felt

some slight resistance – we were all a little

concerned about how this sits ethnically,”

says Anni.

Lynette says that once the two

organisations began talking about their

work and beliefs, they realised that

their philosophies were not so far apart.

Both had common values and a drive to

support families in need for the benefit of

their young people.

For the Methodist Mission, a partnership

with YCD offered them broader scope in

their work with families. “A lot of our work

is with children at risk, children in care and

their families,” says Sue. “We really wanted

to get in earlier and do the preventative

work. So really, this was a perfect fit for us.”

The two organisations worked out where

they were involved (or could be involved)

with the same families, and how they could

connect their work.

Trust, respect and openness between

the two organisations is the key to their

partnership. “We are each still doing our own

work, but we are doing it together,” says

Anni. “We don’t feel threatened by it – it is

a great example of working collaboratively.”

Methodist Mission team leader

Roz Lefay says staff value each others’

areas of expertise. They share information,

make plans together and consult each

other frequently.

The partnership is particularly effective

with families who do not see the need to

make changes of their own to support their

young person, or are not keen to get involved

with social services.

Roz and fellow Methodist Mission social

worker Jeni Ingram speak highly of YCD

workers’ ability to engage and build trusting

relationships with the most marginalised

families, which helps families feel safe to

begin working with the Methodist Mission.

YCD social worker Hannah Whittaker says

that once she has built a strong relationship

with a young person’s family, she talks to

them about how the Methodist Mission can

help them learn skills to help their young

person stay on track.

“The ladies at the Methodist Mission do

quality work with families,” says Hannah.

“And it is such a relief; change is so much

more likely to occur for young people when

there is a whole family approach.”

The leaders of both organisations

highlight the importance of a responsive

funder to enable a successful, collaborative

partnership. “Child, Youth and Family

responded to an identified gap, worked

collaboratively with us and allowed flexibility

within our current contracts,” says Sue.

“It enabled both of us to better address the

needs of children and families, without the

need for additional funding.”

Both organisations are committed to

strengthening their partnership. “It’s the

way to work into the future,” says Anni.

Off-beat allies

WEB LINKS

YCD (Youth Cultural Development)

www.ycd.co.nz

Christchurch Methodist Mission

www.mmsi.org.nz


Made by New ZealandersIconic outdoor clothing company Swazi is an eye-catching presence on Levin’s main street. It’s also one of the few homegrown clothing manufacturers left in town.

Swazi’s website states that the company

is committed to keeping production in

New Zealand so that “staff can maintain

the self-esteem, self-respect, pride and

satisfaction that goes with making a

world-class product in their own community”.

This year, with a looming shortage of

skilled machinists and plans to grow the

company, Swazi teamed up with Work

and Income, creating a sewing school to

train unemployed local people to work in

its Levin factory.

“I never thought I’d be a machinist,”

says Karen Griffen, as she carefully sews

a label onto the fleece pants she’s just

pieced together. “I preferred woodwork

and metal work at school. I only did sewing

because I had to!”

Like Karen, Del Mita and Jojo Hepi had

little experience with a sewing machine

before they started at sewing school

earlier this year. All three women are now

full-time machinists, confidently doing

their bit to make the 47,000 Swazi

garments made in New Zealand each year.

Work and Income supported Swazi’s

sewing school with its Straight to Work

Karen Griffen

16 RISE: Issue 27 – June 2014

programme. The programme subsidises

employers for the cost of training would-be

workers in skills that will lead to a job.

“It means businesses can afford to invest

in new employees and bring them up to

speed before they employ them,” says

Donna Metcalfe, a Work and Income work

broker in Levin.

Donna and colleague Kevin Salmons

worked with Swazi to get the programme

up and running.

“There are limited opportunities for

employment in Levin,” says Kevin. “There

aren’t many opportunities to learn a skilled

trade, so it’s getting harder and harder to

find good people. That’s why it’s so important

to have great relationships with industry

and business – such as the relationship

with Swazi.”

For Swazi’s general manager, Sharee

Harper, Straight to Work was a way to find

the right people to replace retiring machinists

and to build a workforce for the future.

“I could have advertised, but I knew

MSD had a database with people who were

the right demographic and who would be

motivated to work.”

With Kevin and Donna’s help, Sharee

and her trainer Tracey Millard initially ran

a seminar at the town’s Community Link

centre, attracting nearly 30 interested job

seekers. Twelve were shortlisted for Sharee

and Tracey’s sewing school, six started, and

three – Karen, Jojo and Del – completed the

course and walked into full-time work.

Already planning for another round of

trainees, Sharee says she knew within two

weeks that Karen, Jojo and Del were the

right ones. “They had the right attitude and

they wanted to work.”

“Too right,” says Del from her overlocker.

“I really wanted that job. I like my boundaries

being pushed. I get bored fast so I need

to be active, motivated and challenged.

I’m getting that with this job!”

Their lack of sewing experience was a

plus. “People with experience often have

habits we need to break,” says Sharee.

WEB LINK

Learn more about how Work and Income can help employers develop their workforce:

www.workandincome.govt.nz/workforce

Over 12 weeks the group learned the

basics of being a commercial machinist.

They’re still learning on the job, studying for

their National Certificate in sewing.

“Everyone has been really great,” says

Jojo, operating a cross over machine which

ensures seams are waterproof. “All the

women here were really supportive right

from the start.”

Jojo, Del and Karen have their own

responsibilities, but Sharee says they are likely

to change. “At Swazi we look at a person’s

whole skill set and where else they could go

in the company. Jojo has an eye for detail so

that’s good for seam sealing, but I know she

also has admin skills so we may use her there.

“Karen is good at plain sewing but she’s

very mechanically minded so that could lead

to something else here. Del is a creative soul

– she’s overlocking now but she could move

more into design.”

Del’s new skills have boosted her creativity

at home too. “I like taking old clothes and

scraps and seeing what I can make out of

them. I’ve made dresses for my daughters

and tops for my sons.”

Another advantage is the confidence that

comes from working.

“I went to get a quote for a new tyre,”

says Karen. “The garage assumed it was a

Work and Income quote, but nah – I said

‘I work for my money’.”

Jojo likes not being judged. “Beneficiaries

are judged all the time. People think if you’re

on a benefit, you’re lazy. Working gets rid of

the negative stereotype for us.”

Del loves being a positive role model.

“When the kids get asked, ‘What does your

mum do?’ they can say ‘She works at Swazi’

and not ‘She doesn’t work’.”

Del Mita

Jojo Hepi

17RISE: Issue 27 – June 2014

Spotlight on Bay of Plenty

“Because we know so many people across the trades,

we can match the jobseeker's personality to the employer

as well as the trade.”


Key facts

Bay of Plenty

TradeUpIf you're looking for Geoff Christophers

or Rick Nicholson, you won't find them behind a desk. These two work from their cars, trail blazing a new way of working with jobseekers.

They’re a mobile team called TradeUp,

with a mission to help young jobseekers

get a start in the trades. “If we're not

working with the young people or talking

to employers, it means we're not out there

making it happen,” says Geoff.

The two former modern apprenticeship

co-ordinators established TradeUp to help

young people into trades jobs after they

had left school early. The formula worked,

so they tailored their approach to suit Work

and Income youth jobseekers. The TradeUp

and Work and Income pilot started in January

with a group of Western Bay of Plenty

young people.

Once referred by Work and Income,

the young people had in-depth interviews

with Geoff and Rick to talk about career

options, goals, plans and, where necessary,

a reality check.

“Most of the kids who come to us are

employable,” Geoff says. “Sure, they may

have had some stuff happen, but we look at

ways to get around those barriers.”

“They are just young guys growing up,”

says Rick. “In some cases they’ve been caught

doing something dumb, but they’re not bad

kids. A lot of tradesmen we work with weren't

too dissimilar when they were young.”

TradeUp is not a training programme.

It involves a lot of pastoral care and

pre-employment support. The focus is on

working one-on-one with each young

person, getting ready for work and matching

them with an employer for on-the-job

training or an apprenticeship. Often the

family becomes involved and that helps a lot.

“Because we know so many people

across the trades, and we get to know

the jobseeker so well, we can match the

jobseeker's personality to the employer as

well as the trade,” says Geoff.

Peter Decke of Coatings Plus recruited

two workers through TradeUp.

“I said to Geoff, ‘Just send me your best

fella.’ He sent Luke. I was so impressed that

I said, 'Give me another one and we'll be

right.' That's how we got Sam.”

Luke Townsend and Sam Phillips are

learning on the job and are about to start

an apprenticeship through the Building and

Construction Industry Training Organisation.

Sam likes heading off to a job every

morning. He looks forward to becoming a

fully qualified tradesman with the financial

rewards that will bring. Luke thinks he might

like to run his own company one day.

Post-placement support is a strong

component of TradeUp. Four months into

their employment, Geoff and Rick continue

to keep in touch with Peter, Luke and Sam.

“It seems to be the pastoral care at the

front end that gets them there,” says Rick.

“Employers become part of it.”

Geoff and Rick say they both get a kick

out of helping a young person to the point

where they've secured a job and are in

industry training. “When a mother thanks us

for getting her son off the couch and into a

job, or a young person tells us it's the first

time someone has taken a genuine interest

in them, that's when we know we got it

right,” Geoff says.

Between January and April 2014,

20 people were placed into the programme,

with 14 moving into jobs.

Bay of Plenty

covers Tauranga, Opotiki, Whakatane, Rotorua, Taupo and most of south Waikato.

Key industries

include kiwifruit, tourism, forestry and farming. Work and Income works with employers to recruit and train the right staff. Contact a work broker on 0800 778 008.

Te Puke

produces most of New Zealand’s kiwifruit. In the 1920s, a local horticulturist developed the Hayward variety, which is now eaten all over the world.

Rotorua

is a major tourist destination, known for geothermal activity and M-aori culture.

Between March 2013 and March 2014

the number of working age people on a benefit in the Bay of Plenty region fell by nearly 2,000 – or 5.24 per cent.



Youth connection

As a young person Blair Gilbert lived life to the full, sometimes outside the norm. Now the adventurous leader of the Ministry of Youth Development’s central north team is helping young people realise their strengths and life’s opportunities.

Blair Gilbert’s Mum had to look

twice when she saw a photo of her

dreadlocked, bare footed, hippy son

sitting on a Dunedin street corner selling

the leather bangles he’d made.

“I thought it was a cool photo,” says

the now-short-haired and somewhat

older Blair. “But I guess Mum didn’t

expect it, considering that when I left

home I was heading to university to do a

Bachelor in Veterinary Science.”

Back then, Blair did in fact study for a

while. But then he dropped out, bought

a house bus, grew his hair and stopped

wearing shoes.

After a year or so the gloss wore

off. He got hungry. With hunger came

the realisation that people weren’t just

going to give him everything. “I thought

I was really hard done by,” he laughs

at himself. “I actually had to do stuff,

like work, so I could eat, and I realised

I was hungry to learn.”

Blair re-enrolled at university, this

time at Otago, and knuckled down.

Still living in his house bus, he completed

a double major degree in education and

psychology, and has since completed

a masters and postgraduate studies

in management. During his time at

Otago, he worked with Wide Horizons,

an outdoor education programme for

youth, run by Innes McColl. Blair was

a researcher bought in to evaluate the

programme in order for funding to

continue.

“Innes was an inspirational, practical

person,” says Blair. “He believed that

if we instil in our young people care

and respect of the environment, other

people and themselves, then we’ve

changed the world.”

Blair gained further insight into

the value of the outdoors as a tool to

work with people when he took an

opportunity to be involved with Outward

Bound at Anakiwa.

While Blair was at Outward Bound,

his partner Julie returned to Rotorua

to introduce their new baby son to the

family. “She ‘accidentally’ got a great

job within her profession, and I came

home to be a house husband,” he grins.

“I thought it would be real cruisy,

but I had no time to cook or clean because

I was so busy looking after the baby!”

After six months, Blair started work

with Karldon House, working with

people moving from psychiatric care

into the community, and with Rotorua’s

Te Waiariki Purea Trust, a youth

development organisation.

Again, he found the outdoor

environment to be a powerful and useful

space for people to make an ongoing

long-term change. With a leaning

towards adventure therapy, Blair went

to Waiariki Institute of Technology to

lecture in social work. There he was

part of a team that wrote a degree

in social science; specifically writing

the adventure therapy major within

the degree programme. “It was a

world-first,” he says proudly.

His research and involvement in

adventure therapy took him around the

world. He was the national leader of

the NZ delegation on the Japanese Ship

for World Youth, and through his work

with mountain adventurer and youth

development leader Graeme Dingle,

Blair led the Youth on Ice programme

to Antarctica in 2006 – “an amazing,

life changing time.”

In 2006, Blair joined the Ministry of

Youth Development (MYD) as regional

team manager for the central north

region. “I saw it as an opportunity

to influence youth development

nationwide, and I was excited about

leading people who were inspired by

young people and committed to ensuring

they develop well.”

It may seem that Blair swapped the

outdoors for a desk, but that is not the

reality. He’s a long distance runner and

a keen mountain climber. In 2007 he

was one of a team of three people who

successfully climbed the North Island’s

four highest peaks in one day.

Blair is particularly interested (and

qualified) in mountain safety and ski

instructing and is a member of the

specialised Ministry of Social Development

trained, Emergency Welfare Reserves.

In his spare time, Blair is a volunteer fire

fighter with Lake Okareka Rural Fire

Force. With a rising demand for their

services, the fire force and other volunteer

emergency services need all the help they




can get. Blair saw an opportunity to get

young people involved with emergency

services as well as more connected with

their communities.

“It struck me that we could prepare

our young people to be on hand

in emergencies like floods, storms,

earthquakes or civil emergency, while

also achieving our MYD strategic goal of

increasing youth citizenship.”

Blair and a working group of volunteers

developed the Youth in Emergency

Services (YES) pilot project which ran for

the first time last year in partnership with

Rotorua emergency services.

Over four weeks, 15 young people

attended Thursday evening sessions

and Saturday morning inspirational

introductions to different emergency

services. The programme culminated in a

weekend camp where the young people

responded to a series of emergency

scenarios – fighting fires, rescuing people

from cliffs, extracting and treating

injured victims. They are then supported

to become volunteers in a service of

their choice.

“Our young people became engaged

with the good people in our community

who volunteer their time in support of

others,” Blair says. “They also learnt new

skills, spent time with positive role models

and learnt that ‘New Zealand needs

them’ while discovering opportunities to

be volunteers themselves.”

The project attracted national interest.

Civil Defence and Youth Affairs Minister

Nikki Kay extended the programme

to Kaikohe, Mangakino/Turangi, Taupo,

Gisborne, Alexandra and Kaikoura, with

a second project in Rotorua.

YES was also runner up in the

Educational and Child/Development

category at the TrustPower Spirit of

Rotorua Awards in October 2013.

“Do you know what the coolest thing

is? The coolest thing is that every day at

the Ministry of Youth Development I’m

part of a team that supports the future

of New Zealand. I’m privileged to be part

of that.”


Spotlight on East Coast

It took time and determination, and the backing of Work and Income, the Defence Force, trainers and employers.


East Coast

Grown from SEEDKey factsEast Coast region

has a youthful and higher than average M-aori population. In Gisborne, 34 per cent of the population are under 20 years of age. The region’s M-aori population of 28 per cent is double the national average.

A sunny climate

provides excellent conditions for horticulture, viticulture, forestry and agriculture and tourism. Cruise ships bring thousands of tourists between November and May with 53 scheduled visits to Napier and 13 visits to Gisborne.

Changes

to the welfare system since July 2013 have seen:

• 79% increase in work placements for single parents

• 150% increase in work placements for supported living clients

• 100% increase in work placements for 10-year-plus clients.

Learn more

about how Work and Income can help employers develop their workforce: www.workandincome.govt.nz/business/

The bright young technician in charge of the hi-tech equipment at the Mr Apple packhouse in Hawke's Bay obviously loves his job. He has a flair and a natural enthusiasm for work with technology.

But Devon Whitelegge did not land his job

without effort. It took time and determination,

and the backing of Work and Income,

the Defence Force, trainers and employers.

As a kid, Devon found it hard to thrive at

school. “I left at the end of the third form.

I had no qualifications. I did lots of courses

and temporary jobs after leaving school, but

I couldn’t get a proper job.”

Looking back on those frustrating years,

Devon says the game changers were people

and organisations who believed in him and

backed him to succeed.

The first break came when Work and

Income programme co-ordinator Ingrid

Matthews encouraged Devon to go on a

six-week Limited Service Volunteer (LSV)

programme.

LSV is a six-week residential motivational

course for 18 to 24 year old jobseekers.

Set in a military environment, young people

tackle physical and mental challenges,

learning teamwork and discipline, and focus

on direction in their lives. Devon returned

with a new sense of purpose and a plan to

find a long-term job.

When he applied for seasonal work with

Mr Apple, his motivation stood out and

he was invited to join a programme which

develops promising workers for long-term

careers in the horticulture industry.

The SEED programme (Seasonal Employee/

Employer Development) offers one-on-one

mentoring along with on-the-job training.

As well as qualifications, it also focuses on

life skills such as budgeting, driver licensing

and health and fitness.

“My first job at Mr Apple was doing bin

repairs, then prep work in the packhouse to

get ready for the season.

“Last year I was in the orchards, grafting

and planting new trees so there was a lot

of variety.”

Devon showed a keen interest in

technology and started to spend some

days learning the ropes. His flair was

soon noticed.

Production manager Robert Sykes says

Devon has been one of the stars to emerge

from the SEED programme. “He’s young,

exuberant and keen to learn and has really

demonstrated this. He's doing great.”

Devon was offered a full-time role from

13 October 2013 and is now responsible for

cutting-edge technology, such as a scanner

that x-rays apples, taking 36 photos of every

apple on the conveyor belt to grade fruit

quality. It processes 4,000 apples a minute.

“Mr Apple and Ingrid at Work

and Income believed in me and have

given me this amazing opportunity with

SEED,” says Devon. “I wouldn’t have this

job without it.”

SEED was first trialled in 2011 by Work

and Income with the pip-fruit corporation

Crasborn Group, to fill a gap in skilled labour.

Building on that success, Apollo signed up

to SEED in 2012 and Mr Apple followed

in 2013. This year, SEED has expanded

to 50 full-time placements across the

three companies.




Aunty Sass

Nine years ago, Ihipera (Sass) Mahuika was out for a walk in the suburb of Kaiti, Gisborne, when a reversing car pinned her against a parked truck.

A popular musician by night,

a high-school lab technician by day and

at all times a much-loved local character

and aunty, Sass was told she was

unlikely to walk again.

Multiple operations, long-term

rehabilitation and life in a wheelchair

became her new reality.

“My only source of comfort was

food. It was about all I looked forward

to. I put on weight, and eventually

ended up weighing 225 kilograms.”

As her weight climbed, Sass

plunged into a long depression, until

a conversation with her pregnant

daughter shocked her into action.

“My daughter asked me whether

or not I wanted to see my mokopuna

grow up.”

Another moment of truth struck

when Sass sought help from Tui

Keenan, a fitness instructor at Freedom

Health and Fitness in Gisborne.

“Tui looked past the chair, past my

disability and believed in me. She smiled

and said, ‘Of course I can help’.”

Sass started attending the gym

and took on a new diet. Physically

and mentally, she went from strength

to strength.

Another person who believed in Sass

was Work and Income employment

co-ordinator Jane Tureia. Jane works

with Work and Income clients who face

challenges to getting back into work.

She had been working alongside Sass

for more than two years. Jane saw Sass’s

strengths – her warmth and connection

with people, her big personality, her

background in school and education.

Sass’s weight dropped to 112

kilograms, and she often found herself

encouraging others. Naturally musical

with a good sense of rhythm, she’d also

gotten a taste for Zumba.

Between the three of them, Sass,

Jane and Tui hit upon a plan; Sass set

about becoming a Zumba instructor

and a health mentor. She attended an

accreditation course in Auckland and

then cancelled her benefit and took up

full-time work.

Among the clients at her first

Zumba class were eight Work and

Income staff members, inspired to

make fitness changes for themselves.

Sass and Tui were invited to share

their story at the 2013 Zumba

Conference in Orlando, Florida – joining

8,000 other instructors and doing

media interviews.

Back in Gisborne, it’s all about getting

back into the community Zumba classes

after another hip operation. Sass is also

applying for education and student

support roles.

WEB LINK

Watch Aunty Sass on Seven Sharp.

tvnz.co.nz/seven-sharp/ losing-112kgs-zumba-video-5477615

Sass Mahuika and Jane Tureia


Changing lives

In Gisborne, a business couple with a social conscience are helping to change lives and open doors for disadvantaged people.

Among other things, Dennis Wen

and his wife Bing Sun run a community

hostel, Memorial Ltd. It houses around

120 people who are either jobless or

on a low income. It offers emergency

housing, short-term and long-term

accommodation, and can support people

with disabilities or mental health issues.

Whenever he can, Dennis tries to

find paid work for his tenants, either

in the hostel or in his horticulture and

viticulture labouring business – Kaimahi

Contracting.

Dennis says most people very much

want to work, but often they just need

to be given a break. He’ll help his tenants

and employees overcome some of

the things that are holding them back

– supporting them with budgeting and

life skills, family difficulties or liaising with

IRD or Work and Income.

Sole parent Kylie Wilson had been on

the Domestic Purposes Benefit for more

than 24 years when she started working

for Memorial Ltd.

“Kylie was very keen to work,”

says Dennis. “She started off doing

housekeeping duties. From there I started

teaching her the computer so she could

start doing some of our administration

work. She learnt very quickly and now

she’s the office manager.”

Kylie says she loves working for

Memorial Ltd. She is responsible for

customer services, including signing up

new tenancies, general housekeeping,

and accommodation inspections.

She says her own life experience is a

great advantage. “I know where they are

coming from – I’ve been there myself.

Many of the difficulties people have,

I’ve been through,” she says.

Kaimahi Contracting employs up to

70 staff at the peak of the horticulture

and viticulture season.

Around 80 per cent of Kaimahi’s

employees are recruited from Work and

Income. They boost the labour force of

big corporates such as Leaderbrand,

Harper Gold and Indevin. Dennis says the

success of his employees is also due to

the commitment of these corporates.

John Waerehu (known as BJ)

started full-time work with Kaimahi

Contracting in 2013 after being

on a Sickness Benefit for three years.

Straight away Dennis was impressed with

his attitude.

“He used his initiative. When he first

started he cleaned the van out without

being asked and I knew he’d work out

well. He was a local and knew mates who

were looking for work and I hired them

as well.”

BJ, aged 48, has since taken on a

leadership role with Kaimahi Contracting

and helped strengthen Dennis’s contacts

with the local community.

BJ says it is very much part of Dennis’s

philosophy to watch out for workers’

welfare. “Dennis and his wife really look

after us.”

BJ says working with Kaimahi

Contracting has changed his life. “They

have treated me like family,” he says.


BJ Waerehu, Kylie Wilson and Dennis Wen


Spotlight on Taranaki, King Country and Whanganui

“Kids love seeing their parents work – it’s so empowering.”

Te Awhina Chase at the Homework Club


Taranaki, King Country and Whanganui


School work for kids and parents

Key factsTaranaki, King Countryand Whanganui

covers a large area from Otorohanga in the north, Ruapehu in the east and Rangitikei in the south.

Around 194,000 people

live in the region, with just over half living in the cities of Whanganui and New Plymouth. M-aori are represented by 18 hap-u and iwi.

Key industries

include agriculture, dairy/meat processing, forestry, manufacturing and energy production. Work and Income works with employers to recruit and train the right staff. Contact a work broker on 0800 778 008.

In the year to March 2014

the number of working age people on a benefit in the region fell by 4.1 per cent. Most of those people had been unemployed for more than a year.

Castlecliff School takes good care of its kids and its parents. Just ask Te Awhina Chase, a sole parent who has gained work as a teacher aide running the school's Homework Club.

She is one of several previously unemployed

parents who have gained jobs at the school

as teacher aides or in administration, thanks

to a long-standing partnership between the

school and Work and Income.

Te Awhina started in a voluntary role

at the school last year. By September,

she was a paid teacher aide with her wages

subsidised by Work and Income’s Job

Streams Flexi-wage programme.

This year, Te Awhina has been a key

member of the school’s new initiative to

raise student achievement – the Homework

Club. Straight after the school day ends,

children scamper to Homework Club where

they share kai including fresh fruit and milk.

This is followed by play time, then a structured

homework session of up to an hour before

heading home at 5pm. There is no cost

to attend, although a koha – usually food

– is gratefully received.

“With something in their tummies and

some exercise, they’re ready to think again,”

says school principal Katherine Ellery.

“The Homework Club is also teaching

parents and families to structure their day.

Kids are no longer sitting in front of the telly

for three hours. Parents cannot believe that

their kids are coming home and carrying on

with their homework.”

Te Awhina is passionate about

helping the children learn. “They are all

different personalities with some needing

one-to-one help. It’s cool when they first get

their spelling words to learn each Monday;

by Friday, they know them all!” she says.

Katherine says she’s proud of Te Awhina’s

development. “She has just blossomed and

is a different girl to the one who started here

last year. She confidently goes around each

of the teachers and asks what they want their

students to focus on after Homework Club.”

Work and Income employment

co-ordinator Mike Weekly says the

partnership is particularly successful because

of the school’s ongoing commitment

to providing opportunities for parents.

Also, the hours suit sole parents. “Not only

are the hours sufficient for our clients to

become financially independent, these mums

do not have to find or pay for childcare for

their own children.”

Being a low-decile school, Katherine

says Castlecliff can use all the help it can

get. The Flexi-wage subsidies have not only

helped the school to fund paid work for sole

parents, but allowed the school to staff extra

projects that improve learning for the kids

and the school community.

Another positive is police feedback

that there are less children on the streets

after school.

There are other advantages too, says

Katherine. “Te Awhina’s two sons attend

Castlecliff and love having Mum at school.

Kids love seeing their parents work

– it’s so empowering.”

Mike Weekly says it shows how well

a partnership like this can work for everyone

involved.

“We are looking to have more schools

come on board offering the same sort of

chance to other people.”



Nicola Wellstood – Registered Nurse

Late last year, Nicola Wellstood’s

mum received a text from her

49-year-old daughter. It read

simply: Nicola Wellstood RN.

“When I found out I had graduated,

I cried,” Nicola says. “My hands were

shaking so much I had to get one of

my daughters to text Mum for me.”

Now Nicola is working as a graduate

nurse with Riverside Care Home

and Hospital in New Plymouth,

and has cancelled her benefit with

Work and Income.

Nicola’s road to success has been a

tough 14-year journey. Her marriage

ended when the youngest of her

three girls was only one year old.

In 2004, Nicola started to study

towards a nursing qualification, but

complicated health problems led to a

heart-breaking decision to pull out.

“I spent 18 months on crutches.

I didn’t want to sit on my butt so I took

over from Mum running the Salvation

Army shop in Stratford,” says Nicola.

Her recovery involved losing nearly

50kg in weight, a hip operation and

a gastric by-pass. During this time she

took up her nursing studies again.

“I am lucky because I have had good

family support and good friends.”

During the last six months of her

training, Nicola helped care for her

father who died before she graduated.

“Before he died, he told me he was

proud of me,” Nicola says wistfully.

When Nicola’s youngest daughter

turned 14, Nicola moved from a

Sole Parent Support benefit to

a Job Seeker Support payment with

full-time work obligations. Ingrid Self,

a Work and Income work-focused case

manager in Stratford, has supported

Nicola’s transformation and goals over

several years.

Ingrid says she is blown away by

what Nicola has achieved. “She has

overcome such horrible and impossible

hurdles and she is now happy and

working hard. She’s an inspiration.”

Nicola says her daughters – now

19, 17 and 14 – have grown up to

be resilient young women, focused

on succeeding in work and used

to managing on very little money.

“My oldest, Kimberly, starts uni in July –

she wants to be a psychologist working

in prisons,” Nicola says proudly.

When she graduated, Nicola’s

daughters gave her a bouquet of

flowers. The card read: “We’re proud

of you, Mum.”

When asked what she enjoys the

most about her work, Nicola says

that she just loves caring for people.

“I was meant to care for elderly people.

I left school in the fifth form but even

while at school, nursing was always in

the back of my head.”

This year, Nicola will be doing

post-graduate studies through

Auckland University. “It’s paid for by

the Taranaki District Health Board

and I will be spending time at the

hospital learning and doing essays

and presentations. The more I learn,

the more I can provide.”


“I had to think very hard about taking the baby as well, but I have no regrets. I love him more and more each day.”


Raising grandkids

Martha George raised two daughters and didn’t know a lot about boys until seven years ago when her eldest grandson (now 12) came into her care.

Four years later, Martha’s daughter

gave birth to another baby boy. With his

mother unable to care for the children

at all, after much soul-searching, Martha

agreed to be the baby’s full-time carer too.

“It would have broken my heart if the

children were fostered out,” says Martha.

“I had to think very hard about taking

the baby as well, but I have no regrets.

I love him more and more each day.”

It’s a time of life when Martha

would have expected to be leading a

more relaxed lifestyle, but her days are

action-packed caring for a toddler and

a boy about to enter his teenage years.

On Sundays it’s baking, ensuring school

uniforms are ready, sports gear is in

order and then there’s all the pick-up’s

and drop-off’s in the week, along with

washing and cooking.

Martha receives NZ Superannuation

and Unsupported Child Benefits for the

children. She’s organised and budgets

to the last cent, but things are tight.

Last summer, her grandson helped out by

shopping around for the cheapest school

stationery to free up more of the budget

for the iPad he desperately wants.

This year, new funding has been

introduced for carers in Martha’s

situation as part of the Children’s Action

Plan. It helps with start of school year

costs. “It took a lot of stress away.

I usually have to lay-by so it was a good

start to the year,” says Martha.

There’s also a new Extraordinary Care

Fund for children who show promise or face

difficulties that affect their development.

Martha is quick to acknowledge other

help she has received. Her grandson’s

school makes sure he can take part

in activities such as camps and trips.

He shows talent in both sport and music

and the school has supported that.

Martha also praises the New Plymouth

Big Brothers Big Sisters programme

mentors who helped her access services

and support. She says they’ve also

helped her oldest boy to understand

his mother’s situation, grow as a person

and have experiences he otherwise

might not have.

Friends are also important, including

one who has four grandchildren in

her care. When Martha gets stressed

out, she reaches out to her friend.

“Talking things over helps,” she says.

“Other peoples’ problems make you

realise yours are not as big.”

Martha hopes that one day her

daughter will be well enough to lead

a positive life and have a fuller

relationship with her sons. Meanwhile,

she says she’ll continue to encourage her

grandsons to reach their potential and

provide for them.

“Where there’s a way, I will try.”

WEB LINK

New help for people caring for someone else’s child

People can face extra financial pressure when caring for someone else’s child. A School Year Start-up Payment, an Establishment Grant and a special fund have been introduced to help with this, as part of the Children’s Action Plan.

www.workandincome.govt.nz/carers


round-upRegional

Southern Foster care campaign: The Warehouse and local mayors are backing foster care recruitment in

Oamaru and Balclutha to raise awareness about foster care, with events, competitions and prizes.

Careers in agriculture: Work and Income and Venture Southland have developed a regional strategy

as part of the Southland Futures: Primary Industry Careers for Young People project. The project aims to

meet industry demand, reduce the reliance on overseas workers and overcome young people’s barriers

to entering primary industry employment.

Assistant herd managers: Work and Income is working with a dairy and wool industry training provider

to upskill jobseekers that have experience in the beef and dairy industry. This initiative will be trialled in the

Southern region, particularly Southland and South Canterbury, and if successful will be rolled out to other regions.

Canterbury Children’s forums: Child, Youth and Family hosted a series of forums for children and young people to

talk about being in care, their social workers, their needs and hopes for the future.

Children’s Day event: This year’s celebrations saw social workers and other MSD staff talking to families

about everything from foster care to Work and Income services. Everyone enjoyed the free, fun activities

such as bouncy castles, rides and a Teddy Bear's Picnic.

Linwood Youth Festival Experience: Work and Income staff attended the LYFE community event

celebrating youth pride, diversity and achievement. Young people from across Christchurch learned about

Basebook where people can match to jobs on Facebook, and Youthshop, an initiative run from Christchurch’s

Youth Hub to help young people into training, study or employment.

Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Pruning season: The recruitment drive is in full gear for the busiest time of year for Marlborough

winegrowers. Work and Income is holding a series of seminars for jobseekers where they can find out

about the work, pay and the skills an employer looks for. Contractors join the seminars to give jobseekers

a real world view of the jobs. Employers wanting to link with Work and Income work brokers to find

suitable people should call 0800 778 008.

Foster Care Awareness week: Child, Youth and Family Blenheim together with partners Fostering

Kids, Open Home Foundation and Care Solutions hosted a pool party for children and young people in

care. They also recognised the amazing work that caregivers do every day by treating them to a coffee and

cake evening.


Central Wairarapa Youth Action Plan: The Wairarapa Youth Action Plan aims to reduce youth crime,

truancy and risky behaviour among young people. It was launched at Masterton Intermediate School

in April 2014. The Youth Action Plan is part of a trial led by the Ministry of Social Development and

is already in other areas around the country, some of which have seen youth crime drop by more

than 40 per cent.

Kapiti Expressway: The road construction industry promises huge potential for jobseekers in the

Kapiti area, with the building of the Kapiti Expressway. The $630 million project consists of a four lane

expressway, 18 bridges, 45 hectares of landscaping and wetlands, and is estimated to take four years

and 500 staff to complete.

Wellington Everyday Theatre: South Wellington Intermediate School recently hosted the Everyday Theatre

programme, an interactive theatre workshop funded by Child, Youth and Family. Aimed at young

people, it addresses issues of abuse, neglect and family violence, promoting positive family wellbeing.

Employment growth sectors: The regional labour market team is working on a project to better

understand the employment growth sectors in the region. The manufacturing sector in particular

has undergone real change recently. Work brokers talked to many industrial employers in the Hutt

Valley. The results will help Work and Income provide employers with a range of recruitment options

and opportunities to address any skill or labour shortages. The project is supported by the Lower Hutt

Chamber of Commerce.

Taranaki, King Country and WhanganuiMountain opportunities: A partnership between Work and Income and Ruapehu Alpine Lifts will see

20 jobseekers complete a six-month cadetship and a National Certificate Sports and Recreation Level

2. The programme is designed to increase people’s knowledge while they gain experience working

in a recreation or sport-based organisation. It is expected that approximately eight clients will then

be chosen for apprenticeships for on-going permanent employment.

Restorative City: The Whanganui Restorative City conference was held at the end of March 2014.

A wide range of agencies and individuals in the city are committed to doing better for young people

by spreading the principles of restorative justice across wider areas such as schools and the community,

with organisations working together. International speakers shared experiences from Canada and the UK.

East CoastCareers expo: In May Work and Income, StudyLink and Child, Youth and Family took part in the

Hawke’s Bay Today Careers expo offering insights into careers including case manager and social

work positions. Information was also provided on student loans and allowances.

Positive ageing: Hawke’s Bay Senior Services were at the Positive Ageing expo in May 2014 talking

to people about NZ Super, SuperGold Card and the extra help available through the Disability

Allowance and Accommodation Supplement.

Community hub: Child, Youth and Family have been given the green light for a former Wairoa foster

home to be developed as a community hub where non-government organisations, agencies and social

service professionals in Wairoa can work with people from one comfortable, convenient place.


Bay of Plenty Youth in Emergency Services: YES programmes were run in Mangakino, Turangi and Rotorua by

the Ministry of Youth Development and Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management to

engage young people in their communities. Groups of young people took part in weekly sessions, as

well as a weekend camp where they put their learning into practice through emergency scenarios.

Lest we forget: Te Maioha o Parekarangi Youth Justice Residence held its annual ANZAC Day

dawn service on 24 April 2014. The service was scheduled for the day before ANZAC Day to allow

special guests – veterans of the armed forces – to also take part. It was the first time many of the

young people at the residence had ever attended a dawn service.

Waikato Wellbeing Waikato: Work and Income and Senior Services staff answered questions about study,

work, housing and child welfare at the Wellbeing Show in Hamilton in April 2014.

Fieldays: Work and Income work brokers will be out in force talking to employers about recruitment

at the National Fieldays in Mystery Creek in June 2014.

Scaffolding skills shortage: Work and Income recently ran a successful five-week pilot Skills for Industry

programme for the scaffolding industry. This programme will now be offered on an ongoing basis.

Working with community partners: In May Child, Youth and Family’s Hauraki site held its 10th

Partnered Response hui. The hui was an opportunity for providers, agencies and organisations to learn

more about each other’s services and review community relationships.

Auckland Teen parent hui: The annual teen parent hui was held over two days at the Waipuna Lodge in Auckland.

Teen parent service providers from around the country joined with Ministry staff in a programme that

included an address by Social Development Minister Paula Bennett, pecha kucha presentations and

workshops to help social service providers work together to measure and improve the results they are

achieving for young parents and their kids.

Seeking more foster carers: Auckland Child, Youth and Family are looking to recruit more foster

carers. Foster carers come from all walks of life. If you are interested in learning more, please call

0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459) or visit our website www.cyf.govt.nz

Northland New care strategy: Child, Youth and Family is developing a new care strategy for children and

young people in Te Tai Tokerau. The team is looking at innovative ways of recruiting, training and

supporting caregivers. Care services in the region will also be enhanced by the opening of a new

Teaching Family Home for boys aged 13 to 17, scheduled for later this year.

Reducing youth offending: Te Tai Tokerau’s Youth Justice team is working closely with agencies

in the mid North as part of the Kaikohe Social Sector Trials. Child, Youth and Family is leading

the strategy to reduce youth offending as part of the Youth Action Plan which contains a range of

initiatives aimed at young people and their families.


Tips, links and newsRealMe® – making life easier for people

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privacy and security, while saving you from

using a lot of different logins for different

services. Setting up a RealMe login can all be

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Just click on the Get Started Now button at

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Plus, an upgrade to a verified RealMe

account takes you a step further. A verified

RealMe account can be used to securely

prove your identity online – it’s a protected

online ID, that you can use over and over.

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WEB LINK

Set up your RealMe login or verified RealMe account at

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Contact Rise Do you have suggestions, feedback or story ideas for Rise?

Please email us at [email protected] OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

I S S U E 2 2 – M A R CH 2013

Courage to innovate – Levin tests new ways to support young people

Tackling family violence – Jude Simpson’s mission

Speaking out – a voice for disabled children

Life-changing choices – teenagers working to succeed

Courage


“He aha te mea nui o te ao? Mäku e kı̈ atu. He tangata, he tangata, he tangata!”

Ministry of social DevelopMent

I s s u e 2 3 – J u ly 2013

A different future – backing people to succeed in work

Tanya Black – challenging expectations

Lifehack – creative answers for youth mental health

Tai Tokerau – doing better for Northland’s at-risk kids

Think differently



MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

I S S U E 25 – D ECEM B ER 2013

It’s Not OK – tackling family violence in the heartland

Home for life – the foster family with a dream home

Onjeurlina Leiataua – our youngest Black Fern

Achievement



From lost to leaders – former refugees make their mark

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

I S S U E 24 – S EP T EM B ER 2013

Between us all – Te Ku- iti unites for young people

Aotearoa Reggae Allstars – singing against child abuse

Never give up – soccer’s Ben Sigmund and Limited Service Volunteers

Whakakotahi



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rise - issue 27 - june 2014

Documents

social sector

local people

lives of people

vulnerable people

social service agencies

far north story

laws of new zealand

new treaty