1. Hon TARIANA TURIA (Co-Leader—Māori Party) Link to this
to the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector
How is the “genuine partnership” between the community and voluntary sector and the Government expressed, when the relationship is contractual and controlled by the Crown agencies?
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector) Link to this
Our Government set out its commitment to strong and respectful relationships with community and voluntary organisations in the statement of Government intentions in 2001. Since that time we have established the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector, implemented online information about building relationships between the Government and the sector and about funding practices, launched the Keeping it Legal resource to ensure community groups understand their legal responsibilities, and launched Good Practice in Action to showcase examples of best practice. More recently we have launched a new sustainable funding model for community groups that deliver essential social services.
Hon Tariana Turia Link to this
How will the Minister respond to the request for direct resourcing to iwi and tangata whenua providers as a genuine commitment to partnership, as stated by Enid Leighton, the general manager of Ngati Awa Social and Health Services on Radio New Zealand National yesterday morning?
I have no difficulty at all in organisations such as the one the member referred to being funded via a departmental appropriation, but I do not support the notion of having a direct line item budget to such organisations.
Hon Marian HobbsWhat reports has the Minister seen regarding alternative approaches to building partnerships between the Government and the community and voluntary sector?
I have seen an approach that rejects the concept of partnership outright. This approach was described as based purely on competitive tendering, where the Government is really just a purchaser of services. That will cut right back on capacity funding. That is the policy of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr John Key. His party is too insecure to build a relationship with the community and the voluntary sector. The National members are afraid to raise expectations, because they do not want to deliver results.
Sue BradfordWill the groups that receive full funding from the Ministry of Social Development under the new initiative be allowed to advocate politically—not at the Government’s expense—for the people and issues they serve, without risking the loss of funding?
Hon Tariana Turia Link to this
Why does the Government continue to have a different range of bed-night costs between tangata whenua organisations and mainstream organisations, as stated on Radio New Zealand yesterday?
The difference is not between tangata whenua and other organisations; the difference is between family members and contracted organisations.
Hon Tariana Turia Link to this
What strategies are being considered to enable tangata whenua to provide solutions with equitable funding, given the current imbalance to tangata whenua organisations within the community and voluntary sector?