Pānui March 2007

Click here for a PDF version of the March Pānui

Contents

Help needed with the balancing act – Out of School Services
Making the connections to make a difference – message from the Chief Executive
Mana Wahine Week 23 - 29 April 2007
Kohanga reo pioneer honoured
The Low-down on KiwiSaver – Part 2
Highly decorated World President visits rural women
A last chance to tell us what you think!
New space on Ministry website
A challenge for all of us – family violence funding
Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families
Women On The Move
Edna McAtamney - Profile From The Nominations Services Database
News in Brief: includes: Trilogy Success; Income assistance for couples in a same sex relationship; Second chance at education; Children’s Day – Te Rā O Te Tamariki; Women in Universities; International Women’s Day, 8 March

Help needed with the balancing act

Nationwide consultation meetings with New Zealand families have revealed that many would like improved access to, and better quality of, out of school care services, as they try to balance paid work with caregiving responsibilities.

Out of School Services (OSS) are programmes and other arrangements that are in place for children before and after school and during the school holidays.

The Families Commission report representing the views of those families, When School’s Out, was released in early February and indicates how families feel about the quality, affordability, and accessibility of OSS.

Common barriers to accessing OSS included: not being able to afford the fees; no way to transport their children to services; or no suitable programme in their area.

The Families Commission Chief Commissioner Rajen Prasad said at the launch of the report that parents want more than a babysitting service.

‘Services should offer choices between relaxing, fun, educational, and recreational and cultural activities. Research shows quality OSS can boost children’s health, social, behavioural, and educational development’.

That view is supported by a literature review produced at the end of last year by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to contribute to the work of government in this area. The review summarised New Zealand and international evidence about child and family outcomes arising from their use of OSS.

The evidence from the literature is that regular, sustained participation in OSS of sufficient quality is likely to generate positive benefits for children. These include improved personal and social development, and academic outcomes. Influencing these outcomes are: the range and type of activities; the quality of adult/child interactions; the attractiveness of the programme; a youth development focus; and a focus on enrichment.

The findings from this review, and the report When School’s Out, will inform the government’s five year plan for the out of school services sector. The plan is being led by the Ministry of Social Development and is part of the wider government action plan Choices for Living, Caring and Working.

The full literature review can be seen at http://www.mwa.govt.nz/publications/work-and-enterprise/oss-litrev.html

When School’s Out can be seen at http://www.familiescommission.govt.nz/media/20070208.php

√   Action Plan Action Plan for New Zealand Women, Out of School Care and Recreation 2.4.3. Evaluate the Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) sector assistance package to determine the effectiveness of the package in facilitating the supply of a stable, quality OSCAR programme.

Making the connections to make a difference

Thanks to all of you who took the time to provide feedback on the Ministry’s work as part of the stakeholder research carried out at the end of last year. We commissioned the research because we want to better understand how our relationships contribute to the Ministry achieving its goals for New Zealand women. Of course it is good to know what we are doing well (and we received some very positive feedback), but we are more interested in knowing where we need to improve.

A tick for professionalism and responsiveness

So what did we learn? First, the Ministry was generally rated highly for professionalism and responsiveness, and we are in demand – there are more opportunities to be involved in issues than we have time or resources for. This means that we need to carefully choose the issues that we put effort into, while retaining the capacity to pick up on the important ‘new’ issues that arise from time to time.

Working more closely with you

Secondly, you – our colleagues and partners – identified a number of areas where we need to focus more effort. We must continually bring information to you that will help you in your work. The research results emphasised that we cannot achieve the objectives of the Action Plan alone. We still need to do more connecting. And we are going to try even harder at a number of things: getting in very early in the policy process; telling a very compelling story about women; and engaging with our key NGOs earlier in our planning processes so that we can help each other even more.

And we must focus on the things that make the biggest difference…

We must continually ask ourselves – what are the things that are going to make the biggest difference to most women? When we ask this question we always come back to the basics of economic independence and safety as being the foundation for women to have real, positive choices for themselves and their families. Get these two right, especially for some of the most disadvantaged women, and we will be a long way towards achieving our aims. That is why we put lots of policy resource into eliminating violence against women and gender-based occupational segregation.

Reconnecting nationally and internationally

We have already begun to work on strengthening our connections with women. This will include a series of visits by our Minister to towns and cities around New Zealand, bringing information and making connections with many groups. We will put our plans on our website – keep a watch. Our Nominations Service is also strengthening our connections with women in senior commercial positions. And this year we have a big international calendar, with major United Nations and Commonwealth meetings on the status of women. New Zealand shows strong leadership for women in the international arena and, again, we are well supported in this area by NGOs that bring much of that leadership.

If I had one message for you it is that we could not manage without you all. Thank you for your support. We look forward to working even more closely with you this year.

Shenagh Gleisner
Chief Executive

Lead, create and innovate: Mana Wahine Week 23 - 29 April 2007

This year, Mana Wahine is bigger than ever with the Ministry joining forces with Te Puni Kōkiri, Toi Māori and Greenstone Pictures to celebrate Māori women in New Zealand as leaders, creators and innovators.

The Ministry’s Action Plan for New Zealand Women aims to assist Māori women to progress the aspirations of their whānau, hapū and iwi and contains programmes specifically targeted at improving women’s participation in leadership and decision-making roles in the economic sector. Mana Wahine is one such programme.

So what can we expect to see in this year’s celebrations? Here’s a taster of the events we have in store:

Showcasing the Māori Weavers Collective

As part of the inaugural Māori Market at the Event Centre, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Toi Māori are showcasing a demonstration by the Māori Weavers Collective. A floortalk by the weavers will form part of the demonstration. Focusing on weaving as a creative, traditional and contemporary art practice in Māori culture is appropriate as it is a form of craft that is undertaken predominantly by women.

Regional celebrations of Māori women in iwi governance

The Ministry of Women’s Affairs will join forces with Te Puni Kōkiri in celebrating Māori women in iwi governance around the country. These celebrations will take place on a regional level with the first event kicking off during Mana Wahine Week in Wellington.

‘Ask your Auntie’ comes to Wellington!

‘The Aunties’ from the popular Māori TV show ‘Ask your Auntie’ will hold a special Mana Wahine panel discussion. Attendance to this will be free but because space is limited availability will be on a ‘first come first served’ basis.

Dates and events are subject to change and availability.

For an up-to-date schedule of events visit http://www.mwa.govt.nz/women-in-nz/maoriwomen/manawahine07.html. Or to list your own event for this celebration telephone Pat Duncan on 04 916 5812 or send her an email at pat@mwa.govt.nz  

Kohanga reo pioneer honoured

Hailed for her key role in the establishment of the kohanga reo movement, Iritana Te Rangi Tawhiwhirangi has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Victoria University. Mrs Tawhiwhirangi received the honorary Doctor of Literature degree for her work in developing the first network of Early Childhood Education (ECE) for Māori in the regions and reversing the decline in the Māori language.

Internationally, the kohanga reo model is now the established benchmark for the regeneration of indigenous languages. In 1992, Mrs Tawhiwhirangi received an MBE, a Women’s Suffrage Medal in 1993 and was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001.

The Low-down on KiwiSaver Poua he Oranga  – Part 2

In the last issue of Pānui we outlined some basic facts about KiwiSaver, the new voluntary, portable work-based retirement savings scheme. In this issue we answer some more common questions about the scheme.

What’s the incentive to start a KiwiSaver?

The government will make a $1,000 tax-free kick-start to each member’s account and also make a contribution towards scheme fees. After contributing for three years, people can make a one-off withdrawal to purchase their first home and some people may also be eligible for a first home deposit subsidy of $1,000 per year of membership up to a maximum of $5,000. Individuals may also be able to divert half their contribution rate towards repayment of their mortgage.

What happens if I leave the workforce temporarily?

If you belong to the scheme and need to take time out of the workforce for a period of time, you can choose to stop your contributions, and resume them once you return.

What if I don’t want to join?

New employees who are being automatically enrolled may not wish to join KiwiSaver and they will have a window of six weeks, after starting a new job, to opt-out of the scheme. Members who contribute for at least a year can elect to stop contributions for up to five years at a time.

What if I need money urgently while I am saving?

In cases of significant financial hardship, serious illness, permanent emigration or to purchase their first home, individuals will be able to access their savings before they become eligible for NZ Superannuation.

Why is it especially important for women to save for their retirement?

Women on average earn less than men during their working life and they live longer than men. When it comes to planning for retirement, women’s longer life expectancy means that their need for retirement savings is greater, however their lower earning power means they are less likely to have saved.

The earlier women start planning and saving for their retirement the better.

Where can I find out more information?

Useful websites providing further information about KiwiSaver, which begins on 1 July, are www.kiwisaver.govt.nz, and www.sorted.org.nz (which also provides calculators). The Retirement Commission will be providing a range of material for people who do not have access to the web.

The KiwiSaver Act 2006 can be found on http://www.taxpolicy.ird.govt.nz/publications/files/200640.pdf

√   Action Plan Action Plan for New Zealand Women, Economic Sustainability 1.2.1. Develop a targeted campaign to enhance the provision of financial advice to women, and to improve women’s uptake of retirement savings schemes, to assist women in providing for their future and that of their families/whānau.

Highly decorated World President visits rural women

Rural Women New Zealand hosted Dato Ursula Goh, World President of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW), on an official visit to New Zealand from 7-17 February 2007.

World President of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW), Dato Ursula Goh, is the equivalent of a dame – an honour rarely bestowed on women in Malaysia from where she hails.

The Government of Sarawak, Malaysia, conferred the honour on Ursula Goh in 2005 in recognition of her contributions to government and community.

RWNZ national president Sherrill Dackers says the organisation was ‘delighted to welcome Ursula Goh to New Zealand to share with us the fascinating stories of her travels to ACWW projects all over the world’.

‘Ursula regularly travels around the world meeting rural women and it was wonderful to have her go throughout New Zealand meeting and talking to our members.’

Ursula had a whistlestop tour of New Zealand, speaking to Rural Women New Zealand members at over a dozen venues between Auckland and Dunedin.

ACWW is the largest international organisation for rural women. It has a membership of nine million in over 70 countries, and aims to raise the living standards of rural women and families through education, training and community development projects. Many of the projects focus on providing the basic necessities of life – clean water, sanitation and food production, as well as educational and small business initiatives.

Sherrill Dackers says ‘ACWW projects are funded by members in ‘have’ countries and help women in ‘have not’ countries on to the first rung of the ladder out of poverty. Many of the projects are simple low-budget ventures but the difference they make to communities is disproportionate to the amount of money required.’

Dato Ursula Goh has had a long association with ACWW and has held many roles, culminating in her current term as World President (2004-2007).

A last chance to tell us what you think!

• What would you like to see more of or hear more about in Pānui?

• Do you have any suggestions for how we could improve Pānui?

We’ve kept the online reader survey live a little longer, so if you have not already done so, please let us know what you think about Pānui. The questionnaire only takes a few minutes to complete and is available at http://tinyurl.com/y3pdkz or on the Ministry’s website www.mwa.govt.nz.

The survey will be open until 30 March and then results will be collated so we can see what improvements are needed. This will be done by an independent body, and your responses will remain anonymous and strictly confidential (your personal details will be extracted prior to collation and will only be used for future correspondence).

New space on Ministry website

Is your organisation planning an event and would like to let people know about it? The Ministry of Women’s Affairs would like to hear about it and we can list dates, details and links on our website. To find out more or to list your event contact Pat Duncan on 04 916 5812 or pat@mwa.govt.nz

A challenge for all of us

Communities which aim to tackle family violence may be eligible for funding from the Community Action Fund’s second funding round coming up in June.

The $500,000 Fund – part of an ongoing nationwide campaign to change attitudes and behaviour towards family violence – was launched in December 2006.

Speaking at the launch, Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope said ‘Family violence is an issue that all New Zealanders must own. Prevention requires strong leadership nationally and locally. The Community Action Fund will mean community solutions for community problems’.

A Community Action Kit containing ideas for setting up community projects supports the Fund. It is available online at www.nzfvc.org.nz/communityaction or in hard copy by emailing violencefree@msd.govt.nz  

Other resources available to communities and organisations include: media kits and training for community groups on placing key family violence prevention messages in local media; seminars on family violence for trainee journalists; and family violence prevention resources for journalists. A mass media nationwide campaign through to 2010 is also being planned.

The campaign to change attitudes and behaviour is a major initiative developed by the Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families as part of a comprehensive, long-term action plan to eliminate family violence.

The Taskforce released its first report in July 2006 and acknowledges that ‘New Zealand’s rates of child abuse and neglect, levels of domestic violence, deaths of children, and women, and the rate of elder abuse are shameful’ and that to help eliminate family violence ‘It is essential to have a strong community sector, with adequate funding, flexible contracts and good relationships with government agencies’.

If your community has, or aims to develop, local projects to prevent family violence you can find further information on the Community Action Fund at http://www.familyservices.govt.nz. There will be further funding rounds held over the next four years.

Taskforce a first

The Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families was established in June 2005  and represents the first time decision-makers from the government and non-government sectors, the judiciary and crown agencies have come together to address the problem of family violence.

Ministry of Women’s Affairs Chief Executive, Shenagh Gleisner, is Deputy Chair of the Taskforce and the Ministry is among a number of organisations on an advisory group to the Taskforce. Another project underway as part of the Taskforce’s first programme of action was referred to the last issue of Pānui. MWA, in consultation with the Ministry of Justice, is investigating the potential role of victim advocates, particularly in courts, to help people get information and access to the full range of support and services available to them. This is due to be completed in June.

You can find out more about the Taskforce and read its first report at http://www.msd.govt.nz/work-areas/families-whanau/te-rito/

WOMEN ON THE MOVE

A number of firsts

Former Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright has been appointed Chair of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, replacing Margaret Austin.

Justice Lowell Goddard, a Wellington-based High Court Judge has been appointed to head the Police Complaints Authority, replacing Judge Ian Borrin.

Catherine Taylor was appointed late last year to the position of Director/Chief Executive of Maritime New Zealand.

Professor Helen Nicholson, head of the University of Otago’s Anatomy and Structural Biology department, took up the position of Dean of the Otago School of Medical Sciences in February.

Jane Wrightson has been appointed as New Zealand On Air’s (NZOA) first full-time Chief Executive.

Loss adjusting firm, McLarens Young (New Zealand), has appointed Janine Smith as Independent Director and Chair.

Lawyer Patricia McConnell has been appointed Chief Adjudicator of the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service.

Policy analyst and consultant Jan Wright has been selected to be the next Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment.

Fujitsu, which has 200 staff and annual revenue of about $60 million, has appointed Joanne Healey as General Manager, New Zealand.

Linda Turner, Dean of MIT’s Manukau Business School, has been elected as second Vice-President of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants for 2007.

The New Zealand Superannuation Fund has appointed Anne-Maree O’Connor Head of Responsible Investment.

Former Chief Executive of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Chief Review Officer at the Education Review Office, Judith Aitken, has been appointed Chairwoman of the Capital and Coast District Health Board.

Lynne Currie and Bernadette Graham have been appointed to the small business advisory group by Commerce Minister and Minister of Women’s Affairs, Lianne Dalziel. Lynne Currie will represent the fashion sector while Bernadette Graham will represent the clothing sector.

PROFILE FROM THE NOMINATIONS SERVICES DATABASE

Women on Boards:  

Edna McAtamney QSM and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee
Edna and David McAtamney farm a property at Kyeburn in the Maniototo, Central Otago. Among Edna’s many accomplishments are her roles in fundraising, initiating and managing community projects, activities and education. However, these are only a few of the strings to Edna’s bow.

Edna’s achievements include:  

• being a member of the Central Otago District Council
• chairing their Assessment and Creative New Zealand committees
• being an honorary life member of the Maniototo Arts Council
• serving on the Southern Regional Arts Council for eleven years
• establishing Tourism Central Otago
• being involved in the branding and marketing of Central Otago at a local government level; and
• being awarded the QSM for services to the community.

In 1997, Edna led a successful campaign against the New Zealand Meat Producer Board’s inclusion of growth-hormone enhanced beef in its new quality mark. Recently, Edna was appointed to the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC).

MWA: You have lived and are living an incredible full and busy life. How do you balance your community commitments and your family life?

I am not so good at this as I’ve always had so much community work to do that my family came second. I’ve now managed to address this by handing over my community projects, on completion, back to the community. We have two children and three grandchildren and my husband David and I work constantly as a team on all things, especially to do with our separate business. David is my balance and rock when committing myself to whatever I do and he’s a very good listener.

MWA: What will your role with the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee involve?

I will be part of a team that will be involved in the development of new codes of welfare for animals. My goal is to help ensure New Zealand retains its reputation for having a progressive, responsive and innovative approach to animal welfare issues. I’m keen to actively have input into policies and practice and I bring to the team a farming and rural community perspective.

MWA: What skills, qualifications and experience did you need to get here?

I have been involved in local government for 14 years. My skills are consulting at a community level and education of communities to eliminate the negative perceptions communities can sometimes have when change or progress comes about.

MWA: What are you most looking forward to about the position?

Working with a team of like-minded people and developing the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve the goals and outcomes of animal welfare required for New Zealand. Personally, I would like to ensure the policies are clear and understandable to New Zealanders at a community level.

MWA: What would you say to someone wanting to be involved on a board?

• Do your homework
• Work as a team
• Be diplomatic, consultative and always be ready to learn.

Board Name:

National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee

Board member requirements:    

The purpose of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) is to advise the Minister of Agriculture on issues relating to the welfare of animals, and to develop and advise on codes of welfare.

For more information about the Nominations Service, check out the Ministry of Women’s Affairs website:
www.mwa.govt.nz/women-on-boards

√   Action Plan Action Plan for New Zealand Women, Economic Sustainability 1.4.1: Improve women’s participation in leadership and decision-making roles by monitoring women’s representation and participation at senior levels in business and the education sector, and by providing nominations to Government boards with an economic focus.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Trilogy Success

Wellington skincare company Trilogy was launched at the end of 2002 by sisters Sarah Gibbs and Catherine Wells. It has been ranked number three on the Deloitte index of fastest growing companies in New Zealand, based on revenue growth. Trilogy is now in 800 stores in Australia and 200 in the UK.

Income assistance for couples in a same sex relationship

This year, from 1 April, all couples in a same sex de facto relationship will have the same status as married, Civil Union, and opposite sex de facto couples when receiving income assistance. Those receiving or applying for income assistance, such as payments from Work and Income (including New Zealand Superannuation), Studylink or the Veteran’s Pension may be affected and the Ministry of Social Development advise contacting the relevant department for further information:

• Work and Income - 0800 559 009
• Work and Income/Working for Families - 0800 774 004
  
• StudyLink - 0800 889 900
• War Pension Services - 0800 553 003
• Deaf Link free-fax - 0800 621 621
• Community Services Card - 0800 999 999
• NZ Superannuation - 0800 552 002
• Working for Families Tax Credits - 0800 227 773
  

Second chance at education

The New Horizons for Women Trust is a charitable trust which makes awards to women to assist their return to education and training and to promote research on women’s issues.

The Trust presented 21 awards in October last year and is now looking ahead to this year’s process. If you know of a woman who needs the Trust’s help, she can contact them at enquiries@newhorizonsforwomen.org.nz or New Horizons for Women Trust (Inc), PO Box 12 498, Wellington. The research awards are open to organisations and individuals.

The Trust welcomes any donations as it can only make awards from the interest it earns on the accumulated funds.

Children’s Day – Te Rā O Te Tamariki

International Children’s Day on 4 March provides New Zealanders with an opportunity to give time to children and take part in fun activities that start new traditions as well as continue old one. Te Rā O Te Tamariki is celebrated across the country through events, activities and celebrations.

For more information on the day visit www.childrensday.org.nz

Women in Universities

University women are encouraged to apply for the first ever New Zealand Women in Leadership Programme in the Tertiary Education Sector. The five-day residential course will be held at The Museum Hotel, 90 Cable Street, Wellington from June 11-15, 2007.

The interactive programme is designed to recognise and enhance women’s leadership capacities and potential, and increase their status and influence within New Zealand universities. Applications will be considered from university women at upper-middle levels who are in, or aspire to be in, leadership positions. Nominations close on 30 March.

For further information email the programme convenor, Sarah Schulz, at sis@clear.net.nz or telephone 021 915 999.

International Women’s Day, 8 March

Since the proposal for its celebration, at a Socialist International meeting in Copenhagen in 1910, International Women’s Day (IWD) has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. In New Zealand, International Women’s Day is marked by a number of events around the country. Keep an eye out on the Ministry’s website for any events taking place this year or phone us on 04 915 7112.

Pānui is published by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, New Zealand. We welcome your feedback and ideas addressed to The Editor, Pānui, Ministry of Women’s Affairs, PO Box 10049, Wellington, New Zealand. Email: mwa@mwa.govt.nz The viewpoints expressed in Pānui do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.