Pānui September 2006

Click here for a PDF version of the September Pānui

Contents

Māori women in Aotearoa – a survey
Chief Executive’s column
National year 10 Smoking Survey
Special Topic Forum: Women and Diversity
Refugee and migrant women share experiences
Wellington Regional Ethnic Women’s Network Launched
Mind the gap – progress in pay and employment equity
Making informed choices about careers: a snapshot of current research in education, training and career choices
Homeworks Trust: specialised refugee and housing for women
Ka hinga te totara o te wao nui o Tane – The totora has fallen in the great forest of Tane
Work-life balance report launched
Robyn Klos and the story of Gracelands
New suicide prevention strategy launched
Women on the move
Women on boards: Environment Risk Management Authority
News in brief
Awards and honours

Māori Women in Aotearoa – a survey

Most Māori women are positive or secure in their cultural identity, according to work commissioned by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs from Massey University’s Research Centre for Mäori Health and Development.

The work is part of a study ‘Best Outcomes for Māori: Te Hoe Nuku Roa’ (THNR), a longitudinal study that looks at health, education, housing and employment for 1500 Māori across 600 households.

Māori women participants made up 58 percent of the individuals surveyed and the Ministry identified this study as a valuable opportunity to use a comprehensive range of data that focused on Mäori women.

The study Māori Women in Aotearoa, which was published in May this year, describes the current circumstances of the Māori women participants. It examines rates of home ownership, full and part-time work, level of education and health. Alongside this, the research defines seven key indicators of a Māori cultural identity – self identification, Māori language ability, involvement with the family group (whānau), knowledge of personal ancestry, day to day contact with Māori, marae participation, and Māori land interests. The study used an MCI or Measure of Cultural Identity to combine these identified elements of cultural identity. A correlation was then made between the findings from the MCI and other aspects of the participant’s lives. For example, the study found that Māori women with a positive cultural identity have increasing rates of full-time employment, but are less likely to own a home than a Māori woman with only notional cultural identity.

Chris Cunningham is Professor of Māori Health and the Director of the Research Centre for Māori Health and Development at Massey University’s Wellington campus. Brendan Stevenson, Eljon Fitzgerald and Rangihaanu Rolls are researchers with the Best Outcomes for Māori: Te Hoe Nuku Roa longitudinal study within the Research Centre for Māori Health and Development at the Turitea Campus of Massey University.

The THNR study from which the data is drawn was designed in consultation with Statistics New Zealand and measures a range of geographic, economic, cultural and social circumstances representing the diverse realities of contemporary Māori in New Zealand. The study started in 1995 and the participants were then re-surveyed at three year intervals - the fourth sample is currently being collated.

To download or order a copy of Māori women in Aotearoa go to www.mwa.govt.nz/news-and-pubs/publications/maori

We’re not there yet, but we’re working on it

Nearly 113 years after women won the right to vote it’s perhaps not surprising that at times we are told that ‘everything is fine for women, no further effort is needed.’. Unfortunately though, this is not true. For example, women earn on average 18 percent less than men more than 30 years after the implementation of the Equal Pay in Employment Act; women make up only eight percent of Modern Apprenticeships; and 75 percent of the female workforce is employed in only four types of occupations. We are not there yet! 

The Action Plan for New Zealand Women – the whole-of-government approach to improving the lives of New Zealand women which guides the work of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs – is definitely ‘in action’.

The challenge for the Ministry in the coming months is to build on the current work being undertaken in areas such as pay and employment, occupational segregation, training and education, reducing violence against women, and women in leadership. And this is just a few of our policy projects. We are busier than ever, with a stable and very experienced policy team, a great culture in the Ministry and high praise for our policy work – we are often invited to be part of mainstream policy processes and cover a very wide range of policy areas.

But a few somewhat new and exciting things are coming up too- for example, we hope to make a major contribution to the debate and awareness-raising about diversity – I hope you will read about the Diversity Forum which we ran in August. And I am particularly looking forward to the months before Christmas where I will be out and about in the regions much more – partly talking to people about the outcomes government are working for, and how we are progressing; but also talking with all the groups we meet about actions they too could be taking to support these outcomes.

Thank you as always for your support.

Shenagh Gleisner
Chief Executive 

National Year 10 Smoking Survey

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) New Zealand recently released updated data collected from 14 and 15 year-olds in 2005 in their National Year 10 Smoking Survey.

The survey found that the percentage of Year 10 smokers continues to decline, from 28.6 percent in 1999 to 16.8 percent in 2005. The proportion who report having never smoked has increased from 31.6 percent in 1999 to 49.4 percent in 2005.

The 2005 survey is the first time a decline in smoking prevalence has been recorded among girls attending decile 1 and 2 schools. In total 20.4 percent of girls (21.2 in 2004) and 12.9 percent of boys (13.8 in 2004) smoked on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

The report also notes that the decline in smoking among Māori girls is becoming a continuing trend. For the second consecutive year, the percentage of Māori girls who smoke has reduced.
 
For further information on the ASH National Year 10 Smoking Survey visit
http://www.ash.org.nz/

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Women Supporting Women: Making Connections

Special Topic Forum: Women and Diversity

National identity, cultural diversity and harmonious relationships were the themes for the 2006 New Zealand Diversity Forum held in August. A number of special topics were presented as part of the forum and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MWA) hosted an afternoon of discussion around the theme of Women and Diversity.

Shenagh Gleisner, Chief Executive of the Ministry, opened the discussion by touching on the overall theme of this year’s forum and ‘the opportunity to focus on the multiple ways that women build harmonious relationships and contribute to their diverse communities.’
Over 120 women from around New Zealand and from many different organisations took part in the forum. Experiences shared by some were those of isolation and loneliness, whether this was social, cultural, physical, spiritual or economic – and, conversely, the strength they gained through establishing connections with other women both inside and outside of their communities. There was acknowledgement that some women have more ‘tools’ to access support than others, and that often  women face multiple barriers.

Contributing presenters of the forum included a panel of women comprising: Huhana Hickey, Solicitor and consultant on human rights and disability issues; Christina Reymer, National Council of Women of New Zealand; Diane Mara from PACIFICA; Margaret Chapman of Rural Women New Zealand; and Pohswan Narayanan, Interim President of the Upper Hutt Multi Ethnic Council. The Minister of Women’s Affairs, Hon Lianne Dalziel spoke during the forum and expressed her support of community groups working more closely together and acknowledged the key role women play in making this happen.

In addition, diversity perspectives by a number of speakers provided insights from women living in various communities in New Zealand. These speakers included Magdaline La Grange, a health worker based in Wellington; Mary Parete, a sole charge Police Officer based in a small rural town in South Taranaki; Shaniqua Tillick, a transgender student of Māori descent, and Koos Ali who, among her other roles, is a strong advocate for the refugee voice on the National Refugee Resettlement Forum.
The connections made during the forum will support MWA, its partner organisations and individual women in building networks and understandings within and between different groups of women. Together we can make a difference.

Refugee and migrant women share experiences

Between April and June this year, the New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils (NZFEC) initiated five meetings in the Wellington region for refugee and migrant women. More than 140 women from a wide range of ages, cultures, ethnicities and settlement experiences participated in the meetings.

At the meetings, women discussed the strength they had gained through establishing relationships with other women both inside and outside of their communities.
The meetings were funded by the Ministry of Social Development and managed by a Steering Committee comprising women from NZFEC, local Ethnic Councils, Wellington City Council, the Office of Ethnic Affairs, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, and the Settlement Support Coordinators for Hutt Valley and Porirua.
While many women discussed the freedom they enjoy in New Zealand, they also raised issues that continue to challenge them, such as: 

•  employment
• access to services such as health, housing, childcare and justice
• loneliness and isolation
• racism and discrimination
• the impact of migration on relationships between partners, and between parents and children
• communication and language difficulties.

Wellington regional ethnic women’s network launched

On 19 August 2006, the Office of Ethnic Affairs launched the Wellington Regional Ethnic Women's Network. The aim is to bring together Ethnic women to network, share information and raise awareness of issues that affect them. All women are welcome to join the network. Contact Winifred Mahowa on (04) 495 7200 or email ethnic.affairs@dia.govt.nz 

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Mind the gap – progress in pay and employment equity

The Pay and Employment Equity Unit, established in 2004, is working to meet the Government’s commitment to pay and employment equity. Based in the Department of Labour, the Unit develops tools and provides training and advisory services with its work plan, based on the government’s Pay and Employment Equity Five Year Plan of Action.

The objective of this Plan of Action is that remuneration, job choice and job opportunities in the Public Service and in the health and education sectors are not affected by gender. A steering group has been established to lead the ongoing development of the Plan of Action and to monitor and report on its implementation. It draws on the practical experience of unions and employers in the three sectors and guides the work of the Pay and Employment Equity Unit.

The Pay and Employment Equity team has been helping groups in the public service, health and education sectors in their reviews. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs has been among those groups taking part. During the review, workplaces assess how they can ensure there is equity between women and men in the share of rewards, that participation in all areas of the workplace is equal and that all employees, regardless of gender, are treated with respect and fairness. With the first of these reviews nearing completion, the Unit is in the process of developing case studies about the experiences of the organisations involved.

The case studies aim to provide future review committees with a further resource alongside the review workbook and the training programmes that are currently provided by the Pay and Employment Equity Unit. Steering Group Chair Joanna Beresford says implementation of the Plan of Action has involved development of new mechanisms, including a review tool and gender neutral job evaluation tool.

The goal of the Pay and Employment Equity Taskforce is that by 2008 there will be genuine and ongoing employment equity for women in the New Zealand Public Service and public health and education sectors.

To find out more about the unit or the review visit:  www.dol.govt.nz/services/PayAndEmploymentEquity/index.asp

Making informed choices about careers

 - a snapshot of current research in education, training and career choices for men and women

Current research indicates women are still tending to work in female-dominated occupations and the differences in career choices taken by men and women are contributing to New Zealand’s high level of gender segregation.
The New Zealand University Graduate Report released in June outlines results from a survey of the almost 20,000 people who became eligible to graduate from a New Zealand university with a bachelor/bachelor with honours degree in 2004. The report found that women have lower rates of full-time employment after graduation and, in general, earn less than their male counterparts. It also showed that despite women being well represented in the fields of commerce/business, health, and social and behavioural science (fields which have significant proportions earning $50,000 or more), 49 percent of the female respondents reported earning $35,000 or less, compared to 33 percent of males.

Research reported on earlier this year in the United Kingdom (UK) by the Women and Work Commission found similar results: although girls are now out-performing boys at school and advances have been made by women there remains a gender gap in pay and opportunities. The Commission’s task was to look at how this gap could be reduced within a generation. In its report, Shaping a Fairer Future, it emphasises the importance of challenging the gendered nature of work, enabling women to participate in a greater variety of work and training options, and providing better information about careers and the pay differences between occupations.

The Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MWA) is compiling information on wages and training costs in a range of trade-related occupations to enable young people to make informed choices about careers. There is currently a lack of information or research on how wage rates in different occupations increase with experience or how wages compare with the cost of becoming qualified. MWA has commissioned preliminary research that will provide information on the financial rewards in a range of trades and other occupations that use work-based training. The information could then be useful to test whether better information would assist young people in their decision-making when it comes to their careers. Findings from this research are due out in the latter half of 2006. The UK report Shaping a Fairer Future can be downloaded from: http://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/women_work_commission/  and for the New Zealand University Graduate Report visit: http://www.nzvcc.ac.nz/files/advocacy/publications/Gradstat%20NEWS_12.pdf

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Ka hinga te totara o te wao nui o Tane  –  The totara has fallen in the great forest of Tane

Māori Queen, Dame Te Atairangikaahu passed away on 15 August after 40 years heading the Kingitanga movement. She was Patron of the Māori Women's Welfare League, National Kohanga Reo Trust and gave her time freely to many organisations.

Dame Te Atarangikaahu was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Waikato University and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Victoria University. She was among the first inductees to the Order of New Zealand in 1987and the first Māori woman to be made a Dame.
 
“See in the hearts of my people a love that endures, a faith that inspires and hands that link in unity to bind us in one purpose” – tribute by Nanaia Mahuta. 

Homeworks Trust: specialised refuges and housing for women

The Homeworks Trust was started in 1998 based on Debbie Hager’s research, He Drove Me Mad: an Investigation into the Relationship between Domestic Violence and Mental Illness. The main finding of Debbie’s research is that women who are in abusive relationships may exhibit behaviour that can be perceived as symptoms of mental illness.

Women who were involved in the research listed a number of long-term effects of being in an abusive relationship. These included fear, depression, isolation, disassociation, lack of a sense of reality and a diminished ability to deal with stress. These effects are associated with a number of mental illnesses, including bi-polar disorder, depression and schizophrenia.

Debbie argues that such behaviours are a reasonable response to an abusive environment and that a diagnosis of mental illness may not acknowledge the dynamics of domestic violence. The research concludes that women in such circumstances require specialised services.

Debbie’s research also indicates that one third of women who are experiencing domestic violence will use drugs or alcohol to cope with the abuse. Other studies show that most abused women only start drinking heavily after the abuse has started.

Her research also shows that current domestic violence response services are not equipped to meet the needs of women with mental illness and substance abuse problems. The Homeworks Trust advocates that specialised refuges be set up to provide these women and their children a safe and supportive environment in which to recover.

If you would like to offer support or seek further information, contact Debbie Hager at debbie.neil@paradise.net.nz. Her research can be accessed at www.homeworkstrust.org.nz.

Work-life balance report launched

The recently released report, Work-Life Balance in New Zealand: A snapshot of employee and employer attitudes and experiences provides a picture of workplace  attitudes and experiences around work-life balance.

The report shows that 55 percent of employers do not see barriers to their ability to improve flexibility in the workplace. It also says that many employers recognise their staff face work-life balance issues, and the majority have taken some steps to offer some work-life balance initiatives. However, a number of employers are still grappling with how they deliver flexible arrangements.

Work-Life Balance in New Zealand was based on the first national surveys commissioned by the Department of Labour on employer and employee attitudes about and experiences of work-life balance.

The report was launched by Minister of Labour Hon Ruth Dyson on 24 July at the Quality Flexible Work Summit, which was hosted by the Minister in association with the Equal Employment Opportunities Trust, Business New Zealand and the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions.

To read the report or find out more about it visit www.dol.govt.nz/worklife/quality.asp

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Founded in 1990, the Te Awamutu-based Gracelands Group of Services encourages, promotes and facilitates the participation of disabled people in their communities and into employment. Gracelands has contracts with ACC, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Health and with the Tertiary Education Commission. The Trust’s founder and Chief Executive is  Robyn Klos.

MWA. What made you go down this path, Robyn?  Why start this organisation up?
In 1987, the organisation started out as a small work-based service only catering for people with an intellectual impairment. Today we work with about 1000 people a year across all disability types from throughout the Waikato and King Country and as far south as Taumarunui.

MWA. What’s the mission of the organisation?
Our core focus is to get people into work, to participate in the community and to build their social skills in the process. Our commercial activities support the work of the organisation and provide work for some of our clientele.

MWA. Does this leave any time to spend with your family or friends?
My husband and I have three adult children and we make time with friends for dinners or parties. I am also a Justice of the Peace. I have gained a huge amount of knowledge in the course of my career and I enjoy developing business opportunities. I am involved with the Waikato District Health Board and am on an international board for Workability International that facilitates employment opportunities for people worldwide.

To find out more about Gracelands visit www.gracelands.org.nz

New Suicide Prevention Strategy launched

The New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy 2006-2016 was launched in June 2006 to provide an all-ages approach to suicide prevention. It builds on the gains made by the New Zealand Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy, which was released in 1998.

The strategy provides a framework for suicide prevention efforts over the next 10 years. Its overarching aim is to reduce the rate of suicidal behaviour and its effects on the lives of New Zealanders, while taking into account that suicide affects certain groups more than others. To achieve this aim, five year action plans will be developed to provide the detail about what specific initiatives will be implemented, by when and by whom.

The strategy will be useful for anyone who can contribute to suicide prevention. This includes health providers, community and iwi groups, researchers, schools, prisons, the media and central and local government.

Copies of the new strategy are available from Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand (www.spinz.org.nz) or can be ordered via the Ministry of Health’s webpage (www.moh.govt.nz/suicideprevention)

Women on the Move

Dame Silvia Cartwright has been appointed to the War Crimes Commission. Dame Silvia’s term as New Zealand’s Governor-General finished in August and she is moving on to another important overseas post as one of two trial judges for the Cambodia War Crimes Tribunal. The trials are expected to begin in 2007.

Barbara Chapman has been appointed to the newly created role of Group Executive, Marketing and Communication at ASB Group’s parent company, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

After joining Hallenstein’s in 2000, Diane Humphries of Christchurch, will now head the company’s Glassons business.
 
Heather Kean has been appointed to a new board for Dress for Success Auckland, a not-for-profit organisation which helps long term unemployed women return to paid employment, by providing clothing and accessories appropriate for interviews.

Marilyn Waring has been appointed to the Institute for Public Policy (IPP) at Auckland University where she will supervise doctoral and masters thesis students and pursue major international opportunities across a range of public policy issues.

Margaret Gibson is joining Unisys’ Australia-New Zealand advisory board as a non-executive advisory board member charged with providing senior management with feedback and advice on business strategy.

Southlander, Mary Devine, has been appointed as Chief Executive of EziBuy, Australasia’s largest fashion clothing and home décor catalogue company. With an annual turnover of more than $160 million, Ezibuy has over 800 staff.

Michelle Templer has been appointed by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) as Trade Commissioner for UK and Ireland. Also within NZTE, Cheryll Sotheran is the new Sector Director, Tourism in addition to her role as sector Director, Creative Industries. Viticulturist, Jane Hunter and Wellington Consultant, Lorraine Witten have joined the board of NZTE.

Perpetual Trust has appointed Louise Edwards as Chief Executive. Louise has been head of customer care at Perpetual Trust since 2004.

Jane Parker has been appointed Principal in the Wellington office of Chapman Tripp, where she advises on a range of transaction and general commercial matters.

Dr Diane Menzies is the first New Zealander and second woman to be elected as the President of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA). IFLA has established for over 50 years and has affiliations with national institutes and associations and non government agencies in over 60 countries around the globe.

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Women on Boards:  Environment Risk Management Authority

In May this year, Dr Val Orchard was appointed to The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand). This organisation makes decisions on applications to introduce hazardous substances or new organisms, including genetically modified organisms, into New Zealand.

MWA. What does your role with ERMA involve?
Our board meets monthly and there are meetings and hearings on specific applications as needed. We consider very carefully each application against criteria set down in a formal methodology developed in accordance with the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. We must carefully weigh up the risks, costs and benefits in each case.

MWA. How did you get here – ie.what skills, qualifications and experience did you need to get here?
My career is in science and research. I came to New Zealand in 1976 as a Soil Microbiologist at the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and I have been involved in research in the area of Environmental Protection. Currently, I am General Manager, Research for ESR (Environmental Science & Research), which provides specialist science solutions related to public health, environmental health and forensic science. I am a member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand (IoD) and serve on the Victoria University Council.

MWA. What do you enjoy most about the position with ERMA?
I’m really enjoying working with the Board and the Agency staff, it’s a good team environment. It’s very interesting work and I welcome the chance to contribute to making the best decisions for the environment and our communities.

MWA. What would you say to someone wanting to be involved on a board?
Go for it!  But be prepared. I had the right experience and qualifications, but I had also done a lot of reading and preparation before putting my name forward for a board. Get to know others on boards – networking is very important and know what is expected of you. I took a week-long course with the IoD, which was very thorough and covered all aspects of governance.

MWA. How do you balance your work and your family life?
It’s not easy. I’m fortunate to have a very supportive husband and this has enabled me to combine a career and family. Our youngest son leaves college this year, the middle one is in the UK with GAP NZ and the oldest is at Victoria doing law. It can be very hard at times but balancing my work and my personal time is very important. I have had to learn to say no sometimes.

Val is registered with the Nominations Service of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. The Service nominated her for appointment to ERMA.

For more information about the Nominations Service, check out the Ministry of Women’s Affairs website:
www.mwa.govt.nz/our-work/nominations-service

Board Name:  Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand)

Board member requirements:   The following broad set provides a general outline of requirements, however, specific criteria are chosen prior to each new appointment depending on the skills needed to compliment existing membership:

• Experience in a public policy or a regulatory framework
• Strong strategic skills and an ability to proactively influence the future of hazardous substance and new organisms management
• A good team player
• Able to consider ERMA applications with impartiality
• Able to spend at least four days/month on Authority business

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News in brief

New charitable trust launched
The new Kate Edger Educational Charitable Trust (KEECT) was launched in May in Auckland. The Trust funds awards and scholarships to undergraduate and postgraduate women throughout the Auckland region. To find out more about the Trust visit www.auckgradwomen.org.nz/KEET/index.htm

NCW history
In June, author Lois Robertson, Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast, Women’s Affairs Minister Lianne Dalziel and Wellington Central MP Marion Hobbs celebrated the launch of The Story of Energy and Enterprise, a history of the Wellington branch of the National Council of Women (NCW). To purchase a copy of the book contact  NCW: 04 473 7623.

Suffrage Day 19 September

Suffrage Day is being celebrated by a range of organisations around the country. At the time of going to print events included:
• Women’s Health Action Trust is having a breakfast at the Crown Plaza in Auckland. For information visit www.womens-health.org.nz/events/events.htm or telephone 09 520 5295.
• The Minister of Women’s Affairs, Hon Lianne Dalziel is speaking at the Canterbury celebrations, organised by the Women’s Suffrage Day group.
• The Minister will also speak at the Wellington branch of the National Council of Women’s Suffrage Day celebrations hosted by Wellington Mayor, Kerry Prendergast (on Monday, 18 September).
• The organisers of last year’s Janus Women’s Convention will hold a function at Parliament Buildings to launch the conference book Looking Back, Moving Forward.

World Rural Women’s Day 15 October
Rural Women New Zealand is reminding members to notify them about any specific activities their provincial or branch is planning for this year’s celebration. The National Office is happy to provide extra publicity for local papers to promote the day. This years’ theme is Rural Women: Leaders of Tomorrow. To find out more or to contact Rural Women NZ visit www.ruralwomen.org

White Ribbon Day 25 November
White Ribbon Day - the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – should have a higher profile this year as a range of NGOs and government agencies have got together to co-ordinate activities. Activities are still being planned, but when more information is available links will be published on the Ministry website www.mwa.govt.nz/women-in-nz/annual-events

Centenary celebrations for the YWCA
The YWCA of Wellington and Hutt Valley first opened its doors in 1906, which means this year it turns 100. The organisation is currently planning its centenary celebrations which will take place in November. They will launch their new vision and purpose and the new awards programme ‘Celebrating Young Women Leaders’.
To find out more about their celebrations and the organisation visit: www.wgtnywca.org.nz

Awards and honours

Forensic breakthrough takes top prize
Auckland University PhD student Claire French’s discovery of a new forensics technique that could potentially help solve sex crimes has seen her emerge as New Zealand’s top young scientist. Claire was named the 2006 MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year – the country’s top award for emerging scientists.

Historian awarded New Zealand’s largest literary fellowship
Historian Rachel Barrowman has been awarded the $100,000 Creative New Zealand Michael King Writers’ Fellowship to write a biography of leading New Zealand writer Maurice Gee.

Fertility research rewarded
Julia Young has been awarded two scholarships to further research her PhD in sheep fertility abroad. The first scholarship is a New Zealand Postgraduate Study Abroad Award from Education NZ ($5500) and this was followed by the Elman Poole Travelling Fellowship ($25,000) which will enable Julia to spend three months overseas working on her PhD.

Honour for environmental campaigner
Long time environmental campaigner Zona Wagstaff has been recognised with a national award, the Orangi Kaupapa Trust Award for community service.

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