CPAG August Newsletter

12 August 2015

AGM and Annual Report

On 28th July CPAG held its 17th AGM. It was a very successful event even despite the wintry weather. You can find out more about what we have been up to in the past year in our Annual Report. Dr Simon Denny gave a wonderful talk on his research into teenagers and poverty. More info from the talk is on the event page.

CPAG summit: Welfare fit for families in a changing world

On the 8th of September CPAG will co-host a welfare summit with the University of Auckland's Centre for Applied Research in Economics and the Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health. 

The summit will identifiy the major problems with the current policy directions in the welfare system and focus on ways to update and refocus the direction of welfare policies so that the welfare system becomes fit for families in a changing world.There is a wonderful line up of speakers from a wide range of disciplines and perspectives so it's an event not to be missed. For more information click here

Healthy and affordable housing campaign

On Monday 17th August CPAG will launch a two week campaign to raise public and political awareness about the poor housing conditions endured by children and families living in poverty in New Zealand.  The campaign will focus on the key message that every child deserves the best start in a warm, dry, secure home. Child Poverty Action Group is calling on the Government to act urgently to make sure all rental accommodation is healthy and affordable for families.

1. Introduce and enforce a WOF for housing
2. Introduce subsidies to get rentals up to a healthy standard.
3. Urgently review and update the Accommodation Supplement.

The long term consequences of poor housing on children are significant, so we need action now, not in 5 or 10 years.  Please watch out for the action letter we will send you as our supporters and share the campaign messages with your friends, family and colleagues.

Wellington housing campaign event

Build momentum for better housing for our children. Please join us at a special Wellington CPAG event on 27 August to support CPAG's housing campaign. Featuring: 

Master Puppeteer, Norbert Hausberg and Wellington musician Nigel Parry.

34 Molesworth St,

Time: 5.30-7.30

Please RSVP* to admin@cpag.org.nz. *places are very limited so get in quick!

 

Event: AUMSA and CPAG child poverty panel

The Auckland student medical students association have teamed up with CPAG experts to hold a Child Poverty Panel on 17th August aimed at medical and other students to discuss the current situation for health, housing and education for those 260,000 children living below the poverty line. The speakers will address questions such as: What are the challenges we face in child poverty? Why are they important to address? And what can we do to overcome them and provide equal opportunity for the future of our nation?

Check out the Facebook event details here

Date: 17th August

Time: 6pm

Location: Grafton Campus, Auckland University
Speakers: 
Professor Innes Asher CPAG Health Spokesperson
Alan Johnson CPAG Housing Spokesperson
Dr Vicki Carpenter CPAG Education Expert
Frances - Year 5 Medical Student

Events: Bryan Bruce child poverty talks

Auckland and Dunedin

 In 2015 the Quakers have been hosting events around the country with Bryan Bruce speaking on child poverty. Bryan Bruce is the author and maker of documentaries such as Inside Child Poverty and Mind the Gap. He will discuss the growing inequality in NZ society and how it impacts on our children.

Bryan Bruce will be talking in both Auckland and Dunedin over August and October.  

28th August - 6pm

Auckland 

Rawene Centre in Birkenhead

Northshore

3rd October - 7pm 

Dunedin

Quad 2 lecture theatre

Otago University

 

Event: Is housing a Human Right?

CPAG is supporting a Auckland public dialogue on 31 August that will analyse and discuss housing as a human right. Details in poster below. Please invite your friends and family to attend this important address and hear the excellent speakers.

 

CPAG Blog update

Latest posts for June and July

We now have commenting available on our blog, so we encourage you to express your views and experiences with us. But please remember to keep everything child-friendly!

Social bonds - an unfortunate experiment Mike O'Brien

Vulnerable children and families should not be the subject of another unfortunate experiment.

 KiwiSaver changes: the sting in the tail of the Budget  M.Claire Dale 

The poorest families are funding their promised increase in incomes with a reduction in their retirement incomes.

National Standards no model for Social Services delivery. Martin Thrupp  

National Standards have mostly been a distraction in education and a social services version is likely to be worse.

Complexity wins again Susan St John

The complexity of Working for Families means the government can pretend things are much more generous and significant than they actually are.

Rich schools, poor schools Liz Gordon

Choosing 'up' has radically reshaped the schooling system in New Zealand.

CPAG news update

Latest media releases for June and July

Children in poverty cannot wait

It is a tragedy for young children growing up in poverty today that the government will not take the steps needed to meet their urgent needs.

No justification for Government delay on benefit increases 

The Minister of Social Development Minister should give a full explanation of why benefit levels were not raised immediately following the 2015 Budget.

Children harmed by 19th century approach to welfare debtors

Hundreds of young mothers with young children are being hounded for repayment of debt to Work and Income NZ when tax debt costs the country much more.

Save the date: Hikoi for homes - 28th November

On Saturday 28th November CPAG will join with grassroots housing and other organisations to hold a Hikoi in Auckland from Glen Innes to to Britomart as a protest against the terrible housing situation the most vulnerable New Zealanders are facing right now. More details on the Hikoi will be coming soon.