The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services has welcomed the Government’s new executive team which they say better represents the broad diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand, with its inclusion of 13 women, 8 Maori and 4 who identify as LGBTQ.

Christian organisations and churches working in social services will now be looking for swift positive moves toward ending poverty from the new Government ministers responsible for social policy portfolios, these include:
Prime Minister, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern: Minister for Child Poverty Reduction
Hon Kelvin Davis: Minister for Children
Hon Dr Megan Woods: Minister of Housing
Hon Chris Hipkins: Minister for COVID-19 Response
Hon Carmel Sepuloni: Minister for Social Development and Employment
Hon Andrew Little: Minister of Health
Hon Poto Williams: Associate Minister for Children; Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing)
Hon Peeni Henare: Minister for Whānau Ora; Associate Minister of Health (Maori Health); Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing)
Ayesha Verrall: Minister for Seniors; Associate Minister of Health
Another group of ministers outside cabinet that will oversee changes for the communities where our churches and Christian social service organisations work include:

Hon Aupito William Sio: Minister for Pacific Peoples; Associate Minister of Health (Pacific Peoples)
Priyanca Radhakrishnan: Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector; Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities; Minister for Youth; Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment and Marama Davidson: Associate Minister of Housing (Homelessness).
NZCCSS is pleased to see ending child poverty at the top of the cabinet's priorities and they want hold the Government to its promises to improve life for all of the country’s most vulnerable people.

“The reason often given for constrained progress in the Labour-led Government’s first term was the handbrake of coalition partners. With that handbrake off, we’re looking forward to seeing the single-party Labour Government make real and fast progress in addressing the inequalities in Aotearoa-New Zealand.” said NZCCSS in a Policy Watch statement today.

NZCCSS recalled today how in her election night speech Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern committed to govern for all New Zealanders.

“Our expectations are high. In the days ahead we will be encouraging this Government to:

– Immediately and substantially increase the construction of public housing in both government and community housing sectors so that all New Zealanders can access affordable, secure and quality housing.

– Increase the benefit levels and support the payment of a liveable wage to ensure that all New Zealanders have an income that provides the necessities of life and can meaningfully participate with dignity in our communities.

“With food insecurity and homelessness ballooning, now really is time to get moving.”

To contact the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services or receive their Policy Watch newsletter, contact: admin@nzccss.org.nz