What will this Government mean for NGO’s ? A structured conversation focussed on what we as a group see as the potential for new government from a NGO lens

Labour’s manifesto on NGOs Labour will: Ensure that community and voluntary organisations can engage in advocacy without fear of losing government contracts or their charitable status Foster greater relationships with community social services and take into account the full range of contributions social services make to their communities during tendering processes Undertake a full funding review with a focus on improving the tendering process so that it aligns better with the community sector and ensures the best outcomes for people using these services Implement improved contracts for social service organisations receiving Government funding to allow them to best serve the community, including a standard duration of three years for funding as recommended by the Productivity Commission Remove the requirement in social services contracts to share identifiable client –level data in order to gain funding, and work toward a better means of collecting data that will be able to be used effectively to inform policy while protecting individuals’ rights and needs.

Labour’s policy promises Labour’s pre Election manifesto states - Labour will: Establish a child poverty reduction target (at least 100,000 children out of poverty) Legislate a focus on the reduction of child poverty by measuring all financial policies against their impact on children and assessing progress at each budget Include a principle in the Social Security Act that requires the wellbeing of children is considered in all social development policies and laws Rename the Ministry of Vulnerable Children the Ministry for Children: Oranga Tamariki and expand its scope to reflect upholding the wellbeing of all children.

New Zealand First’s Manifesto on Social Development “New Zealand First recognizes that employment is paramount for shifting from dependence to independence and that our welfare system should not be seen as a hand out but a hand up in time of real need. The employment of New Zealanders remains a priority.  New Zealand First is committed to ensuring that social policy closes unfair loopholes, provides more social good than harm and is accountable and transparent.  Fairness, justice, timeliness and consistency are the universal principles of state welfare payments.” Winston Peters

New Zealand First’s manifesto on NGOs Ensure New Zealanders have the means to have independence from the State with an emphasis on parental responsibility. Ensure any government support is based on need and not race or any other factor. Re-introduce “Work for the Dole” – to help people of all ages and ability to get out of bed, develop self-confidence and a sense of pride in having a job. Introduce flexible state support for grandparents raising grandchildren including the provision of personalised MSD case managers for the first three-months. Increase funding to Women's Refuge and similar organisations working in the voluntary sector. Lift living standards by raising the Minimum Wage to $20 per hour over the next three-years. Provide real opportunities for young people to gain quality education and skills that will enable greater involvement in the economy. Increase the number of Teenage Parents Units to extend opportunities for young mothers to remain in study.

Green’s manifesto which may impact on NGOs The Green Party will:  Introduce free counselling for under 25s, and work towards extending this to all adults. Increasing funding for youth mental health services. Fund more community initiatives in the health and education sector. Begin a mental health inquiry and re- establish the Mental Health Commission.

So what have the Coalition Parties agreed to? The policies of the various parties have been modified by the coalition agreements These coalition agreements demonstrate what is on te top of the list for the smaller parties which are seeking to go into government via the coalition The largest party’s manifesto will be altered as the costs of pursuing the different coalition partner’s priorities are met

NZ First’s Coalition Agreement which may impact NGOs Increase funding for family violence networks, including Women’s Refuge and Shakti. Pilot the Youth Education, Training & Employment initiative and provide 800 extra places for the LSV scheme. Introduce programmes for long-term unemployed to improve work readiness such as ‘Ready for Work’

Green’s Confidence and Supply Agreement Agreement which may impact NGOs Attention to children with special needs and learning difficulties Free counselling for under-25s and access to mental health services  Review and support the family re-unification scheme for refugees. Increase funding for alcohol and drug addiction services, treating this as a health issue, and have a referendum on legalising the personal use of cannabis at, or by, the 2020 general election.

What are the Challenges? The Labour/NZ Coalition supported by the confidence and supply vote of the Green Party has started by: Questioning “irresponsible capitalism” Seeking to provide more income for those with the least Putting in place health and mental health systems which are accessible and becoming more sufficient to meet needs Building more affordable homes Reducing child poverty by a large margin

So What does this mean for the NGO sector and our communities? How best for us to respond? Discussion