By Te Rangianiwaniwa Herewini
As a social work student, I have become passionate about the reality of poverty and deprivation within my local community. As a single mother of three and grandmother of one I have experienced the effects of poverty personally. I have seen people with no food or warm clothing begging for change at local supermarkets. I travel around at night and see homeless people snuggled in doorways, outside shops wrapped in blankets.
Statistics released by the advocacy group Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) show us the consistent increase in income poverty in New Zealand “There has been an increase in child poverty: In 1982, 14% of children lived in poverty. In 2016, 28% of children live in poverty”
Many more symptoms of poverty such as hunger, lack of hope, illness, stress and unstable housing can be seen in my community. Families are struggling to maintain a basic standard of living. Our society has the underlying colonial beliefs engrained in it to judge people by colour, nationality, ethnicity, geographical location and material wealth. This creates stereotypes that cause undue stress on these families who are doing the best they can. All these parents would like to provide the best for their child, but poverty limits many choices.
New Zealand has previously not had an official poverty line (nzccss.org.nz). However, the Child Poverty Reduction legislation is heading towards creating this and I would like to acknowledge this as progress. However, how do we not have a poverty line in New Zealand?
I seek an understanding of why our government does not aim at community solutions to this national social issue. Although I do have to acknowledge that inadequate incomes, a failing school system and homelessness are a direct result of a combination of both national and international policies that have continued to support the neo-liberal status quo causing continued income poverty and hardship. I do not expect our communities to solve these issues. However, I know my community has the ability to address some of these issues directly as we are able develop a rapport with those that are most at risk because they are our community.
Our government has made a vested financial commitment to the development of building affordable homes. It has also engaged with reviewing the social welfare system. This was previously done in 1972 (Royal Commission of Inquiry into Social Welfare) and again in 1986 (Social Policy Review). A Welfare Expert Advisory Group (WEAG) was employed by our government in 2018 to review and recommend changes in our welfare system. The product being a 205-page report and 42 recommendations. However, to date the efforts of the WEAG have largely been ignored.
In the Manurewa community there are several initiatives that show a sense of human kindness. A woman in Clendon, Manurewa, makes sandwiches and distributes these to the local homeless and when she requested support via Facebook contributions were overwhelming and volunteers arrived to help. Another group chose to distribute hot meals to the homeless one night a week throughout winter and this was once again supported by locals. Schools have participated in the Breakfast in schools, Milk for schools, and the Lunches in schools supported by KidsCan, Fonterra and Auckland City Council. These initiatives show resilience and awareness by this community of the effects of poverty and a sustainable manner of addressing the needs. These schools have shown that they are active members in their community. These individuals have become active members of our community. They have reacted and addressed issues associated to poverty. It also illustrates that people want to be actively engaged in addressing poverty so let’s empower them, let’s support them, let’s ask them. Communities know their people and their environments. ‘Come on’ Jacinda, help us help our own – empowerment through engagement! Let’s work towards a collective strategy to the issue of poverty. Creating a collaborative plan for all creates community ownership and works towards a society that can speak to their needs and build capacity.
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