Minister disappointed at ComVoices Campaign

The Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Hon Tariana Turia, is disappointed that the ComVoices network has described the Government as failing to engage with the sector about how to deal with the recession.

“One of my first meetings as a new Minister in December 08, was with coalition members of ComVoices to discuss the methods of engagement between the Sector, the Government and all of our networks” said Mrs Turia.

“That was followed up by a very successful one day conference on ‘managing the downturn’ held just two days before the Jobs Summit last week” said Mrs Turia.

The NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations, Philanthropy NZ and the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector held a one day workshop in Wellington to discuss the impact on communities of the economic recession.

“I attended that meeting, again on behalf of the Government, to learn directly from the community and voluntary sector, about the leadership the sector will provide, in keeping the spirit of the community afloat during hard times” said Mrs Turia.

“Following that hui, I approached the Prime Minister’s office directly, and relayed the concerns of the sector that there would only be limited representation from the not-for-profit sector at the Jobs Summit’.

“I do not think it is helpful for ComVoices to be targeting some groups (Pasifika leaders and iwi groups) as being ‘conspicuous’ at the summit” said Mrs Turia. "It could be just as likely that there will be some who did not attend the workshop last Wednesday and who might wonder why".

“It is not about who attended the summit – but how do we engage with each other, to achieve efficiencies and to demonstrate the co-operation and collaboration that will be vital in managing our way through the recession”.

“Picking on individuals or businesses who attended the summit is not the answer” said Mrs Turia. “The answer lies in ourselves – how will we respond to the likely increased demand for services; what will we do to encourage and recruit volunteers who will be needed more than ever before; how does what we do, make a difference in the communities we serve?”.

“I’m more than happy to continue to have these conversations with ComVoices and other community and voluntary sector organisations” said Mrs Turia. “But I do not think it is in anyone’s interests to criticize those who attended the summit – we must focus on what we can do, together, to face the consequences of the challenges ahead”.