Speech: Hon Tariana Turia - ANGOA Presentation of 'Good Intentions:

ANGOA Presentation of Good Intentions: An assessment of the statement of Government intentions for an improved community-Government relationship

 

Hon Tariana Turia, Minister of Community and Voluntary Sector

 

Thursday 4 June 2009

 

It is my honour, on behalf of the Government, to officially receive the report, Good Intentions: an assessment of the ‘Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship.

 

I have been thinking about the eight courageous New Zealanders, recognised yesterday, by the Royal Humane Society for putting their own lives at risk while undertaking acts of great bravery.

 

The awards honoured every day citizens who rescued strangers from situations of great danger – from burning cars; from treacherous waters; from road accidents.

 

In all cases, good intentions quickly became good deeds, acts of heroism which represent the very best of the community spirit.

 

Tonight we recognise that same heroic spirit in the bold and daring challenges outlined in this report on Good Intentions.

 

As the eight award winners demonstrated, merely intending to do good without actually doing it, would be of little value.

 

 

The test lies in how all parties to community-government relationships respond to the challenges laid out in ANGOA’s report. By being here today, Government wants to show its commitment to building healthy and robust relationships with the community sector.

 

I want to sincerely thank the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations of Aotearoa – ANGOA - for initiating the conversation about whether community-government relationships are improving.

 

In doing so, you have honoured the work of 96,000 non-profit organisations and over a million volunteers – those who are the very lifeblood of our communities.

 

It is now time for that conversation to move to a new level; so that both Government and the sector can truly find ways to commit to building common ground.

 

Your report helps to shape that conversation about how we work together in these changing times. It is helping me to shape the priorities for the Community and Voluntary Sector portfolio over the next three years.

 

This report establishes a solid footing for the relationships by encouraging both sides to place value on the goal of trusting and respectful relationships; on effective and open communication.

 

Of course, this conversation is not the first that we have had.

 

 

 

 

The Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community Government Relationship dates back to 2001.

 

Eight years on it is entirely appropriate that we reflect on the structures and the processes that have been built to create strong and respectful relationships with each other – and evaluate progress made, and developments yet to occur.

 

It is evident that a great deal of thought has gone into this report.

 

The analysis reflects the specialist expertise of the former Government statistician, Len Cook; and the expert analysis of Chris Holland from the University of Auckland; Suzanne Snively from PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Sandy Morrison from the University of Waikato and Pat Hanley – and I thank you all for your work.

 

I want to acknowledge their enormous contribution; the dedicated efforts of all of the research participants who contributed their time to this project; and the talents and time invested in this report from members of ANGOA itself.

 

In particular I thank the ANGOA coordinator, Dave Henderson; and the ANGOA Board, including the current chair, Marion Blake and the former Chair, Claire-Louise McCurdy. I appreciate also, that they have previously taken time out of their busy days to come and discuss the report findings with me in detail.

 

I want to assure you that the Government fully respects the wisdom of your words; the challenges inherent in your recommendations.

 

We are giving each and every one of the proposals due consideration.

 

I want to ensure we have specific, tangible outcomes in place which are demonstrated by the increased recognition and valuing of the community and voluntary sector’s role in the creation of a better society.

 

We must see empowered communities where all voices have an opportunity to be heard.

 

Ultimately, our shared success will be evident in trusting and strong relationships between government agencies and community and voluntary organisations.

 

There are three persistent themes woven through your report which stand out as priorities in my own work programme as Minister of the Community and Voluntary Sector.

 

Firstly, it is essential that we refresh and revitalise the Statement of Government Intentions I referred to earlier, if we are genuinely committed to a respectful and dynamic engagement between Government and the Community and Voluntary Sector.

 

I will be talking with my colleagues about how we do this – should it be revisited as a joint statement? Should there be an operational plan? Do we need local versions?

 

Does it adequately reflect priorities for mana whenua; the emerging issues of our refugee and migrant communities; the concerns of Pasifika peoples?

 

I am sure these same issues will be debated amongst your communities and I will be keen to hear the solutions as they emerge.

 

Secondly, I want to return to the comments the Prime Minister made on the issue of accountability. Accountability and ownership are central tenets of community development; as is the preference for open and transparent processes.

 

We must find ways of supporting and engaging communities, including those who may be defined as ‘hard to reach’ or who feel their voices are not being heard.

 

As part of my personal investment in engagement, I am currently pursuing pathways for government to work with the sector to strengthen local sector networks, include those who struggle to be included, and build two-way engagement.

 

I have funded the Community Sector Taskforce to undertake this work. This initiative, to support the Taskforce to have a meaningful and enduring role over the next three years, was a new Budget announcement made last week.

 

I am very proud that in the midst of some of the most challenging economic times since the 1930s, this coalition Government has walked the talk; and trusted in the community to generate its own local solutions.

 

Finally, a key theme throughout the report is that if we are genuine about our intentions to build a stronger relationship, we must support the public sector and the community sector to develop capability in areas where they may currently be weak.

 

Areas of particular development may include supporting communities to lead local initiatives; enhancing opportunities for participation in policy development processes; and the creation of stronger funding approaches.

 

The process doesn’t end today; indeed receiving the report is really just the beginning.

 

My next step is to fully investigate the recommendations and to speak with my colleagues right across Government about how we can best respond to this report.

 

The discussion we will have, will inevitably be influenced also by the findings of the complementary work of the Building Better Government Engagement reference group, which will be completing its report by the end of this month. These two reports will be significant in shaping the building blocks for the way forward.

 

It is important that government does not take these two reports and go into hiding – this conversation between the community and government must continue.

 

We often hear about the importance of ‘feedback loops’, and for this reason I intend to host a national-level community-government forum in November this year. This will give us the opportunity for all of us to discuss how government is responding to the challenges that have been laid down today, and how we will take this relationship forward.

 

I want us to think seriously about how we can work more effectively together on how the relationship can be productive and allow us to meet the needs of our communities together.

 

We all know that there are many groups providing overlapping services. We need to think about how to achieve economies of scale while at the same time retaining and valuing the distinctive nature of different services to meet the varying needs of diverse communities.

 

We do not have to be all things to all people – it is better to do what we do well than to compete with others for similar services.

 

And throughout all, I want us to think about the goals in sight; the outcomes and the aspirations we seek, rather than drilling down to the bare basics of specifications set for us.

 

As we drive through uncertain times, it is even more important that we continue to share our skills, to value our connections, and to build strong communities.

 

Our intentions are good; our actions must be even better; and our achievements will be outstanding.

 

Tena tatou katoa.