Passion for people

contents Auckland ............................................................................................................ 2 Teamwork and unity ........................................................................................... 3 Like the phoenix from the ashes – one community‟s uprising ............................ 5 Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast ............................................................... 7 Nelson‟s super woman ....................................................................................... 9 Friendship has no language barrier .................................................................. 10 Changing lives while saving lives ..................................................................... 12 Uniting for social change .................................................................................. 14 Regional round up ............................................................................................ 16 Tips and links ................................................................................................... 20 Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 1 Spotlight on Auckland Auckland Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, Auckland, or Tamaki Makaurau as it is known in Maori, is home to almost 1.4 million people and has the fastest growing population base in New Zealand. As the population has grown, so has Auckland‟s cultural diversity. Currently more than 180 different ethnic groups are represented across the breadth of the region. This includes the world‟s largest Pacific community, which along with a growing Asian population contribute heavily to Auckland‟s cultural make-up. Auckland is a „young city‟ with around 40 per cent of its population aged 25 years and under. This youthful base and mix of cultures provides a perfect backdrop to the many large festivals and events that Auckland hosts each year. These events provide an expressive outlet for Auckland‟s diverse population and highlight the contribution of all groups to Auckland‟s identity. Auckland is New Zealand‟s economic hub with over 70 per cent of imports and 40 per cent of exports passing through its ports each year. The Auckland International Airport also helps contribute billions of dollars each year to the New Zealand economy with over 13 million passengers moving through its terminals annually. Recently, tourism numbers have begun to fall with passenger movements at Auckland International Airport dipping by 6.1 per cent in March 2009. This has been attributed to the current global economic environment influencing arrivals from overseas. Business New Zealand expects New Zealand‟s tourism market to contract by a further 1.7 per cent this year placing added pressure on businesses that rely on tourists for income. The global economic slow-down is also placing pressure on the export sector, which is facing a decrease in demand from New Zealand‟s trading partners. As New Zealand‟s main hub for exports, a decrease in activity can affect Auckland‟s economy. So far, New Zealand‟s exports in the agriculture sector have shown resilience meaning Auckland‟s economy has held up well compared to other overseas cities. Work and Income is working collaboratively with other government and non-government agencies to ensure the Auckland region is in good shape to weather the impact of the global economic slowdown. Whilst there has been an increase in the amount of people seeking assistance, the numbers are still lower than in recent years, and we believe we are well-placed to best support the people of Auckland during this time. Key facts Auckland will host the 2011 Rugby World Cup final. The event is expected to inject around $250 million into the Auckland economy. Rangitoto is the largest, most recent, and least modified volcano of the Auckland Volcanic Field. Auckland‟s Sky Tower is the tallest free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere. The 2009 Mercer Quality of Living Survey placed Auckland fourth equal with Vancouver from 215 cities worldwide. 2,108 sunshine hours were recorded in Auckland in 2008. Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 2 Spotlight on Auckland teamwork and unity Interview with Auckland hero FALE CHANG-TING, Work and Income case manager and two-time Rugby League World Cup champion. Whether she is working with her colleagues to help clients find jobs or making a move on the fifth tackle, Avondale Work and Income case manager and two-time Rugby League World Cup champion, Fale Chang-Ting values teamwork and unity above everything else. Do you see much crossover between the way you approach a game of rugby league and the way you approach your work as a case manager for Work and Income? Definitely, a clear goal is important. In rugby league a team does well when everyone knows what the goal is and focuses on achieving it. It‟s the same at Work and Income; we have team standards which we all aim to meet. If one person is not doing their job it affects everyone else. I guess with league and work you can only meet your goals if everyone is pulling their weight. What was it like winning two Rugby League World Cup Grand Finals back to back? It was awesome, especially because we were playing the Australians at Suncorp Stadium. The buzz you get from that place is incredible. The men‟s World Cup side put a lot of emphasis on team history, and called in a number of past players to talk and provide inspiration before each game. Did the women‟s team do anything similar? I guess so, but we didn‟t have outside speakers. For us it [inspiration] comes from the team, from our captain, coaches and management speaking to us before a game, and then from each other while we are on the field. How does the team prepare for a big match such as the World Cup Grand Final? Relaxation is important. In the changing rooms it‟s all about business, so one of the things we do before a big match is take time out. Before the Grand Final we stopped off at some gardens, and as a team had a good walk around and a good team chat. We also spend time together away from the game. During the World Cup we took the time to have lunch and dinner together as a team. We also did other team-bonding activities like an amazing race around the streets where we were staying in Sydney. I think that these sorts of things helped the team a lot, you get to really know someone‟s personality rather than just the position they play, and this helps you relate better to them on the field. Was there much support at the stadium? Women‟s rugby league doesn‟t really get much attention in the media. There were a few Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 3 Spotlight on Auckland supporters there on the day, but the atmosphere was still pretty awesome. Without that crowd support to feed off was there anything else the team used for motivation? Well, we didn‟t have changing rooms. We were actually put into these toilets somewhere in the back of the stadium, which the team thought was pretty slack. Some of the girls were definitely using that as motivation while we got ready. But in that sort of situation the team really just has to pull together, forget about our surroundings or how we were let down, and focus on the job ahead. Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 4 Spotlight on Auckland like the phoenix from the ashes – one community’s uprising Everyone loves a great resurrection story – it‟s even better when it‟s your own. Residents of South Auckland‟s Otahuhu can take pride in being responsible for their community‟s story of renewal. After an upsurge of neighbourhood violence in 2006, accompanied by negative media attention, the community knew it was time for positive action. People in the neighbourhood, including those from local schools, churches and sports groups, were eager to come on board in order to transform their community. Change was officially set in motion when the Ministry of Social Development and the Auckland City Council offered to provide funding for the creation of a community steering group. “We initiated the Otahuhu Steering Group to give the community a voice – a chance to bang their drum – where before it wasn‟t there,” says community development coordinator Justine McFarlane. “People living in Otahuhu were lacking community pride, and we wanted to change that.” The steering group started by asking residents about changes they would like to see. Convened yearly, this community forum provides a meeting place for members to share their concerns and suggest areas for change. By seeking the opinions of the community‟s residents, coordinators are better able to determine the resources necessary to turn the group‟s hopes into reality. Three years on, the steering group has now hired a community development coordinator responsible for organising the group‟s ideas into a cohesive game-plan. Louise Spokes was only too happy to take on the role. “It‟s been really exciting to be part of this – and challenging at the same time,” says Louise. “Our focus right now is increasing residents‟ sense of safety, youth activity, overall community environment and community pride.” In a relatively short time, the community is already reaping the benefits associated with a decisive plan of action. People are joining together to paint over graffiti, and everyone is making more of an effort to keep the streets rubbish-free. A regularly-circulated newsletter is sent to residents advising of weekly and one-off community events, such as the Otahuhu Family Fun Day, Gladiators of Change to promote positive parenting, and the first annual Otahuhu Youth Expo. A recently held ”gardening competition” proved a fun way to encourage Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 5 Spotlight on Auckland residents to put a little extra effort into making their neighbourhood more beautiful. “The changes in the community are really marked”, says 12-year resident Christine O‟Brien. “People who live here are actually proud of the area.” Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 6 Spotlight on Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast It‟s hard to decide what to like most about the Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast region: the stunning bays and inlets of the Marlborough Sounds, the practically-Jurassic rainforests along the West Coast, or the ingenious garments on display at the World of WearableArt in Nelson. The thriving tourism industry within all three regions is a testament to the region‟s natural splendour and artistic achievements. Tourism New Zealand has recently been given additional funding to encourage visitors from Australia. The Nelson-Tasman region is an attractive area for Australian holiday-makers, and the promotional boost aims to keep visitor numbers up through tougher economic conditions. Knowing that tourism helps create a healthy economy, Nelson has bid for, and successfully won, the right to host two of the games in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Not only will Nelson benefit economically, it will also give the region increased world-wide exposure as a tourist destination. Many businesses are already planning ways to benefit from this high-profile event. Although the fishing industry in Nelson has seen recent lay-offs, much is being done to prepare for the future. The Nelson-based Cawthron Institute has undertaken research to determine what recreational fishers are getting out of their sport, and what they would like to see for the industry in the future. The study will determine ways to keep the industry healthy as well as continuing to make fishing enjoyable. The high labour needs in the seasonal fishing and orchard industries contribute to healthy employment numbers. Dairy farm owners and forestry services have planned for lean times, but their conservative preparations will help increase the likelihood of a productive future. Work and Income service centres in the Nelson region – are well-prepared to help those affected by the recent recession. In the first three months of this year, one-third of those seeking our assistance at „Work for You‟ seminars have not needed to apply for a benefit. A Business Confidence Survey has recently been issued in the Marlborough area. The regional Chamber of Commerce is looking to expand and help businesses by offering them more complete and timely information than they can currently access. The survey focuses on the types of skills shortages they‟re facing, and how many people are required to fill those roles. At the beginning of May, the Marlborough region was at near full employment. Nelson‟s Chamber of Commerce website recognises that in times of challenge there are also great opportunities. With that optimistic viewpoint in mind, the future looks bright. Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 7 Spotlight on Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Key facts Both Marlborough and Nelson boast the distinction of being the country‟s sunniest areas. Marlborough contains 85 per cent of New Zealand‟s sauvignon blanc plantings. Nelson is New Zealand‟s 10th most populous city. New Zealand‟s oldest geological evidence is found in these three regions. The sunken Russian vessel Mikhail Lermontov, located in the Queen Charlotte Sound, is thought to be the world‟s largest diveable cruise shipwreck. Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 8 Spotlight on Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Nelson’s super woman Interview with Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast hero URSULA LEWIS, New Zealand Super Case Manager and a „super‟ woman all round. How did you become a New Zealand Super case manager? Thirty-odd years ago I started as a relieving tea lady. I went on to become a mail and admin clerk, and then I was made telephonist/receptionist. I have worked in other areas too, such as support person for what is now known as Benefit Integrity Services. Then on 1 April 1997, I applied for the job as NZ Super case manager and got it. What do you like most about your job? I love the interaction with our senior clients. Generally we have very relaxed and friendly relationships with our clients, and we can have a laugh together. I try to make sure they hear about all the services and assistance we can offer. Even if it isn‟t needed now, it may be later so it‟s important they know. I also want my clients to feel that I am only a phone call or email away if they have any questions. I like getting out to talk to community groups too. These have included organisations such as Probus, the RSA, Age Concern and health groups. It‟s great. I really enjoy that. The other good thing about working here is the supportive staff, especially my “Super” buddy Jan Smith. Tell us about other groups you work with? I represent Work and Income on the Age Concern committee, and I am the liaison person in Nelson/Tasman for the Nelson Hospice and the Cancer Society. I am also a victim support volunteer, and as a team leader I am the first point of call for a police, fire or ambulance emergency that needs our help – so I have to remember to have my phone and pager handy. As an organisation we work with people who have undergone all sorts of different trauma – whether it‟s a fire in their house, a violent crime or an accident – we help them get through the first shocks of the incident and refer them to other agencies which can help. Knowing about Work and Income assistance is a real bonus. I joined Victim Support back in 1993, after an incident at home when a man tried to break into the house. One of their volunteers visited me and I was so impressed at their help I thought I could help too so I trained as a counsellor. If you do have any other time left in your busy life ñ what‟s your favourite interest? Scrapbooking. I love it, and a few of us here in Nelson City and the Regional Office get together to go to classes, and help each other with ideas and practical help. I‟m working on a project to make scrapbooks for all of our centres – so that is a biggie. Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 9 Spotlight on Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast friendship has no language barrier It doesn‟t matter what kind of accent colours a welcoming voice. Ask any member of the Nelson Newcomers Network and they‟ll tell you it‟s something they‟ve known for nearly three years. “Everyone is so welcoming and kind to us. We got some advice, found a kindergarten for our boy. It helps me improve my English,” says group member Cathy. Deputy Mayor of Nelson Gail Collingwood had heard about a group in Ashburton created for the sole purpose of welcoming migrants to the community. Gail, together with Brigid Ryan of Family and Community Services, and Claire Nichols of Nelson Multi-Ethnic Council, contacted the Ashburton Newcomers Network to see about creating something similar in Nelson. Says Claire of the plan, “We wanted people to make connections in the Newcomers Network so that they would feel comfortable socialising outside of it.” The network began as an outcome of the Settling In Project. The project was initiated to help meet the needs of incoming migrants and refugees. A focus group of 200 was assembled to find out how people were faring after leaving their native country. It was there determined that without a secure network of friends, people couldn‟t feel comfortable in their new environment. That‟s where the Newcomers Network came in. “We really wanted to focus on supporting immigrants new to Nelson,” says Claire. “We wanted everyone on board to back the concept.” What began as a hopeful concept turned into reality as the Nelson Multi-Ethnic Committee created a website devoted to the network and began finding activity coordinators. The Newcomers Network was officially launched on 2 June 2006. The committee, ranging from six to ten members at a time, is responsible for organising events appropriate for all members (including children). Morning chats over coffee, quiz nights every Wednesday, and Kiwi film nights are just a few of the activities hosted. The network isn‟t limited to members from overseas. The programme‟s originators wanted to include all newcomers to Nelson – from Wellington to Mumbai. “I‟ve got to know some people really well and I am very happy to call them my friends. It has made a huge difference to how both myself and my husband have experienced settling in and feeling like we belong here,” says member Linda. Some things in life are universal – friendship and a kind ear go a long way towards making someone‟s life in a new country much happier. Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 10 Spotlight on Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 11 changing lives while saving lives Smoke alarms save lives. It is a familiar message that is brought to our TV screens every year around daylight savings time. Household fires have traumatic impacts including loss of life, injury and property damage. The financial and emotional cost to families and communities are significant, and entirely avoidable. The simple act of installing a smoke alarm can save lives and prevent property damage. This is the message at the heart of the Taranaki Home Safety Project. The project initially trained a team of 12 Work and Income clients to provide safety messages and information on local support services to homes in the Taranaki towns, and surrounding areas, of Stratford, Eltham and Kaponga. This team became the ambassadors for the project, and was supported by Work and Income who provided them with subsidies through Taskforce Green a nd a work grant so they could be fitted with great professional uniforms. The ambassadors were fully trained in all aspects of the project, including practical and customer service skills. They were taught practical skills – being trained by the New Zealand Fire Service so they were able to install and check the smoke alarms. Courtesy of ACC, they were also trained to spot hazards in the home, and how to minimise or isolate those hazards. They were also taught customer service skills like how to approach residents, and how to handle different scenarios, from aggressive dogs and misbehaving children to someone having a heart attack. It was a busy six months with the team installing or replacing 11,932 smoke alarms. The installation phase is now complete but that doesn‟t mean the project will stop – the next phase will be checking up on all those visited during the project to make sure their alarms are in good working order. The project was funded by the Taranaki Electricity Trust and brought safety messages right into people‟s homes. The ambassadors were armed with information and resources from a wide range of organisations including the New Zealand Fire Service, Victim Support, Work and Income, ACC, Housing New Zealand and Better Homes Taranaki. Taranaki Electricity Trust Chairman Brian Jeffries is immensely proud of what the project has achieved, “Even if we had installed a smoke alarm that saved just one life – it would have been worth it – but we‟ve done so much more than that”. Stratford local and Work and Income Work Broker Rene van de Weert has been the Work and Income representative on the project, and is deeply passionate about everything that has been achieved. “The project had hugely positive impacts, not only for those who were directly involved but for the whole community”, says Rene. Rene worked personally with the original 12 project ambassadors who ranged in age from 18 to 62 and who were on a range of benefits, some for as long as ten years. “It was wonderful to see these people grow and develop during their time on the project. Many now have good jobs, an income and are independent. But not only that, they now feel more connected to their community and have a real sense of achievement about their involvement in this Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 12 project”, reflects Rene. The project has been a huge success for both the clients and the community. Twelve months on from the project, five of the project ambassadors remain in full-time employment. The project has truly changed their lives for the better. The community provided heaps of great feedback about the difference the project made including comments like, “What a great thing to have as a service. Keep up the good work. It‟s good we will sleep better at night knowing if there is a fire we will hear it with alarms” (from Vicky, one of the satisfied recipients of the service who wrote in to show her support for the project). Or, “I was dreading these people coming into my house but – they‟re lovely. A very pleasant experience,” (from Pat, another satisfied customer who shared her positive feedback with the project team). The partners in the project have now formed a trust called the Central Taranaki Safe Community Trust who will undertake the checks of 12,000 installed smoke alarms in 2,200 homes over the next three months. This will provide employment for at least another four Work and Income clients as project ambassadors. “Working together with others on projects such as this allows us to do things together that we can‟t do on our own. I‟m so proud of what we have achieved with this project and the possibilities that are now unfolding,” says Gloria Campbell, Ministry of Social Development Taranaki Regional Commissioner. Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 13 uniting for social change No one knows better than the Salvation Army about what‟s going on in low-income New Zealand. “The Sallies” have been lending a hand to the down-and-out, the addicted, the battered and the bruised since 1883. They‟re dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people in need. In the last decade, the Salvation Army has wanted to make an even bigger impact. They‟ve expanded the way they engage with parliamentary processes, seeking to influence policy and shape society. Major Campbell Roberts has been one of the driving forces in this movement. In 2004 he developed a plan to create a Territorial Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit based in South Auckland. The unit aimed to eradicate poverty in New Zealand by providing stimulus for change and policy alternatives that could make New Zealand a fairer place to live. “At the time, we were spending $80 to 100 million a year on services, but when we went back and looked over the last ten years at the indicators for the areas we work in – housing, income, the elderly… all of those indicators had got worse,” explains Major Campbell Roberts. “There wasn‟t one which had improved over that period of time. We then faced the question… do we stop doing what we‟re doing? Is it the wrong thing? And of course it‟s not, we have to keep providing the services that we‟re providing. But we realised we needed to engage more in the policy process, so we set up the unit for that purpose.” Since 2004 when the unit was set up, the Salvation Army has released four major reports and had input into areas of policy development like KiwiSaver and Housing. It has seen them working more closely with politicians than since the days of the annual Congress Sunday afternoon visit pre-1980. That was a time when the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition would both speak and assure the Salvationists how much their work was appreciated. During the „80s and the „90s, the relationship between the Salvation Army and the Government wasn‟t as close. But in 2006, the Salvation Army and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which Major Roberts says has had a positive impact on both the organisation and the people it helps. “The MOU sets the basis for the development of individual relationships at a local, regional and national level,” says Major Roberts. “Now, it‟s not just about meeting at the end of a contract to renew. We meet to talk about social issues. We‟re talking about issues of prevention and about what individual organisations are doing. We‟re sharing information in ways that we weren‟t sharing information before.” The MOU hasn‟t just improved the way that MSD and the Salvation Army relate to each other as organisations. It‟s also helped in terms of the delivery of the services. “It helps us target our service better because some of the work the Ministry has done is helpful in that regard, and we now have access to overall thinking,” says Major Roberts. “I think also because there are better Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 14 relationships being created between MSD and the Salvation Army, then there is often better flow. We now have MSD staff embedded in our organisation full-time and part-time. And that has made a difference. Instead of having to send people off to a Ministry office, we‟ve had Work and Income case managers on-site, which leads to a better understanding of what we‟re about.” When Rise spoke to Major Roberts in early April, the Salvation Army had already seen a marked increase in demand for their services since the previous November. Community centres, which typically see a decrease over January and February, were reporting surges of up to 35 percent demand on December. And what was perhaps more concerning was that most of the demand was coming not from people who had lost their jobs, but people who were still working. It‟s a bit of worry,” says Major Roberts. “The people we‟re seeing are still employed, but household income has got smaller. People have seen overtime disappear, they‟ve seen the second income disappear, they‟ve seen part-time work stop. And most of these people don‟t own their own home, they rent, so interest rate drops haven‟t affected them. If anything, their rents have been going up. So these people are working and still struggling to survive. What‟s going to happen when there is significant unemployment?” Yet despite the increase for services around the country, Major Roberts takes a holistic view of the economic crisis. He sees how it can ultimately benefit us. “People think we just need to find that magic solution to turn the economy around,” says Major Roberts. “It would be a tragedy if we just found a way to crank the economy up, without learning the lessons of why we got to where we got. If we can use the present crisis well and learn something from it, then it will be worthwhile, and I believe we can move into a productive and creative period for NZ.” Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 15 regional round-up Southern Over 150 people from across the Southern Region attended the Regional Job Summit held in Dunedin in March. The keynote speaker, Dr Ganesh Nana, a Senior Economist provided an overview of current economic trends in New Zealand and around the world. Dr Nana‟s presentation set the scene for other key business leaders in the Southern Region to participate in a panel discussion about the impact of the recession. A Results Based Accountability Workshop was held in Dunedin and Invercargill in partnership with funding partners: Family and Community Services, Department of Internal Affairs, Christchurch City Council, Ministry of Youth Development, Child, Youth and Family, Social Service Providers Aotearoa Inc. and the Community Trust. A new framework to support planning and achieving results was presented at the workshops. Canterbury Our staff played key roles at a Children‟s Day event in Christchurch on 1 March. Children‟s Day is a national event; it asks parents and caregivers to focus on their children and spend time with them. Working for Families, Work and Income, and Child, Youth and Family staff provided information about products and services across the whole Ministry. A range of free, child-friendly fun activities, sports, games and crafts were also on offer. The Ashburton community came out in force to support the official opening of their Community Link on 24 March. Ashburton Mayor Bede O‟Malley and MP Jo Goodhew Rangitata attended, along with strong representation from the community, government agencies and employers. Ministry staff are working together with the Community Link, along with other Government and non-government agencies. Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast While unemployment in the region remains low, there have been some job losses, particularly in Nelson/Tasman at the Sealord factory and Richmond‟s MDF plant. With the cooperation of the businesses involved, Work and Income work brokers and labour market staff went onsite over several days to make sure employees were aware of other employment options, the ReStart package, the potential extra support from Working for Families and other assistance. We encourage any other businesses in any region that have to look at staff cuts or reduced hours to contact Employer Services to see how we can help them and the affected Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 16 employees. The service is free, phone 0800 778 008. Wellington The Naenae Community Link was officially opened by the Honourable Paula Bennett on Tuesday 31 March. The more than 100 guests, ranging from local non-government organisations, local businesses, the local iwi and the Naenae Community Link partners, made it a great success. Businesses and industries in the Wellington region were invited to participate in the Wellington Regional Job Summit on 8 April to get the real picture on what is happening in the current economic climate, and what is likely to happen with the local economy. There were several well-known Wellington events held throughout the region recently that Work and Income staff attended to promote Working for Families assistance. These events included Te Ra o Te Raukura held at Te Whiti Park in Lower Hutt, the Newtown and Kilbirnie Festivals, and the Porirua Creekfest. Central Promoting a positive image of friendship through football, South Africa might have the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but Palmerston North had Ethkick09. With over 38 teams from all four corners of the world, language was no barrier when it came to playing the beautiful game of football. The Ministry was part of the organising committee alongside Police, Department of Internal Affairs, Sport Manawatu, Refugee Services, Settlement Support and ETC Learning. Work and Income entered a combined mixed team with Inland Revenue and competed under the team name, Team WIRE – Work and Income, Inland Revenue Ethkick. It was an excellent inter-agency effort to support a diverse community. Palmerston North has over 150 ethnicities residing within the city. East Coast Flaxmere Community Link was officially opened by Tukituki MP Craig Foss on 25 March. Over 80 guests were treated to a tour of the new premises. This was East Coast‟s Regional Commissioner Lindsay Scott‟s last official occasion before transferring to our Wellington region early April. Sue Rissman from the Southern region will be acting as East Coast‟s Regional Commissioner for the coming months. During March and April employment summits were held in Hawke‟s Bay and Gisborne. The Hawke‟s Bay Summit held on 6 March was co-hosted by the Ministry, the Hawke‟s Bay Chamber of Commerce, Hawke‟s Bay Inc and local polytechnic EIT. Approximately 120 delegates attended. The Gisborne Summit held on 24 April was co-hosted by the Ministry, the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce, the Employers Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 17 and Manufacturers Association, and the Gisborne District Council. Auckland Work and Income and the Auckland Chamber of Commerce recently co-hosted three regional employment summits across Auckland to connect business leaders, local and central government, and key community stakeholders. Employers and stakeholders were able to talk and discuss ways they can support each other, and they had an opportunity to come up with ideas on how to create a healthy economy. StudyLink has just completed its busiest ever peak season, with record numbers of Student Allowance and Loan applications. MyStudyLink continues to grow in popularity and Auckland Outreach staff have been kept busy showing students how easy and useful it is. Child, Youth and Family‟s new Onehunga site opened its doors in February. On 21 April, 200 children in Child, Youth and Family care from around Auckland were treated to their own private training session with the Blues rugby team. Bay of Plenty The Central North Island Youth Sector Day was held on 29 February in Rotorua. The day brought together youth workers, service managers and decision-makers from across the region. Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Paula Bennett opened the day. The subsequent newspaper headline, „Minister impressed with youth services‟, has been a confidence boost for local providers. Welcome Bay residents celebrated the opening of their community centre on 4 April. The development of the Community Centre was an inter-agency project, led by the Ministry. The project aims to increase community capacity to respond to community need, co-ordinate appropriate service provision and ensure services are being delivered in the community. Taranaki, King Country and Wanganui Winter offers opportunities with the ski season demanding staff in hospitality, retail, and out on the mountain operating the equipment, and assisting with transport. Work and Income has an ongoing relationship with Ruapehu Alpine Lifts where people are trained and upskilled to apply for these positions. Last year‟s winter floods opened other job opportunities with the Department of Conservation. A team of people were given training and is now working to clear and repair flood-damaged tracks on Mount Taranaki. The Wanganui Chamber of Commerce, local employers, industries, and Work and Income are aiming to minimise skill and labour shortages through the Wanganui Regional Trades Initiative by getting a closer connection between trades, tertiary institutions and schools across Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 18 the Wanganui District.Young jobseekers have seen more focus on opportunities such as first job programmes, skills training, industry partnerships and cadetships. Northland „Engaging Taitamariki in Learning‟ was launched in February by Hon. Dr Pita Sharples. The strategy is lead by the Ministry of Social Development and Te Puni Kokiri, and was a Northland Intersectoral Forum initiative. The strategy aims to double the number of Maori educational achievements, so 75 per cent of Maori students achieve NCEA level 2 by 2013. „Keep Northland Working‟ was the theme of the Northland Economic Summit held on 20 March in Whangarei. Hosted by Enterprise Northland, over 110 people attended representing government, non-government and the corporate sectors. Kamo Community Link was officially opened on 6 April. More than 70 people attended the dawn blessing which included the unveiling of the various room names which feature native trees of New Zealand. Waikato Work and Income participated in Work Choice Day on 19 May. Two schools visited and the students participated in activities of job searching and received tips on how to prepare for a job interview. StudyLink Hamilton Outreach attended the Hamilton Te Ao Hou Expo on 27 and 28 May at Hamilton Gardens. The event targets all Maori secondary school students in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions, and has been established via a collaborative approach by Te Mana, University of Waikato, Waikato Institute of Technology, Waiariki Institute of Technology, and Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. Work and Income will be participating in the Career Paths Waikato Expo for 2009. This is an excellent opportunity to advise students, parents, job seekers and career planners of all ages about career and training opportunities. Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 19 tips and links Rise online Download past issues of Rise from the Ministry of Social Development website. Past highlights include interviews with Dame Silvia Cartwright, Tana Umaga and Peter Snell. http://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/journalsand-magazines/rise/index.html Moana and the Tribe Read more about Moana and the Tribe online, plus listen to audio clips. http://www.moananz.com DonateNZ Donate to deserving organisations in your community, using our unique match maker service! If you have something to give, we can put you in touch with worthy organisations who are waiting to receive. Save time and money and give your unloved things a new lease on life, whilst helping the environment and supporting your local community. http://www.donatenz.co.nz It‟s Not OK! Comprehensive family violence resources whether you are experiencing, witnessing or committing family violence. http://www.areyouok.org.nz Nga Taonga Puoro Richard Nunns is a living authority on nga taonga puoro (Maori traditional musical instruments). He has been described as one of New Zealand‟s most remarkable musicians. http://www.inza.co.nz/RN.php Auckland Museum For 150 years Auckland Museum has protected and cared for the taonga, the treasures, of iwi and hapu from throughout Aotearoa. Find out more online. http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/5/maori-culture Salvation Army Read the inspirational stories of people that the Salvation Army has helped over the years. Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 20 http://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/here-to-help/testimonials/ Feedback Thank you for issue 6 which I have read and passed on to my High-School teacher son for whom the articles are relevant. Thank you Eileen Meagher Many thanks for sending us your vibrant and inspiring magazine. Many thanks Viv Newnham Administration Canterbury Service Centre Dear Team, Many thanks for your magazine which as always is informative and an encouraging read. Ingrid Turner Waikato Branch Administrator Epilepsy NZ I would like to congratulate you on this outstanding publication. It is so well put together visually and full of real life stories that are motivating for my students and tutors alike. Kind regards Virginia Archer Manager Marlborough Community College Kia ora I have teenage sons. My 16-year-old would be inclined to have a read of your magazine if it were left sitting on the coffee table! (The other would only flick through it if it had a rollerblading picture on the front!). I found the magazine to have real „feel good – good motivational vibes‟ content that my son would benefit from reading, as did I. Christine Single Early Childhood Co-ordinator Napier Office Rise Issue 7 – July 2009 21