Have been told by the property developers and the owner of the plumbing and drain laying company (that actually own the fence that had the signs on) that we can put our signs back up again.
Red Alert
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Me with Waitakere construction workers – at the site of hoarding sign dispute
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on November 14th, 2011National getting desperate in Waitakere – breaking the rules
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on November 14th, 2011So the Nats decided to play nasty buggers yesterday. I saw Bennetts campaign manager on my street having just taken down labour signs (Bennetts campaign manager is local board member Mark Brickell). When I asked him what he thought he was doing – he told me that the people who owned the fences had said we were not given permission to put our signs up and that they wanted them down (he took it upon himself to take them down). Brickell and I had a very frank exchange which in all honesty left him looking rather sheepish. Not only do the Nats have no right to touch our core flutes, the story they told was absolute BS.
There are two sites – one is a family home and the other is a property development with wire fencing around it. After going to visit the family home – we found out that they did not instruct the National Party to remove our sign. They said Bennett had shown up at their house in the morning asking if they had given Labour permission to have our sign on the fence (she spoke to the daughter who had not been involved in the decision – her father was the one that had agreed) – despite Bennett’s conversation with them on the door step, they said they did not give the National Party instructions to remove the Labour sign. At this particular house, there were both National and Labour signs on the fence. After clearing up the confusion, they told us we were more than welcome to put the sign back up – so we did!
The second property is on a housing development site. My hoardings team had seen that National had signs up on their wire fence and had stopped to chat to the foreman – the foreman said to our boys that we were more than welcome to put ours up as well (so the guys did). What Mark Brickell says is that the property developers are an Australian company and that they have communicated with National that they do not want my particular signs up on that particular site but that of course the National Party ones are fine, so Mark again took it upon himself to remove the Labour signs…sound a bit dubious…I think so!
I really do think the Nats in Waitakere should be concentrating on putting their signs up rather than pulling ours down. Mark Brickell is an elected representative and should know better than to behave in this way, despite what ever instructions he might receive from his National Candidate.
Also – Waitakere constituents do not need to be terrorized by Bennett for agreeing to have a labour sign on their fence. We will be making a complaint today – I caught Brickell in the act with these three signs – hence why he admitted to taking them down, however many others have been taken and I now have to wonder whether the Nats had anything to do with it. If time permits someone from our team will also look in to Brickell’s story about the owner of the Australian Property Development Company phoning him from Australia to take the ’Carmel Sepuloni’ signs, down off their fence (or perhaps National phoned Australia?…I honestly had no idea I was such a threat). Obviously the Nats are getting desperate but this is no excuse.
Waitakere Meet the Candidates Meeting
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on November 11th, 2011On Wednesday the 9th of November the Western Heights Residents and Rate Payers hosted a ‘meet the candidates’ meeting at Summerland Primary school. I’ve had a great time getting feedback from residents across the electorate and in the past couple of months it’s exciting seeing so many people becoming more engaged in the issues. Waitakere doesn’t have the best voter turnout at elections but Labour’s Westie team and I are hoping to change that this time round.
Wednesday’s meeting was particularly notable as it was the first meeting Paula Bennett has fronted in the electorate – a change from her absence at other recent community forums. In tough times, more than ever, I think it’s really important that local MPs are in the community with constituents having a visible presence and listening to their concerns- that’s definitely been my mantra.
It’s a shame that residents have been unable to see that type of visibility from Paula Bennett. She’s missed some hugely important forums on education, disability and housing- all areas where people have been desperate to see this National government’s vision for the future and areas that we have particular concerns about here in Waitakere. Instead we’ve had the likes of Maggie Barry undermining disability issues and Jami Lee Ross sent to debate issues in Waitakere of which he was ill prepared and ill informed.
One of the things that caught my attention was actually some of the feedback I received after the meeting. There were some young Unitec students –mostly undecided voters like a lot of our young people, present at the meeting. I met one of these students yesterday at the Unitech Fiafia day. These are some of the concerns she shared with Paula Bennett about the evening on Facebook:
“Was interested in hearing what you had to say at the debate tonight as i had not chose a place to put my vote. It changed my mind when i heard national supporters and people wearing national t-shirts addressing poor people as rats, and saying it was “good” the woman was living in her car with her children as she chose to live like that. And she shouldn’t of “bred”. I find this hugely derogatory and sickening that the party would condone this type of disgusting talk. Dont forget where your roots are! You were once like us too Paula Bennett. I too had my baby young and I’m studying the same as what you did without the training incentive allowance! And i would never condone that type of talk. My vote is anybody BUT national.”
Of course Paula Bennett refutes these comments – and to be fair we can’t be held responsible for the things that are said by spectators at these meetings- although it’s clear that these comments were coming from those in National t-shirts.
What she can be held accountable for though is the lack of opportunities this government has provided for our young people, and in the case of the Training Incentive Allowance, for kicking out the ladder underneath her once getting to the top. She and the National led government can be held responsible for developing a ‘platform’ that ‘enables’ National supporters to take these derogatory positions towards the most vulnerable in our society. This government’s welfare reforms are a clear indication of that ‘platform’ which encourages the great divide between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’. The reforms are short sighted, as usual, and likely to have the biggest impact on those who find it difficult to fight in their own corner.
Instead of ‘justice’ and ‘responsibility’ we hear National preaching ‘choice’ and ‘hard work’. Sure there’s got to be a balance between all these things but in the current climate- how much ‘choice’ is there when your back’s up against the wall? How much hard work can you do in a market where there are no jobs?
Poly-Swag anybody? New Zealand Dominates the HHI World Dance Championship 2011
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on August 3rd, 2011Grant’s already blogged about this but I can’t help myself – I had to as well.
I went to the fundraising dinner for lil saints (Silver medalists in the Junior Division) before they left – and having seen them perform live – I had no doubt they’d do well at the comp.Their achievements are a testament to them and their supportive parents and families.
New Zealand has a deeper and longer history of hip hop dance and culture than most might believe and it has a huge resonance with many of our Maori and Pacific youth- it’s awesome to see some of that talent and passion being acknowledged in the international arena
New Zealand managed to win gold in 3 out of 4 of the competition’s divisions including this year’s newest ‘Megacrews division’ solidifying New Zealand’s presence as an international hip hop force to be reckoned with.
Hip Hop and reggae music are two of my favourite types of music and I’m proud to be part of a party which has for a long time supported the growth of Hip Hop culture in New Zealand as a positive creative outlet for our young and young at heart.“
Although ReQuest dance crew was unable to hold onto the much coveted gold medal in the adults division – winning silver this time around, I congratulate the girls and believe that this result can in no way take away from the incredible positive influence the crew has had on hip hop and the role models the young women have become for dancers all over New Zealand and the world’.
It is inspiring to see such strong and confident young female role models who are also proud of their Pasifika heritage which they have named duly titled “poly-swag“
Top 3 Placings for NZ Crews
Mega Crews division
Gold: The Royal Family
Junior Division
Gold: Bubblegum
Silver: Lil Saints
Varsity Division
Gold: Sorority
Adult Division
Silver: ReQuest
The below is a clip from ReQuest silver medallist dance crew – Awesome work ladies!! Parris Goebel a member of this crew is also the choreographer for 4 other crews from NZ that competed what a great talent!!
I never get tired of hearing it – ‘It’s about our kids’
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on May 21st, 2011It’s this policy that inspires me the most.
All children are special – all kiwi children are important to NZ’s future.
Whilst NZ’s population is aging the Maori and Pacific population is incredibly youthful. 37.5% of our Pacific population in NZ is under the age of 15. In 25 years, Maori and Pacific will make up over 50% of the population. Currently Maori and Pacific combined make up approximately 21% of the population.
We need to invest in our children now to make sure that we have the skilled workforce to drive NZ forward in the future – I’m very aware that a large proportion of the of children we are talking about, are Maori and Pacific. They will be the ones that will be responsible for looking after all of the Don Brash’s, Roger Douglas’s and John Bank’s of this world (oh that’s right…they won’t be here).
Our kids have to be assured the best possible start and we need progressive policy that demonstrates a staunch commitment to making that happen. Labour’s policy puts a stake in the ground and declares, with no holds barred that we are committed to that happening.
How can anyone disagree with having a Minster of Children? We have a Minister of racing, a Minister of the Rugby World Cup, a Minister of Veteran Affairs and a Minister of Senior Citizens. Surely children deserve the attention. The future of our country is more heavily reliant on how well our children are looked after and educated, than how well our racing industry performs.
Annette made it clear that there would be a Ministry of Children. She talked about the idea of pulling the resourcing from the Ministry of Families in to a newly established Ministry of Children – it makes sense.
Annette reitertated our commitment to Early Childhood Education and the need for us as a country to move towards free ECE for three and four year olds. Unlike the National Government, we view our children as an investment rather than an expense and would much rather see money invested at the ECE level, than at the other end of the spectrum – our corrections facilities.
Annette didn’t forget to discuss the absolute importance of parenting. Acknowledging parenting as the most important job that any person will undertake. She discussed the need to ensure that parents had access to quality parenting education.
Annette made it clear that we would not over promise and under deliver. She acknowledged the hole that we as a country are currently in. She rightly pointed out that the National Government have had a major hand in making this worse. She made it very clear that when we do announce the specifics of our policy, it will be fully costed, it will be financially responsible and it will not promise anything that we are not able to deliver on election.
Thank goodness that NZ’s kids have Annette King fighting for their rights! I’m right behind her!
Ministry of Justice undermines West Auckland Family Court
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on May 14th, 2011On Thursday I attended a Public meeting on the Waitakere Family Court changes. A committed mix of people were there to express their concerns – family violence organisations, the PSA, Community Waitakere, the Waitakere Law Service, Family Lawyers (even a couple who are National Party supporters/ members), local body representatives and other genuinely concerned members of the public. Following that meeting myself and fellow West Auckland colleague Phil Twyford have discussed this issue further with key stakeholders. We do have to wonder – where are the West Auckland Government MPs on this issue (keep in mind there are five of them – John Key, Paula Bennett, Tim Grosser, Pita Sharples and Tau Henare)?
Some have said that what is proposed in the discussion document (link below) seems harmless….well that would be because the implications of the changes aren’t spelt out. Those who actively engage with the Waitakere Family Court, have more of an insight in to what the changes will mean.
Based on the meeting I attended – I’m going to try to outline the situation and the main points of concern.
There are four overarching concerns:
- short term cost saving at the expense of justice
- Failure to adequately consult
- Failure to consider the impact on the local community and the quality of service (the West is being shafted)
- Vulnerable members of society (victims of domestic violence, children, elderly) are being deprived access to justice
(more…)
Teachers tell me how things really are…
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on April 11th, 2011I met with a Henderson household on Saturday – they’d asked me to go over to see them. They’d received a survey I’d sent them and wanted to discuss their concerns in person.
Two of the members of the household were teachers, one was a teacher aid and the sole male in the household works in Insurance. I really enjoyed my time with these people – they were great people and had requested to meet with me on a Saturday because they are genuinely concerned about what they are seeing go on around them.
Their views on National Standards and what’s happening in the education sector…
If it were about ‘value added’ then it may be of some worth but as it stands it is only serving as a distraction from their core business. If there were a change of Government, they wouldn’t want it turfed out all together but would rather some work and more importantly TIME go in to developing National Standards properly and changing the focus to ‘value added’.
They articulated very clearly that they and other teachers are getting worn out. One of the teachers said that if she was completely honest, she’s only able to give her classroom pupils about 50% of what they deserve (in terms of innovative teaching, one on one time etc etc). This is all due to the additional work they are expected to do because of the ineffective National Standards they are being forced to implement.
At the moment these teachers stated, they are not getting home till 7 pm most nights. They said they have an increasing number of colleagues who are opting out of the teaching profession because the expectations are unreasonable and the work load is damaging their own home/ family lives.
They are concerned that under the National Government the focus has moved away from what should be core business – ‘teaching kids’. It’s not only the National Standards that has been a cause for this detrimental shift in thinking, but also the funding cuts and subsequent under-resourcing which is impeeding their ability to TEACH.
They discussed in detail their concern with some of the parenting skills that their childrens parents are demonstrating – saying that they believe these parents need additional support. They have also observed an increaing number of children come to school not having had breakfast and without any lunch - they are unsure of how these parents are surviving given how much the are struggling financially.
They provided me with an insightful view on a number of different areas but I’d have to write a very long post to get it all down. The things that they did say – that I have written about in this post, really should be of concern to all of us.
Get it together WINZ
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on April 11th, 2011So about three weeks ago a young Samoan women came in to my office asking ever so nicely if we could give her some work experience.
She recently completed a National Certificate in Business Administration but hasn’t been able to get work because she has no work experience.
I told her that I didn’t have any money in the budget to hire someone else but she pleaded with me to let her volunteer her time. I agreed to put her on a Parliamentary Internship to provide her with the work experience she needs as well as to support her in what ever way I can to assist her with getting in to paid employment.
Then what happened….
A week in to her starting I get a call from a WINZ case manager asking if I would agree to her being on a subsidised work scheme i.e. WINZ subsidise her being in paid employment for me. I told them - nope, I have no money and therefore can not pay her and I’m not even sure if parliamentary regulations would allow for me to do that anyway.
I explain to the WINZ guy that I will assist her as best I can with getting the work experience she needs as well as support her in trying to find work. I explain to him that I’ve even set it up, as a legit Parliamentary Internship. He tells me that he understands and that this sounds like a great opportunity for the young woman and that if she’s still actively seeking paid work, then that would be fine.
A week later (beginning of last week). I find out from this poor young woman that WINZ have cut her benefit. Despite the fact that the last case manager I’d spoken to, had said it was fine – another WINZ case manager had wrongly assumed that the young woman had deliberately (and without good reason) missed a WINZ seminar that she was suppose to attend as an Unemployment Benefit recipient.
I rang WINZ that day when I find out and leave a message (outlining the situation) on the phone of the case manager that had made this decision (a different case manager from the one I spoke to the previous week). I don’t get a response from her, but the very next day the young woman undertaking an internship in my office, gets her benefit reinstated.
Get it together WINZ! Not all of these poor young people are going to have an MP on their case, who can ring up and leave rather firm voice messages for you when these mistakes happen. The vast majority of our young people are wanting to be engaged with work or study but at this point in time, things are against them and they need additional support. Don’t treat them like criminals out to commit benefit fraud and/ or bludge of the system.
Carmel Sepuloni on the Good Morning show – cooking (but not really) with Astar
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on April 6th, 2011I really really really don’t cook. If it weren’t for my retired father who does all of the cooking in my house. My son and I would rely on a ‘toast based’ diet. I can cook when I have to but – it’s not something that I enjoy.
Astar had a lot to say about the abysmal way in which sole parents have been treated by the National Government…and I was more than willing to have this discussion. Check it out by clicking on the link below.
http://tvnz.co.nz/good-morning/s2011-e060411-astar-video-4104091
Where’s the Minister of Disability Issues (Tariana Turia) on the IHC workers issue?
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on March 25th, 2011Prior to becoming a Labour MP I spent six months as Project Manager of the Pacific non-regulated health workforce development research project (I’d also been part of this workforce many years ago – when I worked as a caregiver in a geriatric hospital whilst studying). The focus of this project was entirely on the Manukau/ Counties DHB area and Pacific workers. The roles that these workers were undertaking were varied (everything from Health Promotion to caregiving) but the biggest proportion of this workforce could be found in caregiving positions. Not suprisingly this is a highly feminised and low paid workforce. Although our focus was solely on Pacific, it would be reasonable for me to assert that across the country a large proportion of this workforce would be – Pacific, New Migrant and Maori women.
Now with all of the above in mind – I think it is reasonable to expect that Tariana, would have a keen interest in seeing this workforce treated fairly – not only as the Minister of Disability Issues but as a Maori women. So what concerns me, is we haven’t heard a peep out of her. Tony Ryall has made comments about the situation but seems to think that the responsibility lays solely with the providers – washing his hands of any Governmnent responsibility.
The National Government’s refusal to back a decision by the Court of Appeal which would ensure workers who perform sleepovers are paid the minimum wage has let down thousands of disability support workers. If you let down the workforce, then you are also ultimately letting down the people that they are employed to care for.
As my colleage Darien Fenton has publically said – What the Government should have done, is meet with the stakeholders in the disability support sector, including the carer’s union, immediately after the Court of Appeal decision to neogtiate a durable solution.
It is obvious that Tariana has shamefully abdicated responsibility for the disability sector, along with her Government but I still want to know what Tariana has to say on this issue. I’ve just fired some written questions off to her. Will post on this again when I get some responses.
Leataata Early Childhood Centre – a great example
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on March 18th, 2011I met with the Manager of the Leataata West Auckland ECE centre today, Laine Tipi. An inspirational woman with an incredibly strong commitment to Early Childhood Education and Pasifika people.
Her centre was opened by the Right Honourable Helen Clark and Lynne Pillay in 2002 and since then has continued to grow. They have fifty children enrolled, fiften under two’s and thirty five over two’s. What I love about this centre is the fact that it not only serves it’s children well but also their families. Laine encourages all of the parents to actively participate in their children’s learning and also engage in their own.
We spoke about the twenty hours free early childhood funding introduced by Labour and how that has meant that many more of our Pasifika families are taking up the opportunity to enrol their children in ECE. The concern that Laine expressed to me is that twenty hours isn’t enough to really work effectively with young children and provide them with the level of education that her centre would like to deliver. To get around this, Laine talks to parents about enrolling them for more hours. She says that many of them can’t afford to pay, so she only asks for a donation and/ or some time that they can volunteer assisting in the centre.
It’s not only the education of the children that Laine is committed to, it is the education of the parents. This year three of the parents will graduate with education degrees. Next year four of the parents should complete theirs. And this year, ten more parents have taken up study towards education degrees.
To support the parents with their studies, Laine runs a Monday night study group session at the hall just in front of the centre. They are also fortunate to have a retired teacher who comes along to assist the parents/ students, with their studies.
Laine’s new goal is to try and secure funding for lap tops for the parents that are studying. Given their family circumstances, all of them find it difficult to stay after hours to complete assignnments on campus as they all need to hurry home to children. Hopefully we’ll be able to source some funding options for her great new initiative. If anyone has any ideas, then let me know.
Alcohol Reform Bill Hearings – Alcohol versus Gambling?
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on March 14th, 2011An interesting submission was made this morning by the Dunedin Casinos. They put the argument that NZ Casinos are already heavily regulated and have in place detailed Host Responsibility Programmes that address gambling and alcohol harm. The penalities for non-compliance can include the suspension or total loss of the casino’s operating license. According to the submission, this has resulted in high levels of compliance by NZ casinos.
I was unable to get an actual comparison of the penalties for a casino failing to comply versus an on or off licence premises failing comply but was told that the penalities for non-compliance with regards gambling is much greater i.e. the penalty for allowing an under-age person to gamble in a casino would be much greater than the penalty for allowing an under-age person to purchase alcohol.(Note – a casino would get penalised for both but the gambling penalty would be greater).
I find it really interesting that there would be greater penalities with gambling non-complicance versus non-compliance with alcohol sales. Given that enforcement of the Sale of Liquor Act has been cited as a problem, this is something we probably need to give more consideration to.
Pasifika Festival 2011
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on March 13th, 2011The 2011 festival had the same vibrant atmosphere as always. It really is one of the highlights of the Auckland Councils calendar of events. And there really isn’t any other event of its kind in the world – it is the largest Polynesian Festival.
Last year all stage managers were under strict instruction that Labour was not to speak on any of the stages (although we still managed to speak on almost all of them). Fortunately things were very very different this year. Phil Goff (along with his entourage of about 12 MPs) was given an opportunity to speak at each stage. We were even provided with a crew member to accompany us around the different stages. The aim was to get to all 10 village stages within 2.5 hours – according to the organiser of the festival, this would be near impossible – so I was officially made the ‘Sergeant Major’ of the day to make it happen (during my 7th form year I was a fantastic prefect – so thoroughly enjoyed this role).
At the beginning of the day Jacinda and I had a conversation about which MPs would arrive late to the event – both of us agreeing it would be David Cunliffe and/ or David Shearer. Surprisingly they both showed up on time but…they also both got way behind the pack after the second stage…by the time we got to the Cook Island stage, they were no where to be seen (they caught up later on). In their defence, they both had brought their children along and I’m pretty sure that this played a part in the fact we lost them.
The day was fantastic. We managed to get through the stages in time so that Phil could head off to the Kumeau Show (where he was apparently received very well). The reception from our Pacific community was as warm as always. The hardest part of the day was keeping to the timeframe – there were numerous people wanting to shake Phil Goffs hand and/ or have photos with him. The most enjoyable part of the day was undoubtedly at the Samoan stage when a whole youth group joined Goff and the Labour MPs on stage in dance and then proceeded to carry Phil around on their shoulders.
Thank you to the Auckland Council for a job well done and to all of our Pasifika community for making it an awesome occasion.
Final post on quitting smoking
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on March 11th, 2011I haven’t been so good at blogging on this – but let me assure you, I have been great on the quitting front. There have just been much more important things going on in the country recently so it didn’t feel right to post on something like my own personal quest to quit smoking. However, I thought I’d just post one more time to let you know how it has gone.
It has been seven weeks and I have not had a single puff. I have however, happily inhaled second hand smoke from those around me….I’m sure the satisfaction I gain from this will eventually pass.
Often when people are giving up something they are addicted to, they pick up something else to fill that space. I developed an unfortunate addiction to m&m’s in about week four and now have to talk myself out of buying them whenever I walk in to a dairy, supermarket, petrol station or movie theatre.
Food in general is tasting better – which is a bit of a worry, so I’m trying to balance that out with increased exercise (walking…nothing too strenuous).
For 5 weeks of the passed 7 weeks, I didn’t drink any alcohol at all – compared to the smoking, alcohol was easy to stop. My alcohol consumption has dropped dramatically (not that I had a drinking problem). I don’t want to drink as much when I can’t smoke – so I don’t. I look forward to the day that I can enjoy a glass of wine or a beer and not feel like there is something missing in my other hand.
What’s next…well I figure if I can give up smoking then I can give up anything. I’m going to have a go at quitting bread lol….if Lianne Dalziel can do it – so can I!
Welfare Reforms need to consider effects on victims
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on March 10th, 2011The issue of domestic violence has again reared its ugly head in the past week. As the country comes to grips with their grief over the Christchurch tragedy, we are reminded by articles in the Press and other print media that with the stress associated with such a tragedy we see increased levels of domestic violence. On the same day that New Zealand was hit with this natural disaster, we were also hit with the release of the welfare working groups report. The WWG’s report took a back seat to the events that unfolded in Christchurch, and rightly so, but now it is time to considered some of the implications. One of the implications is increased levels of domestic violence.
New Zealand has unacceptable levels of domestic violence and if the Government continues with the trajectory of the Welfare Working Group recommendations they risk worsening the situation for an already marginalized group in our society.
Eleanor Butterworth, Education Coordinator for Wellington Women’s Refuge reminds us that “New Zealand has horrific domestic violence rates and our child homicide rates are some of the worst in the developed world”. The Women’s refuge estimates that domestic violence accounts for 38% of all homicides, 42% of all kidnappings and abductions, 44% of all grievous assaults 64% of all serious assaults and 34% of all minor assaults. The Government needs to consider these harsh realities when potentially reforming welfare in a way that makes it even more difficult for victims of domestic violence, in particular women and children, to leave violent relationships.
The WWG was established to promote better work outcomes for sole parents and other groups ‘at risk of long term benefit dependency’. Ironically, the recommendations of the WWG may have a hugely stigmatising effect on those it was intended to benefit, in particular women, who are made to be seen as too lazy to work if they receive a main benefit.
The underlying attitude of these recommendations must not be accepted at the Government level.
They ignore the fact that people are under and unemployed for a wide range of reasons, not the least of which is this National government’s inability to implement viable projects that actually create new jobs – not merely cycle ways.
For victims of domestic violence the domestic purposes benefit provides an interim pathway to safer and more stable living conditions. When relationships become violent, victims need to know that the Government will be supportive and will safeguard children and family, not stigmatize and punish them. Any attempts to reduce safeguards for victims of violence, such as the DPB, will act as a huge restriction on individuals’ ability to leave unsafe relationships.
This type of silent suffering is further compounded for those with the least voice in these circumstances- children. It’s estimated that 75,000 children are seen by police each year in incidents related to domestic violence. In the midst of a violent relationship finding employment often will not, and should not, take priority over finding safety.
If any welfare reforms are going to work effectively then the generic features of a proposed ‘Jobseeker Support’ payment cannot be replicated in areas where specialised support to work is needed such as childcare and counselling services etc. The need for flexibility in understanding the complex needs of victims of domestic abuse and the role that a benefit often plays in transitioning these individuals and families into safe and secure environments must not be overlooked.
The Christchurch Earthquake – People living with disabilities
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on February 28th, 2011As the past week has unfolded NZ has been gripped with grief over the traumatic events of the Christchurch earthquake. As the death toll has increased we are reminded of the immeasurable cost to human life that Cantabrians face and the great tragedy that will forever mark New Zealand’s history.
Amidst this time of great grief we have been comforted by the support of our international community who, even today and no doubt in the weeks to come, continue to offer their resources to the huge effort being undertaken to assist people affected by this tragedy. In such a difficult time it has been overwhelming to witness the response from emergency services at the front line ensuring food and water is distributed, that houses are safe, and that people are comforted. Many of those providing emergency services have volunteered their time and resources and support continues to pour in from around the country. We are determined to stand together resilient in the face of huge adversity.
As the official statements from emergency services have reminded us, one of the most immediate responses to victims of the earthquake has come in the form of neighbours, and those close by affected areas, checking on others in their community – by all accounts, Cantabrians have not let each other down. Whilst natural disaster strikes the hearts and homes of many people all over New Zealand in one form or another, a particularly acute impact is had on those in the affected area living with disability.
The most recent disability survey highlights that close to 600,000 adults and 90,000 children (17% of the population) registered as having a disability. Furthermore, the likely hood of having a disability also increases with age meaning that our elderly are particularly vulnerable. It is also important to remember that a majority of those living with disability endure sensory and physical disabilities impacting on their ability to access vital emergency services in a natural disaster. In particular, structural damage to buildings, liquefaction and rubble have a compounding impact on those living with disability. In short reduced mobility can often mean lesser visibility lesser access and also lesser voice.
In times of natural disasters, it is also important to bear in mind that assisting those with existing disabilities is only half of the equation. The National Director of CBM (formerly the Christian Blind Mission) reminds us that for every person that dies in times of emergency three will suffer a severe disability. We’ve all heard the stories of survivors having to have limbs amputated in order to free them – there will be many that will suffer from varied long term disability because of this disaster. Those survivors of the Christchurch earthquake that will require rehabilitation from injuries and who experience permanent disabilities will need our on-going consideration and support.
There have been a couple of times whilst watching the televised coverage, that I’ve seen a NZSL interpreter in action – this will be a welcomed initiative by NZ’s deaf community. Approximately 200,000 New Zealanders live with a hearing impairment that cannot eliminated by a hearing aid. Whilst the NZSL interpreter will benefit many of the deaf community around NZ thought also needs to be given to those living in earthquake struck Christchurch without access to television, consistent subtitling of media coverage or sign language interpreters at future emergency updates. The absence of such services potentially compounds the distress being felt amongst our deaf community in an already stressful time.
There is so much to take in to consideration when reflecting on the enormity of the Christchurch situation. Our people living with disabilities in the midst of the turmoil – are an important group to remember when reflecting on or responding to the very serious situation at hand.
HIP-HOP-CRISY IN THE HOUSE
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on February 17th, 2011I love hip hop. My two favourite types of music are hip hop and reggae. Our young people do a fantastic job on the international hip hop stage. But the duplicity surrounding the issue of hip hop in parliament is ridiculous.
The National Government has been questioned about granting community max to a Christchurch group to fund two people to teach hip-hop “as an alternative sporting option outside of the usual mainstream sports”. Simon Power’s immediate fall back position is to the 2004 Government funded hip hop tour which occured under the Labour Government.
Most New Zealanders would remember the relentless heckling that Labour had to endure from the Nats because of that 2004 hip hop tour. One of the reasons why it is worth questioning the Nats about their decision to put Community Max funding towards this hip hop initiative, is due to the hypocrisy of this.
However, what further enhances the hypocrisy of this is something which is conveniently overlooked. In the early months of this National Government’s term, back in 2009 – John Key took a hip hop group with him on the four day whirlwind tour across the Pacific. How much did that cost the tax payer? I’m not saying it wasn’t an appropriate thing to do but what I am saying is that perhaps the National Government needs to hold a consistent line on particular issues.
The H.Y.P.E Movement
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on February 15th, 2011H.Y.P.E stands for, Helping Youth Pursue Emancipation. I learnt about this programme via facebook about a year ago and was intrigued by what I saw. The movement began in the U.S. by a group of Tongan young people who were concerned about high school dropout rates, incarceration rates, and death rates among young Pacific people in their local community. They wanted to be engaged in bringing about a positive change and they wanted to be involved in a grassroots movement that would bring all youth together.
The movement has now begun in NZ. Last night I had the privilege of attending the H.Y.P.E Fundraising Ball in Auckland. There was a room filled with inspirational people – young talented sports people, musicians, academics, artists and parents who have done and continue to do – a fantastic job of supporting their children to reach their potential.
The movement is not easily packaged as it’s deliberately designed in a way that young people (12 – 25 year olds) have the room to interpret and define the programme as they go. Currently there are 300 H.Y.P.E projects happening across the globe. The projects are all in response to social issues that directly impact on young peoples lives/ well being. Once the young person/ people, identify the issue – they then go on to develop ways of addressing/ responding to/ resolving, that particular issue.
It’s exciting and I’m looking forward to watching how it develops in NZ!
In to my fourth week of not smoking…
Posted by Carmel Sepuloni on February 14th, 2011…and still going strong. I haven’t even had one puff on a cigarette during this whole time.
Not drinking alcohol hasn’t been a problem at all. I worked out a couple of years ago that I actually – drink to smoke. So if I’m not smoking then I don’t really feel the urge to drink either.
I have been copping a bit of flack for being anti-social – usually the criticism would be that I’m too sociable…oh how things have changed! A friend of mine was in Auckland on Saturday and wanted to catch up over dinner but I still can’t quite trust myself not to be overwelmed by the urge to have a cigarette and glass of wine – so I didn’t go.
I live with my father and 13 year old son and only told them last week that I’d given up smoking. Until I said that, they hadn’t even noticed because I’m seldom home anyway. It would be an understatement to say that my father is very happy with the fact that I have quit. As young children, it was me and my sisters that pushed him in to giving up and ever since then – he’s detested smoking.
Anyway – so far so good. There are still moments across the course of the day that I feel like a smoke but I think those moments are becoming fewer and far between.
