Government needs to address crises

In a submission earlier this year on the Government’s Budget Policy Statement, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand told Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee to listen to local and most-affected communities to tackle ongoing crises in housing, climate change and underlying inequality that worsen outcomes for the poor.   

Inequality had only increased under the Covid crisis, said Caritas, and both short-term and long-term measures were required to deal with this and the housing crisis. More particular and localised approaches were required following principles of subsidiarity – decision-making at the most appropriate level – and participation by the people most directly affected.   

Addressing the long-standing housing crisis in New Zealand, Caritas advocacy advisor on social issues Joanna Viernes said, “We need more initiatives, public and private, to build more affordable homes of different types to suit different needs; as well as measures to ensure good use of existing stock.” She also called for the “fundamental and cross-cutting right of safe, affordable shelter” to be more widely recognised in the Government’s range of wellbeing objectives.   

Caritas said that increased climate funding signalled by the Government to address the climate emergency needed to be accountable to both taxpayers and communities most in need.   

“Assessment of impact needs to be based on criteria relevant to local communities,” said Martin de Jong, Caritas’ advocacy advisor on the environment. A similar approach is required for allocating funds, both at home and abroad, such as “clear transparency over projects, and mechanisms to ensure participation by local communities to identify needs and plan solutions, and be involved in implementation and monitoring for impacts”.  

In conclusion, Ms Viernes drew on Caritas’ own experience in tailoring new monitoring and evaluation processes to use local and indigenous indicators that better serve the communities they work with. Quoting Pope Francis, Ms Viernes said, “Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.”