Julianne Hickey – NZ Catholic Newspaper

Caritas gives Govt. pre-Budget advice

NZ Catholic Staff — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 21:35:51 +0000

Echoing the words of Pope Francis, who has warned that economic progress that diminishes people’s quality of life is no progress at all, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is urging the Government to attend to the wellbeing of vulnerable communities when considering the 2017 Budget. In an oral submission to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee on February 8, the Catholic social justice agency highlighted the local

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Report details hardship in Pacific nations

NZ Catholic Staff — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 02:24:27 +0000

Cases of children having to eat cassava roots softened with paracetamol and people dying from lack of food and clean water are among the examples of widespread hunger and thirst throughout the Pacific. Such cases are detailed in the latest Caritas State of the Environment Report for Oceania, Hungry for justice, thirsty for change. The report, which was launched at Parliament on October 4,

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Suppressing their consciences

NZ Catholic Staff — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 23:17:45 +0000

In December 2009, a current National Member of Parliament sent a handwritten Christmas card to Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, which said: “Thank you for your letter . . . urging me to vote against the Easter Trading Bill, which was narrowly defeated in Parliament last night. I share your concerns on this issue and did indeed cast my vote against the measure.”echo $variable;

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Easter trading plans attacked

Michael Otto — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 02:32:22 +0000

by PETER GRACE In washing its hands of Easter trading responsibilities, the Government is failing to protect family time together on one of our few remaining shop-free days, says Caritas-Aotearoa New Zealand. Caritas director Julianne Hickey said the Catholic social justice agency is surprised and appalled by proposed Easter trading legislation, as it will impact

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Caritas runs deficit to use up its reserves

Michael Otto — Tue, 19 May 2015 22:28:56 +0000

by MICHAEL OTTO Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is budgeting for financial deficits for several years after having a deficit of $700,000 in the year ended December, 2014. Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is the New Zealand Catholic bishops’ agency for Justice, Peace and Development and incorporates Mahitahi–Catholic Overseas Volunteers. Caritas director Julianne Hickey told NZ Catholic

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Budget fails the poorest say Catholic agencies

NZ Catholic Staff — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 21:30:30 +0000

by NZ CATHOLIC Staff
WELLINGTON — Catholic organisations have criticised the government’s
2014 budget as failing to provide for “the poorest in the communities” and recognising economic inequalities in New Zealand.
Although they welcome the budget’s $500 million package of support for families as a first step towards recognising the needs of vulnerable members of the community, they said the government
missed the mark when it comes to issues such as affordability of food, power and accommodation, including the provision of safe, warm and healthy homes.
Wellington Justice, Peace and Development chairperson Shane Olsen said the concern is that the budget focused more strongly on middle income earners, when the children living in poverty are children of low income earners.
Caritas director Julianne Hickey said the Catholic agency was looking for formal recognition by the Government of the need to address inequality and poverty.
“We are disappointed in comments by senior ministers in Parliament’s question time … and the Parliamentary Budget debate that the Government rejects the view that inequality is widening in
New Zealand,” she said.
The Auckland Justice and Peace Commission noted that although some
attempt had been made to help in the care of children, the Budget does not creatively engage the community to raise the standards of the poorest New Zealanders.
Chairperson Shane Coleman said an extra $20 million to combat New
Zealand’s high rate of rheumatic fever, a disease associated with poverty, was welcome. “That sort of measure, and other programmes such as the increased funding for community budgeting services, are to be applauded and are definitely a step in the right direction.”
But, he said, Catholic agencies such as the Society of St Vincent de Paul, and low decile Catholic schools, see the effects of poverty daily and report unprecedented demand for social services.
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Caritas helps Solomons

NZ Catholic Staff — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 23:31:04 +0000

by NZ CATHOLIC staff HONIARA — The worst flooding in 28 years to hit Solomon Islands has resulted in deaths and 15,000 people fleeing their homes. Three days of heavy rains caused flash floods that washed out roads and destroyed bridges in the capital, Honiara. The official death toll stands at 23 confirmed deaths, but

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