Throughout 2008 NZCCSS has explored several issues of social justice by publishing a series of posters, brochures and information on this website. To receive a copy of our latest poster please send an email to info@justiceandcompassion.org.nz
Follow these quick links to dedicated pages that challenge us all to think about these themes:
To receive updates from us, please send us your email address using our Contact Us form with the word 'Updates' in the subject line.
Ongoing programme of information and advocacy
We believe a just and compassionate society can be achieved by more action to:
Support families and communities in nurturing and protecting our children as taonga.
Provide older people with a range of choices for their homes, support and lifestyle.
Utilise our nation’s prosperity responsibly to eliminate poverty.
Enable access to good, affordable housing for everyone.
Support community-based organisations to grow the spirit of aroha tetahi ki tetahi - looking after each other.
A brochure that provides the opening context for the information programme is available as a resource in our Publications Library(enter search term: Let Us). The central text of the brochure is:
The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) seeks to grow robust communities, neighbourhoods and a society which is able to offer every member support, dignity, shelter, freedom and opportunities to grow.
A robust society is based on a commitment to collective responsibility and the common good, and an understanding of how our humanity is based on our relationships to each other and our communities.
Every day of every week, the members of NZCCSS - the Anglican Care Network, Baptist Churches of New Zealand, Catholic Social Services, Presbyterian Support Services Inc and the Methodist and Salvation Army churches - provide essential services through collectively serving and working in communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
We do not work in isolation. We are supported by our churches and their leaders. We recognise our obligations as partners to Te Tiriti O Waitangi and, through our collective activity, we do our best to put justice and compassion into action.
NZCCSS Briefing to the Incoming Government:
Working together with the most vulnerable to grow robust communities
It is those who have the least wealth who are most vulnerable to the consequences of economic downturn and in our Briefing to the Incoming Government NZCCSS is calling on the incoming government to join with social service organisations to support and protect the most vulnerable amongst us. Jesus' message arohh tetahi ki tetahi "love your neighbour as yourself" is a message to those in political leadership as much as it is to those in everyday life.
A summary of the NZCCSS briefing is included in the December issue of our newsletter Kete Kupu (download Kete Kupu Dec 08)
Read the full version of the NZCCSS Briefing to the Incoming Government as well as briefings from government departments on social outcomes, children, young people, older people, housing and health can also be accessed from the NZCCSS Briefing to the Incoming Government webpage. Read more...
FEATURED PUBLICATION:
HOUSE TO HOME
“House to Home”is the fourth in a series of study booklets produced by the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand to encourage congregations to reflect about contemporary issues that are impacting our communities. “House to Home” aims to explore some of the questions surroundinghousing for all New Zealanders.
Moving into providing emergency housing and long term supported accommodation is one of the more recent developments for the Baptist social service organisation Friendship Trust. This is one example of how our members are responding to needs in our communities.
The Trust is always looking to respond in new and innovative ways to meet the needs of the community and approximately six years ago it became very evident that homelessness had emerged as a huge issue in the community.The Trust worked with Housing NZ to start an Emergency Housing service for women and children in Waitakere and in 2004 the Trust’s Emergency Accommodation was opened, housing up to five women and ten children at any one time.Through this work the Trust identified that although Emergency Housing is vital, of even more importance is the need for families to have a safe and affordable home with security of tenure.Through a partnership with HNZC and the Housing Innovations Fund and funding assistance from ASB Community Trust and Skycity Community Trust, the Trust has been able to purchase ten properties for the use of Long Term supported rental accommodation for low income families.A Housing Social Worker also works alongside the family to ensure underlying social issues are identified and addressed.
The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) is made up of representatives from the Anglican Care Network, Baptist Churches of New Zealand, Catholic Social Services, Presbyterian Support New Zealand and the Methodist and Salvation Army churches. Our member organisations provide social services in communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, covering a wide range of needs: children and family services, services for older people, foodbank and emergency services, housing, budgeting, disability, addictions, community development and employment. The services provided by our members are available to all, regardless of religious belief. Through its work, such as policy analysis and research, NZCCSS ultimately seeks to ensure that the voice of poor and vulnerable New Zealanders is heard. For more information about the Council go to About NZCCSS.
