On 27 February 2009, NZCCSS published Grassroots Voices. This research focuses on family and whanau experiences of receiving support services from Christian social services and government agencies. It draws on interviews with 130 social service clients, 82 social workers and 33 social service agency CEOs.

This builds on the campaign NZCCSS conducted in 2008 to explore several issues of practical social justice. Follow these quick links to dedicated pages that challenge us all to think about these themes:

• Are we looking after our children?
• Valuing the Lives of Older People
• Made Poor in New Zealand?
• The REAL Housing Affordability Problem
• We, Together growing communities

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.