Ngā Taunakitanga o Hui E! Community Aotearoa | Hui E! Community Aotearoa Election 2023 Position

The tangata whenua, community and voluntary sector plays a crucial role in the wellbeing of Aotearoa. We provide vital services and support to communities across the country, often working with limited resources and funding.

We believe that the government should invest in the community and voluntary sector, recognising the valuable role it plays in our society. This sector is often the first point of contact for individuals and families seeking support and assistance, and it plays a vital role in creating resilient, connected and inclusive communities. This has never been more evident than in the recent flood and cyclone response in early 2023.

As we approach Election 2023, Hui E! Community Aotearoa and members of our network are urging political parties to develop and publish a comprehensive policy specifically for this sector.

Sign our position by visiting this link.

By creating this policy, political parties can demonstrate their understanding of the needs and challenges of the sector and offer solutions that will benefit not only the sector but all New Zealanders.

We call on political parties to commit to supporting and strengthening the community and voluntary sector by:

1. Addressing funding inequity?- there are many barriers in the current funding models that contribute to worsening inequities across the sector. To address this, parties can simplify funding applications, promote collaboration and co-delivery, invest in grassroots community groups, provide untagged funding, and shift Lottery and Crown funding to a minimum of 2-3 years funding. These changes will allow the sector to access funding more easily and enable consistent service delivery.

2. Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi?– honouring Te Tiriti is critical in supporting the sector. Parties can provide funding support for the sector to better understand Te Ao Māori and achieve equity, learn from successful iwi and hapū practices, embed tikanga Māori practices in the government's approach to funding and resourcing the sector, allocate funding specifically for Māori-led initiatives, and resource increased responsiveness to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. These changes will help to create a more equitable and respectful sector for all communities.

3. Enabling education and capacity building?– these are important to assist community groups to comply with regulations and promote a healthy sector. Parties can provide education to help organisations comply with regulations and function with ease, recognise and celebrate the critical role that the sector plays in Aotearoa New Zealand, provide funding for leadership development opportunities, and invest in relationships with national, regional, and local community groups and rōpū.

4. Enacting a full independent review of the Charities Act 2005?– there remains a need for a First Principles Review of the Charities Act by an independent authority. The Act needs to reflect the cultural context of Aotearoa New Zealand and introduce a more contemporary definition of charity to accurately reflect service delivery models.

We call on all political parties to prioritise the needs of our communities and to commit to supporting and strengthening the tangata whenua, community and voluntary sector. By working together, we can create a more just, equitable, and resilient society for all New Zealanders.

Sign our position by visiting this link.