Media release
For immediate release

13 February 2007

Government engages in one way “partnership”

Attempts to improve the relationship between Government and the Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary sector are being hampered by Government’s refusal to work collaboratively with Sector organisations.

The Community Sector Taskforce has been working for some time to advance plans for a joint national Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary sector forum with Government. The purpose of the forum is to look at ways to strengthen the working relationship between the two parties.

“The national forum is a great opportunity to improve Government-sector relationships. We believe this will lead to an improvement in the quality of community input into policy development. It will also help shape reforms around Government funding and accountability mechanisms to make organisations more effective,” says Tony Spelman and Sam Sefuiva, co-chairs of the Community Sector Taskforce.

The Taskforce has been working in partnership with the Government to facilitate bringing together the Sector and plan for a successful forum in June 2007. “Unfortunately the Government has unilaterally decided to take over forum preparation and organising at this stage to the exclusion of the Taskforce,” Mr Spelman says.

“The Government’s attempt to dominate the process at this point is just the ‘same old’ approach that has always been taken with the Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary Sector. We are keen to work collaboratively with the Government but the relationship must be one of respect and trust,” said Mr Sefuiva.

“A strong and positive relationship between Government and Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary sector organisations helps strengthen all New Zealand communities. One sided actions like this do not point to the beginning of a new way of working together,” says Mr Spelman.

“The Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary sector is independent of government and should not be expected to simply buy into a Government approach where they tell us they know best. The government should welcome Sector leadership for Sector-wide development,” says Mr Sefuiva.

ENDS

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