Invitation to discuss the shape of welfare changes
Alternative Welfare Working Group public meetings in Auckland

As a public debate begins over the future of our social welfare system, Auckland residents are invited to share experiences and views about welfare at public meetings called by Welfare Justice – the Alternative Welfare Working Group.

The first meeting will be at Tatai Hono Marae, 8 Burleigh St, Grafton, Auckland, on Thursday 9 September, 10.00am to 1.00pm.

It will be attended by three members of an alternative group established by a coalition of Church and beneficiary groups to provide more opportunities for those who will be most directly affected by benefit changes to have their voices heard.

The Welfare Justice – the Alternative Welfare Working Group members who will be attending the Tatai Hono Marae meeting are:
• Mike O’Brien, Associate Professor in social work and social policy, Massey University
• Sue Bradford, community activist, former Member of Parliament, PhD student
• Pihopa Muru Walters, Pihopa o Te Upoko o Te Ika and Chair of the Anglican Social Justice Commission

Welfare Justice member Sue Bradford says the public meetings, which started in Wellington on 24 August, are showing that many beneficiaries and community groups are deeply anxious about the shape of future welfare changes.

“Many already experience great difficulties in their interactions with the welfare system. The system is certainly in need of radical change – but the big question is around exactly what the nature of that change should be.”

Welfare Justice chair Mike O’Brien says he hopes that beneficiaries, sole-parents, people with disabilities, job-seekers and unemployed people and community organizations will take the opportunity to share their experiences with the group. “We particularly want to hear what principles people believe should be central to social welfare, and how these are being applied or not applied in our current system. We want to hear about ideas for the future as well as what is happening currently.”

A second meeting will be at Manurewa Marae, 81 Finlayson Ave, Manurewa, 20 September, 10.00am-1.00pm

ENDS

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