A brief history of the Community Sector Taskforce

Note, April 2005: The page is awaiting update.  A brief history of the Taskforce, why it was formed, its purpose, groups and principles.

Community Sector Taskforce where did it come from?

1999    (& for past 10 years +)

• corporate, commercial framework used by govt
• contracting with NGOs by govt
• loss of mutual trust and respect
• threat to funding of 2 social service umbrellas
• “compacts” being developed in UK

Working Party

• Labour-led government elected Oct 1999
• August 2000 - Community & Voluntary Sector Working Party established

– Dorothy Wilson - Chair - reps from the sector (9) and govt depts (3)
– wide dialogue around NZ
– reported in April 2001

Report of the Working Party:
Communities and Government - Potential for Partnership - Whakatopu Whakaaro

• the relationship was unhealthy
• many groups are struggling
• a lack of trust and respect
• government is aloof and arrogant
• power is centralised
• local government is similar
• the time is not right for formal agreements

Recommendations:

• a Treaty of Waitangi Commission to address broader Maori concerns
• immediate actions to “jump start” relationship rebuilding
• a “Statement of Intent” by govt.
• a 2nd phase of relationship building

July 2001
Government agrees to most Working Party recommendations and to progress work into a second phase

Steering Group
Sept 2001 - Community-Government Relationship Steering group established

– Dorothy Wilson - Chair - reps from the sector (8), govt depts (2), local govt (1)
– focus groups, regional & sector forums, hui
– national forum June 2002
– reported in July 2002

December 2001
Government signs “Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community - Government Relationship”

Statement of Intent
“Community, voluntary & iwi/Maori organisations play a unique & vital role in NZ society”

• set of principles
• government commitments
    – culture of “whole of govt”
    – principles of Treaty of Waitangi
    – participation in decision-making
    – review of funding issues
    – strengthening the sector

Steering Group - Sept 2001 to July 2002
Three streams of work:

– Resourcing and Accountability
– Participatory Processes
– Strengthen the Community Sector

He Waka Kotuia - Steering Group Report - Aug 2002

• an Action Group (Maori)
• a Community Forum Taskforce - appointed by sector
    – projects to strengthen sector
    – convene next annual forum
• govt depts report on relationship with our sector
• build a funding good practice website
• regular high level review

July 2002 to January 2003

• July 2002 - General Election
• August - Steering Group report & recommendations tabled
• August - Minister for the Voluntary and Community Sector Appointed
• December - approval given for appointment of Taskforce and Action Group Maori

Te Wero

• first meeting March 2003
• to provide an independent perspective to that of the C&V sector and of government
• knowledgeable & experienced in Iwi & Maori community-based organisations, local govt, and the public sector

Community Sector Taskforce Group

• nominated by Steering Group community members
• first meeting Feb 2003

Vision & Working Together

• Our vision is to have a sector that is informed, connected and able to do its work
• Te Wero and the Taskforce each have their tasks.  We have committed ourselves to working in close collaboration with each other, in the spirit of the articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi