THE REPORT OF THE MINISTERIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON A
MAORI PERSPECTIVE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE 1988
"People felt the Department’s offices were unwelcoming and impersonal, lacked privacy and adequate soundproofing. Counters were seen as creating barriers between “them” and “us” and children were not catered for in waiting rooms."
"It was suggested that training programmes should be designed to raise the level of awareness of Maori culture and should also incorporate training in personal skills and some knowledge of New Zealand history. A compelling need was for front-line staff to be fully aware of the range of assistance available and to have the authority to make decisions and give authoritative advice."
Yesterday MSD released their latest attempts to consult with Maori about their experiences with WINZ and the responses are strikingly similar:
"You said that our offices needed to be brightened up and have
spaces where you could meet with your case managers privately.
You didn’t like open plan set ups as other people could easily
overhear your business. You want access to toilets and tea and
coffee facilities so that when appointments are running late, you
can freshen up and have a drink. You also wanted play areas and
changing facilities for your children and access to free Wi-Fi at
service centres. You didn’t mind the presence of security guards
and understood why they were there. However you said that
kaumātua or Māori wardens could also fill those roles as they were
less threatening to Māori and would likely diffuse situations before
they even began. With some site closures it has been harder for you
to get to other service centres."
"You said that it was stupid that we don’t tell you about all the different supports that you are entitled to receive when you register with us – instead we wait for you to ask."
"You told us you wanted to hear Māori being spoken/greetings | See Māori imagery around | Choose to have a Māori case worker | Be offered training on Māori things."
I can find no on-line data for benefit ethnicity during the 1980s. Currently Maori account for 36.4 percent of all working age beneficiaries. In 2003 the percentage was 30.4 and in 1998 25.2 percent.
In 20 years the figure has risen from a quarter to well over a third.
Make what you will of that.
1 comment:
The criticisms sound like customers complaining about service. I guess years of government staff telling people on welfare they are customers hasn't helped. People on welfare need to understand its welfare, a handout, the fruit of someone else's labour, not a service you select from a range of competing retailers or providers.
3:16
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