Feed the children ?

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Ewen McQueen

Labour leader David Shearer last week announced a new education policy initiative – feeding children in low decile schools across New Zealand. Labour has costed it at $19million per annum. Hone Harawira was promoting the same initiative as Mana Party policy during last year’s election. KidsCan announced today that by working jointly with the private sector and government agencies they could do it for a mere $4million per annum.

Even at $19million it is a drop in the bucket of public expenditure – however it is a drop that would have a positive ripple effect across the entire education budget. Why spend billions trying to teach hungry children who can’t even concentrate? This is a simple, straightforward policy that would have a strong impact, leveraging the existing investment in the sector. And it could be done without the need for any extra policy analysts at the ministry, or any more frameworks….etc etc

Yes we need to address the underlying drivers of child poverty – in particular the breakdown of family life. However that is a long term generational task. In the meantime let’s feed the children – it’s a bargain.

Ewen McQueen
September 2012

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Will Tuhoe now sign the Treaty ?

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Ewen McQueen

Another major Treaty settlements milestone passed today with Tuhoe deal announced. Among other things it includes  $170million in redress and co-management of Te Urewera National Park. However it was a milestone with an important difference – Tuhoe have never actually signed the Treaty of Waitangi. And it raises the obvious question – will they now sign it ?

Historically the Crown has dealt with all Iwi as as if they had signed the Treaty, even if they had not. This was a specific policy decision taken early in New Zealand’s adminstrative history. Whilst it was taken as a good faith decision on the part of the Crown, where the Treaty was itself dishonoured by the Crown then non-signing Iwi were often the victms of injustice just as those who signed it were. Tuhoe was among them.

However times have changed and today the good faith of the Crown has worked on behalf of Tuhoe even though they are not Treaty signatories. Perhaps its time Tuhoe formally acknowledged that they too are citizens of New Zealand, and agree to “give absolutely to the Queen of England forever the complete government over their land”.  (Professor Sir Hugh Kawharau’s translation of the Maori version of Article 1 of the Treaty).

In 1908 the Tuhoe chief Rua Kenana came down from his mountain stronghold to discuss matters of state with then Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward. In response to Rua’s questions about the issue of sovereignty, Ward replied – there can only be one sun in the sky.

That was why the Treaty was signed in 1840. It remains true today.

Ewen McQueen
September 2012

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Child poverty report – still ignoring the obvious

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Ewen McQueen

The Office of the Childrens Commissioner published another report on child poverty today – “Solutions to Child Poverty in New Zealand – Issues and Options Paper for Consultation”. It rightly points out the major problem we have in this country with child poverty, and no doubt has some useful ideas.

However it continues to ignore one of the major contributors to the growth of child poverty – family breakdown. It notes on page 1 that ” Children in sole-parent families experience significantly higher poverty rates than those in two-parent families (56 percent and 13 percent respectively in 2011)”. But it ignores this obvious policy target in its approach to solutions.

Instead we get references to the UN Convention on the rights of the child, the Treaty of Waitangi, and “the complex, multi-faceted nature of child poverty, and the need for an integrated and comprehensive package of measures if solutions are to be effective”

What about measures to rebuild strong family life ? How about policy that affirms the institution of marriage which evidence clearly shows provides better outcomes in terms of family resilience and economic security. When children have both a mum and a dad they are far more likely to have an earner in the household, rather than just one parent struggling on welfare.

The debate on child poverty is not new. Fifteen years ago I contributed to the NZ Herald on the topic (refer Poverty: it’s not a lack of jobs, it’s a lack of fathers). So many years on and we are still ignoring the obvious.

Ewen McQueen
August 2012

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Key simplistic on euthanasia

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Ewen McQueen

Last week Prime Minister John Key came out publicly in support of voluntary euthanasia, suggesting it was already happening in our hospitals. His comments were based on the fact that doctors sometimes have to make difficult decisions about ceasing life-support in terminal situations. However this is not euthanasia and Key’s suggestion that it is brought a strong response from medical specialists in palliative care.

The chair of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine said Key was “misrepresenting” the care of terminal patients and suggesting doctors were acting illegally and unethically.  Even Maryan Street the Labour MP promoting a members bill to legalise euthanasia noted that Key had got it wrong. She was clear that what she wanted was a step much further – the right of individuals to request medical staff to assist them to take their own lives at a time and place that suited them.

To his credit the PM today admitted his comments were a bit “sloppy” and that he never intended to suggest doctors were acting illegally. However his comments not only showed a misunderstanding of what euthanasia is, but they also displayed a simplistic approach to the issue. Simply saying, as Key did, that if he was terminally ill and in pain he would want someone to end his life, suggests he has given little thought to the wider implications of what he is endorsing.

Legislation nearly always carries a cultural message that will impact well beyond its apparent ambit. The message that legalised euthanasia will infuse into our culture is clear – there is such a thing as a life not worth living. In a country with one of the highest youth suicide rates in the world, why would our political leaders promote such a concept?

Ewen McQueen
August 2012

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A doctor with courage

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Ewen McQueen

When the Southern DHB decided to start undertaking abortions at Southland Hospital in Invercargill they didn’t expect resistance from their own staff. However last week senior paediatrician Dr Vili Sotutu tendered his resignation over the matter and other doctors at the hospital were also reportedly unhappy (Fairfax NZ News Stuff.co.nz 04.08.12).

Thankfully his resignation was not accepted. The health system needs more staff with his courage. Doctors, nurses and managers who reject the notion that taking human life should simply be accepted as a normal part of their job.

The Southern DHB clearly doesn’t see listening to its community as part of its job on this matter. Over 200 people turned up at a meeting in June to oppose the move. Board members were invited but did not attend.

Ewen McQueen
August 2012

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An uncommon hope

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Ewen McQueen

Last week another four Treaty settlements had their final reading in Parliament. Among others, East Coast iwi Rongowhakaata and Ngai Tamanuhiri received Crown apologies and redress for violent and tragic Treaty breaches in the 1860s.  The claims settlement bills passed quietly and unanimously. There was little media interest. Conflict is headline news (witness the recent controversy over asset sales and the Waitangi Tribunal). However justice and honourable settlement is not.

It is unfortunate, for such moments in the Treaty settlement journey throw up the best of what Parliament can be. It becomes a place of honour, respect, honesty, and humility. MPs from across parties contribute with dignity and sincerity. As the public gallery fills with waiata at the end of each final reading, one is left with an uncommon sense of hope and optimism for our nation.

There are few nations where such a journey has even been attempted. In the main deeply held grievances between peoples remain just that – deeply held, with occasional violent flare ups. Croatia, Serbia, Rwanda, Iraq, all come to mind.

Yet in this land of ours a painful history is being re-opened, re-told and to the extent that it is possible – resolved. It is a unique and wonderful journey that flows against the normal tide of human history.

Perhaps we should not be surprised. There is One who was a witness at the signing of the Treaty, who was witness for Rongowhakaata and Ngai Tamanuhiri, and who hears the petition each time the Parliamentary mace is carried into the debating chamber….

“Almighty God, humbly acknowledging our need for Thy guidance in all things, and laying aside all private and personal interests, we beseech Thee to grant that we may conduct the affairs of this House and of our country to the glory of Thy holy name, the maintenance of true religion and justice, the honour of the Queen, and the public welfare, peace, and tranquillity of New Zealand, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Ewen McQueen
August 2012

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She thought the baby had a tummy bug…

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Ewen McQueen

Leilani Lotonu’u-Lorigan aged two died last month in Manurewa. Her mother’s boyfriend was last week charged with murder. He had moved in with Lelani’s 19 year old mother and her baby sister six months prior.

Leilani’s grandmother said “Leilani died from septicemia from two ruptures in her bowel and passed away in her “mother’s arms”. She never made it to the hospital… she died in my granddaughter’s arms. She thought the baby had a tummy bug,” (Fairfax NZ News – Stuff.co.nz 12.07.12).

As our political leaders consider an action plan to protect vulnerable children (refer Green Paper submission) they need to escape their tunnel vision on social agency response and look instead at culture – relationship culture. Why  have we abandoned our young people to such a dangerous casualisation of human relationships? Why have we allowed social values and norms to become embedded that accept “revolving-door” families where mum’s latest boyfriend comes and goes, and where children are at greatly increased risk of abuse?

And as Jim Hopkins pointed out in a recent NZ Herald column  (“The only consistency around is the inconsistency” – NZ Herald 29.06.12) – why do our political leaders not see the obvious contradictions? On one hand they have state agencies struggling to deal with child abuse, whilst on the other state owned TV channels and NZ on Air produce and broadcast programmes that glamorise and normalise the casualised relationship culture which gives rise to such abuse.

Page 7 of “Strong Families: Thriving Children – Submission on the Green Paper for Vulnerable Children” has a table of child deaths in New Zealand over the last five years. Of the 23 deaths listed, 21 involved children in households where the adults were not in a stable married relationship. In most of those cases (17) the person convicted, charged or a suspect was not even the biological parent of the child. Sadly Leilani adds another name to that list.

The Government is now preparing a White Paper with specific policy proposals on protecting vulnerable children. Rebuilding a culture which affirms marriage and commitment is an obvious and urgent policy target. Will they take aim?

Ewen McQueen
July 2012

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Generational Politics

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Ewen McQueen

There is friction this week between National and the Maori Party over Iwi interests in water rights and Prime Minster John Key’s unforunate comments re the Waitangi Tribunal. To be fair, Key didn’t say the Government would ignore the Tribunal, simply that its decisions were non-binding on the Crown. However  as Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia have rightly pointed out – the timing of the comments at the beginning of the Tribunal’s hearing on this issue were not helpful. The Tribunal and the process it oversees deserves the respect, if not always the agreement of the Crown.

However the issues here run deeper than water and the Waitangi Tribunal. The Maori Party’s discomfort with the partial sale of state owned enterprises is the underlying driver of this week’s friction. In a sense two different world-views are running up against each other. One which seeks a balanced budget in the near term. The other which looks beyond both economics and political cycles to generational stewardship. One is reminded of Cornwall Park and Sir John Logan Campbell.

Ewen McQueen
July 2012

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This our fathers did for us…

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Ewen McQueen

Last week floral tributes appeared at the entrance to Cornwall Park commemorating 100 years since the passing of Sir John Logan Campbell one of the founding fathers of Auckland. Sir John owned the land that is now Cornwall Park and originally planned to build his own residence there. However in 1901 he gifted it to the people of Auckland during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.

Cornwall Park now stands as a testament to long-term, generational thinking. For over a century it has been a place of beauty, serenity, and refeshment for the soul. Whilst all around it the land has been divided, developed and on-sold many times over for gain and more again, the park has remained a bastion against the restless speculative spirit of the city. It exists as land apart – consecrated to a different call. A call to legacy and inheritance.

As we look to renew our nation, Cornwall Park and the noble ideals it represents, are a signpost for us. From our fathers comes a guiding hand for our children and their children. It is not about what we can have now. It is about what we can leave them.

The plaque near the entrance to Twin Oaks Drive speaks of the spirit of the park in a poem adapted from John Ruskin. It ends;  “See, this our fathers did for us!”

Ewen McQueen
July 2012

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Green Paper for Vulnerable Children

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Ewen McQueen

The executive summary of my submission on the Government’s Green Paper for Vulnerable Children is shown below. The full submission as at the following link.

Strong Families Thriving Children – Green Paper Submission

Summary of Submission

 The essence of this submission is that the scope of the Green Paper is too limited. Its questions are framed primarily in the context of mitigating child abuse via social agency response. The Government needs to take a more strategic approach, looking at and addressing the underlying causes of child abuse.

There is now considerable social research indicating that family structure is an important risk factor in determining the likelihood that children will suffer abuse and neglect. In particular the research highlights that children in non-married households where one parent is not biologically related to the child, are at significantly increased risk.

It is acknowledged that there are other risk factors for child abuse and neglect. However the risk associated with non-biological parents has now become so widely recognised in the research and literature that it has become known as the “Cinderella Effect”. Some studies rate it as the highest risk factor.

The social research is confirmed by the on-the-ground reality of child abuse in New Zealand. A summary analysis of child deaths from 2007 to 2011 shows by far the majority occurred in the context of non-married households with the perpetrator being not biologically related to the child in most cases.

It is submitted that addressing this driver of child abuse will require sustained, long-term action to rebuild strong family life in New Zealand. In particular cultural change will be required to re-establish widespread social support for the institution of marriage. Evidence is reviewed showing the significant advantages that marriage offers in terms of relationship and family stability.

In light of that evidence it is recommended that policy-makers need to take a “whole-of-culture” approach to rebuilding support for marriage. Part of that could include an Action Plan to Affirm Marriage. Possible initiatives for inclusion in such a plan are noted. Some are based on overseas initiatives from countries similar to our own (Australia, USA and the UK) where actions to rebuild a marriage-affirming culture have already commenced.

Finally it is concluded that rebuilding strong family life based on marriage will require support and action not only from political leaders, but from leaders across New Zealand society.  In particular leaders in sectors like education and the media which act as cultural “gatekeepers” will need to bring their influence to bear also. Only then will we stop the cycle of children being born into vulnerable and at-risk family situations.

Ewen McQueen
February 2012

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