Social security

No one really experiences prosperity when some of the members of our human family are suffering.
- New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, 2008

Between 1984 and 1999, New Zealand was a world leader in the growth of inequality between rich and poor.

Work is a fundamental source of social and economic wellbeing, but not all members of our society are able to participate in the workforce.  New Zealand has a heritage of social welfare for those unable to work due to unemployment, sickness, disability, old age or care for dependent relatives.

Today there are political calls to restructure our social welfare system.  While recognising that it is in need of review, Caritas continues to speak out for the involvement of beneficiaries and the wider community in its restructuring.

Caritas' Research and Advocacy Co-ordinator Lisa Beech spoke at an election forum in Wellington on poverty and injustice in November, link to the speech here.

Caritas activities and resources

Caritas was a member of the group that commissioned the Alternative Welfare Working Group in 2010, along with the Social Justice Commission of the Anglican Church and the Beneficiary Advocacy Federation of New Zealand. The Alternative Welfare Working Group produced two reports:

Other Caritas publications

Caritas submissions on social security: