Q. Why develop a Relationship Agreement between communities and the Government?
It was nine years ago, September 2001, that the Statement of Government Intentions was developed - a document that sets out the relationship between the community and voluntary sector and government. It is time to revisit those principles and agree on some mutual objectives. The Government recognises the important contributions of community members and tangata whenua, community and voluntary organisations, and that the government and communities need to work together to address complex issues. The Minister for the Community Sector, Tariana Turia, hosted a national Community-Government Forum in November 2009 that explored key elements that might be in a Relationship Agreement and the process to develop one. Forum discussions endorsed the idea that government should develop a Relationship Agreement between government and the community and voluntary sector.
Q. Who will decide the content of the Relationship Agreement?
A steering group has been formed to oversee the development of a Relationship Agreement. The Kia Tutahi Standing Together Steering Group is now consulting with the sector and government on the draft and what should be in the final Relationship Agreement. The final agreement will be presented to Cabinet for endorsement.
Q. Who will sign the documents on behalf of government and the community sector?
No decisions have been made about this. This is part of the consultation process for the Kia Tutahi Standing Together Steering Group, who will canvas thoughts on this and make recommendations.
Q. What is the Kia Tutahi Steering Group consulting on?
The Kia Tutahi Standing Together Steering Group is consulting on the content of the draft Relationship Agreement.
Q. How is the Steering Group engaging with the community and voluntary sector?
The Kia Tutahi Standing Together Steering Group is holding 17 regional hui around New Zealand and is meeting with national lead organisations and government officials in Wellington. They also welcome written submissions and encourage online comment and discussion here at Bang the Table.
Q. What will happen to the responses from the consultation?
The analysis of the responses and the revised agreement will be prepared during September. Agreement on the finalised Relationship Agreement by the Steering Group will take place in mid-September and this will be presented to the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector at the end of September 2010.
Q. What is the diversity of the sector?
The sector can be divided into 12 subsectors within the non-profit sector. These are based on an international classification reference. They are culture, sport and recreation; education and research; health; social services; environment; development and housing; law, advocacy and politics; philanthropic intermediaries and voluntarism promotion; international; religion; business and professional associations and unions; and others not elsewhere classified. » See a diagram showing the diversity of the community sector: » Read more about each sub-sector and how they contribute to society
http://www.ocvs.govt.nz/about-the-community-and-voluntary-sector/definition-of-the-sector/index.html
http://www.ocvs.govt.nz/work-programme/building-knowledge/subsector-facts.html
Q. What is on the Steering Group's work programme?
The Steering Group is expected to work together to oversee the development of the Relationship Agreement. They are to:
Q. Who are the members of the Steering Group?
The Steering Group has 16 members made up of two co-chairs and 14 members. The co chairs are Hori Awa and Don Gray. Don Gray is a Deputy Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development responsible for Social Sector Strategy. Mr Hori Awa is the Chief Executive of Waahi Whaanui Trust. You can read more about the Steering Group members at:
http://www.ocvs.govt.nz/work-programme/relationship-agreement/relationship-agreement-development.html#Steeringgroupmembers6
Q. How were the co-chairs selected?
The Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, in consultation with her colleagues, selected the co-chairs.
Q. How were members chosen and what was the selection process?
The Kia Tatahi Standing Together Steering Group has been appointed by the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector. Steering Group members were selected based on their skills, experience and expertise and as far as possible to reflect the diversity of the sector. There were 121 nominations from the community and voluntary sector. The Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector considered all applicants using the Terms of Reference criteria, with independent checking of the process used. The Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector chose two co-chairs who then assessed the applicants and forwarded a recommendation about the list to the Minister. The Minister’s choice of members was endorsed by the Appointments and Honours Committee (APH) on 23 March 2010 and Cabinet on 29 March 2010.
Q. How long will the Kia Tutahi Steering Group be in place?
The Kia Tutahi Standing Together Steering Group has been brought together for a specific purpose and will cease to exist once its work has been completed under its Terms of Reference. A copy of the Terms of Reference is in the library here on Bang the Table.
Q. Who does the Kia Tutahi Steering Group report to?
The Kia Tutahi Standing Together Steering Group will recommend courses of action to the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector. The co-chairs communicate regularly with the Minister.
Q. Q. How many people are on the Steering Group?
There are 16 people on the Kia Tutahi Steering Group, including two co-chairs - one from a government agency and one from the community sector.
Q. Why was a Steering Group established?
Following the national Community-Government Forum in 2009, the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector decided to establish a Steering Group, consisting of representatives from the community and voluntary sector and government agencies, to lead this work. Both the community and voluntary sector and government need to be actively involved in developing a Relationship Agreement to ensure representation and collaboration across government agencies and community and voluntary sector. The Steering Group members were selected on their networks, skills, experience and expertise, and to provide a mix that as far as possible reflects the diversity of the sector. This includes Maori, Pacific peoples, ethnic groups, disabled people as well as regional, rural and urban voices and people of different ages.
Q. What is the scope of the Steering Group’s work?
The steering group is responsible for overseeing the development of a framework and content for a Relationship Agreement. The Steering Group’s agreed Terms of Reference include: