Wrap-around beneficiary support is a better than sanctions says provider

Te Whangai Trust (TWT) says funding wrap-around support programmes is a better investment than benefit sanctions.

The charitable trust is a plant nursery that uses Māori concepts of whāngai and whānau to uplift South Aucklanders' connection with indigeneity while finding them work.

Speaking to William Terite on Pacific Mornings, TWT co-found Adrienne Dalton, says that wrap-around support must go with whatever program the government implements.

"The people that are going to be sanctioned are the ones with complex issues that we usually work with," Dalton said.

"Working with our youth, they have incredible skill sets but don't fit education systems.

"They have so many issues working against them. Those are the kids that are our future that we need to create programs for."

Watch the full interview via 531pi’s FB below:

The government launched their new traffic-light warning system last week, where those on government assistance are categorised by three colours.

Green means the person is compliant and prepared to work while orange represents the first or second breach of obligations in finding work, leading to more check-ins.

Red is the third breach which could lead to benefit reductions, suspension, money management and mandatory community work experience.

Social Development Minister Louise Upston also said cabinet agreed to a range of changes from early next year, including:

• Extending the period a failure to meet obligations counts against a beneficiary from one year to two years

• Requiring Jobseeker Support recipients to reapply every six months

• Requiring all beneficiaries with work obligations to have a jobseeker profile before receiving a benefit

• Half of the benefit will go onto a payment card that can only be used for a limited range of essential products and services

• A new community work sanction requiring beneficiaries to "build skills and confidence"

Several people have criticised this approach, including Auckland Action Against Poverty's Brooke Pao Stanley, who said it exacerbates community harm that's already stifled by poverty.

Dalton asked the government to look at its procurement program, saying there is funding for better support programs but that the issue is how its expenditure is handled.

"Organisations like ours can provide the outcomes the government requires through their procurement programmes," she said.

"Especially the Plant Supply Planting. There are opportunities just like reforestation with pine forests."

Dalton said getting the government to wrap their heads around what works is half the battle, as although they can help with resources, the community provides "the heart and the manpower".

She said an example of that heart can be in reframing reforestation with indigenous native species and forests which improves Pacific and Māori engagement.

"Our kids just bloom in that situation because it's going back to our roots, back to the philosophy of hapū and whānau.

"It's a way of building relationships - creating the villages that are going to raise our children."