Tātou, Tātou: Building an Aotearoa for All -

Kathryn Ross, Skylight's Tumu Whakarae, attended the hui alongside 70 not-for-profit leaders, funders and people involved with the charities and voluntary sector. The hui was organised by the Wellington City Mission, Youth Inspire, Hui E!, Vulnerable Support Charitable Trust and Mana Communications.

We noted the difficult environment for the voluntary and not-for-profit sector - with many in the sector feeling completely undervalued - at a time of increased need, a funding squeeze, and a drawn-out cost of living crisis.

But I came away with such hope and renewed commitment to the people we serve.

As I said to RNZ - hearing from the people we support day in and day out - you cannot help but be inspired by their stories of success and motivated to empower them to thrive.

A huge thank you to Luta and Denis and their gift to us - sharing their journeys.

A panel of politicians shared their views on what needed to occur and a statement from the sector was compiled and shared. It called for a "genuine partnership between government, iwi, the sector and those who invest in our communities" ... "a shared direction that extends beyond election cycles" and a better funding relationship. "Aotearoa's generosity is one of our greatest strengths, but it cannot carry the weight of our social infrastructure alone. Government must meet its responsibilities and create the conditions that allow our sector, and our country, to thrive."

Check out the coverage on -

RNZ - https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/community/1073969/charities-call-for-more-state-support-to-weather-perfect-storm