Jacoby Poulain: Life is a gift to be treasured

Jacoby Poulain

If it wasn't for hope it would be with hurt that I report this recent event.

Last Wednesday afternoon I returned home to a phone call which started cordially enough but quickly turned sour. The male caller called for the sterilisation of young Maori women so that they would avoid having fatherless children and being a perpetual burden on our system. I assume he meant the sterilisation of beneficiaries only or otherwise in effect, with all mothers of that race being sterilised, he would have been advocating the wiping out of an entire race or ethnic cleansing, and we all know who that sounds like. Nevertheless, he demanded to know what I was going to do about it.

I'm not open to Maori, mother or beneficiary bashing or any other demonisation or rhetorical beating up of a person or class of persons. It's old, tedious, tiresome and gets nowhere.

I am open, however, to sensible, respectful suggestions offered in a genuine and helpful spirit, and perhaps even a hand of support offered would do wonders.

I will put this scene into context and encourage others to, also. Spending on social security and welfare income support initiatives such as benefits, subsidies, working for families and NZ superannuation will make up an expected $21.6 billion in the 2013/14 tax year or nearly 30 per cent of Government expenditure. New Zealand Superannuation accounts for more than half this spending and the costs of Superannuation are expected to grow by $600 million each year for the foreseeable forecasted future. For the other half of this spending, at the end of September 2013, 42 per cent of it went to Jobseeker Support, 30 per cent to Supported Living Payment and 26 per cent to Sole Parent Support. This translates to 2.9 per cent of the working-age population of New Zealand or 79,699 people receiving Sole Parent Support. Two thirds are actually non-Maori and approximately 77 per cent are predominantly female between the ages of 25-65, not the younger 18-25 year range as many believe. Young Maori female beneficiary recipients are an issue, yes, so too are the aged, unemployed, sick and the working even at times. Any person that receives any assistance, benefit, credit, supplement, exemption or the like from the Government draws on the system. The only question is what we as a society and individuals make of the issue and which issue.

I'm not sure why, out of all the options, this man chose to call me with this issue. I assume it's because I'm a relatively youngish Maori woman thus sharing common characteristics of those in issue and therefore arguably making it my responsibility.

I happen to be a soon-to-be mum also, making this all the more relevant to me. I will speak, but not for sterilisation. Life is a God-given gift to be cherished and looked after. This isn't just a young Maori mum issue, the facts prove this, and even if it were I believe that a road of encouragement and support rather than crucifixion and condemnation of these young women, or any other person or family in society genuinely wishing to do better is a more productive option.

Abuse of the system is wrong but when there is genuine use not abuse of the system and a desire to do better then I believe in helping people and families address the root issues preventing this. When and where I can I will encourage and support young mums, all mums, to continue loving their children and contributing meaningfully to their households and communities as the vast majority already do, brown, white, beneficiary or otherwise.

Jacoby Poulain is a Hastings District Council Flaxmere Ward councillor and a Hawke's Bay District Health Board member.