Sallies baulk at new legislation

Lt-Col Ian Hutson - new laws require further scrutiny. Picture / NZ Herald

The Salvation Army is concerned that the Government's Health Response Bill, designed to empower police to deal with breaches of Covid-19 alert level 2 rules, does not consider spiritual wellbeing alongside physical wellbeing.

"This Bill worries us deeply," Māori Ministry director Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Hutson said.

"There is no allowance or trust for religious gatherings, which further indicates this Government's low view of spirituality as a fundamental part of overall wellbeing."

The Salvation Army acknowledged that changes had been made to the Bill, including the removal of references to marae, but believed it showed a lack of trust in iwi, hapū and community groups to work within the Covid-19 guidelines, despite the proven leadership of Māori in protecting the health and wellbeing of whānau during levels 4 and 3.

"This Bill needs further scrutiny, as it does not align with Te Tiriti o Waitangi, or the rule of law," Hutson said.

As frontline welfare responders to the economic and social effects of the Covid-19 crisis, the Salvation Army had seen the struggle many New Zealanders were facing with emotional and financial needs, and societal and family disconnection.

Churches provided love and support, especially for those who were isolated, vulnerable and relied on their church for social connection. The Army considered Sunday church services an essential service, as they offered spiritual health, a vital component of wellbeing.

Although most businesses, schools, restaurants, cinemas, cafes and retail outlets had been given the freedom to operate with the necessary restrictions and safety measures in place, churches had not, even though the Salvation Army was willing and able to fully comply with government restrictions on numbers and contact tracing.

The Army was asking the government to reconsider allowing the numbers at church services to increase in line with other commercial and social events under level 2 restrictions.