The local expertise should not have surprised the Treasury officials at the workshops.
From my experience working with community groups around the country, they have always had the knowledge and awareness to come up with local solutions for local problems.
But they have never been trusted by the Government to do the task. It has always been "government knows best". A misnomer if ever there was one. However, out of necessity I suspect we will now see some changes.
I believe central government has tried to address issues of inequity and inequality in society but it is time to ask "can they do better". And also "are they the best ones for the job"?
It is communities themselves that have a vested interest in their own social wellbeing. They will never believe it's a "one size fits all" solution to the myriad of social problems in New Zealand. This simplistic approach is what we have always had and how it's always been.
And we continue to expect the social welfare spend to just disappear each year into a big black hole. Never asking "how well did they do, has it made a difference"?
The three mayors of the Far North, Rotorua and Gisborne are showing leadership by requesting the Government take a look at another model of social service delivery. One that will have more benefit for their own district than the present centralised model.
Demarcation zones, for specific purposes, will be created where innovative new ideas in service design, development and delivery in key social welfare areas can be explored. These include health, education, employment and training, courts and police. With a collective approach by all involved. This includes not only government agencies but experienced non-government and iwi organisations.
Social welfare is big business. The taxpayer has become so used to giving money each year to government departments without expecting to see any tangible results. The departments have become very good at "better managing the problem" rather than turning things around.
Why has it taken them so long to realise that local communities do want to see themselves prosper and thrive. They have every right to expect they will. And that workable solutions stem from solid reliable local knowledge.
The three mayors are signalling a commitment to work hard to facilitate and bring about the positive results their districts need. They know what's at stake when existing services don't measure up. It is evident every day. And they are wise enough to know that one agency, one service provider or one programme alone will not bring about the quantum change required.
The revolutionary approach being proposed by the three mayors will deliver, measure, analyse, and communicate meaningful outcomes for families who require change. With all parties working together to converge on outcomes, they will be able to measure "the difference we have made". Going a long way to tackling poverty.
Now central government must trust local government and each must challenge the entrenched thinking on both sides.
Merepeka lives in Rotorua. She writes, speaks and broadcasts to thwart the spread of political correctness.
