Bruce Bisset: Too many holes in social system

Where are the programmes that prove National views these basic social issues as a priority? Pictured is social development minister Anne Tolley. Photo / File

There are too many holes in our social and mental health systems, and more appearing by the day - something I was trying to point out in last week's column, which got misconstrued as a lack of support for the Limitless Hope appeal.

So to be quite clear: I am in awe of Kiri and Kevin Swannell's initiative to establish an emergency shelter for the homeless and disadvantaged, and fully commend this paper's campaign to see that dream realised.

What I do not support is that private citizens should have to move heaven and earth to plug yawning gaps in our social services because central government is more concerned about Saudi sheep farmers or Greek bankers than it is providing a decent safety net for its own people in crisis.

Nor did I mean to imply the Swannells were going into this venture with any degree of naivete. They know better than I the dark depths of poverty and despair in our neighbourhoods, and are doing more than the best they can.

My intent was rather to illustrate it is a complex societal problem, so must be fully supported by government agencies - indeed, should be provided by government agencies - with a full range of appropriate services. It isn't.

Where is the Ministry of Health? Where is the Ministry of Social Development? Where are the programmes that prove National views these basic social issues as a priority?

Even where they do exist, as I argued last week such programmes are often opposite in effect to their stated goals, because the "solutions" do not understand the problems.

It's great that Property Brokers have donated a building and offered ongoing support - but they're a private company.

It's great the Salvation Army is willing to network to see it succeed - but they are a religious charity. It's great doctors and nurses and social support workers are willing to donate their professional skills to ensure health needs are met - but they're doing so of their own individual will, unpaid.

In short, why does it take a labour of love by volunteers to rescue those whom our capitalist system has chewed up and spat out and who, in their hour of most dire need, are treated as if they were but bits of rubbish blowing along our pavements.

"Think this government cares? Then you're not paying attention.

Bruce Bisset

Worse; because at least rubbish gets picked up.

Ever since some bright spark thought our psychiatric wards could be closed and their residents would somehow cope with being thrown on to the streets, government in New Zealand has incrementally moved away from supporting our most needy, leaving it up to each community to rally to pick up the slack.

But when, in response, local councils increased their social services, central government waved a big stick and said, "No, thou shalt not do other than core services like roads and sewers", and the holes in our human infrastructure widened anew.

This year alone, we have seen cuts to important safety mechanisms like the rape crisis line, the suicide prevention line, and a dozen "minor" agencies which exist to aid the poor.

Think this government cares? Then you're not paying attention.

Thirty-seven cities in the US have now made feeding the homeless a crime. I kid you not. And that's the path our own like-minded politicians seem happy to pursue: no care, no responsibility.

So, my apologies if last week's effort was not clear in its aim: to poke the rump of government to expose itself on the mean streets and turn this from a struggle to an embrace.

One even the least fortunate among us might take comfort in. That's the right of it.

Bruce Bisset is a freelance writer and poet.