2002 - 2004

September 2004 – Wellington

Nearly 150 NGOs were represented at this event at Westpac Trust Stadium, which explored the relevance of the 2001 ‘Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship’ and the Treasury’s ‘Guidelines for Contracting with Non-Government Organisations for Services Sought by the Crown’.

The keynote speaker was Tim Barnett, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector. Other presenters were Brenda Ratcliff, Director of the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector; Bryan Dunne from Treasury; and Don Clarke from NZAID presenting with Rae Julian from the NZ Council for International Development.

A draft statement about the ongoing issue of advocacy and lobbying was discussed. There was a strong feeling from NGOs that there should be no constraints around this activity. It was noted that the provisions of the Ministry’s statement applied only to fully funded NGOs working in the health education field. The Working Group was keen to ensure that DHBs apply the terms of the Statement appropriately.

Morning workshops explored six topics in groups:

• Culture of Government
• Compliance Costs
• Investing in Capability
• Strengthening the Community Sector
• Consultation
• Ministry of Health NGO desk

• Feedback from the morning workshops (Word, 60.5 KB)
• Draft Statement on Ministry of Health and NGO contracts (lobbying) (Word, 23 KB)
• MP Tim Barnett's keynote speech (pdf, 115.1 KB)
• How Governments Should Contract with Non-Government Organisations – a response to the Hunn-Brazier Report: Contracts with Non Government Organisations – Compliance with Public Service Standards. (pdf, 229 KB)

March 2004 – Wellington

The 5th joint Ministry of Health/NGO Health and Disability Forum explored the potential for NGOs and Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) to work together to improve health outcomes. Ideas and comments at the meeting indicated considerable consistency throughout the sector, including for both Māori and non-Māori providers. Participants affirmed the Primary Health Care Strategy and supported this as a positive means of improving health outcomes for New Zealanders.

Ministry of Health speakers were Dr Karen Poutasi, Director-General of Health and Gillian Grew, Chief Advisor (Services) from the Primary Health Team. The Minister of Health, the Hon. Annette King, outlined the Government’s vision for the PHO Strategy and listened to key issues raised by the Forum workshops – responding in some depth to those.

September 2003 – Wellington

The focus of this forum was NGO-DHB relationships. The Fora provide an opportunity to discuss key issues for the NGO sector and to share these with the Ministry and other stakeholders. The Fora also enable the NGO sector to set an ‘agenda’ of work for the NGO Working Group (selected annually) to progress between meetings on behalf of the Forum.

March 2003 – Wellington

The major focus for this 3rd Forum was service quality, audits and risk management. Sue Kenny from Deakin University in Australia presented and participated in stimulating debate.

After the Forum, Working Group representatives met with the Ministry and awareness of the impact of audit for NGOs increased – with a significant change regarding the size of samples for certification audits against the Health and Disability Standards. The Working Group also shared its concerns with DHBs and work got underway to progress a national workshop, hosted by Hawke’s Bay DHB on audit/risk management.

September 2002 – Wellington

At this Forum, the NGO Working Group was elected to:

1. Build a relationship between the Ministry of Health and non-government organisations that deliver health and disability services.
2. Provide a strong NGO voice that can inform Ministry of Health strategies and feedback to the Ministry of Health about key issues.
3. Establish an NGO relationship with funders and policy makers that includes:

• Access and influence across the Ministry of Health’s areas of policy development
• Relationship building across the health sector
• Identification of common issues, concerns and ways forward
• Providing for communication and linkages between NGOs involved in Maori health, Pacific health, primary health, public health, mental health and disability support issues
• Disseminating within the Ministry of Health and the NGO sector information that will enhance the relationship
• Consultation and collaboration on areas of mutual concern such as policy development, needs assessment, strategic planning, annual planning, workforce and sector development, infrastructure issues and other emerging issues.

March 2002 – Wellington

The first Forum was attended by around 40 people.