4 May 2000

A series of national meetings will be held this year to stimulate public debate on employment issues.

They will be organised by 14 mayors, a group formed from the recent MAYORS TASKFORCE for JOBS meeting in Christchurch. The core group has agreed on an action plan to bring greater collaboration among mayors on local employment initiatives.

The 14 mayors plan to work with local employment co-ordination groups to focus on their first goal which is that no person under the age of 25 years be out of work or training.

The forums will be part of this approach and the mayors also hope to consult with the chief executives of WINZ, the Ministry of Education, and the Labour Department, and Maori and Pacific Island leaders, along with the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development.

In the longer term, the mayors plan to meet government employment and training ministers to discuss co-operation and joint funding.

Christchurch’s Mayor, Garry Moore, says the MAYORS TASKFORCE for JOBS could create an important vehicle to promote partnerships among central and local government, community groups and the private sector.

"We all need each other in our towns and cities and our leadership roles are to get everyone talking and co-operating," he says.

Mr Moore says this will mean creating unusual groupings from time to time.

"We have to challenge lateral thinkers. We will have to encourage private and public entrepreneurs to be courageous. Without courage our economy will not grow and without leadership that courage will not be fostered."

The Minister of Regional Economic Development and the Associate Minister of Social Services, Ruth Dyson, who attended the final Taskforce session in Christchurch in April, have endorsed the call for partnership.

The 14 mayors will meet the Minister of Employment, Steve Maharey, and Mr Anderton next week to discuss matters raised at the Taskforce meeting.

These will include:

• The need for economic development and employment initiatives to recognise the importance of community economic development and community ownership.
• The need for an extensive re-building of the not-for-profit sector in communities.
• The urgent need to devise programmes that address Maori and Pacific Island employment issues.
• The need to give young people assurances about the future and retain them in their communities.

Further information:

• Garry Moore (Christchurch)
• Jill White (Palmerston North)
• Derek Fox (Wairoa)
• John Chaffey (Hurunui)
• Jenny Brash (Porirua)
• Tim Shadbolt (Invercargill)
• Sukhi Turner (Dunedin)
• Pat O’Dea (Buller)
• Basil Morrison (Hauraki)
• Graeme Ramsey (Kaipara)
• Alan Dick (Napier)
• Claire Stewart (New Plymouth)
• Frana Cardno (Southland)
• Mark Blumsky (Wellington)