17 June 2011
Update on Closer Together Whakatata Mai project
The Down Community Ministries ukulele band welcomed us with music as we all crammed into the small foyer for the launch
of Closer Together Whakatata Mai - reducing inequalities. It is 10am on a Thursday morning, opening time for the team at
DCM and their clients are gathering at the entrance, waiting for the doors to open. Read more on Blog on the launch http://www.closertogether.org.nz/blog/
The Closer Together website is up and running www.closertogether.org.nz and more than 300 people have signed up to the Closer Together Whakatata Mai Choice . We have freepost postcards to distribute but if you have access to the internet, then signing up online is the best
way.
Closer Together Whakatata Mai is also on Facebook and Twitter and beginning to build a following – please invite you friends and contacts to follow us as we continue to use those
networks for updates and information.
Inequality is an issue that is growing in importance and the national and international evidence is mounting to support
the message that reducing inequality and bringing us Closer Together Whakatata Mai is better for us all. Take a look at
Bill English this week answering questions from the Greens http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/9224. As he says, “The big issue about inequality is what you do about it!”
Regional Networks are developing and our Kaiwhakarite Jo Paku has visited the Hawkes Bay and Bay of Plenty in May
meeting with groups and building links for further work. The Anglican Care Waiapu team joined the programme with their
launch on 2nd June as well.
Poverty Action Waikato will be launching Closer Together Whakatata Mai in the Waikato on 24th June and Paul Barber from
our NZCCSS team will be up there to join them.
Resources for the programme are available. Contact us if you are organising an event and you would like us to send
Closer Together Whakatata Mai materials (postcards, leaflets and posters). All materials are on our website http://www.closertogether.org.nz/kete-of-resources/ plus FAQs, PowerPoint summary, video links and photos.
ENDS