FAMILIES COMMISSION NEEDS A SMACK

How silly is this... The only thing the
Families Commission does of note is run the successful White Ribbon anti Domestic Violence Awareness campaign.


Now they also back the Super Maori Fullas who are strong champions for anti violence. But who the hell thought that a government agency should stick out a press release highlighting the fact that the Super Maori Fullas were going to ride to Wellington to complain about a hike in ACC bike levies?


More bizzare behaviour from the feel good flossies at the Families Commission. DUH!

Bike Riders have busy November

Thursday, 22 October 2009, 5:56 pm
Press Release: White Ribbon

Bike Riders throughout New Zealand have confirmed that they will participate in two rides during a busy November.

Motorcyclists are preparing to converge on Parliament next month to express their concerns about the proposed increases to ACC levies and a week later, take part in the first National White Ribbon Ride being organised by the Families Commission, Super Maori Fullas and the Patriot Motorcycle Club.
Shane Henry, former soldier and Patriot Motorcycle Club member, says “many riders I’ve spoken to are looking forward to a busy November. It’s the traditional start of the riding season with the onset of better riding weather.”

“While we are all concerned at the proposed increase in ACC charges, we are committed to riding for the benefit of others by taking part in the White Ribbon Ride. Our members want to stand up and say that violence to women is not OK. This is a message that we are passionate about,” says Shane.

The Patriots are all former or serving members of the New Zealand Defence Forces. Shane Henry says, “ New Zealand is seen as a peacekeeping nation and our members have a background of serving their country. We now want to play a part in reducing violence in our own neck of the woods. That’s why we are supporting the White Ribbon Ride. I just want to say to all motorcycle riders, join us on the White Ribbon Ride and let us show the country that we can unite and support this great cause.”

The White Ribbon leaves from Westpac Stadium in Wellington following four routes up the North Island . The four rides will visit over 35 towns and cities across the North Island picking up riders on their way north. At many of the ‘meet and greet’ locations, events have been planned and the public will have the opportunity to meet the riders.

Men throughout New Zealand who wish to join the White Ribbon Ride should visit www.whiteribbon.org.nz to register.

Avid rider Mike King says, “I’m looking forward to taking my Harley Davidson on the White Ribbon Ride. It’s an opportunity for men to pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women, and this is one ride that I’m not going to miss.”

“As a comedian and performer I’ve always been lucky that I get paid to do things I enjoy, so work and fun are often combined. On the White Ribbon Ride I get to ride my Harley and stand up for something I believe in.”
“Growing up I was taught by my father never to hit girls and I have passed this message on to my son and my nephews. In our whanau there is a zero tolerance level for violence of any sort towards women!"

“I also have two lovely daughters and I want them and their potential boyfriends to know that violence against women is not OK. I’m proud to take part in this ride and look forward to meeting other men who are willing to stand up and be counted. Not that I will be standing while riding my bike. Would be a shame to see my ACC premiums rise!”

Statistics in New Zealand
• An average of 14 women a year are killed by their partners or ex partners.
• There are over 3500 convictions recorded against men each year for assaults on women.
• One in three women will experience partner violence at some point in their lives.

Update: spotted by the eagled eyed Hong Kong harridan - White Ribbon is also sponsored by ... yip ACC.

FAMILIES COMMISSION NOT OK

We watched with great interest the interview Paul Holmes did with Dr Jan Pryor, the CE of the Families Commission on Q and A .

At first she was very clear that the organisation was not a lobby group, but later in the interview talked about lobbying on some issues. That alone should have them disbanded. They are apparently there to offer contestable advice and as David Farrar points out, decided that they should even have a say on the Maori seat Super City issue. Bless them. That is casting their policy net way to wide.

Now we concede that the one thing that the commission has done well was the mass media It's Not Okay, TV campaign.



However, that ad campaign could have been commissioned by any of a number of agencies.
And the kudos for that campaign should go to the Ad company that developed it.

We have also taken a look at their annual statement of intent. It seems that it costs $8 mil to run this 40 strong agency of policy twonks.

It all about producing reports. Lots and lots of bloody reports.

They do intend to spend $3.7 million on the very successful Its not Ok campaign and the White ribbon against domestic violence day, events this year.

We reckon that's money well spent. It's a very powerful campaign.

However their Statement of Intent also lauds the success of the "Couch" an online forum for families.They are very happy that an estimated 4500 families are involved.

What a bloody crock. They wont be the sort of families that really need help and guidance. Most of them will have sky and probably a play station but a good computer is a stretch. And after 2 years thats all they have and its only an " estimate" The last actual figure of families engaged in the Couch forum was quoted at 950.


So we reckon we are getting $3.8 mil of good spend from $8 mil and Thats Not Ok.

We hope that the government puts up a good candidate for Ohariu- Belmont to get rid of Peter Dunne and this white middle class sop to his white middle class "holier than thou" part'ys pretensions.

A campaign of the size of the "Its Not Okay" and the White Ribbon Day should keep one communications person busy with perhaps a half time support for a few weeks. It could easily be tucked under MSD.

In the meantime $4.5 -5 million is being wasted on crap - when it could be put to far better use.

And in these tough times that's definitely Not Ok.

I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,I,

We can understand why this govt wants to strengthen the Families Commission and on the face of it the appointment of Christine Rankin would appear to be a bold move by the government.

However as much as it saddens us to say so - it is a bad appointment. We are putting our party cheerleading pompoms down for a while.
Our concern over Rankins appointment has nothing to do with divorces or marriage or her controversial reign at the head of WINZ where her zeal to turn her staff into Amway sales clones was an unmitigated disaster.

No, for us, its simply because, when it comes to Rankin, anything she does is ultimately about her and she uses populist causes as vehicles for self promotion. She is the great New Zealand "I am."

Have a look at this interview with Mark Sainsbury and count up the number of times she says - I .

Or this interview

Not we, not us , not together, just - I.

See what we mean?

That's the reason we think her appointment is just bloody wrong.

And at the end of the bloody day there is probably no need for the Families Commission anyway. Scrap it and give it to some charities that do good works. There are plenty of them.

So here is the competition - find the article or interview of Rankin where she uses the word I the most. Then source the article in the comments section.

You have till 8pm tonight. A bottle of good pinot noir for the one who comes up with the biggest count.

Have fun.

PAULA NO MORE BULLSHIT BENNETT STRIKES A BLOW FOR COMMONSENSE

Paula Bennett might be part Maori but its clear she aint one for bullshit hui. She has given the Families Commission ( What the hell have they ever achieved????) a stern talking to about a big $200k talkfest they had planned. Its now not happening.
While we are at it, we here at Roarprawn reckon that Paula should disband the Commission and get the volunatry agencies to bid for the commisson money and give it to the ones with the best ideas. They voluntary agencies have the best networks, are at the coalface and know where the greatest need is.
Common sense will always win the day, Keep it Up Paula 10/10