140 years of doing good

By Pam Elgar (Ngāruahine, Te Atiawa) ONZM. Pam is Interim Chief Executive Officer (Kaiwhakahaere Mātua) at Presbyterian Support Northern.

New Zealand faces an uncertain economy marked by widespread hardship. Alcoholism, poverty, crime, unemployment and domestic abuse are prevalent.

These are the startlingly familiar conditions that, in 1884, gave birth to Presbyterian Support Northern (PSN).

In 1884, Auckland Presbytery responded to the social deprivations of the time by appointing Duncan Macpherson as Auckland’s first City Missioner. One of his favourite sayings was: “With eyes wide open, I seek to do good.”  His vision for transforming society through practical service led to what is now PSN, one of New Zealand’s largest health, disability and social service providers.

As part of its 140th anniversary celebrations, PSN has produced a research report that looks at how we have adapted and evolved to meet the changing needs of New Zealand communities – and what the challenges are today.   

The 1880s and 1890s have become known as the ‘long depression in New Zealand’.  PSN’s archival documents show during the winters there was visible hardship and distress. In contrast to today’s widespread social welfare system, there was little to no Government-provided safety net. Support predominantly came from volunteers, wealthy and generous patrons, and donors.

In addition to the familiar challenges still facing people today, during earlier decades of the 20st century, PSN’s services were shaped by significant events impacting New Zealand society.

The impacts of World War I and II, rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, significant economic and social challenges during the 1980s and 1990s and subsequent economic upheaval, high unemployment and declining social welfare support were major challenges last century.

By the 2000s, New Zealand was facing a new set of challenges amidst a backdrop of economic recession and redundancies. Concerns about family values and the breakup of family units became prominent, alongside ongoing issues of drug abuse and crime, while domestic abuse persisted as a critical social problem.

Our research has found that, while the specific challenges have evolved, underlying issues of economic instability, poverty, alcohol and substance abuse, family violence and loneliness have remained persistent themes in New Zealand’s social fabric.

Over the decades, PSN has used its own resources and partnered with the Government to offer welfare assistance, housing programs, and community services to help families rebuild and adapt to changing societal conditions. In response to changing needs, we have moved out of providing residential care, and now promote family stability, financial independence and community wellbeing.

PSN’s social workers now play a crucial role in connecting individuals to necessary resources that help them to help themselves, including budgeting, parenting education, home-based care for the elderly, and disability support services that promote inclusion and independence.

Whether it’s a Lifeline counsellor answering a call at 2:00 am from someone in distress, an Enliven support worker making a weekend visit to an elderly person with dementia, a Family Works social worker helping a child with anxiety, or a Shine family violence advocate supporting a mother and her tamariki, they all do incredible work making a difference. The work has always been important, but with the rising cost of living, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, PSN’s services have become essential for many people.

As well as looking back through the archives and celebrating the many contributions PSN has made, we acknowledge there has also been great harm.

During the period of the Royal Commission’s recent investigation (1950-1999), PSN operated orphanages and foster care services. The organisation was devastated to discover that, during this time, some children and young people were mistreated and/or abused.

As PSN moves forward into its next 140 years, it is doing, and will do, everything it can to implement those recommendations and ensure that there is no repeat.

Also looking into our future, PSN sees no letup in the social problems besetting our communities. In fact, we see worsening conditions, with cost of living pressures, rising unemployment and Oranga Tamariki cancelling and reducing front-line service contracts that, in PSN’s case alone, impacts around 800 clients.

PSN has lost about 14 front-line social workers and counsellors who help people to parent effectively, keep families functioning and prevent serious intervention from Oranga Tamariki, health or justice services. These staff (some based in schools) also currently help vulnerable children and young people deal with a range of issues (such as family violence trauma, bullying and anxiety) which improves school attendance and achievement. 

PSN’s 140-year experience shows that such reductions in social investments lead to greater costs for everyone later.  The research we’ve been doing, backs up our concerns that with rising need, there will be a drop in the health, wellbeing and achievement of children and their whanau, and an increase in costly social, educational, homelessness, health and justice impacts.

Just as we have in the past, however, PSN will continue to adapt and respond. These new challenges only intensify our determination to help whānau through those desperate issues of poverty, crime, unemployment, domestic abuse and alcoholism that still endure after nearly one and a half centuries, in addition to today’s unique set of pressures.

Some may question continuing to tackle these persistent issues, but we believe that New Zealanders want a fair go for everyone, are hopeful and won’t stand by while their neighbours struggle. PSN makes a positive difference to many lives every day. We will continue the tradition of seeking to do good, with our eyes wide open - A better life for everyone.

PSN’s 140th Anniversary Report can be viewed here.