NZ Council of Christian Social Services

Closer Together Whakatata Mai is a project of the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) aimed at building a New Zealand where the income gap between the rich and the poor is getting closer together not wider apart.

Over the past 20 years, the gap between the rich and poor in Aotearoa New Zealand has increased.  Those high rates do significant harm, both socially and economically.  The large gaps between the poorest and most affluent in Aotearoa New Zealand means that many are denied what they need for a decent existence and that children are denied opportunities they should have in a decent modern society.  

The research shows that New Zealand will be a healthier, safer, more educated and connected place if we can reduce the income gap.  More equal societies are generally better and happier places for everyone.

The Whakatata Mai project is targeted specifically at reducing poverty, by addressing income inequality in Aotearoa New Zealand, and aims to build a forum of public debate at the impact of inequality on Aotearoa New Zealand’s economic and social success.  It is hoped the debate will create a grassroots groundswell to ensure all government policies address the issue of reducing inequality, in particular income inequality.