The report, Nga Tukunga Iho - The Things We Inherit, offers an annual assessment of the country's social progress - this year especially -

• children and youth
• housing
• crime and punishment
• social hazards
• work and incomes

Lt-Colonel Ian Hutson, The Salvation Army's Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit director, notes the new government has inherited a mix of successes and obstacles from its predecessor.

He emphasises the impact current policies will have on future generations and the responsibility to foster a better living environment for all New Zealanders.

While the report acknowledges significant progress has been made in recent years - reductions in child poverty, an increase in social housing units, sustained low unemployment - it also points to worrying trends.

These trends include the deepening cost-of-living crisis hitting lower-income households hardest. Rising rental costs are outpacing inflation and there are overall increases in food insecurity and financial hardship.

The State of the Nation report is unequivocal in its call for the new Government to take decisive action.

Hutson stresses the need to build upon the progress achieved and to adopt successful strategies to navigate the challenges ahead.

Concerns for Maori wellbeing

One of the report's key findings pertains to Maori wellbeing.

Persistent inequities affecting Maori in education, housing, employment and the criminal justice system need to be addressed, it says.

To achieve this, the report advocates for the importance of resourcing kaupapa Maori approaches to enhance well-being for whanau, hapu and iwi.

Children and Youth

The report's Children and Youth section has both positive and negative news.

On the plus side, it rates child poverty reduction as a significant achievement.

However, it also notes poverty's disproportionate impact on Pasifika, Maori, and children living with disabilities. It stresses the need for targeted efforts to meet Government poverty reduction targets.

The report also states that young people continue to tell of high levels of mental distress.

Housing

The report's Housing section paints a grim picture of unaffordability and homelessness. This is exacerbated by a decline in new housing consents and a surge in inward migration, it says.

The report calls for an urgent increase in public housing supply to address the growing backlog.

Crime and Punishment

In terms of Crime and Punishment, the report indicates an overall increase in reported and unreported crime and notes that violent offences are increasing.

Enhancing access to housing, employment, education and social services would be more effective in reducing crime than implementing harsher punishments, the report suggests.

Social Hazards

The Social Hazards section notes a positive decline in alcohol and drug consumption.

At the same time, it points to rising gambling losses and signs of increased financial hardship. One such indicator is the increasing number of calls for early KiwiSaver withdrawals on the grounds of financial hardship.

Work and Incomes

Under the heading Work and Incomes, the Salvation Army State of the Nation report highlights the continued high levels of employment but raises concerns about the rising unemployment and the persistent wage inequality affecting women and ethnic minorities.

It says high inflation is putting pressure particularly on low-income households. Furthermore, food insecurity for households with children has increased.

Source

• Supplied: The Salvation Army
• The full report is available from the Salvation Army.

Coates is CEO of Mindful Money.

Analysis conducted by Mindful Money reveals that of the $98 billion of KiwiSaver investments, a substantial $8.6 billion (8.9%) is now allocated to unethical stocks.

This figure has increased from 7.2% in 2019, marking a concerning uptick.

Coates pointed out that while the recent surge in fossil fuel prices has prompted significant investments in this sector, passive investment strategies and the greater use of external index funds share the blame.

Many passive funds are channelling money into oil and gas companies that are expanding fossil fuel exploration and production.

Mindful Money has categorised fossil fuel companies into those transitioning to renewables, those expanding their fossil fuel operations and those taking no action. Investments in companies transitioning to renewable energy have remained stagnant as a percentage of KiwiSaver.

"One of the biggest investments in this area is Contact Energy, but for other companies on a renewable pathway, it is not significant.

"Meanwhile, investments in expanding companies like Exxon, Chevron, BP and Shell have more than doubled to reach $3.2 billion over the past eighteen months," says Coates.

Greater transparency needed

Despite claims that stewardship and shareholder voting can drive positive change, Coates argues that this approach often lacks credibility.

He acknowledges that increasing efforts in screening and engagement may result in higher fees.

The issue, however, isn't solely about active versus passive management.

Coates emphasises the importance of the type of passive investment, with some index providers offering stronger exclusions.

Beyond fossil fuels, KiwiSaver investments include

• $2 billion in companies that test products on animals for reasons other than human health,
• $1.4 billion in companies breaching human rights, and
• over $1 billion in companies causing social harm such as alcohol, pornography, gambling and tobacco.

It is now eight years since there was a public outcry over the amount of KiwiSaver funds in tobacco.

The latest data shows an annual growth of 50% in investments in tobacco companies such as Philip Morris, British American Tobacco and Imperial Brands, to more than $21 million.

Coates is calling for greater transparency within KiwiSaver schemes.

He is urging providers to disclose the full list of invested companies, especially those that might concern the public.

While other consumer product industries are aware of their customers' concerns, he says the investment sector appears to be an outlier.

A recent survey found that 74% of New Zealanders expect their money to be managed ethically and responsibly.

"The issue for financial advisers and fund managers is who's going to listen to the clients?

"There is evidence that clients don't always raise it proactively in meetings with their advisers but if and when it is raised they have very strong views.

"It's an age of climate change, and investment has a huge role to play, but somehow advisers and fund managers are carrying on as if there is no link," Coates suggests.

Sources

Good Returns

Interest

CathNews New Zealand

Alcohol activists alarmed by the tide of migrant exploitation cases in liquor stores are demanding an urgent government inquiry.

Community lawyer Grant Hewison, who specialises in liquor licence applications, and a former barrister and Alliance MP Liz Gordon first wrote to Justice Minister Andrew Little and former immigration minister Iain Lees-Galloway last October.

They did not receive a response.

But after a fresh wave of stories exposing widespread claims of exploitation at liquor stores the pair have written again, with a call backed by Alcohol Healthwatch director Nicki Jackson and Unite union boss Mike Treen.

The pair say they are worried about a large number of young men pursuing residency via manager's jobs at bottle stores, which is providing an incentive for owners to expand their number of outlets, "fuelled by unending cheap labour."

"Our experience is that District Licensing Committees and Inspectorate practically ignore these poor employment practices," the letter to Little states.

Former employees of Rotorua Bottle-O liquor stores allege they are owed a combined $300,000 in lost wages.

"I gave this guy five years of my life: proper loyalty. I gave him my blood and sweat," says Bhavdeep 'Deep' Singh of his work for Rotorua bottle store owner Charanjit Singh Dhillon.

But now Deep Singh is jobless, without a visa, and pursuing Dhillon in the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) for what he claims is $205,000 of unpaid wages and entitlements.

Two other former employees who worked in Dhillon's four-strong chain of Bottle-O franchises in Rotorua have also claimed he owes them around $100,000 in unpaid wages and entitlements.

Dhillon denies the three men's claims, saying he was a good employer.

He claims they've invented their story due to sour grapes because they were stealing liquor during the lockdown, and he will defend himself thoroughly at the ERA.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: Screenshot tvnz.co.nz

Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) president James Heath speaking for thousands of students across the city, said OUSA wanted to encourage students to drink alcohol in licenced venues. Continue reading

That is the view of Hawke's Bay District Health Board.
It will now oppose applications for alcohol sales at school functions where children are present.

The board is concerned at the presence and promotion of alcohol at school fundraising events.

Read more

This was made possible following a 2017 liquor bill passed in the Dáil and will now be in place before Good Friday, which this year falls on March 30. Continue reading

Alcohol abuse is no laughing matter, but is it sinful to drink and make merry, moderately and responsibly, during a holy season or at any other time?

As a historical theologian, I researched the role that pious Christians played in developing and producing alcohol.

What I discovered was an astonishing history.

Religious orders and wine-making
Wine was invented 6,000 years before the birth of Christ, but it was monks who largely preserved viniculture in Europe. Religious orders such as the Benedictines and Jesuits became expert winemakers.

They stopped only because their lands were confiscated in the 18th and 19th centuries by anti-Catholic governments such as the French Revolution's Constituent Assembly and Germany's Second Reich.

In order to celebrate the Eucharist, which requires the use of bread and wine, Catholic missionaries brought their knowledge of vine-growing with them to the New World.

Wine grapes were first introduced to Alta California in 1779 by Saint Junipero Serra and his Franciscan brethren, laying the foundation for the California wine industry.

A similar pattern emerged in Argentina, Chile and Australia.

Godly men not only preserved and promulgated oenology, or the study of wines; they also advanced it.

One of the pioneers in the "méthode champenoise," or the "traditional method" of making sparkling wine, was a Benedictine monk whose name now adorns one of the world's finest champagnes: Dom Pérignon.

According to a later legend, when he sampled his first batch in 1715, Pérignon cried out to his fellow monks: "Brothers, come quickly. I am drinking stars!"

Monks and priests also found new uses for the grape.

The Jesuits are credited with improving the process for making grappa in Italy and piscoin South America, both of which are grape brandies. Continue reading

• Michael Foley is Associate Professor of Patristics, Baylor University, Texas

Scripture gives strong testament to the fact that merely drinking alcohol is not a sin, but getting drunk on alcohol is. Continue reading

According to Papua police, 86 people have died, 264 have been seriously injured and 839 injured slightly since 2013 in alcohol-related incidents.

Papua governor Lukas Enembe as well law enforcement agencies and officials signed an "integrity pact" on March 30 this year that included prohibiting the production, distribution and sale of alcohol.

However, instead of making crackdowns, some officials are helping supply people with alcohol, according to Bishop John Philip Saklil of Timika.

He called for authorities to vigorously enforce the ban they put in place.

His call follows a string of deaths linked to adulterated homemade liquor.

Inaction from local government and security personnel, as well as general ignorance about bootleg alcohol contributed to the deaths, according to Saklil.

He added that because of such ignorance, the consumption of alcohol particularly bootleg liquor in his diocese, has become widespread.

The bishop claimed security personnel must have some role in supplying and selling liquor since people living in areas they can access but others find difficult to reach have a steady supply of alcohol.

"It's impossible they don't know anything about it," he said, suggesting there was a deliberate policy not to enforce the ban.

"The involvement of military and police in supplying and selling liquor and their reluctance to deal with violators of the ban, resulting in them letting perpetrators of crimes go is valid proof."

He referred to the deaths of the seven young men, saying three out of four people suspected of selling of bootleg liquor in the area avoided arrest, while the other was arrested but released a few hours later.

Papua police chief Inspector General Paulus Waterpauw couldn't be reached for comment on the bishop's allegation.

Source

• ucanews.com
• Image: photo.kontan.co.id

Alcohol Healthwatch director Rebecca Williams said more needed to be done to reduce the availability and cost of liquor, and the marketing of alcohol. Read more

This comes as data shows that millions of middle-aged men drink more than is recommended in new government guidelines - the limit was lowered in January for men from 21 units a week to 14, the same as women.

For some, their relationship with alcohol is such that they decide to stop drinking completely, either for life or for a few months. This can be for a variety of reasons - to tackle more severe problems such as alcoholism or simply for better health.

We spoke to five people about the moment they decided to quit, and how hard it was. Here are their stories.

Steve Craftman, south Wales: I never feel more alone than when I'm with a group of partying drunks

I've had a long relationship with alcohol - but learning I was HIV positive in 1987 made my drinking worse. I thought I wouldn't need my liver much longer because at that time being diagnosed with HIV gave you only a few years to live.

But I just kept on living. Then last year I had to get a liver scan after my doctor noticed some problems. I had been through a particularly rough patch and was drinking heavily: I would consume about 20 units a day.

It was just before the scan that I stopped drinking. I stupidly thought that giving up then would improve the results.

It didn't. The scan confirmed cirrhosis, and I pretended that I could have the occasional drink at an appropriate moment. Despite some fairly major landmarks over the years, there hasn't been an appropriate moment.

On my last drinking day I had the remains of a bottle of Southern Comfort, left over from Christmas, and then finished it off with a bottle of cider. Continue reading

Sources

• The Guardian, from an article written by Guardian readers and Sarah Marsh, social and community editor for Opinion.
• Image: The Telegraph

He invites his readers to pub crawl their way through the sacred seasons with and useful collection of cocktail recipes, distilled spirits, beer, and wine for virtually every occasion on the Catholic liturgical calendar.

It is described as "one part bartender's guide, one part spiritual manual, a dash of irreverence, and mixed with love."

Foley points out in the foreword, Catholics have a storied history with booze.

Whiskey was invented by Irish monks, beer refined in medieval monasteries, and one of the world's finest champagnes is named after a Benedictine monk by the familiar name of Dom Perignon. Read more

In a "briefing" published last week, the New Zealand Medical Association says the Government needs to intervene more heavily in the liquor industry for the nation's collective health.

"We consider it vital to ensure that policies to reduce alcohol related harm are based on the best available evidence, not on ideology or on the basis of lobbying by vested commercial interests." Continue reading

I am a professional mother of two who grew up associating alcohol with fun. In my early twenties, it's what marked me out as the archetypal party girl, in my early professional life big nights out were par for the course.

After the birth of my first child, wine lifted me from the humdrum and provided a reliable link to the old me, the one unfettered by responsibility. With a drink inside me, I felt flirtatious, free, glamorous and eternally young.

I never drank during the day - I was holding down a full time job - but I now know that I was definitely displaying alcohol-dependent characteristics. Which is why it came to me as no surprise to me to discover this week that educated British women now head a global league table for alcohol abuse.

For anyone with a preconceived notion that the problem lies with the raucous 'girls' night out' brigade, the ones with a taste for alcopops and vodka shots, think again.

• Numbers of young women dying due to alcohol increasing

As the study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development suggests it's professional women - lawyers, teachers and those working in the finance sector - who are statistically more prone to consuming hazardous amounts of alcohol on a regular basis.

Many may begin heavy drinking when they are young, but it is a habit which continues into middle age, with many women downing hazardous quantities of alcohol at home and often alone.

t is something I can relate too and a problem that I only admitted to having when I woke up in A&E under the stark lighting and disapproving glare of the duty nurse.

By then I had been consuming up to two bottles of wine a night and had blacked out during one of my increasingly regular binges. It was April 2011 and I haven't touched a drop since. Continue reading

• Lucy Rocca in The Telegraph

Lucy Rocca is founder of a website, Soberistas.com. Lucy gave up drinking alcohol and discovered how much better life is without it.

Bishop Éamonn Walsh said this would make sense from both health and economic perspectives and would give "the body a rest".

The bishop suggested money saved might be donated to institutions which help people with addiction.

It would be a good idea for those who give up alcohol for Lent or reduce intake to do so with a friend, he said, for support, "like going for a run".

The Irish Times reported Bishop Walsh expressing concern at attitudes to drink generally.

Rather than merely social drinking, nowadays people were just "getting out of it", he said.

He also addressed the issue of below-cost selling.

He recognised that not all who wanted a minimum price for alcohol did so for the same motives.

But he recalled the story of a man who told him he couldn't afford heroin one day, so he bought three bottles of vodka instead.

The bishop noted how, when the price of whiskey was increased in the 1990s, its consumption went down.

Where sponsorship by drink companies of sporting events was concerned, his primary concern was with the influence on young people.

"They associate it with their heroes . . . it influences their behaviour."

Bishop Walsh said he wants to see the link between sport and alcohol cut.

He said he noticed drink ads in the Aviva Stadium during a recent Ireland-France rugby game.

According to the Irish Alcohol Action charity, one in four deaths of men aged 15-39 in Ireland is due to alcohol.

The charity also cited a study which found 80 per cent of pregnant women surveyed in Cork drank alcohol at some point in their pregnancy.

The study, published in 2013 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, found the Irish percentage for abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy significantly lower than that in centres in Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia.

Sources

• Irish Times
• Alcohol Action Ireland
• Image: Slate.com

The study involved 26 people, almost all of them men, who had not been violent within the previous year.

The report found most thought violence in the home was acceptable and that half had to stop or cut back on their drinking in order to stop being violent.

The report's author, Michael Roguski, said distorted views of masculinity were strongly associated with the normalisation of violence.

His recommendations included increasing peer-based stopping violence programmes and more specialised training for mental health professionals. Continue reading

Every year, almost one million people die from suicide around the world.

Depression is often seen as a disorder of the developed world; mental disorders - in particular depression but also disorders from alcohol misuse - have been clearly linked to suicide in high-income countries.

But depression in low and middle-income countries is also a big problem and the prevalence is not dramatically different from high income countries.

However, reliable data from some regions of the world - notably Africa - is not available.

Suicide is certainly a global problem.

According to a new report from the World Health Organisation - the first time it has published one - some 75% of suicides happen in low and middle-income countries.

Depression is a major risk factor for suicide across the globe.

While many suicides are impulsive, because of issues related to finance, illness and other pain, and particular groups who are more vulnerable, it is striking that studies have shown that depression is a significant risk factor for suicide attempts and the relationship is consistent across all countries (high or low-middle income).

And if someone suffers from multiple mental health problems such as depression, alcohol abuse and impulse control disorders, the risk is even higher.

In the UK investigations suggested two thirds of people with suicidal behaviour are depressed. But depression is rarely in the headlines unless it involves a famous figure.

Although global suicide rates are highest in people older than 70, this is markedly different in particular countries where young people are more likely to take their lives.

Worldwide, it is the second biggest cause of death in 15 to 29-year-olds, and in the UK, it's the most common cause of death in men aged between 20 and 49.

Then there are the attempts, which are estimated to be 20 times more frequent than those that are completed. Continue reading

Sources

• MercatorNet
• Image: PentruViata

Over the next 10 years, hundreds of alcohol outlets in Kerala will be shut down and "alcohol free" days enforced.

The General Secretary of the Hindu organisation SNDP Yogam, Vellappally Natesan, has called for the ban to extend to churches, while Bishop Mar Chrysostom of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church said that churches should consider using grape juice at Mass.

But the Archbishop of Verapoy, Francis Kallarackal, said that Mass without wine was "unthinkable".

"It will remain unchanged until the world ends," he told the New India Express.

The Bishop of Central Kerala in the Church of South India, Thomas K Oommen, agreed, saying that extending the ban to churches misinterpreted the Government's policy.

Continue reading

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said liquor outlets will be reduced by 10 per cent each year, eliminating sales completely within a decade.

Beginning next year, bar licenses will be issued only to five-star hotels, while many of the state's 720 bars and restaurants will not have their licenses renewed.

Kerala has India's highest annual per capita alcohol consumption, with annual sales reaching US$ 415 million.

The president of the Indian bishops' conference, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, congratulated Mr Chandy for "his bold steps toward making the state liquor-free".

Cardinal Thottunkal, head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, met the chief minister soon after the decision was announced, to hand him a US$1600 cheque for a new fund created to assist workers employed in the state's liquor stores.

The cardinal said Church leaders have been requesting a ban on alcohol sales for several years.

Continue reading