Standing Committees

Standing Committees were set up in 1970 to strengthen the work of NCWNZ by making better use of the expertise and experience of the members. They are the powerhouse of NCWNZ, for they are proactive in researching issues of concern and reactive in writing submissions on bills and other documents received for comment. They gather information from women throughout the country, enabling NCWNZ to be able to say with confidence that it represents the views of a diverse range of women.

The aims of each Standing Committee are:

To obtain information and opinion from the membership.
To incorporate the feedback obtained into submissions to government and any other consultative process.
To proactively research issues and take appropriate action.

The 11 Standing Committees including some of their interest areas are:

Consumer Affairs Standing Committee

Convener: Jan Brown

Topics

Advertising, biotechnology, broadcasting standards, consumer protection, energy, food safety, nutrition, product standards, telecommunications.

Economics Standing Committee

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Convener: Katherine Ransom

Topics

ACC, benefits, energy, feminisation of poverty, financial services, matrimonial property, pensions, privatisation, rural development, savings, superannuation, taxation, trade, unpaid work.

Education Standing Committee

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Convener: Rae Duff

Topics

Absenteeism, curricula, early childhood education, funding, occupational training, school facilities, school staffing, special education, study grants, teacher training, tertiary education.

Employment Standing Committee

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Convener: Vanya Bailey

Topics

Access to employment, occupational health and safety, employment equity, parental leave, part time employment, unemployment, women's employment opportunities, youth training.

Environment Standing Committee

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Convener: Dell Panny

Topics

Afforestation, climate, conservation, energy, hazardous substances, marine life, national parks, pollution, resource management, scientific & technological research, town planning, tourism, water.

Family Affairs Standing Committee

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Convener: Billa Field

Topics

Adoption, care of the aged, child abuse, children in need of care, domestic violence, family income, guardianship, child support, matrimonial property, rights of the child, special needs children, youth suicide.

Health Standing Committee

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Convener: Cheryl Hanham

Topics

Abortion, biotechnology, community care, contraception, domiciliary services, human reproductive technology, maternity services, medical ethics, mental health, sexually transmitted diseases.

Justice and Law Reform Standing Committee

Convener: Cleone Campbell

Topics

Crime, violence in the media, appointment of judges, juries, legal aid, tribunals, penalties and punishments, prisons, police, women's access to justice.

Public Issues Standing Committee

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Convener: Beryl Anderson

Topics

Ethics, legislative processes, election costs, election processes, local government, parliament, privacy, public transport, transport regulation, Treaty of Waitangi, women in decision making.

Parliamentary Watch Committee

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Convener: Wendy Zemanek

Topics

Parliament, legislative changes, ie effects of Bills on existing legislation, electoral system

Social Issues Standing Committee

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Convener: Belinda Greenwood

Topics

Alcohol, people with disabilities and special needs, access to accommodation, benefits and allowances, drug abuse, gaming, migrants and refugees, government social policy.