A Powerful Tool
Kia ora e te whānau,
It feels like it’s impossible to ignore the upcoming election, the news is full of election stories and it’s all over social media too. The avalanche of content can make it hard to get to the nub of the issues but don’t worry—we can help!
This issue of SALT is themed on the election, but instead of promoting any party or candidate, we remain proudly nonpartisan and have extracted key issues impacting the people we serve. On page 10, you can read about the Army’s position on the Move-on Orders Bill, and on page 28 you can read about the valuable work done by our Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit to identify the seven most pressing issues impacting those we work with. As depicted on our cover they are: housing, living costs, food security, Māori wellbeing, reintegration, addiction, and poverty, tax and welfare.
It’s easy to get downcast when you think of the challenges that so many are facing, with one in five households with children regularly going without food. This is not the Aotearoa New Zealand any of us want. How we grapple with this as Christians is explored in different ways. On page 26, Captain Andrew Wilson takes a theological perspective on how we can approach voting. On page 12, Teisa Unga writes about moving from frustration to faith into action, and on page 24, Major Nicki Dutton shares a striking prayer for the election.
If that doesn’t reassure you, you will certainly be inspired reading about Captain Ian Wells’ Auckland CBD Metro Project to reach the vulnerable in our biggest city (page 8), the extraordinary testimony of faith from Julie at Hibiscus Coast Corps (page 18) or our in-depth piece about Major Gavin Baxter’s 3000km hike along Te Araroa Trail (page 20).
The opportunity to have a say about our next Government is a powerful tool. My youngest brother Rico has an intellectual disability, and people might assume he’s not interested in voting, but he takes it very seriously, watching the news and asking lots of questions about politicians. I’ve gone with him to vote, and seeing the reverence that he approaches the voting process reminds me of how important it is.
May God continue to bless Aotearoa New Zealand through this election.
I welcome your feedback and suggestions, and also your photos, letters, crafts and stories. Please email: communications@salvationarmy.org.nz
Magazine Contents
Articles
Coming Home: Auxiliary Captain Ian Wells’ Vision For Auckland’s CBD
New Partnership Gives Charitable Reuse Sector a Stronger Voice
The Best Reason to Keep Walking
Leadership Links
Faith Stories
Grace Notes
A Prayer for the New Zealand General Election
Recipe
Reviews
Stories that Shape, Transform and Give Hope
To Love and Serve Him Supremely All My Days
