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In an article in New Zealand Herald, Wannan-Edgar points out that the latest official tally of employment figures (see The Jobs Letter No.139) shows some apparent contradictions. Her examples: Wellington has more jobs, but its unemployment is up. Northland's working-age population declined but its unemployment rate is static and high. Auckland attracted more than 19,000 potential extra workers, but only 5000 new jobs. The total area north of Taupo experienced no job growth, and national unemployment went down by only 11,000.

So what's happening? Official unemployment rates are based on a percentage of the workforce (which is 1.9 million people), and not the working-age population (which is 2.9 million). The official "jobless" (discouraged, or available for work but not actually seeking it) total only about 100,000 people. This leaves another 900,000 people "not in the labour force". They are not all in early retirement, sick, on ACC or caring for others ... and when they move in and out of the workforce, they have a significant impact on the jobs figures.

Wannan-Edgar describes a "Dick Whittington phenomenon" where people move out of regions like Northland and the Bay of Plenty and into Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and Canterbury, where the work is. She writes: "In Wellington at least, people re-entered the workforce maybe expecting the new Government to create jobs. It did not oblige. So Wellington's "not in the labour force" numbers fell while its "labour force" increased by more than the new jobs. The result? Unemployment worsened."

Wannan-Edgar compares this situation to what happened when Waihi Gold reopened its mine 20 years ago, but unemployment in Waihi increased, because the inflow of hopeful workers exceeded the number of new jobs. She believes that much of last year's change in regional unemployment can be explained by such workforce changes, and not by job creation or loss.

Wannan-Edgar: "If skills are seen as nationally important, then we should make individual training expenses tax-deductible. Businesses can and do capitalise development salaries and other expenses and, just like a truck or a building, depreciate the asset over its life. Why cannot individuals? Politicians rankle with talk of "human capital' without the same financial incentives as other investments..."

Source — New Zealand Herald 20 February 2001 "Dialogue: Time to make training pay" by Linda Wannan-Edgar.

The agreement follows on from the "Memorandum of Understanding" signed between the government and the Mayors Taskforce in September last year. Under the latest agreement, the CEG support to the Mayors Taskforce will be become one of its "national strategies".

The participating Mayors will "champion" local projects and activities which strengthen local employment and community economic development opportunities. The CEG field officers will be providing advisory, planning and liaison support directly to the Mayors and their local project teams.

The meeting will conclude with a "best practice" and networking day amongst Mayors and their invited colleagues. Speakers on this day will include Professor Ian Shirley (Institute of Public Policy AUT), Sandi Morrison (Local Employment Co-ordination), Ngapo Wehi (Pounamu Training), Warren Snow (Zero Waste Trust) and Geoff Chapple (Te Araroa Trust). Ministers Steve Maharey and Jim Anderton will also be attending the meeting.

— For ongoing news on the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs, visit the website at www.jobsletter.org.nz/mtjobs.htm

• Canterbury is looking buoyant at the moment with a quarter of local employers expecting to take on more staff in the next six months, according to the latest confidence survey from the Employer's Chamber of Commerce. The region also expects a boost from the recent decision by Environment Canterbury to go ahead with a massive irrigation project that farmers say will create up to a thousand jobs and add more than $100 million a year to the region's economy.

Source — Christchurch Press 26 February 2001 "Groups launch combined approach for jobs in Canterbury" by Andrew Moffat

The average Porirua business currently employs six people, and the campaign organisers recognise that taking on one further employee is a "big ask". Winz advisor Denis de Reus says the campaign offers no new services, but brings a range of existing assistance (from Winz and PBDS) together under one umbrella. This help includes wage subsidies, help with business planning, marketing, training and help with preparation of tenders.

Source — mytown.co.nz 1 March 2001 "Campaign launched to assist businesses to employ extra staff" by Jim Chipp

Bradford: " In our discussions with NZ Post and the government, it has become clear that NZ Post is open to going into partnership with communities to set up genuine community owned local banks, and are in fact willing to meet immediately with sector representatives to make sure this goal is built into their plans. After years of unsuccessfully trying to find an appropriate "hub" bank to provide the infrastructure for community banking in this country, this is good news indeed, and for this reason I do genuinely welcome and support the NZ Post initiative..."

Source — Sue Bradford speech to Parliament Thursday 15 February 2001

Maharey: "It's not an idea we haven't seen in this country at all, but it's not been a conscious policy. You literally go to communities, find out who the people are making a difference and say: Now, what would you like to do? What barriers could we remove by giving you extra money?"

Maharey described the Supergrans group, which works largely with young mothers in Christchurch, as a good example of social entrepreneurs: "They're constantly cash-strapped but the results are huge. Everybody they touch seems to have a magical transformation in their lives. With more financial backing they could be doing more good."

Source — The Dominion 8 March 2001 "Minister keen to back `social entrepreneurs"

Small: "The government has lowered a cone of silence over her future, refusing even to comment on what stage the process is at. It is likely they are putting as much distance as possible between themselves and a decision on her future to avoid allegations of improper political interference or to give her ammunition for a court case."

Rankin: "I think I'm a lot more conservative now. My personal presentation is more conservative and . . . I'm cautious about everything I do in the organisation. I don't do some of the things I did before, not because I necessarily think it was wrong, but if that's the expectation — that I have a quieter way of going about my job — then that's exactly what I'll do."

The full Sunday Star-Times article, "The Rankin File", is available on the internet at http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,642405a1861,FF.html

Sources —Sunday Star-Times 11 February 2001 "Rankin to fight for Winz job" and "The Rankin File" by Guyon Espiner; The Dominion 12 February 2001 "Rankin keen to continue as head of Winz"; New Zealand Herald 10 March 2001 "Rankin to fight for Winz job" by Vernon Small; New Zealand Herald 15 March 2001 "Service head apologises over Rankin legal threat" by Vernon Small

" [Ms Rankin] typifies that psychology that it's all in the appearance, it's all in the look. I just hate the psychology in Welfare and Labour departments that if you present well ... if you've got the high heels and earrings or the suit and tie or the makeup and everything looks nice that you'll be fit for the job.
"That whole [airline charter] incident really epitomised what had happened to Winz under the previous Government and under Rankin's leadership. I think she was someone promoted far beyond her capacity to lead a department of that size and complexity."
— Sue Bradford, veteran employment activist and Green MP, commenting on Winz Boss Christine Rankin in the Sunday Star-Times, 11 February 2001

" She considers that in making these statements, you have caused harm to her reputation. As to whether or not our client takes any further steps will depend very much upon the response given to this letter. In that regard our client reserves all her rights, including the taking of further steps should she perceive that to be necessary."
— Christine Rankin's lawyer Michael Quigg, in a letter to Sue Bradford MP, later tabled by Bradford in Parliament

" I don't believe that senior public servants in a very political position like hers should really have the ability or the right to silence or bully MPs into submission through the threat of legal action.
" I'm not making any retraction or apology at this time ... I actually believe that many more detailed criticisms have been made of Mrs Rankin over the last few years and I find it odd that she should target me of all people."
— Sue Bradford, responding to the legal threat

"Generally, public servants have the same rights of access to their political representatives as other members of the public. However given the requirement for public servants to remain politically neutral in their work, such communications should be approached with special sensitivity … employees occupying senior positions or working closely with Ministers should exercise particular care with such communications."
— Public Service Code of Conduct, published by the State Services Commission

" I am disappointed I was not briefed by Work and Income Chief Executive Christine Rankin in relation to potential defamation proceedings in her personal and private capacity against Green Social Services spokesperson Sue Bradford. It is an accepted convention that senior public servants would normally inform their Ministers if such an action was being contemplated."
— Steve Maharey, Minister of Social Services and Employment

" What I would have done was to say [to Ms Rankin] `look, think very carefully about this, my strong advice is don't do it'.
" I have had this discussion from time to time with one or two other chief executives who have been subject to a level of public vituperation that I personally find unacceptable in our system of government."
— Michael Wintringham, State Services Commissioner, speaking on National Radio.

" I do not want an atmosphere where Members of Parliament feel inhibited from scrutinising the public service."
— Helen Clark, Prime Minister

" It is quite unbelievable that a high ranking civil servant can threaten legal action against an MP and not inform the Minister responsible. Where is the accountability?"
— Dr Muriel Newman, ACT Social Welfare Spokesman

"It's changed dramatically in terms of the way people respond to me in the streets now. They're very nice now. By and large they're lovely. Lots of people come and talk to me still. They're really pleased I've kept on going ... I have to cope with lots of things. I have to cope with being touched and patted."
— Christine Rankin, speaking to Guyon Espiner of Sunday Star Times (11 February 2001) on how the public was warming to her.

" I was a very senior manager at the department of Social Welfare when Christine Rankin was first employed there [...] While my politics could best be described as being to the right of Atilla the Hun, I find myself on this one and only occasion in total agreement with Sue Bradford, MP, when she says Rankin was promoted beyond her capabilities and has more style than substance.
" I question whether it is real style or just downright tackiness. Her comments that she has to cope with being touched and patted, I find bizarre. Perhaps she does see herself as Mother Teresa or Princess Diana.
" Hopefully this rings alarm bells for her employers and this ridiculous blight on the civil service will be exorcised for good."
— Leslie Hornsby, Kerikeri, Letter to the Editor, Sunday Star-Times 18 February 2001