New Coordinator Looking Forward to Challenges and Opportunities Ahead.

Hamish is looking forward to continuing the mahi of the Alliance that is dedicated to saving and improving lives. Over the coming months, Hamish will be travelling around the motu connecting with Alliance members and familiarising himself with the people, policy and causes he will be advocating for, supporting and working alongside. Here Hamish responds to a few questions that capture his back story and vision for the future.

• What were you doing before you joined the Alliance?

Prior to joining the Alliance I was a Policy Analyst with the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services. I covered a wide range of issues, including coordinating the Equity and Inclusion Policy Group, and the Tenant Advocates Network. Through these roles I was able to expand my knowledge of what people need and want in our most disenfranchised demographics, as well as providing information to the NZCCSS membership about changes and impacts of government policy.

I have a background in Anthropology and International Relations, but my interests are far wider. I’ve found great satisfaction in communicating big ideas in a clear and digestible way, and giving everyone a seat at the table. NZCCSS gave me the opportunity to develop these skills and I’m extremely grateful to the team there.

• What drew you to the Methodist Alliance role?

What drew me to this role is the potential to really dig deep into the workings of the Alliance – what its members do, how they help people and how I can be of service through this mahi. The Alliance has proven its capacity to do good and produce outcomes which both save lives and make them easier, while respecting the covenant that is Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

There is an added element of coordination and organisation in this role which I am looking forward to improving my skills in. Te Hāhi Weteriana is a broad and diverse church which means that everyone from the parish level up must be seen and heard. On the flip side, there is space for activation down to the smallest scale – an opportunity to live the kindness inherent in the faith and to do good every day.

• What are your plans and goals for the next eight hours / week / year ahead …

My plans for the next couple of months are to really get my feet underneath me and get to know as many people as possible. There are many people to meet and stories to hear and I’m very excited to hear them. This plan will make way for much bigger goals to be actioned as I can’t do it alone! In the immediate future, I’m planning the next meeting of the Alliance Steering Group. This is an opportunity for whakawhanaungatanga with the membership, a chance to listen and to be listened to. In between large strategic meetings, I’ll be getting to know the leaders of each member organisation and understanding their rohe and their people as much as possible.

• What motivates you to get up and go to work each day – beyond the financial benefits?

It’s cliché, but it’s true nonetheless – my motivation is to make a difference. I truly believe that each of us has been blessed with skills which we can use to make a difference. To be able to use my skills in writing, organisation and political knowledge alongside my ongoing passion for learning and understanding the world makes work a great place to be. The wonderful team at Wesley Community Action have made my first few weeks a blast and have welcomed me with open arms.

• What do you perceive to be the main issues or challenges facing church and charitable organisations in Aotearoa at present?

The main challenges currently facing charitable organisations in Aotearoa are an increase in need for their services with a potential decline in support to provide those services. Faith-based charitable organisations rely heavily on both the support of their congregations and the government to be able to provide where government services either cannot or will not. In an era of tightening of belts at home and in government funding, it falls on community organisations to find a point of difference or compete for funding. At times like these organisations such as the Methodist Alliance are more important than ever as they provide a space to share information and collaborate for the benefit of those we serve, rather than compete to stay afloat.

• Recommended recent read / movie / podcast?

A book that I read in a couple of days recently was Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson. I’ve tended towards non-fiction for a long time, as I felt that even if it wasn’t an enjoyable read I would learn something. However, in doing so I’ve been out of touch with fiction and what a really strong story can do for the brain. Going back to the classics such as Kidnapped has really helped me delve back into fiction, with elements of my whakapapa in Scotland as well as real historical and political events being represented as an added bonus.