grantbrookes

‘An NZNO leadership willing to face reality’ – Letter to Kai Tiaki

It was sad to see in October’s coverage of the NZNO annual general meeting that membership had dropped by 0.9 percent over the 2019/20 year, to end on 31 March at 51,643. But I was struck by chief executive Memo Musa’s comment about this to the AGM, that “the trajectory still pointed to growth”. AsContinue reading “‘An NZNO leadership willing to face reality’ – Letter to Kai Tiaki”

Newtown Union Health Service – Chairperson’s report to the 2020 AGM

Newtown Union Health Service is a not-for-profit community service providing healthcare for community service card holders, low income earners, union members and their families. NUHS is community owned and has provided affordable, accessible, appropriate, quality, not-for-profit and community based primary health care in Wellington since May 1987. Established with the support of local trade unions,Continue reading “Newtown Union Health Service – Chairperson’s report to the 2020 AGM”

‘What’s really happening in our Mental Health Unit’ – Letter to Kai Tiaki

We write in response to an article about our service in the October issue of Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand. Under the headline, “Acute mental health units being upgraded” (p8), it was reported that, “A new six-bed inpatient mental health facility at Wellington Hospital will be ready in 2021.” Unfortunately, there is nothing in thatContinue reading “‘What’s really happening in our Mental Health Unit’ – Letter to Kai Tiaki”

‘No more pokies!’ – A submission on the City Council’s Gambling Venues Policy, on behalf of Unions Wellington

Unions Wellington is the Local Affiliate Council of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi (NZCTU), bringing together tens of thousands of union members in our city. Currently led by a committee of six members and staff from affiliated unions, we are the united voice for working people and their families inContinue reading “‘No more pokies!’ – A submission on the City Council’s Gambling Venues Policy, on behalf of Unions Wellington”

‘Time for NZNO to be honest’ – Message from 2020 NZNO Award Winner

Last week, Ann Simmons received a National Award for Service to NZNO at the 2020 NZNO AGM. She had prepared a short acceptance speech, but was not given the opportunity to deliver it. In recognition of a career spanning more than 50 years, I am very honoured to be able to publish Ann’s speech notes, below. Continue reading “‘Time for NZNO to be honest’ – Message from 2020 NZNO Award Winner”