Foreword

As I reflect on the current state of social policy in New Zealand, I am quietly gratified that we are now launching the fourth edition of the Social Policy Journal. The country is preparing itself for a change in the political processes of decision-making under Mixed Member Proportional and this will, in the near future, bring with it a raft of new and stimulating policy challenges. It is gratifying therefore, to know that we have established a solid and dependable forum for discussing key issues and for keeping policy advisors and academics informed of important policy developments. This edition cements the developing tradition of a journal which provides thoughtful and quality comment across a broad range of policy issues of interest to New Zealand.

The family theme is continued in this Journal with an opening article by Gareth Morgan which presents fresh thinking on the role of families from outside the traditional sociological perspective. The blending of economic and historical interests provides a welcome insight into to what is, in many ways, the cornerstone of social policy in New Zealand. This article is supported by some solid research work on the adequacy of social assistance by Bob Stephens and Jonathan Bradshaw focussing on Family Assistance, and by Vasantha Krishnan analysing low income trends.

Traditional themes are blended with new themes in this Journal. Heather Worth looks at the public health issues thrown up by the Peter Mwai AIDS case. David Earle considers emerging paradigms in relation to Pacific Islands people living in New Zealand, and picks up on the interface between minority ethnic groupings in relation to a dominant host culture. John Clark provides a comparison between New Zealand and the United Kingdom of cost modelling input to social policy. Cost modelling is increasingly being recognised as vitally important to informed social policy debate and decision-making. Cost modelling is also a major investment for any organisation, and internationally, policy agencies are grappling with questions relating to the appropriate structures, resources and linkages between social policy advisors.

David Simmers' article provides a comparison between retirement provisions in New Zealand and Australia. His contention that the two countries, so similar in many respects, appear to be embarking on significantly different paths with regard to retirement provisions, is particularly thought-provoking. The research carried out by Suzanne Snively on the economic costs of family violence contributes to a growing body of knowledge on the costs to society of dysfunctional behaviour. Such work will become increasingly valuable if it provides a rational basis for justifying social initiatives aimed at reducing negative social interactions.

In the review section of the Journal, Maree Brown and Pamela Lea provide strong critiques of two of the most current and topical social policy issues of the day – support for home-based caregivers of elderly relatives, and child care and parenting issues. John Angus provides insights which are at times entertaining, and at the same time realistic, into the experiences of the United Nations World Summit meetings on social development.

I am satisfied that the range of articles provided in this Journal will present readers with a variety of challenges and stimulate some new thinking on key issues. A number of critical social policy developments in areas such as child support and employment training and education are currently going through stages of political process which have precluded commentary on them being included in this Journal. We hope to be able to present articles on these and other topics in the December edition. I would also encourage readers to bring to the notice of the Board any social policy issues they would like to see included in the Journal.

This Journal will be the last edition to which Rob Brown and Rose O'Neill will be contributing as members of the Editorial Committee. Both have resigned due to the pressure of other work within the department. I thank them for their contribution to the Journal since its inception. I am pleased to welcome Robyn Fowler, Paul Gini, Ross Mackay and Marianne Bray to the Committee.

David A. Preston
General Manager
Social Policy Agency