Council of Christian Social Services (New Zealand)

1. Business / Trading Name: New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS).

2. Company number: Data Not Found (operates as a non-profit incorporated society, not a company).

3. NZBN: Data Not Found (not readily available in public sources; likely assigned an NZBN via Charities Services).

4. Entity type: Incorporated Society (registered non-profit charitable organisation).

5. Business classification: Data Not Found (generally classified under social services / non-profit sector).

6. Industry Category: Non-profit social services and advocacy.

7. Year founded: ~1969 (over “five decades” of operation; NZCCSS marked its 53rd year by 2022).

8. Addresses: Postal: PO Box 12-090, Thorndon, Wellington 6144. Physical: Level 1, 192 Tinakori Road, Thorndon, Wellington 6011

9. Website URL:

http://nzccss.org.nz.

10. LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-zealand-council-of-christian-social-services.

11. Company Hub NZ URL: Data Not Found (no listing found on CompanyHub.nz).

12. NZ Companies Office URL: Data Not Found (no public Companies Office profile; registered under Incorporated Societies, not as a company).

13. Social Media URLs: Twitter – None (not identified); Facebook – None (not identified); LinkedIn – see above (active on LinkedIn only).

14. Ultimate Holding Company: None (independent non-profit; no holding company structure).

15. Key Shareholders: None (membership-based charity with no shareholders).

16. Leadership: Co-Presidents Renee Rewi (Catholic representative) and Bonnie Robinson (Presbyterian representative); Executive Officer (Kaiwhakahaere Matua) Alicia Sudden. The governing Council includes senior representatives from Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian and Salvation Army social services.

17. Staff: Small secretariat of 5–6 staff. Key staff (2023) include Policy Analyst; Dr. Katie Schraders. Senior Policy Analysts Melanie Wilson and Rachel Mackay, Daniel Campbell. NZCCSS reports a total of 9 employees on LinkedIn.

18. Staff with previous government roles: Data Not Found (no public information that current NZCCSS staff held prior roles in government agencies; staff backgrounds are primarily in academia, church agencies or NGO sector ).

19. Past Employees: Trevor McGlinchey – former Executive Officer (served circa 2008–2021). Ian Hutson – former President (Salvation Army representative, led Council until stepping down in 2022). Past executive leaders have included church social service veterans such as Lisa Woolley (past President).

20. Clients: Not applicable – NZCCSS does not serve private clients; it advocates on behalf of its six member church networks and the communities they serve. Its “clients” are effectively the poor and vulnerable New Zealanders whose interests it represents through those member agencies.

21. Industries / sectors represented: Social services, community welfare, housing, poverty alleviation, child and family services, and aged care. NZCCSS focuses on policy affecting low-income families, social housing, and elder care via its member organisations in those sectors.

22. Publicly Disclosed Engagements: Regular submissions to Parliament and Government inquiries (e.g. on welfare, housing, justice bills). Formal quarterly meetings with senior Government ministers were established in 1999 as part of a church-government forum. The Council participated in the 2008 election campaign “Let us look after each other – Aroha tētahi ki tētahi,” informing questions at candidates’ meetings nationwide. NZCCSS is frequently consulted by officials (e.g. on the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy as a key stakeholder) and has publicly opposed certain government proposals (such as changes to the Oranga Tamariki oversight law) via joint sector statements.

23. Affiliations: Acts as an umbrella body for six denominational social service networks: Anglican Care Network, Baptist Churches of NZ social services, Catholic Social Services, Methodist Alliance/Methodist Missions, Presbyterian Support, and The Salvation Army. NZCCSS is a member of broader coalitions like the Association of NGOs (e.g. has worked alongside Community Networks Aotearoa and the NZ Council of Social Services on sector issues). It is also part of peak body forums alongside entities like Social Service Providers Aotearoa (SSPA) and Community Housing Aotearoa.

24. Sponsorships / Collaborations: Philanthropy: Supported by philanthropic partners like The Tindall Foundation (for child poverty and family projects). Collaboration: Co-founded the Kore Hiakai Zero Hunger Collective (food security initiative) in 2018 and helped incubate it until it became an independent trust in 2023. NZCCSS also partnered with Social Service Providers Aotearoa to deliver joint capability-building programmes on child welfare laws.

25. Events: Hosts biennial conferences and forums for the social services sector. For example, NZCCSS convened a national conference in 2016 for its members and stakeholders on building a “just and compassionate Aotearoa”. It also organises policy workshops (e.g. on the Charities Act review, Incorporated Societies Act changes ) and community events such as election-related forums (like 2008 church-based candidate meetings across the country).

26. Political Donations: None disclosed – NZCCSS is a registered charity and there is no record of it making donations to political parties or candidates (it would conflict with its charitable status).

27. Controversies: No significant controversies directly involving NZCCSS were found. The Council tends to voice concerns on social policy (e.g. criticizing inadequate welfare support ) rather than attract controversy itself. (No incidents of misconduct or public scandal by NZCCSS identified in media or official records – Data Not Found).

28. Other information of note: NZCCSS is exempt from income tax as a registered charity under the Charities Act 2005. It operates as a national “peak body” for church-based welfare agencies, governed by a Council of two representatives from each member denomination. The Council oversees three standing Policy Groups focusing on Children & Families, Poverty & Exclusion, and Older People, ensuring NZCCSS advocacy is informed by front-line service insights and expert input. NZCCSS publishes a quarterly “Vulnerability Report” tracking poverty indicators since 2009, highlighting the social impacts of economic policies.

29. Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: Data Not Found – No public data confirming if NZCCSS claimed the 2020 COVID-19 wage subsidy (the Council itself reported no Oranga Tamariki funding and likely maintained operations via existing funding). There is no indication in financial reports of wage subsidy receipts.

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Sources

1. NZCCSS Conference 2016 – NZCCSS (via EventsCloud) – “The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) has six foundation members: the Anglican Care Network, Baptist Union of New Zealand, Catholic Social Services, Methodist Church of New Zealand, Presbyterian Support New Zealand Inc. and the Salvation Army.” – na.eventscloud.com (2016)

2. Interchurch Unity: Churches Working Together – Presbyterian Church publication – “The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) began in the 1960s as a gathering of Christian providers of services to older people, and expanded to become an independent Christian voice advocating for positive change for poor and vulnerable New Zealanders.” – presbyterian.org.nz (2012)

3. NZCCSS 2021–22 Annual Report – “For more than five decades… In its 53 years, NZCCSS has worked to bring the stories of people challenged by inequity and injustice before decisionmakers, with the aim of influencing positive change.” – nzccss.org.nz (2022)

4. Methodist Church Yearbook 2021 (NZCCSS entry) – Contact details for NZCCSS: “PO Box 12090, Wellington 6144 (L1, 192 Tinakori Rd, Thorndon, Wellington 6011). Executive Officer Nikki Hurst… [E] eo@nzccss.org.nz [Web] www.nzccss.org.nz” – methodist.org.nz (2021)

5. NZCCSS LinkedIn Profile – Industry and location: “Non-profit Organizations… Headquarters Wellington 6011… Primary location: 3 George Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011, NZ.” – LinkedIn (2025)

6. Ministry of Housing and Urban Development – OIA release – “MBIE… has a formalised Funding Agreement with the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (as the coordinator of the [Tenants’ Advocacy] network) of $30,000 for the 2022–2023 Financial Year, for administration of the network and associated costs of holding meetings.” – hud.govt.nz (2023)

7. NZ Productivity Commission Submission by NZCCSS – “Contact details for this submission are Trevor McGlinchey, NZCCSS Executive Officer, PO Box 12-090, Thorndon, Wellington, Phone 04 473 2627, eo@nzccss.org.nz.” – treasury.govt.nz (2015)

8. NZCCSS Annual Report 2022–23 (pg.13) – “Ngā Tangata | People – Te Kaunihera | The Council: Renée Rewi – Co-President (Catholic rep), Bonnie Robinson – Co-President (Presbyterian rep)… [list of other denominational representatives]… Ngā Kaimahi | The Secretariat: Nikki Hurst – Executive Officer; Hamish Jarvie – Policy Analyst (Equity & Inclusion); Rachel Mackay – Senior Policy Analyst (Older Persons); Melanie Wilson – Senior Policy Analyst (Children & Families); Kate Hamlin – Communications Manager.” – nzccss.org.nz (2023)

9. NZCCSS UPR Submission 2013 – “NZCCSS has six foundation members… Through their networks and approximately five hundred social service delivery sites, NZCCSS members make a significant contribution to New Zealand’s social wellbeing. The key roles of NZCCSS are to represent the common interests and vision of our members at the national level; to supply information and networking opportunities to support members… and develop, critique and advocate for policies that will assist poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society. A national Council, made up of two representatives from each denomination, governs NZCCSS. A Policy Group oversees… work in three key areas: children and families, impacts of poverty & exclusion, and older people.” – upr-info.org / OHCHR (2013)

10. NZCCSS Press Release (Scoop) – “NZCCSS Appoints New Executive Officer… The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Nikki Hurst as Executive Officer. NZCCSS President Bonnie Robinson says… ‘This is a special role and we’re excited to welcome Nikki… She has an energy and excitement for the task…’” – Scoop.co.nz (2 March 2021)

11. Baucher Tax Blog – “For example, the Citizens Advice Bureau, the Methodist Alliance, the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services, the Salvation Army, and a whole range of other non-governmental organisations [provided feedback on IRD’s debt policy].” – baucher.tax (2023)

12. Scoop News – “In January, NZCCSS joined many across the sector to oppose the proposed ‘Oversight of Oranga Tamariki…’ [legislation].” (indicating NZCCSS’s stance against weakening independent oversight of the child welfare system) – Scoop.co.nz (2022)

13. Anglican Taonga (Anglican Church News) – “NZCCSS is committed to ensuring that New Zealanders, when they come to vote this year, are making that connection. Lisa Woolley is President of NZCCSS.” – anglicantaonga.org.nz (2020)

14. Treasury Report – “Further details on NZCCSS can be found on our website… As a faith-based peak body of social services, we believe the overall objectives of…” (reference to NZCCSS as a faith-based peak body in a Treasury consultation) – treasury.govt.nz (2022)

15. MSD Briefing (Child & Youth Wellbeing Strategy) – “Peak Body organisations (e.g., SSPA, NZCCSS, Ara Taiohi, Barnardos, Plunket)…” – msd.govt.nz (2022)

16. MSD & Ministry of Health Proactive Release – “Peak bodies – New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services described this shift as a ‘sudden swing from benign neglect to shaking the voluntary sector by the neck’.” (illustrating NZCCSS’s commentary on policy shifts) – msd.govt.nz (2020)

17. NZCCSS Annual Report 2021–22 (financial notes) – “NZCCSS is a charitable organisation registered with Charities Services and is exempt from income tax under the Charities Act 2005.” – nzccss.org.nz (2022)

18. NZCCSS Submission to UPR (OHCHR Annex) – “NZCCSS works for a just and compassionate society in Aotearoa New Zealand… committed to giving priority to the poor and vulnerable… and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.” – upr-info.org (2013)

19. Treasury Inquiry Submission (NZCCSS) – “NZCCSS is concerned with government procurement practices… including extensive use of competitive tendering that appear to favour larger corporate-style organisations… when a social service is seen as a simple sale and purchase transaction, the wider positive influences of supporting a charitable, community-based organisation are often overlooked.” – treasury.govt.nz (2015)

20. Community Networks Aotearoa – “Following on from our successful collaboration in 2014, Community Networks Aotearoa (CNA) and the NZ Council of Christian Social Services…” (showing NZCCSS collaboration with CNA on sector events) – adcoss.org.nz (2017)

Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz