About us - Closer Together Whakatata Mai

Closer Together Whakatata Mai is a project of the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) aimed at building a New Zealand where the income gap between the rich and the poor is getting closer together..... not wider apart.

The project is targeted specifically at reducing poverty, by addressing income inequality in Aotearoa New Zealand.  This is in keeping with the NZCCSS’ mission to work for a just and compassionate society in Aotearoa New Zealand, giving priority to the poor and vulnerable members of our society.

Closer Together Whakatata Mai aims to build a forum of public debate about the impact of inequality on New Zealand Aotearoa’s economic and social success.  It is hoped the debate will create a grassroots groundswell to ensure all government policies address the issue of reducing inequality, in particular income inequality.

Contact us by email or ph 04 4732627

Closer Together Whakatata Mai logo

This design is loosely based on a tipare (Māori woven headband). It is a balanced design encompassing symmetry, unity, equality and harmony in a geometric form.

The tipare sits at the top of the poster and website giving rightful place to the head, which is tapu for Maori and the source of mana and wisdom. The weaving of the headband brings the separate parts closer together into a stronger, more beautiful and unified whole.