About CSS

Vision & Goals

Our Vision

We are a proactive, social services agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington that engages with all people and communities to help & empower them as they live their lives. We are guided by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

Our Strategic Goals

To build stronger collaboration and strategic partnerships across Archdiocesan bodies including parish communities.

1. To develop a model to assist parishes to identify the potential psychosocial service & justice projects that can be tackled in their region.
2. To develop methodologies to enable ADW ecosystem to work safely and effectively with people in their community who have challenging and complex needs.
3. To develop long term, sustainable future strategies for the settlement and support of former refugees involving local communities/parishes.
4. To develop a support system enabling parish teams, assisting those suffering grief, loss, marriage breakdown, disability, isolation and health deterioration
5. To become an organisation that is an authentic Te Tiriti O Waitangi partner.
6. To review how we market what we do at CSS, to whom we market, how we do this and resources used.
7. To develop the professional capacity and abilities of our CSS staff to enable CSS to meet the needs of the Archdiocese of Wellington.

Our History

Catholic Social Services began serving the people of the upper South Island and lower North Island in the 1960s. In previous decades our work included adoptions, residential care of young people, emergency housing provision among other social services.

Today, Catholic Social Services advances the social conditions of communities, groups, families/whānau and individuals, especially the disadvantaged, by providing professional support services, guidance, and assistance. 

In 2016, the social work agency of social workers and counsellors was expanded to become the Vicariate for Catholic social services, which includes also prison and hospital chaplains, clergy care, community organising and support for the Archdiocesan Justice, Peace and Development Commission.

In 2017, Catholic social services moved from Brougham St, Mt Victoria, to offices on the first floor of the Soup Kitchen at 132 Tory St, Wellington.

Catholic Social Teaching

Our work is based on Catholic social teaching, which is a body of writings and thought which applies Catholic moral principles to economic and social issues.

Principles of Catholic Social Teaching/Ngā Matapono Ākoranga Pāpori Katorika

Human Dignity – Made in God’s image: Each of us is made in God’s image, which means each person has an innate human dignity –  te tapu o te tangata – no one can take away.

Solidarity – Walking together: Being in solidarity is recognising others as our brothers and sisters and actively working with them for their good. In our connected humanity we are invited to build relationships – whakawhanaunatanga – to understand what life is like for others who are different from us.

Preferential option for the poor and vulnerable – Protecting those in need: Having a preferential option for the poor – he whakaaro nui mō te hunga rawakore – compels us to think first of the needs of those who are most vulnerable.

Common good – The good of each and all: Commitment to the common good means working for the good of all – hei painga mō te katoa. This means respecting the rights and responsibilities of all people.

Subsidiarity – Empowering communities: Taking account of subsidiarity – mana whakahaere – means ensuring decision making happens at the most appropriate level, so all those affected can contribute.

Stewardship – Being responsible guardians: We are kaitiaki – guardians of the earth.  Exercising stewardship is caring for the gifts God has given us, including the environment, our own personal talents and other resources.

Participation – Everyone with a part to play: Promoting participation – nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou – means recognising we each have something unique to contribute to society.  We are called to be active members of our local and global communities.

Supporters, partners and funders

The Vicariate of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Wellington works in partnership with:

• The parishes, schools, chaplaincies and Vicariates of the Archdiocese of Wellington
• The Compassion Soup Kitchen/Te Puaroha who have welcomed us into their building
• The Red Cross and the Anglican Diocese of Wellington in the preparation of homes for former refugees
• The many churches, workplaces and groups that contribute to and volunteer for the preparation of homes for former refugees settling in Wellington
• Hutt Valley Benefit Education Service Trust in the running of the Benefit Impact
• Te Tai o Marokura social services, Takahanga marae, Kaikoura in responding to the Kaikoura/Marlborough earthquake
• The Society of St Vincent de Paul, and social services of the church and community sector of the Wellington region.

We wish to thank all of our funders for their incredible support.  We are grateful for financial assistance from:

• The Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington
• The Catholic Foundation
• David Daily Charitable Trust
• Donovan Family Charitable Trust
• Hutt Mana Charitable Trust
• Gaynor Charitable Nominees
• Jack Jeffs Charitable Trust
• KSC Wellington Charitable Trust
• Little Company of Mary
• Lotteries Community Fund
• Ministry of Social Development
• New Zealand Lottery Grants Board
• One Foundation
• Pub Charity
• Sisters of Compassion
• Sisters of Mercy
• The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Kapi-Mana
• T G Macarthy Trust
• Tindall Foundation
• Wellington Hospital Chaplaincy Trust

Thank you also to primary schools, secondary schools and parishes in the Archdiocese towards the work we are doing to help refugees settle in Wellington; we are most grateful. And special thanks to our Hope Appeal and 1000 Club donors who donate regularly each year. Your ongoing support enables us to help others.