title: Doing the Lord’s work or taking His name in vain: Religion and charity—a New Zealand perspective

authors: Chevalier-Watts, Juliet

subjects: Law

abstract: This article considers the relationship between the law, charity and religion, and specifically, the charitable doctrines of the advancement of religion and public benefit. In doing so, it addresses a number of matters, including controversy and morality, from the perspective of some key religious charity law cases. The discussions consider whether or not the Lord’s name may be taken in vain through the works of these charities, and thus require legal reform, or whether charity law is indeed doing the Lord’s work within the constructs of charity law such that the law remains fit for purpose.

text: Doing the Lord’s work or taking His name in vain: Religion and charity—a New Zealand perspective This article considers the relationship between the law, charity and religion, and specifically, the charitable doctrines of the advancement of religion and public benefit. In doing so, it addresses a number of matters, including controversy and morality, from the perspective of some key religious charity law cases. The discussions consider whether or not the Lord’s name may be taken in vain through the works of these charities, and thus require legal reform, or whether charity law is indeed doing the Lord’s work within the constructs of charity law such that the law remains fit for purpose.

year: 2023-03-03

title: The two-way relationship between international migration and institutional quality in the migration and development nexus

authors: Tran, Ngoc Thi Minh

subjects: International migration

abstract: The two-way relationship between international migration and institutional quality is at the core of migration and development interconnections. Migration decisions are shaped by various types of institutions, and subsequently alter the quality of institutions in both home and host countries. This thesis empirically examines the two-way relationship between international migration and institutional quality at the country and cross-country levels. Three studies on the return decisions and intentions of Vietnamese migrants are presented, which elucidate the role of institutional quality in explaining migration. Subsequently, a panel analysis that involves across-country-and-time comparisons is presented that investigates the development role of migration in improving institutional quality in home countries.
 
In the first study, binary and multinomial regression models are fitted to identify the determinants of Vietnamese return migrants’ location choices when registering for permanent residency back in their home country. The analysis reveals that institutional quality at the local level has a positive role in these migration decisions. Moreover, the revealed effect differs with the characteristics of migrants: regions with better institutional quality are more attractive both to younger return migrants and to those who have returned from host countries with better institutional quality.
 
The second study uses data from a web-based survey conducted in OECD countries in 2016 to examine determinants of the intentions to repatriate among Vietnamese migrants. Logistic regression results suggest that Vietnamese migrants who attach greater importance to the institutional quality in Viet Nam are less likely to have the intention to return than others. However, there is considerable heterogeneity by gender. The concern about institutional quality in Viet Nam is only statistically significant for males.
 
The third study attempts to measure the implicit monetary value of institutional quality, elicited via the return migration channel using the contingent valuation method. More specifically, this study estimates the willingness to pay for an improvement in institutional quality in Viet Nam. Based on survey data on Vietnamese migrants living in New Zealand collected in 2016, the estimated willingness to pay for a one-unit improvement on a scale of institutional quality is, on average, NZD 79.80 per week, and positively associated with the respondents’ age and the importance of institutional quality in Viet Nam to their repatriation intentions.
 
The fourth study investigates the influence of diasporas in OECD countries on institutional quality in home countries. Particularly, the heterogeneity of diasporas is taken into account, in terms of their distribution across host countries and duration-of-stay. A modified measure of diaspora size, namely institutional-quality-adjusted immigrant stocks, is developed to allow for variations in institutional quality between host countries. Duration-of-stay in the host country is utilized as an indicator of the strength of interaction with home countries. Cross-sectional and panel analyses find a significant positive impact of diasporas in OECD countries on institutional quality in home countries. Remarkably, the diffusion of advanced institutions from developed host countries to home countries through the international migration channel is stronger with diasporas characterized by shorter duration-of-stay.
 
In general, the empirical findings of this thesis underscore the important role of good institutional quality in governing migration for development.

text: The two-way relationship between international migration and institutional quality in the migration and development nexus The two-way relationship between international migration and institutional quality is at the core of migration and development interconnections. Migration decisions are shaped by various types of institutions, and subsequently alter the quality of institutions in both home and host countries. This thesis empirically examines the two-way relationship between international migration and institutional quality at the country and cross-country levels. Three studies on the return decisions and intentions of Vietnamese migrants are presented, which elucidate the role of institutional quality in explaining migration. Subsequently, a panel analysis that involves across-country-and-time comparisons is presented that investigates the development role of migration in improving institutional quality in home countries.
 
In the first study, binary and multinomial regression models are fitted to identify the determinants of Vietnamese return migrants’ location choices when registering for permanent residency back in their home country. The analysis reveals that institutional quality at the local level has a positive role in these migration decisions. Moreover, the revealed effect differs with the characteristics of migrants: regions with better institutional quality are more attractive both to younger return migrants and to those who have returned from host countries with better institutional quality.
 
The second study uses data from a web-based survey conducted in OECD countries in 2016 to examine determinants of the intentions to repatriate among Vietnamese migrants. Logistic regression results suggest that Vietnamese migrants who attach greater importance to the institutional quality in Viet Nam are less likely to have the intention to return than others. However, there is considerable heterogeneity by gender. The concern about institutional quality in Viet Nam is only statistically significant for males.
 
The third study attempts to measure the implicit monetary value of institutional quality, elicited via the return migration channel using the contingent valuation method. More specifically, this study estimates the willingness to pay for an improvement in institutional quality in Viet Nam. Based on survey data on Vietnamese migrants living in New Zealand collected in 2016, the estimated willingness to pay for a one-unit improvement on a scale of institutional quality is, on average, NZD 79.80 per week, and positively associated with the respondents’ age and the importance of institutional quality in Viet Nam to their repatriation intentions.
 
The fourth study investigates the influence of diasporas in OECD countries on institutional quality in home countries. Particularly, the heterogeneity of diasporas is taken into account, in terms of their distribution across host countries and duration-of-stay. A modified measure of diaspora size, namely institutional-quality-adjusted immigrant stocks, is developed to allow for variations in institutional quality between host countries. Duration-of-stay in the host country is utilized as an indicator of the strength of interaction with home countries. Cross-sectional and panel analyses find a significant positive impact of diasporas in OECD countries on institutional quality in home countries. Remarkably, the diffusion of advanced institutions from developed host countries to home countries through the international migration channel is stronger with diasporas characterized by shorter duration-of-stay.
 
In general, the empirical findings of this thesis underscore the important role of good institutional quality in governing migration for development.

year: 2018

title: Ārai Whakamōmori: An Exploration of Te Whakaruruhau’s Suicide Prevention Strategy

authors: Jones, Waikorihiata Georgina-Ann Marama

subjects: Te Whakaruruhau, suicide, suicide prevention, indigenous suicide prevention, women’s refuge.

abstract: Te Whakaruruhau, Waikato Women’s Refuge, have been able to achieve a suicide free environment for their clients for over 31 years. This research sought to understand how Te Whakaruruhau have been successful in preventing suicide for women and their partners. Intimate partner violence is closely associated with suicide risk, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and helplessness and hopelessness. Interviews were held with 11 staff using kaupapa Māori (principles/philosophies) methodologies of: kānohi kitea (greeting, meeting face to face), ako Māori (learning, teaching, reciprocity, cultural pedagogy) and manaaki ki te tangata (caring, hosting people). A thematic analysis provided four main themes: identifying safety and risk issues, prevention methods, following tīkanga, and training and supervision. Sub themes that supported and expanded on each main theme showed that staff interacted and cared for their clients using distinctly Māori worldviews and practices of tīkanga: manner of approach, mā te whakarongo and kōrero (listening and talking), awhi (support), redirecting the focus, and whakamana (to empower), to prevent suicide with their clients. As Te Whakaruruhau is founded on principles of kaupapa Māori, it was evident that staff responded to their clients using manaakitanga (to care for, show respect), aroha (show love, empathy and sympathy), awhi, both physical and emotional support, and whakawhanaungatanga (relationship). A concern for staff was the lack of resourcing to access appropriate training and supervision which they felt impacted on their ability to do their job well. The implications of this study are that more training, specifically around suicide awareness, and mentoring and guidance is needed for staff to continue to provide a suicide free space. Also, this research serves to guide the formation of an indigenous national suicide prevention strategy for clients who access refuges. Ultimately, the research is for families who experience disruptions to their lives through violence offering a pathway and place for them to recover and rebuild their lives.

text: Ārai Whakamōmori: An Exploration of Te Whakaruruhau’s Suicide Prevention Strategy Te Whakaruruhau, Waikato Women’s Refuge, have been able to achieve a suicide free environment for their clients for over 31 years. This research sought to understand how Te Whakaruruhau have been successful in preventing suicide for women and their partners. Intimate partner violence is closely associated with suicide risk, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and helplessness and hopelessness. Interviews were held with 11 staff using kaupapa Māori (principles/philosophies) methodologies of: kānohi kitea (greeting, meeting face to face), ako Māori (learning, teaching, reciprocity, cultural pedagogy) and manaaki ki te tangata (caring, hosting people). A thematic analysis provided four main themes: identifying safety and risk issues, prevention methods, following tīkanga, and training and supervision. Sub themes that supported and expanded on each main theme showed that staff interacted and cared for their clients using distinctly Māori worldviews and practices of tīkanga: manner of approach, mā te whakarongo and kōrero (listening and talking), awhi (support), redirecting the focus, and whakamana (to empower), to prevent suicide with their clients. As Te Whakaruruhau is founded on principles of kaupapa Māori, it was evident that staff responded to their clients using manaakitanga (to care for, show respect), aroha (show love, empathy and sympathy), awhi, both physical and emotional support, and whakawhanaungatanga (relationship). A concern for staff was the lack of resourcing to access appropriate training and supervision which they felt impacted on their ability to do their job well. The implications of this study are that more training, specifically around suicide awareness, and mentoring and guidance is needed for staff to continue to provide a suicide free space. Also, this research serves to guide the formation of an indigenous national suicide prevention strategy for clients who access refuges. Ultimately, the research is for families who experience disruptions to their lives through violence offering a pathway and place for them to recover and rebuild their lives.

year: 2017