Volunteer Awareness Week , from 15 to 21 June 2008, is a time to acknowledge the vital contribution made by more than a million volunteers toward the well-being of fellow New Zealanders.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities, working in every facet - from meals on wheels to community patrols, from volunteer fire fighters to the running of marae to driving an older neighbour to the supermarket. The contribution made every week by our sports volunteers is nothing but tremendous.

Volunteering contributes to the kiwi way of life, and contributes to our sense of belonging and national identity. Volunteers also make an enormous contribution to our economy.

A recent survey by Statistics New Zealand found that over one million Kiwi volunteers gave an incredible 270 million hours of unpaid labour. And if this labour was valued at market wages the overall contribution of non-profits rises to $6.95 billion or 4.9 per cent of GDP – the same as the entire construction industry.

The Labour-led government is serious about supporting the voluntary sector and adopted a formal policy on volunteering back in 2002.

Since 1999 the Government has funded volunteer centres and provided over $17 million to grass roots community projects through the Community Partnership Fund with a further $6 million provided in the 2008 budget. The Government has also set up the Charities Commission to encourage transparency and confidence in the charitable sector.

The Labour-led government is also implementing Pathway to Partnership a new funding model worth $446 million which will benefit community organisations delivering essential services to families and communities.

Additionally, tax changes to charitable donations and the introduction of a new voluntary payroll system, will further strengthen the financial base of volunteer organisations.

 

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More information

• Volunteer Awareness Week: www.ocvs.govt.nz/news-updates/volunteer-awareness-week.html
• Volunteer Awareness Week blog: http://volunteeringnz.blogspot.com/
• How you can Go further – volunteer: www.volunteernow.org.nz/jobs/
• ComVoiceS -- an independent network of Tangata Whenua and leading community and voluntary organisations.
   

 

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Ministerial media statements and speeches

You can always find all the latest ministerial statements and speeches about the community and voluntary sector on the main portfolio webpage here: www.beehive.govt.nz/portfolio/community+and+voluntary+sector

The website of the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector (administered by the Ministry of Social Development) is here:  www.ocvs.govt.nz

Documents specifically about Volunteer Awareness Week 2008:

• Volunteer Awareness Week -- Comunity and Voluntary Sector (also Social Development Minister)  Ruth Dyson kicks off the week. 15 June statement
• Volunteers work vital part of NZ communities -- Whether it’s replanting native shrubs, or supporting a new mum, the work of thousands of volunteers throughout New Zealand is a vital part of our social fabric. Conservation, Women Affairs and Associate Health Minister Steve Chadwick. 17 June statement
• Pacific Island volunteers valued -- Volunteer Awareness Week is an opportunity to acknowledge the valuable contribution of our Pacific volunteers. Pacific Island Affairs Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban. 17 June statement