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Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has today, on International Day of the Volunteer, praised the unpaid workforce who keep our nation going.

“This group freely donate their time and energy to keep our communities running. They are the backbone of our sports and social groups, search and rescue organisations, and the arts and cultural sector,” says Mrs Goodhew.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Good morning everyone. It is a real pleasure to be here this morning in my home town!

Thank you to Volunteering Mid & South Canterbury for inviting me to join in recognising the wonderful job done by the volunteers in this region.

I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate the newly elected Mayor of Timaru, Damon Odey. It is great to have you here to help recognise the valuable contribution made by these volunteers.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today announced the recipients of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowships for 2014.

“I congratulate all the recipients of this year’s Fellowships and wish them successful and productive study trips,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“The Trust aims to help New Zealanders from all walks of life to travel overseas and bring back new insights and understanding that will enrich their community and, ultimately, New Zealand as a whole.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Good afternoon everyone. I am delighted to join you at this first full year annual meeting of Charities Services.

Brendon – thank you for the invitation. Members of the Independent Charities Registration Board – Roger, Caren and Kirikaiahi it’s good to see you all again.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

It is my great pleasure to join you this morning.

Thank you Ken and members of the National COGS Committee for inviting me to share in launching the COGS Profile.

Since it began in 1986, the Community Organisation Grants Scheme, affectionately known to us all as COGS, has been a vital source of government funding for non-profit community organisations.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today announced the start of a new funding round for the Community Development Scheme. 

“The fund enables groups to employ a community development project worker to help them identify and respond to local issues,” says Mrs Goodhew.

During each funding round, applications for the scheme are invited from community organisations, hapū, and iwi based in specific areas.

Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Jo Goodhew has today acknowledged the important role volunteer managers play in volunteer organisations.

“Today marks International Day for Volunteer Managers. This day recognises the great work of managers of volunteers and thanks them for leading volunteers in our communities across the country,” Mrs Goodhew says.

The international theme for Volunteer Managers Day 2013 is ‘connecting and inspiring’.

Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Jo Goodhew today acknowledged 25 Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellows at a special awards ceremony held at Government House.

“Today’s event is a celebration of the achievements of the Fellows who have completed their travel and research reports in the last two years,” said Mrs Goodhew.

The ceremony was hosted by the Patron of the Trust, His Excellency, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor-General of New Zealand.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Your Excellency, the Governor-General of New Zealand, Lt Gen The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae, Deputy British High Commissioner Patrick Reilly, Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Board chair Rachael Selby, members of the Trust Board, Department of Internal Affairs Chief Executive Colin MacDonald, Fellows and welcomed guests.

A special thank you to Sir Jerry Mateparae for hosting us in this lovely setting, and for His Excellency’s service as patron of the Trust.

Charities with annual expenditure of $500,000 or more will be required to have their financial statements reviewed by a qualified accountant, Minister of Commerce Craig Foss and Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew announced today.

Charities with annual expenditure over $1 million will be required to have their financial statements audited.

“These changes will improve the quality of financial reporting among charities and result in greater confidence that financial statements are reliable,” says Mr Foss.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today announced that grants totalling over $500,000 have been made to community organisations to promote and support volunteering.

“The grants were made through the Support for Volunteering Fund which aims to enable new and innovative approaches to the development and support of volunteering,” Mrs Goodhew says.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has announced that two new High Tech Youth Network studios will be established in Dunedin South and Penrose in Auckland.

“I am very pleased that the $1.9 million provided in Budget 2013 will enable the High Tech Youth Network to develop these two new studios and to continue to support young people enrolled at existing studios,” Mrs Goodhew said.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced that eight new community development projects around the country will be supported with over $1.9 million of funding from the Community Development Scheme. 

“The Community Development Scheme supports communities which are working to generate their own solutions to local issues, and aspiring to become more self-reliant and resilient,” says Mrs Goodhew.

The Government has today announced it will continue funding for Computers in Homes for the next financial year.

Education Minister Hekia Parata says this is possible through moving up to $1.6 million of funding from Vote Education to the Department of Internal Affairs for the purposes of digital literacy.

“Computers in Homes connects families and communities with education and technology that’s why there are three of us making this announcement today,’’ Ms Parata says.

Delivered on behalf by Tim Macindoe, MP for Hamilton West.

E aku rangatira, tēnā koutou katoa. Ka nui te honore ki te mihi ki a koutou.

Thank you for inviting me to be part of this wonderful event. I am delighted to be here to speak briefly about the value of the volunteer community to New Zealand and to assist in presenting this evening’s awards.

Applications for the Community Internship Programme are now being accepted, says Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew.

“This programme funds hapū, iwi or community groups with clearly identified needs to employ skilled professionals as interns for three to six months,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today called on New Zealanders to take part in New Zealand’s largest celebration of volunteering and civic participation - National Volunteer Week, Te Wiki Tūao a Motu.

“This is a week, co-ordinated annually by Volunteering New Zealand, which is set aside to celebrate the contribution volunteers make in their communities,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today announced that the funding round for grants to be distributed by the 36 Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) committees opens tomorrow.

“COGS is a community-driven, government-funded scheme that provides grants to non-profit organisations and groups that deliver community-based social services,” said Mrs Goodhew.

“Last year 4369 COGS grants were allocated to community organisations across New Zealand.

The Government will continue supporting Computer Clubhouse, a free after-school learning environment giving young people access to technology, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew says.

The Department of Internal Affairs will receive $1.9 million over 2013/14 to 2015/16, funded from existing contingencies, to support the scheme.

“Computer Clubhouse enables young people to use technology to work on projects and build information and communications technology skills,” Mrs Goodhew said.

Introduction

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew said today she was encouraged by the way communities have embraced a new approach to community development.

Visiting Whirinaki, one of the five communities taking part in the community-led development initiative, Mrs Goodhew said the community had achieved some great results, both with projects they are undertaking and in building local residents’ sense of pride in their community.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today congratulated Kaibosh on winning the supreme award at the TrustPower National Community Awards and Mokihinui-Lyell Backcountry Trust for receiving the runner-up award.

“Volunteers are vital to New Zealand, with 1.2 million volunteers contributing 270 million volunteer hours a year. But it is not just this direct effort than needs to be recognised. Volunteering builds social capital and therefore community strength and resilience.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Jo Goodhew today announced that the new funding round for the Support for Volunteering Fund is now open.

“The Support for Volunteering Fund provides over $500,000 each year to projects and organisations that promote and support volunteering in New Zealand,” said Mrs Goodhew.

“The funding is divided between Volunteering New Zealand, regional volunteer centres and selected projects in the volunteer sector. The focus for the current funding round is Māori, Pacific and ethnic community projects.