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Community and Voluntary Sector Minister, Tariana Turia, has congratulated the 2011 recipients of the Dynamic Community Learning Awards, who received their awards today at Putiki Marae in Whanganui.

“I am so proud of the amazing contribution so many groups make to enhancing our communities”.

“These awards are a way of ‘giving back’ to these people – recognising the generosity of spirit that characterises their commitment to community”.

The five communities pioneering the community-led development initiative have been making good progress Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Tariana Turia said today. The five communities are: Whirinaki (South Hokianga); Mt Roskill (Auckland); Mangakino (Central North Island); Porirua East/Cannons Creek and North East Valley (Dunedin).

The Associate Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Hekia Parata, today welcomed the release of Employer Supported Volunteering: A Guide for the New Zealand Public Service.

“Employer supported volunteering has a number of benefits for society, for the agency, for the employee and for the community,” Ms Parata says.

Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Tariana Turia is pleased to support Random Acts of Kindness Day again in 2012.

Monday, 1 August, will mark an important milestone in work being progressed to build stronger relationships between communities and government.

Prime Minister, John Key, and Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Tariana Turia, will join with a wide variety of community and government representatives, Ministers and MPs in Parliament’s Grand Hall to sign and celebrate the Kia Tūtahi Standing Together Relationship Accord.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia has announced three appointments to the Board of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, each for a period of six years from 1 July 2011.

"I am delighted with the calibre of the appointees, who each bring unique skills which will strengthen the Board membership" said Minister Turia. "I know that the Trust members look forward to welcoming Fiona Tregonning and Len Cook to the Board, and to benefit from the continuing expertise of Bruce Robertson".

A strengthened relationship between government and the community is the aim of a document to be signed at Parliament on 1 August.

The Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Tariana Turia, said the Kia Tutahi Standing Together Relationship Accord sets clear expectations about how government agencies and communities will work together.

The Associate Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Hekia Parata, welcomes new data released by Statistics New Zealand that shows that 69 per cent of people are undertaking unpaid work outside of their own households.

This includes a participation rate of 27 per cent for unpaid work in non-profit organisations.

The Time Use Survey involved 9,159 people aged 12 years and older, who completed questionnaires and two-day diaries about how they spent their time.

Data from 2009/10 was compared to a previous 1998/99 survey.

Volunteers provide an invaluable contribution to our society and every minute of their work counts, says Associate Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Hekia Parata.

'Every Minute Counts' is the theme for this year’s Volunteer Awareness Week which starts on Sunday.

The week acknowledges the vital contribution volunteers make in a myriad of ways – through sport, arts and culture, conservation, health, social services, police, and education.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is today announcing that she has secured additional funding of $3.3 million over three years for community-based initiatives to increase digital literacy and connection.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia today announced a new initiative to support community-led development.

The announcement was made on Radio Waatea this morning.

“Community-led development puts communities at the centre of funding decisions and it allows the Government opportunity to invest in communities in a holistic way, rather than merely funding individual organisations and projects. It empowers local communities to generate local solutions to local problems.

Associate Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Hekia Parata says next week’s Volunteering New Zealand Conference will recognise the efforts of ordinary Kiwis who have gone out of their way to help others, and look at ways the sector can be better utilised in the future.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of International Year of the Volunteer – established by the United Nations in 2001 and supported by New Zealand. 

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is congratulating the Maori Wardens for all the work they have done in Christchurch since the February 22 earthquake.

Maori Wardens who have travelled from outside Christchurch to assist with the response to the earthquake will now be returning home.

“Watene Maori (Maori Wardens) travelled from throughout New Zealand to assist in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake and are just some of the many unsung heroes who helped to alleviate the pain of those who were suffering.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is inviting New Zealanders wishing to undertake research overseas to apply for a fellowship from the New Zealand Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

“Churchill Fellowships enable New Zealanders to benefit their communities by undertaking research overseas and bringing that international knowledge back home,” says Mrs Turia.

“I am particularly keen to see more Maori and Pasifika people apply.”

Associate Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Hekia Parata, is encouraging Kiwis to celebrate “Neighbours Day Aotearoa” this weekend.

The vision for Neighbours Day Aotearoa is simple - “Turning streets into neighbourhoods - Hurihia nga ara hei tui i te ata noho a te tangata”.

This community-led initiative encourages everyone to go one step further to know their neighbours. It could be through a wave or smile, a first chat over the fence, inviting a neighbour in for a cuppa or holding a street barbeque.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is congratulating the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust on winning the Supreme Award at the TrustPower National Community Awards.

The awards were held on Saturday night in Tauranga.

The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway Trust has restored and operates a vintage steam railway experience between Kawakawa and Opua in Northland.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is wishing all the TrustPower National Community Award Regional Supreme winners good luck as they compete for the National Supreme winner title this week.

The 2010 TrustPower National Community Awards are being held in Tauranga from 18 - 20 March 2011.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is thanking the many individual volunteers and communities that have assisted with the response to the Christchurch earthquake.

“I have been so impressed with the way New Zealanders have come together to help each others in such trying circumstances including the many non-government agencies, fire, police, defence, local and international search and rescue personnel who have all been working together for the common good.

Minister for the Community and Voluntary Tariana Turia has congratulated the recipients of the New Zealander of the Year awards.

520 people and organisations were nominated across the five award categories by individuals or groups who value their outstanding contribution to our country.

“All of the nominees and winners are wonderful ambassadors for New Zealand,” says Mrs Turia.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is welcoming the move of the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector into the Department of Internal Affairs from today.

The Community and Voluntary Sector portfolio has previously been split between Department of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Social Development.

“This move aims to simplify access to government for the relevant community groups and provide a clear point of contact,” says Mrs Turia.

Nominations for committee members to sit on their local Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) have opened today, says Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia.

“This is a great opportunity to represent your community’s needs and aspirations and contribute to local COGS funding decisions.

“COGS support is often the lifeblood of many community organisations in New Zealand. Last year more than $14 million was distributed to more than 4,000 non-profit and voluntary groups,” says Mrs Turia.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia is urging New Zealanders to celebrate the outstanding contribution volunteers make to their communities.

This Sunday is International Volunteer Day and today Mrs Turia released the latest Quarterly Generosity Indicators Update June 2010.

“Everyday of the week volunteers are helping in their communities whether it’s saving lives or just ensuring life is a little more comfortable.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Hon Tariana Turia today announced the recipients of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowships for 2011.

“The Churchill Fellows will enrich New Zealand by applying lessons learned from their global counterparts,” says Mrs Turia.

“Our communities will benefit from the diverse international knowledge these Fellows will bring home.”

For 2011, the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust has awarded $74,000 to 15 people. The average grant is $5000.

Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia has announced that the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector will operate from the Department of Internal Affairs from 1 February next