News and updates

3 March 2010

A total of 121 community sector nominations were received for a new Steering Group to lead development of a community-government Relationship Agreement by the 10 February closing date. These nominations, which cover a range of sub-sectors and interest groups, are currently being considered based on the criteria specified in the Terms of Reference for the Steering Group.

To be part of the Kia tutahi Steering Group, the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, the Hon. Tariana Turia needs people who are:

• leaders within their part of the sector
• well networked within the community and voluntary sector
• well respected amongst their peers
• able to present and communicate effectively
• able to provide a collaborative and participatory approach.

Members will be selected on the basis of their skills, experience and networks, and to achieve a mix that as far as possible reflects the diversity of the sector.

The Kia tutahi Steering Group will consist of seven community and voluntary sector members and seven state sector members selected through a separate process. In addition, Minister Turia will appoint two co-chairs, one from the community and voluntary sector and one from the state sector. The Minister will also seek approval from Cabinet for these appointments through the Cabinet Appointments and Honours Committee in late March, with the aim of announcing the confirmed membership by April 2010. 

The proposed Relationship Agreement will replace the 2001 Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship.

A broad range of opportunities for a wide variety of community sector people to contribute to development of the Relationship Agreement will be explored as the project progresses. The exact details will be determined once the Kia tutahi Steering Group is established, but if you are planning significant community sector events or meetings for the period of June to August 2010, and think your agenda might be able to accommodate an opportunity for discussion about the Relationship Agreement, please contact the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector so we can add your event to the mix of possible options.

The Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector will act as secretariat for the Kia tutahi Steering Group. If you have any questions about this nomination process or the development of the Relationship Agreement, please email ocvs@msd.govt.nz or phone Judith Le Harivel (Senior Policy Analyst) on 04 918 9579.

3 March 2010

Ian Axford Fellow, Laura Benedict, recently commenced a seven-month co-placement with the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector (OCVS) and Philanthropy New Zealand.  Laura is here, as part of the Ian Axford (New Zealand) Fellowships in Public Policy programme administerd by Fulbright New Zealand, to conduct a research project exploring ways that lending can support social goals in New Zealand.

The different forms of non-profit lending can include loan programmes designed specifically for non-profit and social mission organisations, social venture capital, Program Related Investments (PRIs) and government-sponsored loan guarantee programmes to incentivise traditional banks to lend to non-profits.

While in New Zealand, Laura will:

• meet with government officials who work with non-profits and in the field of community development, and with non-profits already active in the social lending field
• work closely with the philanthropic community; especially the staff of Philanthropy New Zealand and with Glen Saunders, author of A new funding paradigm commissioned by ASB Community Trust and Tindall Foundation in late 2009
• learn from current Māori and Pacific people's activities in this area and assess new opportunities in these communities for social lending
• write a report on her findings that will be presented in August at the Institute of Public Administration of New Zealand (IPANZ) in Wellington.

Laura comes from North Carolina, where she is one of the leaders of Self-Help, the largest non-profit lender in the United States and one of the most effective non-profits in the country, according to Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits.  Self-Help has invested billions of dollars into low-income and minority communities in the States, including over 800 loans to non-profits and human services providers for $213 million, creating or maintaining 9,017 jobs, and 50,054 child care, school and housing spaces.

Laura recognises that the culture and history that have shaped New Zealand are quite different from that of the States. She is keen to learn about Māori and Pacific people's histories and cultures, and to investigate social lending opportunities for Māori and Pacific-led initiatives.  She expects to bring invaluable lessons to her work at Self-Help and find opportunities for cross-fertilisation between the States' more established community development finance sector and New Zealand's emerging one.   

3 March 2010

The Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector (OCVS) has selected Standards NZ to start development work on a Code of Funding Practice to guide the contracting and grant-making behaviours of public servants.  Initial work is focused on one-on-one consultation with members of the OCVS Funding and Accountability Interest Group to develop the initial Code structure. An online consultation process will commence on 16 April through links on this website. 

The Code of Funding Practice aims to assist:

• government funders to implement official guidance from Treasury and Office of the Auditor-General, and to overcome identified issues
• community and voluntary sector organisations to manage their funding relationships with government agencies.

The Code will be written in plain language and published on the Good Practice Funding website, which currently includes a vast amount of funding guidance from a wide range of sources, together with New Zealand case studies and reporting and monitoring advice.

» For more information on funding practice, including current guidance from the Auditor-General, check out the Good Practice Funding website at www.goodpracticefunding.govt.nz.

3 March 2010

The end of each financial year provides an opportunity to take advantage of new tax laws that took effect for the 2008/2009 financial year. The changes offer individuals, companies and Maori authorities greater incentives to make donations to approved non-profits, by increasing the levels of tax credits (formerly called rebates) that they can claim – and extending the ability to claim to close companies. 

The key points are:

• Individuals can claim a tax credit of one-third (33.33%) of all donations they make, limited only by the level of their annual taxable income. (Previously there was a rebate limit of $630.)
• Companies are entitled to a deduction for all donations made to donee organisations, limited only by the amount of the company’s net income. (Previously there was a 5% limit on deductions that companies could claim for cash donations.)
• The donation deduction is also extended to unlisted close companies (companies with five or fewer shareholders).
• Maori authorities are entitled to a deduction for all donations made to donee organisations, limited only by the amount of their net income. (Previously there was a 5% limit on deductions that Maori authorities could claim for cash donations.)

» Non-profits: See guidance from Inland Revenue about issuing receipts, including tips for school donations

» Inland Revenue's donation tax credit guide for donee organisations (Word, 57KB)

» Read more from Inland Revenue about the greater tax incentives for charitable donations

» Download a one-page summary about how the tax changes are making giving easier

» Check the Inland Revenue website for a list of approved donee organisations (these include, but are not limited to, charities registered with the Charities Commission)

» Individuals – request or download a Tax Credit Claim Form (IR526) from IRD or read the IR525 Guide about claiming a Tax Credit

» Companies can claim on their income tax return (IR4) - read more on the IRD website

» Maori Authorities can claim on their income tax return (IR8) - read more on the IRD website

» Read the Good Practice Participate case study about how Inland Revenue worked with a community and voluntary sector reference group to develop the consultation on tax incentives for giving

19 January 2010

New Zealand workplaces can now introduce voluntary payroll giving schemes to enable employees to receive immediate tax credits on donations to approved organisations. 

Payroll giving is an easy way for employees to support good causes as it enables donations to go directly from a person's pay to a chosen community organisation. Payroll giving will be administered through the PAYE tax system, so people whose employers introduce a payroll giving scheme will receive the tax benefits of their donations each payday, without having to present donation receipts or wait to claim at the end of a tax year.

In November 2009, every employer received a letter and brochure explaining the basic changes. Employers with five or more staff also received a CD-Rom including the Payroll Giving Guide (IR617) from Inland Revenue and a selection of promotional posters. All this material is available on the Inland Revenue website and from the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector website.

How workplaces choose to set up payroll giving is very flexible - it is entirely voluntary for both employers and staff - and employers can limit the scheme to a few community organisations if they choose to.  

Some workplaces are planning to start with a short list of groups to support, so they can keep things simple for the initial introduction of the payroll giving. The OCVS has heard of workplaces where staff have voted for which groups to support, and other situations where donors (who are employers) have decided to offer their staff the opportunity to give to that chosen group.

Some workplaces will be introducing payroll software that makes it easy for staff to change their own payroll donations - giving them the opportunity to donate to any one of the 18,000 plus donee organisations registered with Inland Revenue.

» Check the donee organisations list to see who you can potentially donate to

27 November 2009

2008 data from Nielsen Media Research’s Panorama survey shows that volunteering and donation levels were consistent between 2007 and 2008.  The research was released by the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector at Volunteering NZ’s Volunteering Unleashed conference in October.

Based on the responses of 12,000 people, the 2008 data shows the number of people supporting the community sector in some way was stable from one year to the next.  However, the range of sub-sectors and causes they supported was broader for 2008 respondents than those in 2007.

Key findings in the research

• Overall, 75.8% of people aged 10 years and over supported the community and voluntary sector in the previous 12 months for 2008, compared to 75.4% for 2007.
• The percentage of people 10 years and over who made an ad hoc donation in the previous 12 months increased from 47.4% for 2007 to 49.6% for 2008. This increase is statistically significant.
• The percentage of people 10 years and over who made committed donations in the previous 12 months was 33.4% in 2008. This is not statistically different from the 2007 result.
• The percentage of people 10 years and over who volunteered in the previous 12 months was 34% for 2008.  This is not statistically different from the 2007 result.

Survey participants reported on their giving “in the previous 12 months”, so the results do not reflect activity solely in 2008, but the 12-month period prior to when they completed the survey.  Survey participants completed the survey between January and December 2008 inclusive. 

The research data has been published on the OCVS website to support the Promoting Generosity project.  It represents the first time that New Zealand has had time series data available to start to show trends in giving behaviour. The OCVS will continue to publish the giving data from the Panorama survey on a regular basis to help measure the effect of increased tax rebates on donations, and the impact of payroll giving, the Promoting Generosity project, and other activities to encourage volunteering.

» View the 2008 research data online

» Find out more about the Promoting Generosity project

26 November 2009

A national Community-Government Forum held in Wellington on 11 November 2009 was hosted by the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, the Hon. Tariana Turia. Prime Minister John Key and other government Ministers attended part of the day-long event, which was a further step towards building strong and trusting community-government relationships. Relevant government agency representatives also attended.

The event provided an opportunity for government to hear the voices of the community and discuss specific actions in response to the recent reports from the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations Aotearoa (ANGOA) and the Building Better Government Engagement (BBGE) reference group.  The forum discussed possible development of a Relationship Agreement to replace the 2001 Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship. 

A steering group of community stakeholders helped the OCVS organise the forum and plan the day’s programme.

26 November 2009

The community sector includes 11 distinctly different sub-sectors that are diverse in terms of size, number of organisations, income sources, contribution to GDP and reliance on volunteers. 

While the Culture, Sports and Recreation sub-sector is by far the largest group (44.6%) in terms of numbers of non-profit institutions, the Social Services sub-sector is the largest group (29.9%) by number of employees and in terms of economic contribution to GDP.

Data from Statistics NZ's NZ Non-Profit Institutions Satellite Account: 2004 and the How Do New Zealanders Give? report show the extent of volunteering and support that Kiwis perform for the different parts of the sector.

The How Do New Zealanders Give? report was sourced from Nielsen Media Research Panorama (Jan-Dec 2007 database)/Nick Jones & Associates Consumer who Cares service. 

Key facts

New Zealand’s non-profit sector*:

• contributes 2.6% to GDP
• contributes 4.9% to GDP when taking into account volunteer labour
• contains more than 1.2 million volunteers who give more than 270 million hours of unpaid labour to the sector
• has over 97,000 non-profit organisations
• has over 105,000 paid employees – only 10% of all non-profit organisations employ paid staff.

*Non-profit Institutions Satellite Account: 2004, Statistics New Zealand.

1 October 2009

The final paper from the Study of the NZ Non-Profit Sector has been published online. The NZ Non-Profit Sector and Government Policy examines the relationship between the non-profit sector and government, and the public policy environment in which the sector operates in Aotearoa. In particular, it explores the impact of government policy on the sector and how current issues facing the sector are linked to interactions with government.

Non-profit organisations are affected by laws and regulations that determine their legal forms, tax treatment, and the ways in which they can act. Government agencies’ operational policies, particularly in relation to the manner and extent of funding for non-profits, also have a major impact. This report represents one of the first attempts to analyse recent developments across the whole sector.

It notes that the state’s relationship with the non-profit sector is constantly changing, nuanced and complex. Historically, some government agencies have had more comfortable relationships with the sector than others. The report observes that "the state is a conflicting ensemble of institutions rather than a monolith" – resulting in a multitude of relationships between different organisations.

» Download The NZ Non-Profit Sector and Government Policy

8 September 2009

The Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector has released publicly a Cabinet paper entitled Government Commitment to Building Strong Community Relationships. This paper proposes a programme of actions to strengthen government engagement with citizens and communities.

The programme of action was in response to the Good Intentions report by the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations of Aotearoa (ANGOA) and the From Talk to Action report by the Building Better Government Engagement reference group.

Cabinet agreed that a national Community-Government Forum in November 2009 will consider development of a Relationship Agreement to replace the 2001 Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community-Government Relationship. 

Cabinet also agreed that:

• the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector, assisted by the State Services Commission and Te Puni Kokiri, and in consultation with the Treasury and Office of the Auditor-General, will assess how community relationships can be included in wider work around improving and measuring government performance
• the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector and Cabinet Office will work to clarify guidance in the CabGuide regarding consultation with community and voluntary organisations on policy proposals.

The government will also be working on the development of:

• a set of principles to guide effective community engagement
• a code of practice to guide government agencies when funding community organisations
• regionally-delivered seminars on good practice in community engagement.

A number of other actions across government were also noted by Cabinet.

» See the Cabinet paper and Minute - released 7 Sept 2009

» Re-look at the previously-released reports from the BBGE project

20 August 2009

The Building Better Government Engagement (BBGE) reference group released its report From Talk to Action: Engagement with Citizens and Communities on 31 July after submitting it to the OCVS and the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector.  

The report is the follow-up to the BBGE group’s discussion document It’s More than Talk, which explored options for building engagement skills, knowledge and values in the public service.

From Talk to Action lays out challenges for the community and government to achieve effective engagement and trusting, respectful relationships.

The report states that active engaged citizens are core to addressing societal issues, and the benefits of effective engagement will include strengthened public trust in government, greater government transparency, enhanced civic capacity to contribute to decision-making, and polices based on better information and wider consensus.

Recommendations in the report call for:

• high level government commitments to engagement
• the development of accountability mechanisms
• better co-ordination and collaboration
• more capability building to improve skills within the public service
• greater consideration of diversity and support for community-led development.

The next step is now up to the OCVS and Minister Turia. The Minister, in discussion with her colleagues, is developing a formal response to From Talk to Action and Good Intentions (the recent report from ANGOA on ways to improve the community-government relationship).  Once finalised and agreed, the OCVS will communicate what actions will be initiated in response to community feedback.

OCVS Director, Alasdair Finnie welcomed the report, saying “it is a comprehensive contribution to the debate on this important subject, and provides some clear direction on what is needed to change the status quo.”

» Download From Talk to Action: Government Engagement with Citizens and Communities

15 April 2009

At February's Impact on Communities: Managing the Downturn Together workshop in Wellington, participants acknowledged the need to work differently or face dire consequences from the economic downturn.

The importance of greater collaboration, diversifying income sources, and proving effectiveness were some of the ideas discussed.

A new section on the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector website offers some guidance in these key areas. As well as tips for community organisations, it includes guidance on what funders and government agencies can do to help community groups through the recession.

New resources will be added based on recommendations from the community sector.

27 February 2009

“Work together differently or face dire consequences from the economic downturn” was the challenge put to attendees at the Impact on Communities: Managing the Downturn together workshop held in Wellington on Wednesday 25 February, 2009.

The message was delivered repeatedly by members of an invited panel and key speakers at the workshop, which involved 60 community and government sector participants.

“Now more than ever, co-operation amongst non-profits is essential” said NZFVWO President Tony Mayow. 

“Whilst businesses may be struggling to maintain jobs, the voluntary sector continues to maintain volunteers for now, but if demand for services goes through the roof and funding goes through the floor, then the sector could face huge problems,” said Mayow.

Leading Wellington economist, Suzanne Snively helped set the scene for participants in a keynote address, pointing out that “New Zealand non-profits and their volunteers contribute 4.9 percent to our nation’s GDP, more than the construction industry. With around 105,340 paid employees, the community sector can help lead productivity and the pace of economic recovery.”

Jointly hosted by the NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations (NZFVWO), Philanthropy NZ and the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector (OCVS), the gathering worked towards identifying practical actions to help the non-profit sector manage its way through the economic downturn.

As a first step, workshop participants agreed to respond to the downturn by exploring how to overcome duplication and gain efficiencies, while encouraging people to continue to volunteer and be employed in the sector. Closer relationships with Government to develop joint initiatives will also be sought.

For further information, contact:
Tina Reid, Executive Director, NZFVWO, 027 684 6640; 
Robyn Scott, Executive Director, Philanthropy New Zealand, 027 618 2400; 
Alasdair Finnie, Director, OCVS, 029 200 6041

27 February 2009

A workshop on 25 February was a collaborative effort to identify what effect the recession may have on communities in New Zealand, and what can be done to lessen any negative impacts (and maximise positive ones),

Philanthropy NZ, the NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare organisations and the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector (OCVS)  invited a selection of community and voluntary sector representatives, and the government agencies working with them, to attend an Impact on Communities: Managing the Downturn Together workshop in Wellington on 25 February.

Around 60 people attended the workshop, which helped to build a greater understanding around what is happening with the credit crunch and economic downturn; discussed the impacts for non-profit organisations from a social and economic perspective; and explored strategies to manage finite resources.

Leading economist, Suzanne Snively of PricewaterhouseCoopers gave an overview of economic changes as they affect the community and volutnary sector - identifying impacts and options.  This was followed by a panel discussion about the recession's impacts on communities and how to manage the effects of the downturn together. The panel featured Jeff Sanders (Relationship Services), Donna Matahaere (Arai te Uru), Geraldine Clifford (Taeaomanino Trust), Jenny Gill (ASB Community Trust) Heather Newell (Foresee Communications) and Derek Gill (Future Makers).

21 January 2009

A listing of research on the non-profit sector in New Zealand was collated as part of the Study of the New Zealand Non-profit Sector, and published online in October 2008.

This bibliography was commissioned by the OCVS and the Committee for the Study of the New Zealand Non-profit Sector. Compiled by Jackie Sanders, Mike O’Brien and Margaret Tennant of Massey University, the bibliography provides a listing of key articles, working papers and books on the New Zealand non-profit sector.

A final Policy publication will be produced by the end of 2009.

10 October 2008

As part of the Building Better Government Engagement project, a stocktake of current resources and activities that support or illustrate effective engagement practices in New Zealand has been compiled.

Activities are categorised as follows:

• staff development
• awards
• resources
• legislative requirements
• planning and accountability
• policy and research
• activities across the ‘inform-consult-partner-empower’ spectrum
• protocols and agreements.

The summary is a living document and the OCVS is interested in hearing of other significant resources and activities that could be included.

The Building Better Government Engagement project reference group is developing a discussion document looking at issues in community engagement and options for building engagement skills, knowledge and values in the public service.

1 November 2008

1 November is the special day to recognise the skilled professionals responsible for the coordination, support, training, administration and recruitment of the world's volunteers. (Note: From 2009, IVMAD will be celebrated on 5 November.)

12 August 2008

The New Zealand Non-profit Sector in Comparative Perspective and The History of the Non-profit Sector in New Zealand were launched in August 2008.

The Comparative report provides the most accurate picture yet of the New Zealand non-profit sector and how it compares with 40 other countries. It shows that New Zealand’s volunteer workforce is two-thirds or 67% of the non-profit sector workforce, compared with an average of 42% for the 41 countries in the study.

The research also shows that almost half (49%) of New Zealand’s non-profit organisations are ‘expressive’ organisations, meaning they are involved in culture, sports, recreation, environmental protection, civic activism, unionism, professional associations, and religion. In other countries studied, expressive groups account for an average 37% of non-profit organisations. There is a heavy reliance on volunteers in this part of the sector, reflecting New Zealanders’ strong commitment to supporting healthy, vibrant communities through voluntary activity.

The History of the Non-Profit Sector in New Zealand considers the forces and players that have shaped the non-profit sector in New Zealand over time. It examines our rich heritage and reminds us that a strong state and a strong non-profit sector can co-exist.

The two reports are the culmination of a five-year collaboration involving the OCVS, the Committee for the Study for the New Zealand Non-Profit Sector, Johns Hopkins University, Statistics New Zealand and Massey University.

17 June 2008

A new research report How do New Zealanders give? estimates that almost 80 percent of volunteers have also donated money or goods in the previous 12 months. The report was released in June to coincide with Volunteer Awareness Week celebrations.

1 September 2007

The publication of the Non-Profit Institutions Satellite Account in August 2007 was a long time coming, but well worth the wait!

The Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector (OCVS) thanks all those who helped bring the publication to fruition. In particular, the OCVS acknowledges the important role the community and voluntary sector played in this long journey.

Five years ago, the Community Trusts brought Lester Salamon, the head of the Centre for Civil Society at Johns Hopkins University, to New Zealand and from there they persisted until they were successful with their goal of getting New Zealand to join the International Comparative Study of the Non-Profit Sector.  Their ability to look to the future and to appreciate the importance of collecting this information together in one place is to their credit, and epitomises one of the real strengths of the non-profit sector.

We thank the community and voluntary sector for initiating this opportunity to join together with government to better understand the economic contribution of non-profit insititutions, and we look forward to ongoing collaboration and co-operation as our knowledge grows.

1 May 2007

The report, Mahi Aroha: Māori Perspectives on Volunteering and Cultural Obligations, was launched by Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Luamanuvao Winnie Laban on 30 April 2007.

1 October 2006

This significant research paper was published by Johns Hopkins University in September 2006, as part of its series from around the world. As well as being a significant milestone for the Study of the NZ Non-Profit Sector project, the paper captures the diversity, origins, and challenges of this vital sector of New Zealand society.