Study of the non-profit sector

A collaborative project between government, voluntary sector and academic representatives to measure the size and scope of New Zealand’s non-profit sector.

Over several years (2004-2008), the study collected data on the non-profit sector by:

• describing the size, scope, internal structure, finances and role of the sector
• identifying legal, cultural, historical, social and policy factors that encourage or retard the development of non-profit organisations
• evaluating the contribution of non-profit organisations and building understanding of the role and qualities of the sector internationally
• creating an ongoing local capacity to gather data which is meaningful in the local context and can be adapted for use in international comparative settings
• improving public awareness of the sector
• providing a reliable base for policy decisions affecting the sector.

The following documents provide more information about the study:

The NZ Non-Profit Sector and Government Policy - NEW

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 (Word, 557.5KB) - August 2009

A non-profit sector bibliography

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 in October 2008. This bibliography was commissioned by the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector 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.

On 12 August 2008, The New Zealand Non-profit Sector in Comparative Perspective and The History of the Non-profit Sector in New Zealand were released. These reports give us a better understanding of the history, scope, structure, financing, and role of our non-profit organisations.

While in New Zealand, Lester Salamon gave a number of presentations about the work of the Center for Civil Society Studies of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies. You can download his presentations here.

The working paper Defining the NonProfit Sector: New Zealand was published in September 2006. As well as being a significant milestone for the Study of the NZ Non-Pofit Sector project, the paper captures the diversity, origins, and challenges of this vital sector of New Zealand society. It forms part of the JHU series from around the world.

The paper has four main sections: historical background, legal treatment, major types of non-profits and the structural-operational definition.

In August 2007, Statistics New Zealand created the first non-profit institutions satellite account. The NPI satellite account is the first time that New Zealand has had an official measure of the economic contribution that non-profit institutions make - from how many exist, to their income and expenditure and how many people they employ.  The data is sourced from 2004, which is the most recent year for which comprehensive information is available. 

It is anticiptated that this data, which has been prepared to meet international standards, will be updated and published on a regular basis from this time on.  Statistics NZ will convene an advisory group including community and voluntary sector experts to advise on the second Non-profit Institutions Satellite Account by 2012. 

The satellite account is also the first time that New Zealand has measured the value of the unpaid labour given by volunteers to non-profit institutions. When valued at a market wage, voluntary labour boosts non-profit institutions' economic contribution to $6.95 billion or 4.9% of NZ's gross domestic product (GDP).

The satellite account is enabling in-depth analysis of a part of the economy not previously shown separately in New Zealand’s National Accounts.

» See the Non-Profit Institutions Satellite Account: 2004.

» Counting Non-profit Institutions in New Zealand: 2005 was released in April 2007, as the first step towards producing the satellite account. It shows there were 97,000 non-profit institutions in New Zealand in 2005.

» For more information go to the Statistics New Zealand website.

The OCVS convened regular meetings of the Committee, which was made up of academics, representatives from government, and the non-profit sector. The Committee provided information to Statistics New Zealand for the satellite account and oversaw New Zealand’s involvement in the Johns Hopkins project.

The Committee was guided by terms of reference outlining the roles of the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector (OCVS), Statistics New Zealand and the Committee. The Committee met for the last time in December 2008.

Read the Committee Progress Updates: