Study of the non-profit sector
This project aims to measure and describe the role that non-profit organisations play in society. New Zealand will improve the visibility of its non-profit sector by demonstrating the value of these organisations and the value of volunteering to the economy.
On this page:
Overview of the study
Non-profit institutions satellite account
Johns Hopkins comparative non-profit sector project
Committee for the study of the non-profit sector
Overview of the study
This is a collaborative project between government, voluntary sector and academic representatives to measure the size and scope of New Zealand’s non-profit sector.
The study will collect 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:
» Measuring the Value of Community Organisations - Word - 28kb | PDF - 719kb
» Project Information Sheet - Word - 289kb
Non-profit institutions satellite account
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 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.
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 will enable in-depth analysis of a part of the economy not previously shown separately in New Zealand’s National Accounts.
» Read the media statement and speeches from the Minister of Statistics and Minister for the Community & Voluntary Sector.
» 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 insititutions in New Zealand in 2005.
» For more information go to the Statistics New Zealand website.
Johns Hopkins comparative non-profit sector project
The qualitative information collected from the New Zealand study of the non-profit sector and the economic information provided by the non-profit institutions satellite account will be provided to the Johns Hopkins project. This international project is based at the Centre for Civil Society Studies of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies, USA. It will improve the visibility of the non-profit sector at an international level.
The working paper Defining the NonProfit Sector: New Zealand was published on 29 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, and will form 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.
» Download Defining the NonProfit Sector: New Zealand - Word - 971kb | PDF - 515kb
» Download Frequently Asked Questions and Answers - Word - 129kb
» Media release from the Committee for the Study of the NZ Non-Profit Sector - Word - 85kb
» Media release from the Minister for the Community & Voluntary Sector
» Speech by the Minsiter for the Community & Voluntary Sector
» To order a printed copy of this paper, e-mail ocvs@msd.govt.nz.
For more information:
» Johns Hopkins University website
Committee for the study of the non-profit sector
The OCVS has convened a committee that meets regularly. The Committee is made up of academics, representatives from government, and the non-profit sector. The Committee will:
- provide information to Statistics New Zealand for the satellite account
- oversee New Zealand’s involvement in the Johns Hopkins project.
The Committee is guided by terms of reference that outlines the roles of the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector (OCVS), Statistics New Zealand and the Committee.
» The Committee terms of reference - Word - 45kb
Read the Committee Progress Updates:
» Committee Progress Update: 29 February 2008 - Word - 49kb
» Committee Progress Update: 9 July 2007 - Word - 46kb
» Committee Progress Update: 22 May 2007 - Word - 216kb
» Committee Progress Update: 21 March 2007 - Word - 210kb
» Committee Progress Update: 13 December 2006 - Word - 217kb
» Committee Progress Update: 29 September 2006 - Word - 240kb
» Committee Progress Update: 16 June 2006 - Word - 219kb
» Committee Progress Update: 7 April 2006 - Word - 221kb
» Committee Progress Update: 10 February 2006 - Word - 188kb
» Committee Progress Update: 9 December 2005 - Word - 183kb
» Committee Progress Update: 25 October 2005 - Word - 109kb
» Committee Progress Update: 16 September 2005 - Word - 109kb
» Committee Progress Update: 3 August 2005 - Word - 105kb
» Committee Progress Update: 1 April 2005 - Word - 73kb
» Committee Progress Update: 11 February 2005 - Word - 127kb
» Committee Progress Update: 17 November 2004 - Word - 89kb
Contact: Diana Suggate for more information about the study of the non-profit sector.