Report on Government Support for Volunteering published

Office for the Community & Voluntary Sector,

Since 2002, government has completed significant work in response to the Government Policy on Volunteering and the government volunteering work programme.

This work has been summarised by the OCVS and reported to Cabinet in the document Government Support for Volunteering 2002–2008. The report was tabled in Parliament during Volunteer Awareness Week.

Achievements include:

• publishing statistics on volunteering in New Zealand, and research into Maori perceptions of volunteering
• interest-free student loans and superannuation extended to New Zealanders volunteering overseas for charitable organisations
• announcing changes that will make volunteer expense reimbursements tax exempt, with no limits
• $6.5 million over four years to assist sport and recreational organisations with recruitment, training, and retaining volunteers
• various information resources to encourage good practice in supporting and involving volunteers.

A few outstanding items are still due for completion, however a new collaborative stream of work under the banner of Promoting Generosity has now been introduced.

You can download the report 'Government Support for Volunteering 2002-2008' from the OCVS website (www.ocvs.govt.nz/work-programme/volunteering.html), or request a hard copy by e-mailling ocvs@msd.govt.nz.

Information about Promoting Generosity is also on the OCVS website (http://www.ocvs.govt.nz/work-programme/promoting-generosity.html).

Contact person	Grant Aldridge
Postal address
Phone	(04) 978-4185
Email	ocvs@msd.govt.nz
Website address	http://www.ocvs.govt.nz/work-programme/volunteering.html
Submitted by	Grant Aldridge