COmVOiceS Media Statement
For Immediate Release
28 August 2007
VALUE OF TANGATA
WHENUA, THE COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY SECTOR RIVALS THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
A new report
revealing that non-profit institutions and their volunteers contribute a
massive $6.95 billion to the
The Statistics New
Zealand’s Non-Profit Satellite Account report measures the contribution of
non-profit institutions to the
Over one million
(1,011,600) volunteers gave more than 270 million hours of unpaid labour to
non-profit institutions in 2004.
When valued at a
market wage, the value of this voluntary labour increases the economic
contribution of non-profit institutions to $6.95 billion or 4.9 percent of GDP.
This is similar to the contribution of the entire construction industry.
Robyn Scott,
Executive Director of Philanthropy New Zealand said the figures were a great
start in getting a handle on the true scope and scale of the Sector: “The value of the Sector has not historically
been accurately measured in
Ros Rice,
Executive Officer of the New Zealand Council of Social Services said the
figures provided a more accurate picture of the sector, and illustrated the
huge diversity of activities and sizes of organisations.
The Sector covers
the range of community activities, including arts, culture and heritage; sport
and recreation; environment and conservation; education and employment; faith
communities; social services and housing; law, advocacy and human rights;
philanthropy; international development; health; disability; professional
associations; Pacific and other ethnic communities.
Trevor
McGlinchey, Executive Officer of the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services
said good data on
the Sector was not just about recognising social wellbeing – it was also vital for effective public policy
planning.
“This work shows
that having the nonprofit sector at the table when formulating public policy is
a ‘need to have’ not a ‘nice to have’.
The Sector has the information and experience to know how policies are
going to work at a grassroots level,” said Mr McGlinchey.
Tim Burns,
Executive Director of Volunteering NZ said the Statistics NZ figures confirm
the huge reliance on a committed voluntary workforce to provide services.
“This report
confirms what those in the Sector already suspected - that nearly 90% of
voluntary organisations are heavily reliant on volunteers.”
Dave Henderson, National
Coordinator of the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations of Aotearoa
(ANGOA) said those involved in the sector are value-based and passionate about
their work.
“These figures
show more than one million New Zealanders volunteer for these non-profit
institutions and work extremely hard. Kiwi volunteers work an average of 5.1
hours per week compared with 3.2 hours in
Kevin Haunui,
General Manager of the Funding Information Service, said the challenge was to build
on the Statistics New Zealand report.
“This report is a
first step in the work that needs to be done to recognise and encourage a
culture of generosity and giving in
ENDS
Philanthropy NZ, Volunteering
NZ, New Zealand Council of Christian Social Service, New Zealand Council of Social
Services, Funding Information Service, Association of NZ are members of COMVOICES, an independent network of
Tangata Whenua, community and voluntary organisations that work to promote the Sector and the contribution it makes to New
Zealand society.
For more
information, please contact:
|
Kevin Haunui General Manager Funding
Information Service 04 499 4090 |
Tim Burns Executive
Director Volunteering 04 384 3636 027 559 5955 |
Robyn Scott Executive
Director Philanthropy 04 499 4090 027 618 2400 |
|
Trevor McGlinchey Executive
Officer 04 473 2627 |
Ros Rice Executive
Officer 04 472 3364 021
178 4333 |
Dave Henderson ANGOA 027 4848165 |