Introduction

Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ) is an association of regional volunteer centres and national organisations with a strong commitment to volunteering. These organisations cover emergency services, health, welfare, education, sport and recreation, conservation, special interests and advocacy.

VNZ was established in August 2001 during the International Year of the Volunteer. Volunteer Centres had lobbied for many years for the establishment of a national body to represent, promote and support volunteering. The International Year of the Volunteer and the recommendations of the Ministerial Reference Group gave impetus for this to happen and VNZ was established with funding from the Department of Internal Affairs ‘Support for Volunteers’ Fund and the organisation became a reality. Current funding for VNZ comes for the Support for Volunteers Fund and the Tindall Foundation.

The International Year of the Volunteer and the recommendations of the Ministerial Reference Group gave impetus to the establishment of VNZ, funding was granted through the Support For Volunteers Fund and the organisation became a reality.

Mission

To create an environment which supports, promotes, values and encourages effective volunteering by the people of Aotearoa New Zealand. Our vision is to be recognised as the national voice of volunteering and volunteers in this country. This is a different role from that of other organisations which speak on behalf of not-for-profit or voluntary organisations.

1. To create and maintain a voluntary association of organisations so that volunteering is recognised, respected and replenishes the common good where voluntary work is done of one's own free will, unpaid, for the common good.



2. To establish communication and work with Governmen, other organisations and individuals about issues related to volunteering as the Association deems fit.



3. To provide services through organised groups including both political and other partisan bodies, but at no time to become identified with any political party.



4. To undertake activities independently or in conjunction with other organisations.



5. To raise both an individual and collective interest in the value of volunteering and to create a well informed public.



6. To undertake and promote research and the publication and dissemination of material relevant to the aims of the Association.



7. To participate in any other activities which are considered practicable and desirable in reaching the objects outlined above.



8. To represent Volunteering New Zealand internationally.

Vision

By 2009 Volunteering New Zealand is the national voice of volunteering in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Executive Board

Volunteering New Zealand has an Executive Board of eight, elected by the members, with places reserved for Maori and Pacific Island representatives. View the board members here.

Staff

VNZ currently aims to achieve its Mission with two staff and the work and commitment of its voluntary board and other volunteers as they can be recruited. VNZ encourages the Code of Practice for Volunteers and follows the Code of Practice for Volunteer Involving Organisations.

International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE)

Volunteering New Zealand is the IAVE New Zealand Representative. This is an international non-governmental organization representing volunteerism worldwide. It has individual and organizational members in 80 countries. Volunteering NZ has also established good working relationships with Volunteering Australia which has made accessible a variety of educational resources and participation in their programmes. Volunteering NZ has also been working with specialist volunteer training organisations from Australia, USA and Canada. A former Executive Director presented keynoted addresses at international conferences in Manila and Beijing. Visit their web site at www.iave.org.

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