VNZ is dedicated to working with Government to take into account the needs of volunteers and their organisations, and the costs associated with volunteering, when developing policies and delivering services.
Submissions on volunteering policy topics are part of our core business – recent examples of our work include:
- Our successful advocacy to the Police on to provide exemptions on their vetting fees for most volunteer-involving organisations
- Our advocacy on how the NZ Government will respond to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (particularly as the UN passed a resolution stating volunteers will be essential to the success of the Goals)
- Our successful advocacy for improvements to the Health and Safety at Work Act
- Our submission to Statistics NZ to retain volunteering (and Unpaid Activities) in the 2018 Census
- Our submission to the DIA Fire Service Review to give greater consideration to the role of volunteers within the Fire Service
- Our successful advocacy to double the Support for Volunteering Fund
2020/2021 Submissions
2019/20 Submissions
- Submission to The Productivity Commission’s draft report: Training New Zealand’s workforce ‒ Technological change and the future of work – February 2020
- Submission to the Governance and Administration Committee for the Public Service Legislation Bill – January 2020
2018/19 Submissions
- Submission on Charities Act 2005 Reform – May 2019
- Ministry of Education – Submission on reform of Vocational Education Sector – April 2019
- Statistics New Zealand – Submission on the Indicators Aotearoa New Zealand project – September 2018
- New Zealand Police – Consultation on ‘Legislation for the New Zealand Police Vetting Service – July 2018
2017/18 Submissions
- Select (Education and Workforce) Committee – Submission on the proposed Health and Safety at Work Act (Volunteer Associations) Amendment Bill – July 2018
- Tax Working Group – April 2018
- VNZ’s General Election Manifesto – October 2017
- Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management – July 2017
2016/17 Submissions
2015/16 Submissions:
- Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment – Submission on the Incorporated Societies Bill – June 2016
- Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment – Submission on the “Regulations for soliciting on behalf of charities” Discussion Document – March 2016
- Department of Internal Affairs – Fire Services Review Discussion Document Submission – July 2015
2014/15 Submissions:
- Statistics New Zealand – Submission on the Proposal to not collect information on unpaid activities – June 2015
- The New Zealand Productivity Commission – More Effective Social Services – June 2015
- Law and Order Select Committee – Police (Cost Recovery) Amendment Bill – February 2015
- Statistics New Zealand – New Zealand General Social Survey, Civic and Cultural Participation supplement – January 2015
- United Nations Volunteers – Zero Draft of the 10 year Plan of Action 2016 – 2025 – December 2014
- Productivity New Zealand – More Effective Social Services – December 2014
- Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management – NCDEM Revised Plan – July 2014
- Statistics New Zealand – New Zealand General Social Survey – May 2014
- Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee – Health and Safety Reform Bill – May 2014 (oral submission made)
Earlier submissions (2006-2013):
- New Zealand Police – Cost Recovery for Certain Police Services Submission – March 2013
- Ministry of Justice – Civil Fees Review (Criminal History Check proposals) – November 2012
- Government Administration Committee – Lobbying Disclosure Bill – October 2012 (oral submission made)
- Wellington City Council – Eco-City Proposal for Wellington’s Natural Attractions – May 2012
- Porirua City Council – Long Term Draft Plan, Porirua Council – May 2012 (oral submission made)
- Crown Entities Reform Bill letter to Ministers – March 2012
- MED Review of Financial Reporting – January 2010
- Accounting Standards Review – January 2010 (oral submission made)
- Payroll Giving – January 2008 (oral submission made)
- Transport and Industrial Relations Committee – IPRC Bill – February 2008
- Taxation (International Taxation, Life Insurance and Remedial Matters) Bill – March 2008 (oral submission made)
- Quality Flexible Work – January 2007
- Tax & Charitable Giving – November 2006 (oral submission made)
- Immigration Act Review – July 2006 (oral submission made)