Not-For-Profit and Community Sector News

New Zealand Council of Social Services has initiated a new information service called Transition Times. This regular memo is designed to keep not-for-profit organisations informed of government-led funding and priority changes affecting the social sector. NZCOSS’ goal is to present clear, non-judgemental statements of fact. From the first issue: Remember that even though much of this [...]

To help celebrate their 25th anniversary, Volunteering Otago, in conjunction with the Star newspaper, is profiling different volunteers each month. If you would like to nominate a volunteer, or group of volunteers to be profiled in one of the feature stores, please contact Anna Clere at Volunteering Otago: Phone 03 471 6206 Email volunteerotago@gmail.com The aim of this [...]

Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ) leads the Managers of Volunteers Programme, a national initiative promoting the recognition and professional development of managers of volunteers. A key aim of the programme is to raise awareness amongst those who influence the delivery of volunteer services about the need for good management of them, and the critical role of [...]

Like other organisations, the Salvation Army says many of its welfare services are “approaching breaking point”. Since 2008: Demand for food banks has risen by 70%. Demand for budget counselling is up 189%. Case loads of Salvation Army social workers rose by 94% nationwide. Case loads of Salvation Army social workers in the South Island [...]

A new study by the University of Otago, Wellington shows how the problem of chronic low income for a significant number of New Zealand households co-exists with high income mobility for the rest. The Dynamics of Income and Deprivation study details that 21% of respondents had an average (before tax) household income below $27,000 over the seven [...]

Council of Social Services warmly congratulates the Otago Excursion Train Trust on winning the Supreme Award at the TrustPower Dunedin Community Awards, which were held on Monday 7 May 2012. The Otago Excursion Train Trust is the founder and joint owner of the Taieri Gorge Railway. The Trust is an active participant in the operation of the Railway, with [...]

Yesterday, 7 May 2012, the Dunedin City Council released the Draft Dunedin Economic Development Strategy (PDF; 1.3 MB). Background In 2010, the Dunedin City Council pulled together a small group of key economic partners – including representatives from the Otago Chamber of Commerce, Otago Southland Employers’ Association, Otago Polytechnic, University of Otago, Ngāi Tahu and central [...]

Background Many people make charitable donations each year and receive tax credits accordingly. However, increasingly Inland Revenue is seeing situations where people are claiming tax credits for “donations” in situations where they have not made a true gift of their own money. Any payment of over $5 to a charity (or some similar public entities) [...]