4 March 2024
45 Pipitea Street, Thorndon, Wel ington 6011
PO Box 805, Wel ington
Phone 04 495 7200
Email
[email address]
John Luke
dia.govt.nz
[FYI request #25606 email]
Tēnā koe John,
Your Official Information Act 1982 request, reference OIA 23/24-0554
Thank you for your email of 2 February 2024 requesting the fol owing under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
“I noted,
Briefing to the Incoming Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector "You have
an opportunity to continue to promote and better recognise the contribution of
volunteers to communities. Volunteer recognition has come to the fore as an
endeavour that government can support and is wel received within the sector."
what sort of the recognition were you talking about here. Monetary?
"Peak bodies (umbrel a organisations representing the shared interests of the sector),
supported by the Department, are developing a more fit for purpose professional
development and accreditation framework for volunteers to allow them to receive
formal recognition for the skil s and experience they gain from the volunteer work they
do."
What sort of accreditation framework has been proposed? NZQA?.”
I am responding to your request as two separate questions below.
Point One
As noted in this section of the Briefing to the Incoming Minister (BIM), the advancement of
National Volunteer Week and the Big Shout Out have been successful avenues in which
volunteers throughout New Zealand are appreciated and celebrated. Both initiatives are led
by Volunteering New Zealand. This recognition is appreciative and celebratory rather than
monetary.
Point Two
A more fit-for-purpose professional development and accreditation framework is under
development. This will allow volunteers to receive formal recognition for the skills and
experience they gain from the volunteer work they do. At present we do not have any
information on the details of the framework.
Access to the Ombudsman
You have the right, under section 28 of the Act, to seek an investigation and review of this
decision by the Office of the Ombudsman. Information is available on the website
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz. Alternatively, you can phone 0800 802 602 or email
[email address].
Proactive release of your request
We intend to publish our response to your request on Te Tari Taiwhenua’s website at
www.dia.govt.nz. This letter, with your personal details removed, wil be published in its
entirety. Publishing responses increases the availability of information to the public and is
consistent with the Act’s purpose of enabling more effective participation in the making and
administration of laws and policies and promoting the accountability of Ministers and
officials.
Nāku noa nā
Jeremy Cauchi
Director Ministerial, Monitoring, and Capability
