Media Release
Volunteering New Zealand
9 June 2013
Countdown to National Volunteer Week
Volunteers across New Zealand will be in the limelight during National Volunteer Week from Sunday 16th to Saturday 22nd
June.
Volunteer- involving organisations will recognise the millions of hours volunteers give to their communities.
Vanisa Dhiru, Chief Executive of Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ), says volunteers are the backbone of our society.
“National Volunteer Week is an amazing opportunity to celebrate everything volunteers contribute to New Zealand.
Volunteers make our communities tick.”
The theme for National Volunteer Week is “He Tangata! He Tangata! He Tangata!” which means it is people, it is people, it is people. The phrase refers to a Maori proverb asking what the most important thing in the world is.
“Every volunteer has a great story,” says Vanisa. “National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate these people.”
National Volunteer Week was previously known as Volunteer Awareness Week but the change in name is far more than a
rearrangement of words.
“It signifies a true celebration of the volunteerism in our communities and projects people gift their time to,” says
Vanisa.
“We need everyone to help celebrate the work of volunteers, and remember the managers and leaders that shape the way
volunteers give their time.”
VNZ offers a range of promotional material for organisations to use on their website: http://www.volunteeringnz.org.nz/news-events/events/nationalvolunteerweek
It is estimated a third of New Zealanders volunteer, according to Statistics New Zealand General Social Survey 2008.
Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ) is an association of New Zealand organisations that have a commitment to volunteering,
such as volunteer centres, national and other organisations. Their mission is to promote, support and advocate for
volunteering. www.volunteeringnz.org.nz
ENDS