Winnie Laban Speech: Regions and relationships: Connect, share, develop

Address to Philanthropy Matters, Inaugural Combined Conference of Philanthropy NZ & Community Trusts of NZ

Taloha ni, Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Ni sa bula vinaka, Namaste, Kia orana koutou katoatoa, Ia Orana, Gud de tru olgeta, Talofa, Kia ora tatau and warm Pacific greetings to everyone here today.

Firstly I'd just like to say 'well done' to Philanthropy New Zealand and the Combined Community Trusts of New Zealand for all your efforts in pulling together this tremendous conference. I congratulate you on the outstanding collection of speakers you have secured from both here and overseas. I'm sure every person attending will leave the conference tomorrow informed, inspired and motivated.

This is the first joint conference between the Combined Community Trusts and Philanthropy New Zealand, and as such, is an interesting and innovative step forward in exploring the possibilities that emerge from working together.

As Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, I'm encouraged to see so many people from right across the philanthropic sector at this conference, and I'm especially pleased to see the Community Trust representatives here.

Your generous and thoughtful grant-making makes a huge difference to our communities. I'm not here today to bend your ears overly about the government's views. But, the fact that you are funders – whether big or small – gives you something in common with government.

So I want to explain briefly how central government sees its grant-making role and to share some ideas on how we can support you to do what you do best.

A collective task For this Labour-led government, the funds that we provide to local communities – especially grants – are all about building strong, sustainable and connected communities.

And we do this because strong communities create a strong, vibrant country.

We recognise that government has a vital role to play in both providing opportunities and enabling people to take them up.

There are exceptions, but most often, we're working at a level somewhat removed from the flax roots.

Government focuses on high-level policy and ensuring that everyone gets an equal chance, and gets their entitlements.

What we've learned is that on its own, government can't bring about the transformation we seek in the homes and main streets of this country.

I heartily endorse the sentiments of Philanthropy New Zealand Chair Jennifer Gill when she wrote in the conference programme that philanthropy "can seed and invest, and choose less popular causes, in ways government and businesses are not always able to." This statement very much resonates with our view, that to achieve a sustainable, positive future for New Zealand requires a combined effort from all parts of society.

The need for collaboration The need to work with others to achieve better outcomes for all New Zealanders is something this Labour-led government has understood, right from the outset.

Looking at our coalition arrangements and support agreements since we took office in 1999, we have had plenty of practice at collaboration. But it is something we have also instilled across the public sector.

Increasingly, government agencies are working together to deliver more joined up, holistic services that plug the gaps and meet local needs.

Importantly, we have encouraged the focus of this collaboration on outcomes; outcomes that government and non-government organisations can share in; outcomes that genuinely make a difference to people's lives.

We have also forged stronger links between central and local government.

And through initiatives such as the Ministry of Social Development's Local Services Mapping project, we are working with entire communities to determine how together we can better identify and respond to local needs.

We are making progress, but there is more yet to be done.

What I'm saying to you today is, that we know our limitations; and, that we truly value the role that people like you play.

Local funders, particularly philanthropic funders, are often better placed to understand the local community needs and provide a flexible response.

It is your funding that supports many activities that are vital to the wellbeing of our communities.

Few local sports teams, support groups, arts and cultural societies would exist without your help. We know this and want to help you to help them, especially as the demand for funding continues to grow.

Benefits for communities On our best estimates, government contributes well over one billion dollars to the community and voluntary sector, and the demand for government funding continues to grow.

I have instructed officials to conduct a stock-take of funding flows across government to gain a clearer picture of the contribution of government. We should see the initial results of this work later in the year.

The range of those receiving this funding is as diverse as New Zealand society itself. And long may that reign.

It is the variations within our communities that create their depth and richness. Tomorrow the Philanthropy New Zealand-commissioned BERL report, Giving in New Zealand, will be launched here at the conference and I'm sure you are awaiting its findings with great interest. The BERL research quantifies the giving by philanthropists in New Zealand and, once we combine data from the BERL research with what we know about the quantum of government funding, we will at last have a more accurate picture of the total funding going to the community and voluntary sector.

I would like to acknowledge the importance of independent decision-making by funders.

And we need to retain and support the flexibility and the freedom of private funders to experiment and work outside the constraints that must inevitably accompany government actions.

But there is a significant potential to help communities realise good outcomes – outcomes that really matter – through collaboration of state, corporate and philanthropic funding.

I strongly believe that it is this kind of collaboration that will best serve our communities.

Working together with others can open up exciting opportunities for innovative approaches, and make the dollars go further. That can only benefit the community. We must continue to talk and exercise our minds on how best to proceed.

Government does not have a fixed view on how this conversation should progress; I hope that we will all take the opportunity to talk more.

Regional Funders Forums Encouraging collaboration is one possible purpose of a regional funders forum coming soon to a city near you.

The Regional Funders Forum is a joint initiative of Philanthropy New Zealand, the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector and the Department of Internal Affairs.

The forums provide an opportunity for philanthropic and government grant-makers to meet up as a regional group.

>From March till July this year, eleven funders forums for grant-makers and philanthropists will be held around the country. Wellington was the venue for a pilot forum in October last year.

The next forum will be held in Christchurch in a few days time. It would be great to see some of you there.

While government is a supporter and part-funder of these forums, Philanthropy New Zealand has been the powerhouse behind the setting up and running of them.

Primarily, the forums aim to encourage the sharing of information and good practice in relation to grant-making.

Participants also get to sit in on a range of professional development topics, which came from suggestions made in Philanthropy New Zealand's 2006 survey of its members.

The content of each forum is tailored to reflect the preferences and needs of each particular region and to get the best from the knowledge and experience of international speakers.

>From what I've seen resulting from the Wellington pilot, private philanthropists and grant-makers valued the contacts and relationships made and strengthened at such an event.

If you attend one of these upcoming forums, I am sure you will enjoy being in the company of many other like-minded individuals who are committed to the people and communities of this country.

Indeed, it may be possible that one outcome of the forums could be a better mix of independent and collaborative funding to help communities better realise their aspirations.

Conclusion This Labour-led government wants New Zealand to be a nation where all individuals are able to achieve their full potential.

We want it to be a place where all have the opportunity to participate in a vibrant and growing economy, and where our environment is enjoyed by both current and future generations.

We can't do this alone.

We need to work with individuals, businesses and communities towards shared goals.

>From the work I do in my various portfolios – and as an electorate MP – I have a close-up view on what's happening in and around New Zealand communities.

I know the value of the contribution you make to this country's many community organisations, and I know that this country would be considerably poorer without them – and you.

It's important then that we think creatively about how we can work together.

It's not just about funding. It's also about learning more from each other. It's about better understanding the needs of communities and how to meet them. It really is about connecting, sharing and developing.

As you conclude day one of the conference today, I'm sure you will already be energised by thoughts and ideas about the future direction of your own contribution.

When you take these ideas back to your own grant-making organisations, I encourage you to continue to involve and connect with other grant-makers in your communities.

I applaud you for the innovations and connectedness most of you have been so committed to nurturing.

Industrialist Henry Ford said "If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself."

New Zealand communities would have a dynamic and exciting future if we can reach that point where we are all moving forward together.

Meitaki Maata

ends

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