Media Release
19 March 2014
Diversity is important in volunteer involving organisations
Friday 21 March marks the international day for the elimination of racial discrimination – Race Relations Day.
Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ) would like to remind those who volunteer or manage volunteers that diversity is important
to volunteering.
The 2014 theme for the day is expressed in the phrase ‘I am Aotearoa New Zealand… te ranga tahi, together we grow’.
VNZ’s CEO Vanisa Dhiru explains, “The theme expresses that in order for New Zealand to grow we must do so together, as a
team, which means removing racial discrimination and embracing everybody, no matter what race, to let everyone feel like
they belong here.”
It is important to acknowledge diversity due to our ever changing, broad demographic of ethnicities in Aotearoa.
“Volunteering organisations need to support and work with our changing community face. People of all ethnicities need to
feel comfortable in applying for volunteer roles organisations who need volunteer support,” says Vanisa.
“At the end of the day, if volunteer roles are available it shouldn’t matter who is wanting to help. Organisations who
embrace all ethnicities are set to gain a wider range of knowledge from the varying cultural backgrounds – any manager
of volunteers, teams or organisations can learn from the diversity within their groups of people.”
VNZ is a Diversity Action Programme partner with the Human’s Rights Commission and encourages all organisations who
engage volunteers to acknowledge the day.
More information on Race Relations Day visit: www.hrc.co.nz/race-relations/race-relations-day-2014
ENDS