Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

The community and voluntary sector needs a comprehensive commitment towards investing
in the sector‟s infrastructure and human resources. This responsibility requires partnership
with the philanthropic community and Labour will work with third party funding communities
to bring great focus towards those investment decisions.
We understand that the sector is starting to really feel the pressure of a constrained funding
environment.
Labour will look at ways to encourage individuals and businesses to participate in
their communities by giving time, money, or in-kind donations.
Through supporting volunteers we grow stronger communities. The community and
voluntary sector plays a vital role in our community with its dedication, work and generosity
of spirit, which brings huge social, cultural and economic benefits to New Zealand society.
Labour recognises the role of volunteers and will promote greater private sector
engagement of employees in the voluntary sector so we can create engaged, safe
and strong communities.
Labour also believes that the government has a strong role to play to co-ordinate
government investment and funding decisions that maintain the important role of the
community and voluntary sector.
Labour will provide and co-ordinate infrastructure supports and resources across the
sector.
This will include advice, capacity and infrastructure in human resources, legal, financial
systems, audit and information technology. We will ensure the community and voluntary
sector has access to easily-understood information about central government services and
resources.
The community and voluntary sector also has a role to play in the training of volunteers so
that we encourage young people to be involved in the sector and provide them with skills
that they may be able to use in paid employment.
Labour will examine ways of setting up community cadetships which will expose a
trainee to a range of workplaces across the sector.
Eliminating family violence
New Zealand has a serious and worrying problem with family violence and the
consequences of this violence are huge. There are costs to individuals, families and the
community. These include depression, the loss of confidence and other consequences that
remain long after the physical injuries have healed. Children are also hurt by this violence in
many ways, including fear and trauma from seeing their mother hurt.
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