5. RUSSELL FAIRBROTHER (Labour) to the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector: What reports has she received on the contribution to New Zealand made by volunteers?

Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector) : This week is Volunteer Awareness Week, a time to acknowledge the vital contribution made by volunteers towards the well-being of fellow New Zealanders. A report published yesterday estimated that 1.2 million people volunteered in the previous 12 months. That is around a third of all New Zealanders over the age of 10. Almost 80 percent of those people who volunteered also donated money or goods. I would like to commend all those New Zealanders for their dedication and their generosity.

Russell Fairbrother: What progress has been made in the implementing of the Government’s volunteering policy?

Hon RUTH DYSON: Since we launched our volunteering policy in 2002 we have seen the profile of volunteering within Government grow and produce positive results. That includes announcing changes that will make volunteer expense reimbursements tax-exempt, with no limits; $6.5 million over 4 years to assist sport and recreational organisations with recruitment, training, and retaining volunteers; and information resources to encourage good volunteer management. I seek the leave of the House to table Government Support for Volunteering 2002-2008.

• Document, by leave, laid on the Table of the House.