23 April 2009 - The current economic downturn has provided greater opportunities for giving and generosity for all New Zealanders according to Tangata Whenua, and Community and Voluntary Sector organisations.

ComVoices, an independent network of more than 20 Sector organisations, is calling on New Zealanders to think about how they can give during a time when many communities are struggling.

"Giving both time and money is about making a choice; it doesn't require people to be rich, or to have more spare time than others," says Ros Rice, Executive Officer of the New Zealand Council of Social Services (NZCOSS).

Volunteering is one way that more than one million New Zealanders a year give, contributing 270 million hours of work a year - worth almost $3.31 billion to New Zealand communities.

Tim Burns, Executive Director of Volunteering New Zealand says, "As New Zealand's unemployment rate continues to rise, many people will need to develop new skill sets or gain fresh experience in order to find meaningful work.

"Volunteers come from every walk of life imaginable and increasingly they're people looking to get into the workforce (such as the recently unemployed, new migrants, or young mothers) or those wanting to develop new skills so they can change career paths," Tim says. Volunteering can raise the skills needed to start in a new career field, provide social networking opportunities and enhance motivation and self esteem during periods of job hunting.

Ric Odom, CEO of YMCA says, "In 2009 there seems to be a national trend towards an increase in the numbers of young people volunteering.

"Community organisations need to take advantage of this trend, to enable young people to engage with, and contribute positively to, their community."

In the last two weeks Volunteer Wellington has recorded a 40 per cent increase in young, fulltime workers in their twenties wanting to volunteer. There has also been a marked increase of volunteers aged 14-20 years.

Pauline Harper of Volunteer Wellington says, "People are beginning to realise that the volunteer sector is exciting and that there is a real value in generosity."

Robyn Scott, Executive Director of Philanthropy New Zealand says, "Many workers received tax cuts on 1 April 2009 and a great opportunity comes with having a few extra dollars a week to think about how that can benefit our communities.

"Making a regular, ongoing donation to a not for profit organisation, whether it's a great charity or a church, school, library or museum, allows those organisations to do more for the community, benefiting our wider society," Robyn says.

Last year's tax changes, removing the tax rebate cap for individuals, companies and Māori authorities means that people can give more without being penalised.

"New Zealanders can now give up to the total amount of their personal or business income to a registered charity and receive 33 cents in the dollar back.

"Effectively, people can now afford to give one third more than before and be left in the same position", Robyn says. Resources for giving

Search online for volunteering opportunities at www.volunteernow.org.nz

Give your tax cut away www.giveitup.org.nz

Givealittle is an online portal for giving www.givealittle.co.nz/default.aspx.