View the Snapshot 2020 Full Report
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While still fragile, the community and voluntary sector is generally more stable and viable than it was two years ago. The survey of 129 community and voluntary organisations shows that the sector continues to deal with increased demands, increasing costs and has been significantly impacted by COVID-19.

This 2020 State of the Sector Survey is the fourth biennial snapshot of the community and voluntary sector undertaken by ComVoices. Its findings reinforce those of previous surveys and other recent reports on the community and voluntary sector.

View State of the Sector Survey snapshot

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This is the third in a continuing series of Snapshot Surveys conducted by ComVoices.

The survey is called a ‘snapshot’ because it is designed to given an understanding of the NGO sector at a given time.  The survey gives community organisations the opportunity to discuss the issues and experiences they are facing, and to highlight trends.

First run in 2014, and then again in 2016, the survey has become a key source of information about the wellbeing of community organisations working across a broad range of community issues and interests.

The 2018 survey shows that the country’s community and voluntary organisations are delivering services where they matter – to New Zealanders in need – even as they continue to grapple with a number of significant challenges.

We’ve asked all major political parties to respond in writing to the three issues raised in our briefing so that members could compare the policy approaches and level of commitment of each party.

To date we have received five responses; the Green, Labour, Maori, National and  The Opportunities Parties (TOP).

Other party responses will be added when they are provided to us.

 Read the Green, Labour, Maori, National, and TOP responses here

ComVoices speaks for non-profit services working to support people and build strong, healthy communities.

Many families are struggling to meet basic needs while the services designed to support them are also in a precarious financial situation. Communities are no longer places where everybody can participate and thrive.

The three things that would make a difference, and what you can do this election.

Read the full document here

Read the full document here

This election year we are asking political parties to focus on three issues and the practical ways government and community services could work together more effectively to make a difference.

View the full document here

Individual Client Level Data (ICLD).  A proposal to build a robust evidence based learning system for social investment. (March 2017)

MSD has advised that from July 2017 provider contracts will include the requirement to gather and share identifiable data about clients (ICLD) accessing services as a condition of funding. ComVoices members have engaged constructively with MSD on the basis of an earlier issues paper but significant issues remain unresolved. The purpose of this paper is to advise ministers of those issues and to propose an alternative approach to deliver a robust system that will support the social investment programme.

This paper has been sent to the following Ministers:

• The Right  Hon Bill English, Prime Minister
• Hon Anne Tolley, Minister of Social Development, Minister for Children
• Hon Amy Adams, Minister Responsible for Social Investment
• Hon Alfred Ngaro MP, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector

View the full letter to ministers here.

Go here for a one page summary.

Full report here.

This is the second in a continuing series of pre-election briefings by ComVoices.  The first was in 2011.

The briefing summarises key community sector issues and suggests possible solutions to political parties, politicians, Ministers, key influencers and the sector itself.

The key areas of focus for the 2014 General Election were:  Leave No One Behind, Strong Communities Need Strong Community Organisations, A Capable and Sustainable Community Sector.

Go here for a one page summary.

Full report here.

This was the first State of the Sector Survey Snapshots.   It was developed because in the lead up to the 2014 General Election, ComVoices had consistently received feedback from community organisations that were finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

The survey of more than 300 community organisations showed that many were under severe pressure and that the sector was increasingly fragmented, under-resourced and over-worked.  It highlighted the high level of frustration and urgency being felt by NGOs which deliver services.