Volunteering Should Not Come with Red Tape

After more than ten years, the Awahuri Forest Kitchener Park Trust has made the decision to formally wind up, marking the end of a significant chapter in the development of one of the district’s valued natural spaces.

As a community we owe a great deal to the many volunteers who have both guided and contributed many hours to the Trust and its objectives.

While this decision was made independently by the Trust (and supported by Council), there are some determinant factors behind that decision.

Firstly, maintenance and protection of the forest is now the primary focus. Secondly, it is becoming increasing difficult to attract volunteer Trustees and thirdly, Government legislation can be a deterrent to point two.

Several parts of New Zealand law make it harder to attract volunteer trustees, and community organisations across the country are feeling it. The issue isn’t that trustees don’t care; it’s that the compliance burden has grown to a point where many people simply won’t take the risk or the workload.

Three pieces of legislation are the biggest contributors. They are the Charities Act 2023, the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and the financial reporting standards.

These three bits of legislation require from volunteers qualification checks, increased reporting obligations, personal accountability for governance failures, responsibilities as a PCBU H&SWA Act, structured performance reports, asset registers and audit thresholds.

So, there is a fear of personal liability and a workload that can feel like a second job. Many community organisations historically relied on willing local folk prepared to pitch in. Now it feels like they need accountants, lawyers and governance professionals.

My message to Central Government (all stripes) is think carefully when enacting legislation on how it impacts the voluntary sector.

Making one size fit all is just plain bollocks!