Yes, Givealittle has its fund-raising place – but it’s Christmas, and a govt-backed campaign will urge us to give a little bit more
Oops – a failure to press the right button yesterday followed by a failure to check what had (or hadn’t) been posted resulted in this Beehive Buzz report sitting in technical limbo overnight. Here it is. Meanwhile our team is working on the ministerial releases posted since then…
It looks like someone in the Luxon Government has lost the memo about keeping an eye on public spending and – imbued with festive-season spirit – is giving effect to how-to-be-kind guidance left behind by the Labour bunch.
It looks like someone in the Luxon Government has lost the memo about keeping an eye on public spending and – imbued with festive-season spirit – is giving effect to how-to-be-kind guidance left behind by the Labour bunch.
Fair to say, the aim is to encourage more philanthropy and good deeds by philanthropists and volunteers outside of the public service and the grunt is being provided by an outfit called Philanthropy New Zealand.
Moreover, it’s an initiative with a seasonal ring to title: it is the Twelve Days of Giving campaign.
But this push to generate greater do-goodism has the whiff of Ardernian social engineering about it and – presumably – involves an element of government spending.
In other words, as taxpayers we seem to be aiding and abetting a campaign that is urging us to be even more generous to others than we are already being.
We say this because Philanthropy New Zealand says on its website it has “teamed up” with the New Zealand government plus businesses and philanthropists from around the country to showcase inspiring stories of philanthropy and share tools that can help to grow effective giving.
A partnership without government money? We think not.
News that this campaign has been launched today has been posted on the government’s official website, along with news about –
Moreover, it’s an initiative with a seasonal ring to title: it is the Twelve Days of Giving campaign.
But this push to generate greater do-goodism has the whiff of Ardernian social engineering about it and – presumably – involves an element of government spending.
In other words, as taxpayers we seem to be aiding and abetting a campaign that is urging us to be even more generous to others than we are already being.
We say this because Philanthropy New Zealand says on its website it has “teamed up” with the New Zealand government plus businesses and philanthropists from around the country to showcase inspiring stories of philanthropy and share tools that can help to grow effective giving.
A partnership without government money? We think not.
News that this campaign has been launched today has been posted on the government’s official website, along with news about –
- changes to the immigration rules,
- the visit by a food-security delegation from Singapore,
- the restoration of the walking track to Cathedral Cove,
- further increased availability of medicines, and
- the strengthening of NZ’s relationship with the United Kingdom (at the same time as the Poms have thrashed the Black Caps).
Latest from the Beehive
2 December 2024
The Government has today taken steps to ensure New Zealand attracts and retains the workers and skills it needs by returning open work rights to partners of high-skilled migrants.
Growing the amount of philanthropic giving across New Zealand is the aim of the Twelve Days of Giving campaign launched today alongside Philanthropy New Zealand, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says.
Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay today welcomes a delegation from Singapore, who are in New Zealand for a food security mission.
1 December 2024
The Government has delivered on its promise to restore public walking access to the popular Mautohe Cathedral Cove in time for Summer 2024-2025.
1 December 2024
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour is pleased to see further increased availability of medicines for Kiwis following the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac.
30 November 2024
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy held the inaugural annual New Zealand-United Kingdom Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue today in London.
Noting the launch of the Twelve Days of Giving campaign today, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston gushed:
“New Zealand is one of the most charitable countries in the world, with an estimated $3.8 billion worth of philanthropic giving each year. This campaign provides an opportunity to showcase the incredible ways Kiwis are making a difference through philanthropy.”
But if we are already one of the most charitable countries in the world, what’s the problem that requires this governmental involvement?
Upston further says:
“Government, businesses, and communities all play a vital role in supporting and growing these philanthropic efforts to make New Zealand a better place. Every time someone donates, volunteers, or gives their time and expertise, our communities are better for it.”
The Twelve Days of Giving campaign will run from Monday 2 December to Tuesday 17 December on social media, coinciding with Giving Tuesday – a global celebration of generosity – and International Volunteer Day.
It will feature twelve days of stories and educational content focusing on how individuals and organisations can contribute across the country.
“A significant aspect of the Twelve Days of Giving is promoting education and awareness around different avenues of giving,” Louise Upston says.
“By showcasing different ways of giving and how people can contribute to the wellbeing of their communities, we hope to inspire others to engage in charitable giving.”
More information on the Twelve Days of Giving campaign can be found here: https://philanthropy.org.nz/12-days-of-giving-campaign
Point of Order is a blog focused on politics and the economy run by veteran newspaper reporters Bob Edlin and Ian Templeton
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