A vibrant and independent Third Sector
Beneath the surface of the official levels of our government and business sector, there is another world – the ‘Third Sector’ populated by dedicated volunteers and over-worked staff in thousands of community-based organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations, membership associations and trade unions, social services providers, and support networks. The Third Sector is, in many ways, part of our DNA as a society.
In many countries, the Third Sector is the lifeline for ensuring that those who need support are not neglected. It is often the only effective way to get food to marginalised communities, to supply clean drinking water, support agriculture or to ensure that entitlements get through to the poorest people. Through my career, most recently as CEO of Oxfam New Zealand, I have been privileged to see the vibrancy and dynamism of the Third Sector in many countries, and particularly in India, where millions of dedicated volunteers and workers provide help with basic needs and support for people’s rights.
It is therefore disturbing to see the findings of a recent report by Victoria University ‘Fears, constraints and contracts’ which documents the ways in which New Zealand governments have stifled critical comments, interfered inappropriately and instituted a contractual culture of compliance and measurement that gets in the way of effective work. There needs to be more respect from the government, not only National-led government, but Labour-led government as well, for the independence of the Third Sector and its role in building and maintaining a dynamic democracy. There needs to be space for the Third Sector to criticise when things are going wrong, but also to partner with government to achieve mutually-agreed aims in a spirit of partnership.
A new approach is needed. The Green Party believes that a well-resourced and accountable Third Sector is crucial in reducing child poverty, intervening early to help young people a risk, helping new migrants to settle in New Zealand, protecting and restoring our environment and supporting vulnerable members of our communities. The relationships should be respectful of the independence of the Third Sector and their contribution to democracy, but also strong on forging effective and accountable partnerships for delivering agreed outcomes. We can more harness the energy and enthusiasm of the Third Sector to build a fairer, cleaner and smarter society.
Barry Coates was a Green Party candidate for Mt Roskill and narrowly missed out on becoming an MP. He has lengthy experience in the Third Sector, most recently as Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand 2003-2014. He has a Masters degree in management from Yale University.
Beneath the surface of the official levels of our government and business sector, there is another world – the ‘Third Sector’ populated by dedicated volunteers and over-worked staff in thousands of community-based organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations, membership associations and trade...
Beneath the surface of the official levels of our government and business sector, there is another world – the ‘Third Sector’ populated by dedicated volunteers and over-worked staff in thousands of community-based organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations, membership associations and trade unions, social services providers, and support networks. The Third Sector is, in many ways, part of our DNA as a society.
In many countries, the Third Sector is the lifeline for ensuring that those who need support are not neglected. It is often the only effective way to get food to marginalised communities, to supply clean drinking water, support agriculture or to ensure that entitlements get through to the poorest people. Through my career, most recently as CEO of Oxfam New Zealand, I have been privileged to see the vibrancy and dynamism of the Third Sector in many countries, and particularly in India, where millions of dedicated volunteers and workers provide help with basic needs and support for people’s rights.
It is therefore disturbing to see the findings of a recent report by Victoria University ‘Fears, constraints and contracts’ which documents the ways in which New Zealand governments have stifled critical comments, interfered inappropriately and instituted a contractual culture of compliance and measurement that gets in the way of effective work. There needs to be more respect from the government, not only National-led government, but Labour-led government as well, for the independence of the Third Sector and its role in building and maintaining a dynamic democracy. There needs to be space for the Third Sector to criticise when things are going wrong, but also to partner with government to achieve mutually-agreed aims in a spirit of partnership.
A new approach is needed. The Green Party believes that a well-resourced and accountable Third Sector is crucial in reducing child poverty, intervening early to help young people a risk, helping new migrants to settle in New Zealand, protecting and restoring our environment and supporting vulnerable members of our communities. The relationships should be respectful of the independence of the Third Sector and their contribution to democracy, but also strong on forging effective and accountable partnerships for delivering agreed outcomes. We can more harness the energy and enthusiasm of the Third Sector to build a fairer, cleaner and smarter society.
Barry Coates was a Green Party candidate for Mt Roskill and narrowly missed out on becoming an MP. He has lengthy experience in the Third Sector, most recently as Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand 2003-2014. He has a Masters degree in management from Yale University.
Leave a Comment