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2009 News Archive

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Tax Working Group praised for open policy process

07 December 2009

The report of the Victoria University of Wellington Tax Working Group will be considered by the Government as it puts together its 2010 Budget.

Finance Minister Bill English, who opened the Tax Working Group's (TWG) one-day conference at Rutherford House on 1 December, said the TWG's process had worked very well in raising issues and generating debate, and that a tax package would be part of next year's Budget.

Both Mr English, and Revenue Minister Peter Dunne, who closed the conference, said that the TWG process represented a new and better way of exploring public policy.

"For virtually the first time, we have been able to have a thorough, open and transparent debate about tax policies, without the process being subject to political hijacking or kneecapping," Mr Dunne said.

"That has been extremely positive, and a tribute to the way the independent Working Group has operated, and I will be keen to explore separately with Victoria University how we can make ongoing use of this approach in the future."

Nearly 200 people attended the TWG conference, which mirrored the approach the Group had taken in its sessions of considering various aspects of the tax system against six key principles: fairness; the impact on economic growth; system coherence; the integrity of the system; simplicity of compliance and administration; and fiscal cost.

Every member of the TWG was involved in the conference and presented on one of five broad areas: problems with the current system; income tax and transfers and GST; base-broadening, including capital gains and land taxes; company taxes; and scenarios for reform.

Professor Bob Buckle, Victoria University Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of the Tax Working Group, said the conference was a great success.

"It showed this sort of open policy process and the university partnering with government departments and the private sector can really work," Professor Buckle said.

"And it showed that there is real public interest in tax policy. The Group's discussions, and the conference, were about the real-world effects of the tax system;its impact on people and firms, and the role of tax in improving peoples' lives and the country's economic performance."

Professor Buckle said that the TWG believed New Zealand has a once-in-a-generation chance to develop a world-class tax system. It will be holding one more session to finalise its thinking and will release its report in January.

Supporting volunteer managers key to developing volunteer capacity

4 December 2009

To acknowledge tomorrow’s International Volunteer Day, Victoria University has launched an internet-based survey on volunteering, aimed at improving support for managers of volunteers.

Senior Lecturers Dr Karen Smith from Victoria’s Management School and Carolyn Cordery from the School of Accounting and Commercial Law have been funded by the Tindall Foundation and supported by Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ) to map the backgrounds, roles, challenges and training needs of managers of volunteers. The survey results will be benchmarked against overseas data.

“Volunteering New Zealand’s recent national conference highlighted the need for data on volunteer managers as a key step to developing volunteer capacity and the profession of volunteer management,” says Dr Cordery.

“We hope that identifying training needs and career paths, and developing a database of volunteer management professionals will help connect volunteer managers for better support.”

The research outputs will include a report profiling volunteer managers and coordinators, including demographic characteristics, employment conditions, organisational characteristics, responsibilities and challenges, and training. A training needs analysis will also be developed so that VNZ, volunteer centres and other training bodies can target training provision and professional development training programmes to build volunteer management capacity nationally and regionally.

Dr Cordery says more than one million individuals volunteer in New Zealand each year across a wide range of organisations.

“Research shows, however, that the way that volunteers are managed will significantly impact how many people volunteer and whether they continue to volunteer for an organisation.

“Many people who manage volunteers don’t have this responsibility as part of their job title, and squeeze this role around the many tasks they do. They may not even recognise that what they do is valued.

“The roles of volunteer managers or coordinators are of central importance to promoting and enhancing volunteering, yet little is known about these workers: who they are, what they do, or how their effectiveness could be enhanced.”

In 1985, the United Nations General Assembly designated 5 December as an annual celebration of voluntary action by people, communities and governments. International Volunteer Day (IVD) is for volunteers from all walks of life working in communities around the globe.

Information on International Volunteer Day activities around New Zealand is available at www.volunteeringnz.org.nz or from 0800 VOL CNTR.

Victoria launches Master of Professional Accounting

19 October 2009

Victoria University is the first university in New Zealand to offer a Master of Professional Accounting degree (MPA)—which is being officially launched this evening.

“There is a shortage of accounting graduates, both in New Zealand and internationally,” says MPA Director Christopher Cripps from Victoria’s School of Accounting and Commercial Law.

“Our new Master’s programme fills this gap—and what’s more it welcomes graduates from any discipline, which is ideal for professional people seeking a career change.”

The MPA provides students with the skills and understanding required of accounting professionals, and will provide the opportunity to pursue membership of the New Zealand and international accounting bodies.

“Our academic staff are leaders in the public and private sectors, and with their first-hand knowledge of the industry will equip graduates for leadership roles in the profession,” says Mr Cripps.

Students can study full-time over four trimesters in as little as 16 months, or part-time if desired. There are two intakes each year, November and February/March. Enrolments for the November intake are open now.

TAX Working Group TVNZ interview

18 October 2009

View Professor Bob Buckle, Chair of the Tax Working Group in his interview with Paul Holmes on the TNVZ Q+A programme.

View the interview here.