The Community Resource Kit is a guide to setting up and running community groups in New Zealand. It is for community, voluntary and iwi/Māori organisations, from small or emerging groups to more established organisations, and all the workers, volunteers and advisors working with these groups.
The current online edition of the Community Resource Kit builds upon the Community Development Resource Kit first published in 1993 by the Department of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Social Development, and further revised in 2006. An extensive revision of the kit was undertaken in 2018.
Help to access the Kit online is available from community advisers at Department of Internal Affairs' regional offices and at Citizens Advice Bureau. It can also be accessed via free internet sites available in places such as public libraries and information centres.
We sincerely thank all those people who have previously contributed to the Community Resource Kit as writers or reviewers.
The NZ Navigator Trust, along with the Department of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Social Development (the original publishers), have endeavoured to ensure that the information in this Kit is correct and up-to-date. Current curators, the NZ Navigator Trust, take no responsibility for any error, omission or defect which may have occurred during its production or in subsequent revisions. The listing of a resource or organisation within this Kit does not imply or express any endorsement of a business or service by the publishers. Readers are reminded that the contents of this Kit do not constitute legal advice and therefore should not be relied on for that purpose.
A list of all the contents in the Community Resource Kit divided into topics.
A introduction to community and voluntary groups in New Zealand, the words used, culture and values, historical background and the…
Some things to think about when you first consider setting up a community organisation.
About the stages of an organisation's life cycle, development and typical characteristics.
An introduction to planning and the planning resources available in the Community Resource Kit.
Information about the strategic planning process, analysis tools, and drawing up your strategy.
An operational plan is the yearly business plan for your group.
Project management/planning refers to separate, distinct projects, events or programmes.
A marketing plan forms part of the wider operational planning.
Many community projects and programmes are started by the imagination and passion of one person, or group of people, wanting…
A risk is a current or future factor or event that could negatively affect the project, service or programme you…
A plan is only useful if it works in practice.
An introduction to organisational structures and the resources in the Community Resource Kit.
Things to consider when deciding which organisational structure is right for you.
A table to compare the different types of legal structures and their characteristics.
Information about unincorporated groups - the key features, rules and processes, advantages and limitations.
Information about umbrella groups and the advantages and disadvantages of this type of organisational structure.
Information about formal organisational structures, the advantages and disadvantages.
Information about incorporated societies, the key features and rules, and the changes with the updated Incorporated Societies Act 2022.
An outline of the process of setting-up an incorporated society.
A charitable trust is one of the main legal structures that community groups may consider as a way to operate.
The following steps outline the process for setting up a registered charitable trust.
Information about companies, cooperative companies, industrial and provident societies and Māori land trusts.
Information about Charities Services and registering as a charity.
Information about the dissolution and winding-up of a charitable organisation.
Governance is about how an organisation is run.
Information about governance and its critical role to ensure that your organisation's governing body works well and that there…
While the model of governance may vary for each charity, there are common core roles and governance functions that need…
Information about governing body officers and the key role they have in your organisation.
Tips for managing governing body meetings to make them stimulating, fun and productive.
Find out how to establish the right governing body processes for the smooth operation of your organisation.
What are policies and why do we need them?
Developing policies for your organisation.
Steps involved in developing policies and procedures.
Use this checklist of policies and procedures to make sure you have everything covered
Four important policies most organisations will need to consider: health & safety, complaints, volunteers and Te Tiriti o Waitangi Treaty…
Find out how to run efficient and productive meetings.
Information about running formal meetings with established agendas and procedures.
Advantages and disadvantages of different types of decision making - the process of deciding about something important, especially in a…
An introduction to record-keeping and the record keeping resources in the Community Resource Kit.
Information about how to keep and manage effective records for your organisation.
Information to help you organise an effective and efficient filing system.
Privacy Act 2020 - protecting people's personal information and actively caring for and maintaining your physical and digital records.
An introduction to financial management and other financial management resources in the Community Resource Kit
Information about financial plans, budgets and cash flow forecasts.
More about the treasurer's role and responsibilities, financial records, filing income invoices and paid accounts, and petty cash.
A computerised accounting system is the best option for most organisations as it will allow you to manage your finances…
About monthly reporting, keeping track of grants, year-end financial statements and auditing.
Information about annual returns and financial statements.
Read about your organisation's tax obligations, including PAYE, GST and ACC - includes links to Inland Revenue (IRD) resources.
A quick introduction to fundraising.
An introduction to successful fundraising.
A checklist of funding options - including local fundraising, membership, donations, professional sponsorship, and fundraising consultants.
Online fundraising - build a strategy that makes people aware of your organisation, gets people to care about your cause,…
A guide and checklist to consider when applying for funding.
Steps towards being a good employer.
New Zealand's Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment provide a free series of guides which cover areas employers have requested…
The Workplace Wellbeing project between the NZ Council of Social Services, the NZ Federation of Voluntary Welfare Organisations, Community Waikato…
Volunteers, including governance members, often play a significant role and make a big contribution to the work and/or direction of…
This is a list of places to go for employment-related information.
An introduction to communications and the communication resources in the Community Resource Kit.
Information about communications plans, the process, and a communications plan template.
Working with the media to tell the story about your organisation.
How to communicate with central government - community participation is a vital part of our democracy.
More on the different ways to communicate with local government.
An alphabetical list of terms found in the Community Resources Kit, with brief explanations.
Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa is a Government Department and New Zealand's national statistical office - they're New Zealand's major source…
IRD's (Inland Revenue) information for non-profit organisations.
Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ) is an association of New Zealand organisations with a commitment to volunteering.
Local government helps to shape the communities we live in - this website provides accessible information for people to participate…
One of the Ministry of Social Development's roles is to help families and whānau within communities.
The Community Law Manual sets out comprehensive legal information in a clear, accessible way for everyday users.
The original Change Management Toolbook is a comprehensive web handbook covering general change facilitation and management.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment presents an overview of employment in New Zealand.
These online tools will help employees and employers understand some common issues about working and living in New Zealand.
The go-to site for general employment relations matters in New Zealand, Employment New Zealand is part of the Ministry of…
Mana Mahi Resource: A Guide to the Employment of People in the Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary Sector Organisations.
Mana Mahi is a one-stop employment relations resource designed specifically for the community sector.
Volunteers are the backbone of New Zealand sport and recreation.
These resources are designed by Diversity Works to help organisations assess, explore and implement a range of diversity, equity and…
The Human Resources Institute of New Zealand (HRINZ) is the professional organisation for people who are interested or involved in…
A help-sheet from the Australian Institute of Community Practice and Governance about planning, recruiting, ranaging and retaining volunteers.
Volunteering England are committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering in all its diversity.
National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is based in the UK.
Hui E! Community Aotearoa is an organisation focused on the needs of the broad Tangata Whenua, community and voluntary sector…