Fundraising Institute of New Zealand

Minister of Revenue and UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne was tonight awarded the prestigious Henry A Rosso Award in recognition of his support for philanthropy in New Zealand.

Previous recipients of the award have included renowned philanthropists, Stephen Tindall and the late Sir Roy McKenzie.

Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ) chief executive James Austin said in resurrecting the award last given nine years ago, that Mr Dunne was a worthy recipient given his long and consistent work benefiting the New Zealand charity sector.

The award was presented at the FINZ annual conference dinner in Nelson, where he was the guest speaker. It is given on the recommendation of FINZ fellows “to a person who has engaged in significantly valuable activity which will have long-term beneficial effects upon philanthropy and/or the fundraising profession”.

“Mr Dunne has done a huge amount over the years for the charity sector.

“In a world where so often political interest only manifests at election time or when an issue is ‘hot’, Mr Dunne has constantly and often quietly worked for the benefit of the charity and voluntary sectors,” Mr Austin said.

“Of particular note, have been his work on Budget 2008 in the last government with the doing away with limits on charitable donations, and his work this year on bringing in Payroll Giving – something he had pushed for a long time – which allows workers to contribute to a charity direct from their pay and reduce their PAYE tax by the appropriate tax credit immediately rather than have to claim it back at the end of the year.”

“Peter Dunne has made a real and practical difference and this award is to recognise that,” Mr Austin said. " In addition Mr Dunne was created an honorary member of FINZ for his work in advancing charitable fundraising in New Zealand.

Mr Dunne said that he was delighted and humbled to receive the award.

“It was a wonderful surprise, but I am aware of many incredible New Zealanders working tirelessly for their communities in the voluntary and charity sectors.

‘I am absolutely delighted to have been able to support their commitment by making promoting and making changes that actually make it easier for Kiwis to be the generous people they are,” Mr Dunne said.

ENDS

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