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Governor General Anand Satyanand
New Zealanders are being urged to add support of
voluntary organisations to their list of New Year's
resolutions.
In his first New Year message today, Governor-General Anand
Satyanand has emphasised the importance of volunteering to
New Zealand's society and economy.
"Voluntary work does not have to be a lifelong commitment to
an organisation, but we all have skills that can assist
voluntary organisations, even if only for individual
projects," he said.
"Voluntary work not only has its own intrinsic benefits,
making friends and even offers of employment, but it also
adds strength to our wider communities."
Mr Satyanand also emphasised the importance of New Zealanders
remaining engaged in New Zealand's democracy.
"Late last year, New Zealanders engaged in the ultimate form
of civic involvement -- voting in a general election. The
election was a demonstration of the strength of our democracy
and the civil liberties we all hold dear.
"While New Zealand is a young country, ours is an old
democracy. Democratic rights should never be taken for
granted and are rights that continue to be denied to many
people throughout the world."
Mr Satyanand said he had decided to issue an annual New
Year's message to bring attention to a number of issues New
Zealanders might consider as they looked to the future.
