Celebrating 25 years of volunteering leadership
25 years is a milestone worth celebrating. We're an association of volunteer centres, national and regional organisations with a 25-year legacy of volunteering in Aotearoa New Zealand. We believe that community volunteers power sustainable societies.
Reflecting on our 25-year journey
There have been some important moments in our history, since August 2001 when we were established, in the inaugural International Year of the Volunteer.
2005 – Volunteer Awareness Week in June promoted nationally.
2009-11 – Managers of Volunteers programme championed best practice for volunteer management.
2012 – Best Practice Guidelines for Volunteer-involving Organisations released.
2016 - Our first State of Volunteering report.
2020 - Our flagship State of Volunteering Report released. We provided important sector support for the Covid-19 pandemic.
2023 - Launched new Volunteer Best Practice Guidelines. Initiated new campaign The Big Shout Out.
2024-25 - New mentoring and peer support programmes for volunteer managers. Ran Best Practice Guidelines workshops and webinars.
2026 – State of the Decade of Volunteering report released. Celebrating International Volunteer Year.
See all key moments in our history.
Our Impact stories
Honouring International Volunteer Year (IVY26)
The UN General Assembly declared 2026 as the second ever International Volunteer Year. The first was in 2001, the year we were founded.
Despite an international trend of declining volunteering rates, volunteering in New Zealand has increased. In 1996, 41% of adults undertook unpaid mahi, by 2023 that was 53%. IVY26 is a global opportunity to emphasise the power of volunteering, encourage greater investment in volunteering, and secure commitments from governments and others to support volunteering.
Many people have told us what they want to improve the future of volunteering. We will be producing a Call to Action to encourage government and funders to work alongside the community sector. Have your say in our Call to Action.
Learn more about IVY26 in New Zealand.
Celebrating our history
Many people have been involved with Volunteering New Zealand over our 25-year history (and beforehand) – as Board members, staff, volunteers and supporters.
We are compiling our history and would love to hear from you about your connection with us.
We are also planning a celebration event later this year in Wellington. Please let us know if you’d like an invite to this special event.
[link to form TBC]
Looking ahead to the next 25 years
Volunteering New Zealand ensures a national voice for volunteer mahi that benefits us all. We support volunteer managers to improve the volunteer experience, advocate for volunteering infrastructure, and promote the recognition of volunteers.
The next 25 years will see us continue this mahi and further promote awareness of volunteering and the importance of volunteers within our communities.
