Give volunteers a Big Shout-out this June

Give a BigShout-out to the volunteers in your community this June, says Volunteering New Zealand.

The Big Shout Out is a month-long celebration recognising the people across Aotearoa New Zealand who give their time, skills, and energy to help others.

The campaign runs throughout June and includes National Volunteer Week (14–20 June). This year,2026, is also UN-designated International Volunteer Year, a global celebration of the power of volunteering.

“Volunteers are vital to our communities, and everyone who gives their time to help their neighbour, school, marae or community organisation deserves a big shout-out,” says Michelle Kitney, Chief Executive of Tūao Aotearoa Volunteering New Zealand.

53% of New Zealanders volunteer regularly (Stats NZ 2025 update), and while formal volunteering through organisations has dipped slightly since 2021, the hours given are increasing (18.1 hours over the previous month, an increase of 2.2 hours from 2021). Volunteering is evolving – more flexible, informal, and community-led than ever before. (See the State of the Decade of Volunteering report, March 2026)

“The Big Shout Out is all about shining a spotlight on the quiet contributions volunteers make — often behind the scenes and without expectation. Many volunteers go unrecognised – this campaign gives us all a chance to say, loudly and clearly: a big thank you!” Michelle says.

Led by Volunteering New Zealand, The Big Shout Out is a nationwide, social media-based campaign encouraging everyone to say thanks to the volunteers who make our communities stronger. By recognising volunteers, we can help promote the importance of volunteering and social action.

Volunteering New Zealand has been told of over 80 events planned by community organisations including morning and afternoon teas, awards ceremonies, storytelling, and tree planting, celebrating thousands of volunteers. Volunteering New Zealand has also given 1600 volunteer thank you cards to organisations to give to volunteers.

Find out more

Volunteering New Zealand’s suggestions for The Big Shout-out:

·      Show your thanks for volunteers in your life. Share a photo or message of thanks on social media #thebigshoutout

·      Find easy-to-use templates and graphics

·      Shout volunteers a morning/afternoon tea or other celebration.

International Volunteer Year 2026

·      Volunteering New Zealand IVY26 campaign

·      International Volunteer Year UN resources

·      Have your say on improving the future of volunteering, Call to Action survey.

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Meet Michelle and Mike, two volunteers with Orange Sky. Their efforts supporting people with free laundry, showers and a cuppa are rewarded in many small ways.

Meet Orange Sky tūao, Michelle. Her commitment to the kaupapa is deeply personal, having experienced two years of secondary homelessness while relying on couch surfing and other temporary accommodation. Now a Team Leader and Service Coordinator, Michelle dedicates a tremendous 20 hours each week to powering Orange Sky in Ōtautahi, Christchurch.

"Once I saw the difference a friendly face, a hot shower and clean, dry clothes can make to a person's life, I was committed. We call the people who use Orange Sky our friends, regardless of where they've come from or what their circumstances are - there is no judgment or 'othering' under our gazebo. We see a lot of our friends several times a week, they come to shower and use the laundry but more importantly, for camaraderie and connection with people who care about them. We laugh and we cry with them. Some of our friends keep showing up long after they've found housing for this very reason," Michelle shared.

She believes Orange Sky "heals from the inside out" by providing a safe place for connection. She sees that the trust built under the gazebo often becomes the bridge to broader community support. By strengthening relationships with community partners like Housing First and City Mission, Michelle helps friends and whānau find the confidence to access professional help they may have otherwise avoided. Whether she’s celebrating a friend finding housing or listening to a friend practice their English, Michelle knows that you can never truly know the experiences of a person doing it tough until you sit down for non-judgemental, genuine kōrero.

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Mike found Orange Sky in mid-2024 at a local market in Napier, where new volunteers were needed to join a new shift in Hawke’s Bay. He was immediately captured by the enthusiastic and caring nature of the recruitment team, and after undertaking both online and practical training, Mike joined the Wednesday afternoon shift team in Hastings. Over time, he has stepped up to become a Shift Team Leader and an Associate Regional Coordinator.

"What a great experience it has been. I have had the opportunity to mix with teams ofvolunteers (both Orange Sky and other supporting services) who devote time, energy and empathy to a large group of very vulnerable people. Our group of wash day friends continue to amaze me with their personal stories of both joyful and sad experiences and yet remain genuinely grateful for our washing provision and kōrero."

After every shift, Mike leaves heartened by observing simple, powerful acts by friends. He recalls a young woman, five months pregnant, sitting and quietly taking in the comfort of her pile of freshly washed and dried clothes, and an older man carefully separating his laundry into light and dark piles, ready for the wash. He sees friends looking after one another by sharing clothing and bedding, or facilitating medical care. On one occasion, he even received a bag of Māori rēwena bread floaters from a friend who simply remembered Mike mentioning that he liked them. It's simple moments like these, Mike says, that have made his time volunteering so worthwhile.

Young people (aged 15-24) do volunteer, and they give more hours than the population average.

Dr Johann Go gave a webinar on 19 May which was a deep dive into youth volunteering arising from the State of the Decade of Volunteering report.

He said while fewer young people volunteer (45.8%), compared to the total population (53.0%); those volunteering through organisations gave more hours each month 18.4, compared to 15.5 hours population-wide.

Most and least popular areas to volunteer

The most popular areas for young people to volunteer were: sports and recreation, religious/ spiritual, and social services. They had lower participation in environmental conservation and community development areas.

Webinar participants were surprised by the lower interest in environmental causes, but agreed there were barriers to participation such as distance to travel, time, and some established organisations being less welcoming to young or diverse people.

Sze-En Watts from the Social Impact Studio at Otago University said students enjoyed environmental volunteering opportunities, pitched as “good deed and a feed”, which were low-pressure, casual days with transport provided.

Flexible, casual volunteering preferred

Youth volunteers prefer flexible, casual volunteering patterns and are more likely to have higher turnover rates. When seeking volunteer roles, they are more likely to seek value alignment with organisations.

Word of mouth or direct invites from family and friends remain the primary method for learning about volunteering opportunities.

Johann said larger established organisations shouldn’t be afraid to innovate and adjust their models to attract and retain young people.

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See the slides from the presentation on youth volunteering

‍Watch the recording of the webinar

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Volunteers are often the first to respond to emergency events, and are a vital part of emergency response and recovery.

Kelsey Hanrahan, NEMA, gave a webinar on emergency preparedness, response and recovery – focused on people in the voluntary and social sector.

She said New Zealand was experiencing more serious emergency events. Since 2015 we have had two or three big events each year.

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Organisations need to get ready

Organisations, as well as individuals, need to take emergency preparedness responsibility. NEMA stressed that they have limited resource to respond to local emergencies, and that response is predominantly from communities and volunteers, co-ordinated through Civil Defence and Emergency Management groups.

Webinar attendees said volunteers were frequently spread across several volunteer organisations so may be checked on or called to help by multiple organisations needing them. Co-ordination is needed.

Kelsey noted the complexity of the emergency sector. She said The Emergency Management Bill, currently in progress through Parliament, should help clarity roles and responsibilities.

Follow-up responses:

Spontaneous volunteers and how they can best be managed. Seepage 7 of this document.

Emergency Management Bill information sheets (scroll down to ‘Information Sheets’). They set out what’s changing and why, who the changes would affect, and when they would come into force. Note these are subject to change as the Bill progresses through Parliament.

Privacy information.

Readiness information.

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View the slides from the Emergency Preparedness webinar.

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View the recording of the presentation.

National Volunteer Week, 14-20 June 2026, is Aotearoa’s largest annual celebration of volunteering.

This week is an opportunity to recognise, celebrate, and appreciate the millions of volunteers who enrich Aotearoa New Zealand. This year’s theme, Your Year to Volunteer – Tōu tau ki te tūao, has been chosen to mark International Year of the Volunteer 2026.It both recognises those who are volunteering, and prompts others to start.
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Key Messages

• National Volunteer Week (14-20 June) is New Zealand’s largest celebration of volunteers and volunteering.
• This year’s theme, Your Year to Volunteer – Tōu tau ki te tūao, has been chosen to mark International Year of the Volunteer 2026.
• It both recognises those who are volunteering, and prompts others to start. Volunteering strengthens the fabric of our communities, connecting individuals, whānau, and organisations across Aotearoa.
• Volunteers play vital roles – as coaches, caregivers, emergency responders, community builders, environmental champions, and more.
• By recognising and valuing volunteers, we help foster a culture of appreciation and encourage everyone to volunteer in some way.
• Let’s celebrate the diversity of volunteers and the collective strength of mahi aroha and social action in our communities.
     
     

Actions you can take

>> Get resources from our National Volunteer Week campaigns page.

>> Use these tools to:

• Say thank you to volunteers
• Promote events or activities
• Share stories and social media posts
• Encourage others to get involved

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>> Download our NVW2026 Comms Pack and start spreading the word

>> Be inspired by our 15 ways to celebrate National Volunteer Week one-pager

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Contact us for more help.

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Give a Big Shout Out to volunteers!

This June, we’re celebrating the volunteers who make a difference across Aotearoa New Zealand every day.

They are our companions, firefighters, sports team coaches, fierce advocates, environmental stewards, and so much more. They give their time, energy, and heart to help others — now it’s their time to shine.

How to get involved

• Get resources from the Big Shout Out campaign page
• Give a shout-out on social media - Use #TheBigShoutOut and tag @VolunteeringNZ
• Provide a shout of kai – morning tea, lunch, BBQ, whatever suits your team
• Create a short, heartfelt video saying “Thank you” to the volunteers who have contributed to your organisation, community, or even your own life.

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‍Filming tips

Keep it simple – here's how:

Device: Use your smartphone (iPhone or similar) with a good-quality camera.

Sound: Film somewhere quiet – indoors is best, away from busy spaces.

Background: Keep it simple and uncluttered.

Orientation:
Portrait (vertical) for Instagram/ stories
Landscape (horizontal) may work better for Facebook or YouTube

Introduce yourself: Say your name and your organisation (if relevant).

Keep it short: Aim for around 30 seconds

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Need inspiration? Here are some handy prompts:

>> It’s the Big Shout Out and I’m giving a big shout-out to volunteers because...

>> Thanks to all the volunteers at [your org]! I’m really grateful for...

>> Ngā mihi nui volunteers! I appreciate your mahi because...

>> Volunteers are important because...

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Share your video!

Post your video on your social media and tag @volunteeringnz

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Send it to us via this form or email so we can share it too.
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Let’s flood Aotearoa New Zealand with messages of gratitude, celebration, and the power of volunteering!

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Our survey on the impact of the fuel cost crisis on the voluntary sector received 90 responses in two weeks.

This is an issue affecting many organisations and impacting on their ability to maintain and deliver services. See the Summary Survey Results.

Affect of rising fuel prices
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85%of respondents said the rising fuel prices were affecting their organisation’s activities in some way; and 87% have no contingency for rising fuel prices.

The main effects were: reducing volunteer hours, reducing service provision, and putting programmes on hold.

70.5% said in the event of fuel shortage, their ability to provide services would be compromised. 68.5% of respondents said their organisation had a plan, or one was in progress.

“Our centre is open to the public and if volunteers are unavailable then we can’t open.”

“We support community organisations over a large geographic area but we are not able to travel for events and collaborations as travel is too expensive and our finances are strained.”

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What organisations are doing to mitigate the impact

Organisations are adapting to the impact of the rising fuel costs. Respondents said they were:

• Working from home where possible, and using online tools for meetings etc
• Reducing the amount of travel distances e.g. through less frequent deliveries, or matching volunteers closer to the service locations
• Some were offering financial support to volunteers such as petrol vouchers, and mileage reimbursement
• Sometimes it was necessary to cut, reduce or pause non-essential services and programmes.

What response was needed

The overwhelming majority want Volunteering New Zealand to lobby the government for:

• Financial support or fuel price controls
• Recognition that the not-for-profit sector provides essential services
• Tax relief for charities
• Contact MPs directly about the impacts on the volunteer sector

Other ideas included:

• Support in accessing additional funding for increased travel costs
• Include volunteer sector in fuel rationing priority plans
• Access to fuel discounts for volunteer organisations
• Prioritise fuel access for critical volunteer services (e.g., Meals on Wheels, hospital transport)

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“Advocate for VIOs to Government - funding is tight already and high fuel costs may be the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back for some struggling organisations. A plan is needed - including the for-purpose sector to enable us to continue to deliver services and support our clients(who are also struggling).” 

 Thank you to everyone who responded to this survey. We'll use your responses to advocate to government and funders for support for the voluntary sector.

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Purpose

Volunteering New Zealand is looking to collaborate with volunteer involving organisations across New Zealand planning to run a local event or activity which recognises and thanks volunteers during International Volunteer Year 2026 (IVY26). Support can be financial or non-financial.

We invite organisations who will deliver events that strengthen community connections, celebrate diversity, encourage participation and enhance wellbeing to apply.

The initiatives we seek to support will need to demonstrate contribution to one of the following:

• Capability, capacity and self-reliance are enhanced,
• Cultural wellbeing is enriched through arts, culture, heritage and national identity,
• Collective health, safety and wellbeing are advanced, or
• Connection, collaboration and inclusion are supported.

Additionally, we have identified that initiatives will also need to demonstrate:

• Deliver immediate community benefit
• Strengthen the volunteering ecosystem
• Increase recognition, support and valuing of volunteers
• Improve sector capability and national visibility of volunteering

We encourage all of our member organisations to apply, as well as those who are member organisations of regional volunteer centres, but particularly want to hear from people who haven't engaged with us before.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible, your organisation must:

• Be a Not-For-Profit organisation
• Be a volunteer-involving organisation
• Operate in New Zealand
• Be a registered charity or have an NZBN
• Have a bank account in the organisation's name

Eligible events - regional and community events celebrating International Volunteer Year 2026, and that celebrate volunteers and volunteering. This may be:

• Events that are free or low cost for the community to attend
• Events that profile, celebrate or recognise volunteers
• Volunteering events that benefit the local community
• Volunteer Centre significant milestone celebration events

Ineligible events - we are unable to provide any support towards:

• Profit-making or private events
• Political or religious proselytising events
• Events aleady fully funded by another source
• Events that pose safety or environmental risks

What sort of events can we cover

There are many ways to celebrate your volunteers, and we encourage you to be as creative as possible! We would love to see you do something for IVY26 that you might otherwise not do.

Popular events and activities include:

• Community/volunteer breakfast, morning tea or afternoon tea
• Barbecues and dinners
• Volunteer stories, campaigns or celebrations
• Volunteer recognition gifts such as lapel pins, cupcakes and memorabilia

What collaboration with us could support: 

• Event venue hire
• Event related equipment, materials, supplies
• Event catering
• Event promotion and marketing

We are unable to support

• Alcohol
• Gifts or prizes
• Salaries
• Retrospective events or costs (events already held)
• Annual events (events that you hold every year)

Indicative collaboration support

Organisations are invited to submit one expression of interest for an IVY event or celebration.

Our support may contribute in whole or in part to a project.

Additional funding from other sources and in-kind contributions are encouraged.

We anticipate event support contribution being available for up to $1,500.

Where there is a greater need, multi-organisation collaboration or special circumstances we may be able to provide additional support at our discretion.

Key Details

Applications open: 4 May

Read the Guidelines and Terms and Conditions here.

Complete our online application form here.

Applications close: 15 June

Decisions announced: we will assess applications as they come in, however response times may vary. All applicants can expect to hear from us no later than two weeks after the application period closes.

Events must occur between 1 June - 31 December 2026

Post-event requirements are due within 30 days of event being held.

AK Sanjeewa writes that giving back has rewarded him with friendships, meaning and belonging.

 Eight years ago, I arrived in New Zealand as an international student, full of hope and excitement. From the very beginning, I carried a simple yet meaningful dream: to give back to the community I was going to call home. This beautiful country has given me world‑class education, valuable life lessons, and the warmth of Kiwi culture - contributions I wanted to honour through community service.

That dream became reality when Volunteer Canterbury organised a workshop for immigrants. Through this initiative, I was introduced to volunteering opportunities and soon began my journey with Community Patrols of New Zealand (CPNZ). I must take a moment to acknowledge the incredible team at Volunteer Canterbury for creating such a powerful platform - connecting volunteers with non‑profit organisations that truly need support. Through this network, I’ve been fortunate to volunteer with nearly five major community organisations over the years.

Seven Years of Service with CPNZ

My connection with CPNZ grew stronger day by day. I am proud to say that for the past seven years, I have served as a volunteer community patroller with the Christchurch City Park Central Patrol Team, working toward a shared goal: making our city a safer place for everyone.

Although my professional background is in retail business management, I never hesitated to step into this role. The experience I have gained, from community patrols to working closely with the New Zealand Police, has been nothing short of remarkable. It has strengthened my sense of responsibility, leadership, and community awareness.

As community patrollers, we serve as role models for safety while providing an added layer of support to local businesses by helping keep their premises secure. Knowing that our presence contributes to peace of mind for residents and business owners alike makes every patrol worthwhile.

Volunteering with an Open Heart

One message I truly want to share is this: don’t approach volunteering with a selfish mindset. Volunteering isn’t just about gaining work experience or adding a reference to your CV; it’s about contributing openly and meaningfully to the community. Every volunteer role has value and identity, and every effort matters.

The lessons learned through community interaction become lifelong memories. Through volunteering, I’ve experienced the kindness of Kiwi culture and built lasting friendships that continue to support and inspire me.

Commitment Through Every Challenge

My journey with CPNZ has been both enjoyable and challenging. Whether patrolling during the day or late at night, in cold or wet weather, we remain committed and vigilant. These challenges strengthen us personally and remind us of the responsibility we carry as volunteers.

There is a unique joy in seeing happy faces and secure public spaces within our community. That sense of achievement is deeply fulfilling and cannot be compared to any routine or paid job. Volunteering is not “just another role”, it is a truly inspiring opportunity to make a difference.

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

I would not be able to do this work without the unwavering support of my family. As an immigrant, the time I dedicate to volunteering sometimes comes at the expense of time with my loved ones. I am deeply grateful to my wife and my lovely little daughter for their constant support and understanding as I contribute to community wellbeing.

Volunteering is respected, valued, and, now more than ever, essential for our nation. I am proud of my commitment, grateful for the journey so far, and excited for what lies ahead with CPNZ.

Together, through shared responsibility and open hearts, we can continue to make our communities a welcoming place for everyone.

Bev Giles is the Manager of Volunteering Northland, but her volunteer journey has lasted a lifetime.

While Hospice is the main organisation I currently volunteer for, my volunteering journey began long before that - when I was just 18 years old.

As a teenager, I was quite shy and struggled to find my confidence and sense of belonging in the world. One day, I heard a radio advertisement calling for volunteer telephone counsellors at Youthline. Something about it resonated with me, and I decided to apply. After completing the training programme, I volunteered as a Youthline phone counsellor for around two years before heading off on my OE.

That experience marked the beginning of what would become a lifelong journey of volunteering. It gave me my first taste of how powerful and rewarding it feels to give back and support others during challenging times.

Finding My Place with Hospice

For the past six years, I have volunteered as a retail assistant in various Hospice shops. I chose Hospice because of the incredible work they do and because their values so closely align with my own. I also happen to love meeting new people — and, let’s be honest, I love shopping!

I began volunteering with Hospice after resigning from a 25-year career in the corporate world to start my own life coaching business. While I was building my client base, I found myself with some spare time and decided to volunteer once a week. What I didn’t expect was how quickly volunteering would become such a meaningful part of my life.

I met wonderful people, built genuine friendships, and found a strong sense of connection — especially valuable as I had recently moved to the area. When we relocated further north 18 months ago, I naturally sought out anew Hospice shop and was warmly welcomed into the team.

More Than I Ever Gave

What I’ve gained through volunteering is difficult to measure, but it has given me so much more than the time and energy I’ve invested.

Starting out as a Youthline counsellor helped me develop skills that built confidence and shaped my future career. Those early experiences laid the foundations for coaching, mentoring, and leading otherslater in life.

Over the years, my volunteer journey has included mentoring at-risk youth, serving as an adviser for Citizens Advice, being a board member for a low-decile school and a women’s support centre, helping at local galas and community events — and many other roles along the way.

The Joy of Volunteering

I haven’t encountered any major challenges throughout my volunteering journey. Like anywhere, there have been moments where I haven’t seen eye to eye with someone, but I’ve never let that deter me.

Today, I volunteer at Hospice every second Friday, and I absolutely love it. It’s my happy place — a space where I can be myself, connect with a diverse range of people, and occasionally discover some incredible additions to my wardrobe. My friends now affectionately refer to me as “the Op Shop Queen!”

When Passion Meets Purpose

Landing my current paid role as Manager of Volunteering Northland felt like the icing on the cake. It brought together everything I’m passionate about — community, connection, and supporting others through volunteering.

Volunteering is part of my DNA and always will be. It has shaped who I am, enriched my life beyond measure, and continues to remind me of the power of giving back.

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Our latest report State of the Decade of Volunteering provides a comprehensive review of volunteering in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past ten years.

It was launched on Tuesday 24th of March by Minister Louise Upston at the BNZ Partners Centre, Wellington. The event included a panel discussion facilitated by Steven Moe – ParryField Lawyers with:

• Amanda Reid, BERL
• Matthew Williams , JBWere
• Professor Karen Smith , Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington
• Ethan Tauevihi‑Kahika, Volunteering New Zealand Board member.

The report author Dr Johann Go will be giving webinars about the report next month:

• 7 May, online launch and highlights of the report
• 19 May, deep dive and insights about youth volunteering.

Michelle Kitney, VNZ Chief Executive says, “Quality data and insights are crucial for understanding how people are volunteering, and how organisations are responding. With the pressures on the community and voluntary sector, we must adapt to remain vital and relevant.”

Misty Sansom, VNZ Board Chair says. "Here's the thing I keep coming back to: we have good data now. We know what's happening. The question that matters is whether we're ready to act on what the data tells us - particularly around funding for volunteering infrastructure, protecting volunteering data in the census changes, and adjusting to the changing nature of volunteering.

Call to Action for the Future of Volunteering

"It's also the International Year of the Volunteer, and we're using it to build our advocacy goals. If you work with volunteers or care about the infrastructure that supports them, we'd love to hear what you think matters most," Misty says.

A survey about a Call to Action for the Future of Volunteering, which went live at the report launch, has already had 70 responses.

Volunteers, leaders of volunteers, and organisation leaders are all contributing their ideas through the survey.

Some ideas to improve volunteering include:

• Make volunteer vetting processes more joined up e.g. a volunteer passport
• Funding for organisations to reimburse volunteers e.g. for petrol
• A way to record volunteer efforts that they can use e.g. hours, qualifications, achievements
• More data/research to show the value of volunteering in NZ

 “We welcome all ideas to enable us to better advocate for greater recognition of volunteering. Government, funders, community organisations and volunteers can all help shape the future for volunteering,” Michelle says.

Find out more on The State of the Decade of Volunteering report page.

This opinion article is one in a series of responses by thought leaders in response to our State of the Decade of Volunteering report. Tania Jones is the the Atom Innovation Space Coordinator at Victoria University of Wellington.

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I want to begin by congratulating Tūao Aotearoa Volunteering New Zealand and the author team on the State of the Decade of Volunteering report. This is a thoughtful, rigorous and generous piece of work that captures both the complexity of the sector and the deep commitment of those within it. It offers invaluable clarity on the state of the sector over time.

Volunteering is evolving

Reading the report through a youth empowerment lens, I was struck by the disconnect it surfaces between national statistics and the lived perceptions of many volunteer-involving organisations. While participation remains strong, the experience on the ground often feels like decline. I see this not as a contradiction, but as clear evidence that volunteering is evolving in healthy ways — becoming more flexible, more informal, and more closely woven into everyday life.

One of the most under-recognised forms of this is volunteering connected to schools. Parents remain one of our largest and most consistent volunteer cohorts, yet their contribution is often invisible, informal, and unevenly supported. These moments of contribution matter not only to schools, but to children themselves. When young people see parents role-modelling volunteering as normal, valued and purposeful, they begin forming their own civic identities long before they begin their own path as volunteers. This is also where early seeds of social entrepreneurship are often planted, as young people observe adults identifying needs, mobilising others, and creating practical responses within their communities.

The power of digital tools to support volunteering

The report’s focus on limited technology uptake is also critical here. Digital tools have enormous potential to support schools and other VIOs to make volunteering easier, more equitable, and more visible, especially for time-poor families. Better systems and further research can help close the perception gap by capturing the full picture of who is contributing and how.

What stayed with me most is the sector’s quiet optimism. Despite structural pressures, the resilience and care remain strong. The opportunity before us is to invest in the systems, practices, and pathways that reflect modern life, and to recognise that the future of volunteering is already taking shape, often closer to home than we realise.

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This opinion article is one in a series of responses by thought leaders in response to our State of the Decade of Volunteering report.

Amanda Reid is the Chief Executive Officer/ Tumu Whakarae of BERL. She has expertise in the Māori economy, indigenous trade, workforce development, diversity, and evaluation and impact measurement.

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There have been clear shifts in volunteering participation for many organisations since the 1970s.

From my research, what we’re seeing is that  motivations for both unpaid volunteering and paid work are shifting generationally.

Younger people tend to be more strongly motivated by values, so they're looking for values alignment between their personal values and the organisation or cause. For older people, motivation tends be around community and belonging, and about contribution to where they are at.

I think it's not that motivation is disappearing. I think it's just diversifying. What that means is that we need to change how we organise and recruit volunteers. Our systems and maps for engagement were designed for a different era and no longer fit modern lives. Some of the research I've looked at shows that younger age groups are more likely to volunteer for one-off kind of events than to do an afternoon on an ongoing basis.

Need for flexibility for recruitment

Which makes it challenging when you have complicated induction processes for training and on boarding. There may be really good reasons, like some places need a lot of health and safety and support wrapped around, and there are genuine duty-of-care requirements. Those requirements still matter, but they can also create friction if not designed flexibly.

One-size fits-all recruitment doesn't work. It doesn’t work in employment, and it doesn’t work in volunteering. We need segmented, culturally relevant pathways that fit different age groups, different people's availability. All this takes resource, and no one’s paying organisations for this to take an approach in a different way. When motivation matches opportunity, then people don’t need persuading - they need enabling. Motivation is not the issue; fit is [the issue].

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Volunteering in New Zealand is under strain as people have less time to volunteer and organisations are being asked to deliver more.

This is according to a State of the Decade of Volunteering report, released today by Volunteering New Zealand.

“Although the overall volunteer rates show a small increase, fewer people are volunteering with community organisations and for less time. This is putting pressure on organisations and the communities they serve,” says Volunteering New Zealand Chief Executive Michelle Kitney.

53% of New Zealanders volunteer (Stats NZ 2025 update), an increase of 2.3% since 2021 when 50.7% volunteered. However, those volunteering through an organisation has decreased from 30.2% in 2021 to 27.6% in 2025.

“It has been a decade of transformation in volunteering practices with a clear shift toward flexible, episodic, and shorter-term roles,” Michelle says.

Rather than a ‘civic core’ of volunteers doing most of the work, there is a wider pool of people offering what time they have. Volunteers, particularly younger people, are increasingly motivated by personal values, skills development and alignment with causes they care about.

Victoria Davy, head of Volunteering at Blind Low Vision New Zealand says the State of the Decade report raises opportunities for the sector.

“I was particularly encouraged by the sections on the next generation of volunteers and what they are looking for.

“I am already reflecting on the elements of our own volunteering function that I will intentionally rebuild to attract these volunteers in ways that suit them, while also ensuring continuity of services delivered by volunteers for our clients.”

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International Year of the Volunteer (IVY26)

2026 is the International Year of the Volunteer – an opportunity to recognise volunteering and improve the infrastructure around volunteering.

Michelle Kitney says, “Volunteering doesn’t just happen, it requires good management, strategic planning and investment to enable volunteer engagement.”

Volunteering New Zealand is encouraging anyone with an interest in volunteering to respond to a survey about a Call to Action for the Future of Volunteering.

“Your ideas are crucial to enable us to formulate our Call to Action. Government, funders, community organisations and volunteers can all help shape the future for volunteering,” Michelle says.

The State of the Decade of Volunteering report and the Call to Action survey are here.

ENDS

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Additional quotes from thought leaders

What will improve volunteering?

“The younger generation of volunteers are seeking new ways to contribute...There is urgency for the sector to address the professionalism of volunteer recruitment, management, support, and recognition if we are to continue delivering vital services to New Zealanders. ”

- Victoria Davy, Head of Volunteering, Blind Low Vision NZ

“We must take people on a journey, one they are controlling, allowing them to adapt their commitment over time as we create and curate meaningful ways for people to engage with the causes they are passionate about. ”

- Rob Jackson, UK Consultant

“There are clear pressures and structural tensions in the sector... there’s an opportunity: not to reassure, but to rally stronger government recognition, resourcing, and attention to the cumulative strain being absorbed by committed volunteers. ”

- Dr Blake Bennett, University of Auckland

“How are our practices becoming more flexible, responsive, and welcoming for people who are time-poor, mobile, digitally savvy, and keen to contribute in purposeful ways?...The task ahead is not to recreate volunteering as it once was, but to recognise and support what it is becoming.”

-         Angela Wallace, SociaLink (Bay of Plenty)

The full opinion pieces from these thought leaders are here.

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It's International Year of the Volunteer! We want to use this to call for change to improve volunteering in New Zealand.

What do you think would make the most difference?

Please share your views in this survey.

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Volunteer management is not a solo project – it needs a whole organisation to engage volunteers, Rob Jackson said at a recent webinar on influencing.

Volunteer managers need to be proactive about involving others and realising the value of volunteers.

The webinar, From the Top Down – Influencing, on 18 February, was attended by people from a wide variety of organisations.

What Volunteers Bring

Rob posed the question: Why involve volunteers at all?

Participants gave many responses to what volunteers contribute and why organisations value them.

Impact Statements

To influence others – stakeholders inside and outside your organisation – Rob noted the importance of setting goals. “What change do you want to see and what will things be like if this change happens?”

One participant had previously posed this question to her wider team and came up with a volunteer impact statement, vis: “volunteers with their freely given time, empathy, and experience enrich our culture, strengthen our connections, and enhance the support we provide ...”

Organisational Reflections

If hypothetically given unlimited money, participants would:

• Invest directly in volunteers, reimburse expenses, develop capability and     strengthen community connection.
• Support volunteers more effectively and intentionally.

Participants came away with ideas to map stakeholders and how to influence them, as well as setting goals for volunteer engagement.

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See more from Rob Jackson: https://linktr.ee/robjconsulting