Media release: Volunteering under strain as people have less time to volunteer
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.”
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
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.