Nicki Turner

Community Engagement Advisor

Nicki was born and bred in Tauranga but has been away for 30 years, working in Pukekohe in the disabled and social service sector. She worked for Blind Low Vision in Needs Assessment for the midcentral area, and for IHC.

She and her husband took off for Australia for five years, working short term and travelling around the country. Her husband, a farmer, decided to semi-retire from farming and Nicki returned to the same job with Blind Low Vision when they returned to Tauranga in November 2023.

“I’ve always been involved in the volunteer space. It’s just what we do, we’re a family of volunteers. I’m looking forward to connecting with the local community and rebuilding networks having been away so long.”
She lives at Pyes Pā, but her favourite thing to do is walk their springer spaniel on the beach at the Mount.

Reach out to Nicki on nicki@socialink.org.nz or 021 225 2994

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So far Leanne Rhodes-Robinson has created 73 blog entries.

Good Things Grow When We Volunteer Together

Press release 20th October Good Things Grow When We Volunteer Together Group volunteering gives teams the chance to step away from their usual routines and make a practical contribution to their local hapori. Whether it’s helping with environmental projects, pitching in at community events or sharing skills, there are plenty of ways to get

By |October 21st, 2026|News, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Good Things Grow When We Volunteer Together

Public art symposium seeks volunteers

Press release 20th October Public art symposium seeks volunteers Public Art Ōmokoroa is a community organisation focused on increasing engagement with public art across the peninsula. The group has previously been involved in projects including sculptures, murals and community artworks, and its latest initiative is taking that work a step further by bringing artists

By |October 20th, 2026|News, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Public art symposium seeks volunteers

Shocktober puts life-saving skills in local hands

Press release 6th October Shocktober puts life-saving skills in local hands Knowing what to do in the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest can make a vital difference, so Hato Hone St John is encouraging people across the Western Bay to learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator this Shocktober. The nationwide

By |October 5th, 2026|News, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Shocktober puts life-saving skills in local hands

Papatūānuku works alongside whānau in Rotorua

Papatūānuku works alongside whānau in Rotorua Papatūānuku Support Services is a relatively new Rotorua organisation built around the experiences of its founders and a desire to support whānau dealing with family harm and generational trauma. Renee Kingi and her partner, Weranika Te Koru, established the organisation, drawing on their own experiences of raising children

By |September 22nd, 2026|News, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Papatūānuku works alongside whānau in Rotorua

Spectrum Connections Celebrates Growth with NeuroFest and New Chairperson

Spectrum Connections celebrates growth with NeuroFest and new chairperson A Tauranga charity supporting families raising neurodivergent children and young people is entering a new chapter, with a major community event and a new chairperson highlighting its growing role in the Bay of Plenty. Spectrum Connections Charitable Trust is preparing for NeuroFest 2026, a free,

By |August 17th, 2026|News, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Spectrum Connections Celebrates Growth with NeuroFest and New Chairperson

How Volunteering Helped Elena Find Home and Connection in the Eastern Bay

Volunteering helps Elena find her place in the Eastern Bay A desire to gain community experience while studying psychology has led Whakatāne volunteer Elena Shaw to become a regular companion for people living with dementia. Elena, who is in her early 30s, has volunteered with Alzheimer’s Society Eastern Bay of Plenty for about a

By |August 17th, 2026|News, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on How Volunteering Helped Elena Find Home and Connection in the Eastern Bay

Volunteer award honours Jim’s decades of service to Waihī Beach

Volunteer award honours Jim's decades of service to Waihī Beach For nearly 30 years, Jim Cowern has quietly worked behind the scenes to help protect Waihī Beach's environment, preserve its history and make his community a better place to live. Now his decades of dedication have been recognised with the Volunteer Star Award for

By |August 4th, 2026|News, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Volunteer award honours Jim’s decades of service to Waihī Beach

Volunteer award recognises young artist’s growing confidence

Volunteer award recognises young artist's growing confidence A love of art has led Rotorua teenager Harper Burns to discover a passion for volunteering; a journey that has now earned her a Volunteer Star Award. The Year 11 Western Heights High School student first volunteered at The Arts Village to complete the service component of

By |July 27th, 2026|News, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Volunteer award recognises young artist’s growing confidence

Whai Basketball seeks volunteers as pathways grow

Whai Basketball seeks volunteers as pathways grow Whai Basketball is calling for more volunteers to help deliver game-day experiences while continuing to build pathways that allow young Bay of Plenty players to pursue professional basketball careers without leaving Tauranga. General manager Adam Dunstan says Whai was founded five years ago with a vision of

By |July 21st, 2026|News, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Whai Basketball seeks volunteers as pathways grow

Wise and Wonderful leader recognised for seven years of service

Wise and Wonderful leader recognised for seven years of service A Katikati volunteer who has helped create lasting friendships and social connections for local seniors has been recognised for her dedication to the community. Jill Bentley received a Volunteer Star award from Volunteering Services following nominations from Jan De Faye of the Katikati Community

By |July 13th, 2026|News, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Wise and Wonderful leader recognised for seven years of service
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