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 49 blog entries.

Emergency Volunteering in the Bay of Plenty

By Margaret McLachlan, Volunteering NZ 16th February, 2026 Emergency Volunteering in the Bay of Plenty  Volunteers in the Bay of Plenty provided great support in the recovery from the Mauao (Mt Maunganui) and Welcome Bay storm events of late January.  A team of volunteers organised by SociaLink Volunteering Services supported the He Maimai Aroha Community Care Centre.   Volunteer team well-prepared and welcoming  “We want to say how amazing

By |February 16th, 2026|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Emergency Volunteering in the Bay of Plenty

Governance Volunteering: why serving on a board can be a win-win

MEDIA RELEASE 10th February, 2026 Governance Volunteering: why serving on a board can be a win-win When people think about volunteering, they often picture hands-on roles. But serving on a board can be one of the most powerful ways to contribute to the community, while also offering personal rewards. Annika Lane is a great

By |February 9th, 2026|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Governance Volunteering: why serving on a board can be a win-win

Volunteer Hop launches across the Western Bay

MEDIA RELEASE 3rd February, 2026 Volunteer Hop launches across the Western Bay A brand-new community event is hopping into Te Puke, Katikati, and Waihī Beach, inviting locals of all ages to explore volunteering in a fun, feel-good way. Walk, bike, or drive between nearby locations, meet volunteer groups in action, collect stamps along the

By |February 4th, 2026|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Volunteer Hop launches across the Western Bay

Care, Camaraderie and Community at Waipuna Hospice

MEDIA RELEASE 12th January, 2026 Care, Camaraderie and Community at Waipuna Hospice At Waipuna Hospice, volunteers are a driving force behind specialist palliative care, supporting patients and whānau and keeping daily operations running in the Western Bay. Shelley Atkinson, Volunteer Services Manager, says their contribution is absolutely vital. “Our volunteers are extraordinary. Their generosity

By |January 14th, 2026|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Care, Camaraderie and Community at Waipuna Hospice

Purposeful Posting Series – 5 sessions – 17 Feb – 16 Jun

Purposeful Posting Series (Social Media Training) A 5-part series bringing community organisations together to explore simple, effective ways to build social media presence and connect with your audience. From choosing the right platforms to creating engaging posts, short-form videos, and eye-catching visuals, this series covers the essentials of building a strong digital presence. Where

By |December 21st, 2025|Events|Comments Off on Purposeful Posting Series – 5 sessions – 17 Feb – 16 Jun

From the top down for Volunteer Managers – 18 Feb (online)

From the top down for Volunteer Managers Join us in a live webinar with Rob Jackson - a world-renowned expert in all things voluntary sector. This session is 1.5 hours of volunteering gold! Every non-profit organisation involves volunteers in some way, at the very least on its board of trustees. Yet establishing an effective volunteer engagement

By |December 21st, 2025|Events|Comments Off on From the top down for Volunteer Managers – 18 Feb (online)

Tauranga City Council Builds Guardians for the City’s Natural Spaces

MEDIA RELEASE 15th December, 2025 Tauranga City Council Builds Guardians for the City’s Natural Spaces Across Tauranga’s coastlines, wetlands, and reserves, volunteers are rolling up their sleeves to protect the city’s natural environment. Through Tauranga City Council’s (TCC) environmental initiatives, community collaboration is helping care for and restore some of Tauranga’s most valued natural

By |December 16th, 2025|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Tauranga City Council Builds Guardians for the City’s Natural Spaces

Celebrating Volunteers: International Volunteer Day 2025

MEDIA RELEASE 8th December, 2025 Celebrating Volunteers: International Volunteer Day 2025 Volunteering Services marked International Volunteer Day on 5 December with a fun gathering that brought together volunteers and staff for pizza, kōrero, and plenty of connection, offering a meaningful pause to celebrate and reconnect outside the usual routines.  The day recognised the

By |December 10th, 2025|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Celebrating Volunteers: International Volunteer Day 2025

Community Support at the Heart of Family Works

MEDIA RELEASE 24th November, 2025 Community Support at the Heart of Family Works Family Works, part of Presbyterian Support Northern, continues to play an essential role in supporting children, whānau and wider communities across Tauranga and Whakatāne. Area Manager, Julie Peake, says their services span counselling, social work and a range of education and

By |November 25th, 2025|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Community Support at the Heart of Family Works

Feedback That Makes Your Volunteers Shine

Feedback That Makes Your Volunteers Shine Feedback is one of the most effective ways to support volunteers, yet it’s often misunderstood. Many people see feedback as something used only when there’s a concern, but in practice it’s a much richer tool. Great feedback isn’t just about improving a task in the moment — it’s

By |November 19th, 2025|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Feedback That Makes Your Volunteers Shine
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