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
Kotahitanga: voices of volunteer leaders celebrate the power of volunteering Join us to celebrate volunteers and volunteering on International Volunteer Day. Hear from a range of thought leaders, including: Community and Volunteer Sector Minister Louise Upston Volunteer Wellington youth lead Matthew Biddington; Ron Rowe, who has almost 60 years of active leadership in community organisations. Manager Volunteerism,
Presenter: Chris Atkinson This workshop will give you the tools and strategies to measure and show the impact of your volunteer teams. Vital in funding applications and to advocate for increased resourcing for your team. Register early to reserve your spot! Wed 11 March, 9:30am - 12:00pm The Kollective, 145 Seventeenth Avenue, Tauranga For
Presented by Natalia Sexton, (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine). An exploration of research, practice and indigenous insights about mahi aroha in 2025. This is a recorded session from Tūao Aotearoa’s Volunteering Changemakers Hui 2025. Filmed and edited by the Community Research kaimahi. To watch any time, click here
The social and cultural factors that impact on social service delivery and volunteering. Presented by Professor Emeritus Paul Spoonley – Massey University. This is a recorded session from Tūao Aotearoa’s Volunteering Changemakers Hui 2025. Filmed and edited by the Community Research kaimahi. To watch any time, click here
Here are short (<5 minute) videos introducing each of the Best Practice Guidelines practice areas. The guidelines are a tool for volunteer managers to improve volunteer engagement. There are seven practice areas, from the moment a volunteer hears about your organisation, to when they leave. Each practice area includes key principles, describes what good
A Session with David Kirk Chair of NZ Rugby, NFP Kiwi Harvest, and former Chair of the NZ Food Network. David, who also captained the All Blacks to victory in the 1987 Rugby World Cup, shares his insights and experiences. Watch any time by registering here: click here
