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
HR in the workplace - Psychological Safety When: Thursday 6th August 2026 9:30am - 12:30pm Where: The Kollective - The Classroom, 145 Seventeenth Avenue, TaurangaView Map Who: Lindsey Rayner Psychological safety plays a critical role in creating healthy, connected, and high-performing workplaces. It influences how comfortable people feel contributing ideas, asking questions, speaking up
Canva - Starting your creative journey Learn how to create a professional flyer and or social media post When Tuesday 11th August 2026 9:30am - 12:00pm Where The Kollective, 145 Seventeenth Ave West, Tauranga, Mawhero Conference Room Who Emily Arnold Are you looking to create engaging visuals, but don’t have a design background? This workshop is for you!
ONLINE — Develop a sustainable funding plan with practical ideas that can be easily implemented and develop opportunities that are ‘best fit’. Part 1: Tuesday 18 Aug 2026, 9.30am-12.30pm Part 2: Tuesday 25 Aug 2026, 9.30am-12.30pm For tickets and information, click here
HR in the workplace - Courageous Conversations When: Tuesday 1st September 2026 9:30am - 12:30pm Where: The Kollective - The Classroom, 145 Seventeenth Avenue, TaurangaView Map Who: Lindsey Rayner Courageous conversations are a critical part of healthy, high-performing workplaces. Whether it’s addressing behaviour, giving feedback, raising concerns, navigating tension, or speaking up with a
Would you like to raise the profile of your organisation, but feel like you lack the time and budget to do it well? Would you like to know how to make the most of your communication channels so that the time you spend is truly effective? This workshop gives you loads of practical tools and
LeadMe Free Online Self-Assessment The LeadMe tool is designed for you to take charge of your leadership journey. If you are a leader in any capacity in a volunteer programme this tool can help you hone your skills. It has been fully revised and updated to align with the Best Practice Guidelines. Check it
Netsafe Training for those working/volunteering with young people “Can I tell you something that happened online?” When a young person opens up like this, it’s not always clear what to say or do next - especially when it involves cyberbullying, harassment, or the sharing of intimate content. Netsafe offers free online training for people
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
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
Volunteering Services is a programme of SociaLink, operated by Social Sector Innovation WBOP Charitable Trust Number CC50192
