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

Are You Lonely? Volunteer!

We’re facing a growing number of problems in Aotearoa – and many are deeply connected. More and more people are struggling with loneliness, even in the middle of busy lives. Our communities are seeing rising social needs – from housing and food insecurity to isolation and mental distress. At the same time, not-for-profits and

By |2025-10-07T22:56:29+13:00October 7th, 2025|News, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Are You Lonely? Volunteer!

Bill Webb’s Fruitful Work with Good Neighbour

MEDIA RELEASE October 3rd, 2025 At 77 years young, Bill Webb is living proof that age is no barrier when it comes to giving back. A long-time volunteer with Good Neighbour, Bill leads the charity’s fruit-picking team, harvesting produce that might otherwise spoil in backyards and helping it reach local families who need it

By |2025-10-06T16:00:51+13:00October 5th, 2025|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Bill Webb’s Fruitful Work with Good Neighbour

Rolling Up Sleeves for Cleaner Seas: Meet Sea Cleaners BOP

MEDIA RELEASE September 24th, 2025 Sea Cleaners, a national not-for-profit with six major teams across Aotearoa, has spent more than two decades pulling rubbish out of the ocean, rivers, and waterways. Since 2002, the organisation has removed almost 21 million litres of litter with the help of over 196,000 hours of volunteer support.  In

By |2025-09-25T12:57:03+12:00September 25th, 2025|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Rolling Up Sleeves for Cleaner Seas: Meet Sea Cleaners BOP

Fareena Ali Serving Heart and Meals for Pāpāmoa Whānau

MEDIA RELEASE September 9th, 2025 In Pāpāmoa, we found an inspiring example of community spirit in Fareena, Supervisor of the Pāpāmoa Food Hub, who is helping to create an inclusive and connected community. Born in Melbourne, Fareena moved to Aotearoa with her family when she was young. Like many newcomers, her journey has been

By |2025-09-10T14:33:27+12:00September 10th, 2025|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Fareena Ali Serving Heart and Meals for Pāpāmoa Whānau

Building skills, building futures – ICONZ Tauranga empowers local kids

MEDIA RELEASE August 24, 2025 Hands-on workshops give young people confidence, resilience and practical skills – and volunteers are needed to help it grow. When Stu first got involved with ICONZ in Tauranga more than 20 years ago, he never imagined he’d one day be running mobile woodworking workshops that are changing young people’s

By |2025-08-29T14:23:28+12:00August 24th, 2025|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Building skills, building futures – ICONZ Tauranga empowers local kids

Baking with Heart — Meet Youth Volunteer Hannah Richards

MEDIA RELEASE August 13, 2025 Every week at Under the Stars - Homeless in Tauranga, hot meals are served with warm smiles. There’s usually something sweet to finish the night — and many of those treats come from the kitchen of 16-year-old Hannah Richards. Hannah has a gift for turning even a random mix

By |2025-08-14T10:40:53+12:00August 13th, 2025|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Baking with Heart — Meet Youth Volunteer Hannah Richards

From Kitchen Table to Transforming Lives – The Story of BICT

MEDIA RELEASE July 24, 2025 Volunteering Services recently had the privilege of sitting down with Shirley Wilson, CEO of the Brain Injured Children’s Trust, for an honest, moving kōrero full of heart. Over a warm cuppa (gumboot tea, to be exact!), Shirley shared how BICT walks alongside families navigating childhood brain injuries — one

By |2025-07-24T11:10:35+12:00July 24th, 2025|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on From Kitchen Table to Transforming Lives – The Story of BICT

Jacquie Ashton Leads the Charge for a Pest-Free Ōmokoroa

MEDIA RELEASE July 21, 2025 When Jacquie Ashton moved to Ōmokoroa from Wellington just over two years ago, she didn’t expect to become the driving force behind one of the town’s most active volunteer groups. But her passion for the environment — and her knack for rallying others — quickly made her the heart

By |2025-07-23T16:18:12+12:00July 23rd, 2025|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Jacquie Ashton Leads the Charge for a Pest-Free Ōmokoroa

30 Years of Service and Still Smiling: Shona Graham’s Gift to Katikati

MEDIA RELEASE 9/7/25 When Shona Graham first answered a newspaper ad calling for volunteers to help with Katikati’s Christmas Float Parade, she never imagined it would spark a 30-year journey in community service. “There was an ad in the paper for volunteers, and I thought that would be a good way to meet people,”

By |2025-07-23T16:22:15+12:00July 12th, 2025|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on 30 Years of Service and Still Smiling: Shona Graham’s Gift to Katikati

Jasper Osborne Honoured as Volunteer of the Year

MEDIA RELEASE 4/7/25 In a standout moment at the 2025 Volunteer Star Awards, Jasper Osborne was named Volunteer of the Year during Volunteering Services’ Big Shout Out Morning Tea in June. Jasper is the driving force behind Stoney Creek’s Hunt for Good, a non-profit organisation dedicated to culling wild deer and donating venison and

By |2025-07-04T12:02:58+12:00July 4th, 2025|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Jasper Osborne Honoured as Volunteer of the Year
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