News

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

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

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

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

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

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

Te Puke volunteer honoured for years of community service A Te Puke woman who has spent years helping local families, fundraising for sport and supporting community events has been recognised as the town’s Volunteer Star Award winner. Sarah Nelson received the Te Puke Volunteer Star Award at a National

Meet Murray: a star volunteer Ōmokoroa volunteer and community leader Murray Marshall has been recognised with a Volunteer Star Award during National Volunteer Week, honouring his wide-ranging contribution to local organisations and community initiatives around the peninsula. The award was presented at a community gathering celebrating volunteers from across

Horses, hope and heart at EquiSucceed On the shores of Lake Rotorua in Ngongotahā, a team of staff, volunteers and horses is helping people overcome challenges and discover new possibilities. EquiSucceed NZ provides Equine-Assisted Services for children and adults living with physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and behavioural challenges. Operating

Life-changing connections for student volunteer Soyeon Kim came to New Zealand looking for connection. Two years later, the Tauranga university student has been recognised as one of the region’s most dedicated volunteers. The 29-year-old, who is studying for a Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching at the University of Waikato

Karleigh’s commitment to dementia volunteering For Karleigh Jones, volunteering is about more than giving back to the community. It is an opportunity to learn, connect with others and make a meaningful difference in people's lives. The Tauranga volunteer has been named Volunteer of the Month for June by Volunteering

Young volunteers helping restore waterways A growing partnership between Tauranga conservation charity Outflow Trust and youth-focused organisation Recreate NZ is helping young people gain confidence, skills, community connections and purpose while restoring local waterways and coastlines. Over the past two school terms, young volunteers from Recreate’s mid-week Moxie Work

From Shy Starter to Standout Volunteer: Brayden’s Journey A young volunteer who once kept to himself is now helping shape the grounds at Waipuna Hospice - and is encouraging others to step outside their comfort zones. Brayden Collins, 21, has been named Volunteering Services' Volunteer of the Month, recognised

A Century of Community: Katikati A&P Society Wins Western Bay Community Event Award A small but mighty team of volunteers has achieved something remarkable - keeping a beloved Bay of Plenty tradition alive and thriving for more than 100 years. In recognition of this achievement, the 100th Katikati A&P

Seen, Supported, and Remembered: Meet MAMA’s Volunteers Many organisations start from a moment of courage, which is how Massage After Miscarriage Aotearoa (MAMA) was born in 2020. In the lead-up to Mother’s Day, Michelle Topham faced the quiet pain of losing her second baby. Not long after, a massage

MEDIA RELEASE 23 March 2026 Kin Carers Connect: Supporting whānau who step up For many children, safety and stability begin with the family members who quietly step in when parents cannot. That is the heart of Kin Carers Connect Charitable Trust, a growing organisation supporting kin carers across

MEDIA RELEASE 9 March, 2026 From Airport Fence to Cockpit: Zavier’s Volunteer Journey At just 17 years old, Zavier Rayner is turning a lifelong fascination with aviation into hands-on experience through volunteering at Classic Flyers. Growing up in Tauranga, he spent his weekends at the airport, happily watching

18th February, 2026 Local Heroes, Global Celebration: IVY 2026 Kicks Off Aotearoa is world-famous for its generosity of spirit, with Kiwis contributing around 159 million hours of formal volunteer labour every year. That’s hundreds of thousands of hands and hearts in schools, marae, charities, and countless community initiatives,