Harikoa – Stories of Joy

Let’s celebrate mahi aroha, volunteer work, that brings givers and receivers harikoa, joy.

Tell us your volunteer story (individual or team) and share the joy!

 

VNZ is collecting diverse stories

Volunteering New Zealand is gathering stories of volunteering from across Aotearoa. We want to celebrate the diversity of volunteers and volunteering, mahi aroha and social action in Aotearoa.

The volunteers whose stories resonate the most with us will be invited to a special celebration of volunteering at Parliament during National Volunteer Week.

How to tell your story

We invite you to tell your volunteer story – in words, video or pictures.

You can tell us if you’re responding as an individual, or on behalf of an organisation or team.

Questions to consider for your story

These are optional – and are included as prompts in the orange form.

  1. How did you get started in volunteering? What has your volunteering journey been like?
  2. Describe a volunteer experience that lifted your heart or warmed your soul (what gave you satisfaction, happiness, energy)
  3. Describe a volunteer experience that gave you belief in, and hope for people or the planet (what makes you optimistic and makes you want to keep volunteering).
  4. What is the outcome/ impact of volunteering for you personally and for your organisation?
  5. The theme of National Volunteer Week is Whiria te tangata – weaving the people together. Have you made many new connections through your volunteer role?

 

We ask your permission to share

The forms include asking for your permission to share your story (or parts) across our channels – website, social media, newsletters.

How to film a video

  1. Use an iPhone or other device with a high-quality camera
  2. Film in a space where there is minimal background noise (inside is best, in a quiet area)
  3. Film your video against a clear and uncluttered background.
  4. Say your name and what organisation you are from or represent (if applicable).
  5. IMPORTANT: Please record your video in the right format. Portrait works best for Instagram, landscape for Facebook.
  6. Keep it short – 15-30 seconds is ideal for social media. No more than 90 seconds.