RNZ Volunteer Series

We were delighted to help RNZ curate a series showcasing volunteers! These volunteers from around Aotearoa are contributing their expertise and time in all kinds of ways to all manner of organisations. Click links below to listen to the each interview!

Our CE Dr Katie Bruce with Lynn Freeman from RNZ and Jason from Kapiti Gliding Club, People First and Special Olympics.

NZ Volunteers – Dr Katie Bruce. The whole model of volunteering is changing, Volunteering NZ chief executive Dr Katie Bruce says, as she helps us kick off the Summer Times series featuring 15 members of New Zealand’s essential volunteer workforce.

Mana Island. This story also brings together two generations who both volunteer on the wildlife sanctuary of Mana Island off the Kapiti coast.

Volunteer – CJ. 17 year old Whakatane high school student CJ Poole who’s involved in youth council, environmental issues and a new organisation to address period poverty.

Netball Volunteering. Over four decades Wellington netball coach Bubs Rewiti has coached, mentored and encouraged hundreds of players from under 15s to premier level in the Wellington region.

Reham Habid – Red cross. Having seen Red Cross volunteers tending to war-torn families living in Palestine’s Gaza Strip when she was growing up there, 19-year-old Reham Abu Habid is determined to go back one day representing the humanitarian organisation. Right now she’s part of New Plymouth’s Red Cross Community Relief Team, trained and ready to help out should the need arise.

Aunty Dana’s Op Shop. Aunty Dana’s – a central Wellington shop that supports transgender communities and is simply “a nice safe space for all of our wonderful rainbow people to come.”

Waimangaroa’s Firefighting family. Carmen runs Waimangaroa Fire Station on the West Coast as a volunteer and just happens to be 21. “Go try something. If it’s not your thing try something else. I was lucky enough to find what I was into at a young age and I love it”.

Maia Faulkner. Maia Faulkner is an active leader with Girl Guides New Zealand. She is a WAGGGS National Trainer and Coach and was also the National Leadership Adviser for Girl Guides New Zealand for three years. Maia has been involved with Girl Guides for over 23 years. 

Jason Donovan. Jason is a dedicated member of the Kapiti Gliding Club. He’s also a gifted athlete who’s represented New Zealand in skiing and golfing  – in 2017 he won silver medal at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria.