Celebrate and recognise volunteers

National Volunteer Week is a key opportunity to celebrate, acknowledge and recognise volunteers throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

Media contact:
Margaret McLachlan
Communications Manager, Volunteering New Zealand
margaret@volunteeringnz.org.nz
027 2478047

National Volunteer Week Context: 

National Volunteer Week 18-24 June 2023 honours the collective energies and mana of all our volunteers in Aotearoa.

This Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu – National Volunteer week, the theme is ‘Time to Shine – He wā pīataata.’  Let’s thank volunteers for the difference they make and the impact they have on our communities.

It’s also time to shine a light on the value of volunteering – which contributes an estimated $4 billion to the New Zealand economy – yet it is under-resourced and under-valued.

Volunteer infrastructure and management needs to be recognised and valued so that volunteering is supported.

The Big Shout-out:

The Big Shout-out is a new campaign for June, encouraging people to give a shout-out to volunteers.

New Zealand is a nation of volunteers – more than a million of us volunteer, giving our time and energy to make a difference in our communities. Our vision is for volunteering to be valued and celebrated as a vital part of society.

It’s time to recognise and thank volunteers – give them a shout-out on social media or shout them morning tea!

Get the Comms Pack for The Big Shout-out 2023

Getting involved:
  • Produce a feature story about volunteers –  This could be a profile about a volunteer and/or group or a broader piece thanking and acknowledging volunteers in New Zealand
  • Share NVW content on social media –  Tag #NVW2023
  • Other – create your own campaign!

Volunteer statistics:

  • Approximately 21.5% of New Zealanders undertake volunteer work.
  • The value of formal volunteering is estimated at $4 billion per annum.
  • New Zealanders contribute a total of around 159 million hours of formal volunteer labour each year to organisations.
  • When the measure of volunteering is expanded to include formal and informal volunteers, and long-term and short-term volunteering, rates of participation are significantly higher. 50.7% of people 15 years of age or older reported having performed formal and/or informal volunteer work.

See more information here 

Volunteering New Zealand Social Media: