"Whiria te Tangata": NZ Celebrates Millions of Volunteers

From June 15-21, 2025, New Zealand celebrated National Volunteer Week under the te reo Māori theme "Whiria te tangata – Weaving the people together." The week honoured the millions of New Zealanders who contribute their time and skills to strengthen communities across the country.

A Nation of Volunteers

Over 53% of adult New Zealanders engage in volunteering activities, making it one of the highest participation rates in the developed world. This remarkable engagement contributes approximately $6.4 billion to the economy through formal volunteering alone—and the true value, including informal helping, is far higher.

The 2023 data showed volunteering participation rising to 53% from 50.7% in 2021, with average volunteer hours also increasing from 15.9 to 18.1 hours over a four-week period. This upward trend suggests New Zealanders are increasingly finding ways to give back to their communities.

Celebrations Across the Country

Over 50 events were held nationwide during the week, celebrating more than 3,000 individual volunteers. Events ranged from formal recognition ceremonies to community morning teas, volunteer appreciation lunches, and awards presentations.

Volunteering New Zealand coordinated national activities while regional Volunteer Centres organised local celebrations tailored to their communities.

The Changing Face of Volunteering

While overall participation is strong, the nature of volunteering is evolving. There's a growing preference for informal volunteering— helping neighbours, friends, and family directly—over formal organisational volunteering. This shift presents both challenges and opportunities for charities.

Purpose-Driven and Skills-Based

Modern volunteers increasingly seek roles that align with their values and offer tangible impact. There's a rise in skills-based volunteering, where professionals contribute expertise in areas like marketing, IT, finance, and project management.

Organisations that can clearly articulate their impact and offer meaningful, well-organised volunteer experiences are best positioned to attract and retain volunteers in this evolving landscape.