Choose to be a volunteer - give a little time and boost your well-being
In June, New Zealand marks National Volunteer Week - a chance to celebrate the vital work that volunteers up and down the country do to keep community organsations running.
The good news is that numbers from the Stats NZ 2023 General Social Survey (Wellbeing statistics update March 2025) show that 53% of Kiwis volunteer in some way (that’s up 50% since 2021).
There’s always room for more volunteers, though, so if you have some time to spare and are able to, we highly recommend it.
Volunteering is good for the soul
As well as helping the organisation you are volunteering for, giving up your time and skills to help out, also bring benefits to you. Volunteering can
Give you a sense of purpose - This is particularly helpful for people who have retired and are wondering how to keep up the sense of purpose they no longer get from paid work. The fact that you are giving back and helping others by donating your time also boosts your happiness.
Widen your social circle - Volunteering helps you meet other people, which is great for people who otherwise work in remote jobs or are sole traders and spend a lot of time on their own, or for retired people who may not have a wide circle of friends. And because you have all chosen to volunteer at the same place, you’ll probably have some shared interests too.
Open up new opportunities - Volunteering can give you the chance to try things you might not otherwise be able to. For example, if you can’t commit to having a pet full-time, then volunteering at an animal shelter can give you the connection to animals you might love.
Improve your health outcomes - Giving back to the community boosts your happiness, and the connections you make can reduce loneliness, all of which help your mental health. Figures from the Stats NZ wellbeing survey in 2021 found that people who volunteered rated life as more worthwhile on average (8.1/10) than those who did not volunteer (7.9/10). Plus staying active by getting out and about as a volunteer helps maintain your physical health too.
Volunteering can be a pathway to paid work
Volunteering can be a way into paid work within the for-purpose and impact sector, especially if you don’t have relevant recent paid experience. If you are thinking of moving from the corporate sector to a not-for-profit or charity, or you are looking for a general career change or returning to work after a break and want to test the waters, then volunteering can help you do that.
Doing some volunteer work can give you the chance to experience what life is like at a charity and whether it’s something you might want to do.
Read our blog for six ways volunteering can help you find an ethical job.
If you are keen to volunteer some time and are looking for a new role, then we have lots of fab opportunities on our Volunteer board. Check it out here.
