New Zealand Volunteer Awards 2025
In every thriving volunteer programme, there’s someone behind the scenes — organising, listening, lifting others up, and creating safe, empowering spaces for people to give their time. The Emerging Leader in Volunteer Engagement 2025 award recognises exactly that: rising stars in the volunteer sector who are transforming lives and communities through leadership, compassion, and innovation.
This award celebrates individuals who have recently taken on leadership roles in volunteer coordination and engagement — and are already making a meaningful difference. They champion inclusive practices, improve volunteer experiences, and lead with heart and integrity.
The winner will receive a $500 professional development grant and a bespoke trophy sponsored by Rosterfy.
Meet the Finalists for 2025
These five exceptional nominees have each redefined what it means to lead. Their stories span environmental restoration, dementia care, youth leadership, event volunteering, and large-scale community engagement. Different sectors, one common thread: people-first leadership that creates lasting impact.
Project Lead | Auckland
Starting with no ecological background, Nicky Shave has built one of New Zealand’s most innovative restoration projects — Restoring Rosedale Park — from the ground up. Through sheer passion, governance expertise, and community connection, she has transformed a neglected public space into a thriving, climate-positive ecological and social hub.
In just three years:
- Nicky’s work has mobilised over 5,000 volunteer hours (Jan–June 2025 alone)
- Engaged nine schools, three ECEs, and three retirement villages
- Built a fully bio-organic site with composting, fish surveys, pest control, and scientific monitoring
- Created a fully accessible community garden
- Designed youth leadership pathways and introduced intergenerational projects like seed whakapapa
- Secured over $500,000 in donated goods and services from local businesses
All of this while leading as a full-time volunteer — regularly contributing 50+ hours a week, baking for the volunteers, mentoring youth, and designing new volunteer recognition tools like commemorative pins.
“Everyone who comes to the site knows they matter. They leave with knowledge, confidence, and a sense of purpose.”
Volunteer Lead | Waikato
At NZ National Fieldays Society, one of Aotearoa’s largest events, Beth Jobin isn’t just coordinating volunteers — she’s redefining what belonging looks like. With unmatched heart and vision, she transformed Fieldays’ volunteer culture through empathy, storytelling, and operational innovation.
Highlights of her leadership:
- Introduced Rosterfy, giving volunteers more control and clarity in how they sign up and serve
- Launched volunteer orientation events and buddy systems to ease new volunteers into the experience
- Personally supports and advocates for volunteers of all abilities — including Alex, a neurodiverse volunteer who found joy and purpose under Beth’s care
- Conducted an in-depth review of an under-supported parking team and got 30+ recommendations adopted by the board
- Leads by example — in the rain, in the mud, in the carparks — always as “one of the team”
Beth’s approach centres on people over process, and every improvement she brings starts with listening and ends with lifting others up.
“She doesn’t just lead — she lifts.”
Volunteer Coordinator | Tauranga
Just two years into her role, Stephanie Harlan has reimagined how Alzheimers Tauranga connects with, supports, and celebrates its volunteers — and in doing so, she’s deepened the organisation’s impact on people living with dementia.
Steph’s standout achievements include:
- Building structured, compassionate onboarding and training for volunteers
- Creating fresh volunteer resources that reflect real needs and practical guidance
- Fostering a sense of purpose and genuine connection within the volunteer team
- Ensuring volunteers feel seen, valued, and supported, even through challenging roles
What sets Stephanie apart is her quiet consistency and people-first approach. Her leadership is grounded in listening, adjusting, and always centring those who give their time.
“Steph brings heart, practicality, and a vision that honours people at every step.”
Volunteer Coordinator | Wellington & International
Gary Mitchell has turned five separate environmental and community programmes into a volunteer ecosystem that’s setting standards locally, nationally, and globally. A strategic thinker and servant leader, Gary is transforming environmental volunteerism one trap, one tree, and one conversation at a time.
Under Gary’s coordination:
- 400+ volunteers are engaged across predator control, marine protection, stream restoration, and neighbourhood safety
- Volunteers have removed 19,000+ pests, cleared 250+ tonnes of waste, and planted thousands of native trees
- Programmes are fully inclusive, welcoming youth, seniors, migrants, and people with disabilities
- Created detailed volunteer role descriptions, onboarding guides, modular systems, and digital sign-ins
Gary has also contributed 20,000+ volunteer hours himself, returned his Fisheries Officer stipend to conservation, and volunteers with Red Cross, schools, and as a Justice of the Peace.
“Gary isn’t just coordinating volunteers. He’s growing leaders, building ecosystems, and exporting a model of sustainable service.”
Volunteering Northland
Community Connections Coordinator | Whangārei
Passionate about youth empowerment, Verena Pschorn founded the Youth Action Group at Volunteering Northland — creating a platform where rangatahi can co-design events, take leadership roles, and experience the joy and impact of volunteering.
Under Verena’s guidance, the group has:
- Grown to 18 active members
- Run events like the Youth Amazing Race, Youth Creators Market, and the upcoming Sandbox
- Created real pathways to employment and personal development
- Built confidence, leadership, and peer-to-peer recruitment
Verena gives countless hours outside her paid role, offering guidance, trust, and opportunities to shine. Her work is not just about connecting young people to roles — it’s about building their capacity to lead, collaborate, and give back on their own terms.
“She has a natural ability to connect with youth, and she’s creating a pipeline of future leaders for our community.”
Why Emerging Leaders Matter
The volunteer sector thrives not just on giving — but on leadership that empowers giving. These five finalists represent the future of volunteering in Aotearoa. They’re embedding inclusion, strengthening structures, reimagining recognition, and proving that the next generation of leaders are already here — and making a difference.
The Winner Will Be Announced Soon!
Stay tuned as we prepare to celebrate these finalists and reveal the Emerging Leader in Volunteer Engagement winner at the New Zealand Volunteer Awards 2025.
The 2025 Volunteering Awards will be presented at the Volunteering Changemakers Hui on 10 October
A day of recognition, inspiration, and connection.
To the finalists: your mahi is visionary. Your leadership is changing lives. And your communities are better because of you.
Ngā mihi nui.
Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui.