OUR work

Whatunga Tūao | Volunteer Central provides services in Palmerston North, Horowhenua, Manawatū, and Tararua regions. We support these communities on four fronts: Connection, Awareness, Recognition, and Community Development.

Connection: We match people looking for volunteer opportunities with organisations that need volunteers. Based on a skills-matching system, we are able to conduct successful referrals.

Awareness: We aim to raise awareness around volunteering and its positive impact on individuals, organisations, communities, and our country. We do this by attending and hosting events. Stay updated on all the incredible opportunities by following us on our social media platforms.

Recognition: We celebrate volunteers' efforts through Recognition Events. The time and commitment of volunteers are precious and by acknowledging this we build a strong and united volunteer group.

Community Development: We work at a strategic level with local councils on community development initiatives to improve community health and connections, for example, Horowhenua Healthy Youth Strategy, Access, and Inclusion, Welcoming Communities Advisory Group, Older Persons Network forums, and Refugee Resettlement.

Volunteer Central is an independent not-for-profit organisation, that works in partnership with Volunteering New Zealand, and our sister centres around Aotearoa.

OUR

team

Meet the team responsible for the operation of the centre. Together they share a long experience in both community and corporate sectors.

Kate Aplin

Manager

manager@volunteercentral.nz

Carla Renata

Marketing and Event Coordinator

eventmanager@volunteercentral.nz

OUR history

Volunteer Resource Centre - Manawatu & Districts (VRC) is a charitable trust established in 2005 to develop a volunteer centre in the region. The doors first opened on 24th June 2010, aiming to connect the community through volunteering. Ten years later, VRC took on the new identity of Volunteer Central to consolidate the direction the centre had taken. In 2022, we continued our development to incorporate and acknowledge our partnership responsibilities in the Treaty of Waitangi, as a result, Whatunga Tūao | Volunteer Central was born.

In this 11-year journey, we have created and maintained a successful enterprise due to the efforts of extraordinary people. Norelle Ward started VRCMD and gave it a heart. Other amazing women followed her steps and continue the hard work until today: Renee Digwall (2018), Karen Griffiths (2019), Juliana (2019-2021), and currently, Kate and Carla.

Our office volunteers are Volunteer Central whanau. Their efforts, kindness and commitment allow the centre to run and it is what makes our service special. Many worked with us to acquire the experience needed to follow their dreams; others found the time in their busy lives to continue with us. Truth be told, we are so proud of each and every one of them. And we are thankful for working with great people.