Nicki Turner

Volunteering Support and Engagement Advisor

Nicki was born and bred in Tauranga but has been away for 30 years, working in Pukekohe in the disabled and social service sector. She worked for Blind Low Vision in Needs Assessment for the midcentral area, and for IHC.

She and her husband took off for Australia for five years, working short term and travelling around the country. Her husband, a farmer, decided to semi-retire from farming and Nicki returned to the same job with Blind Low Vision when they returned to Tauranga in November 2023.

“I’ve always been involved in the volunteer space. It’s just what we do, we’re a family of volunteers. I’m looking forward to connecting with the local community and rebuilding networks having been away so long.”
She lives at Pyes Pā, but her favourite thing to do is walk their springer spaniel on the beach at the Mount.

Reach out to Nicki on nicki@socialink.org.nz or 021 225 2994

About Leanne Rhodes-Robinson

This author has not yet filled in any details.
So far Leanne Rhodes-Robinson has created 25 blog entries.

Building a Fulfilling and Impactful Career as a Volunteer Manager – 1 July

Host: Kelsey Mulcahy, Volunteer Systems Specialist at Rosterfy Guest: Libby McGee, Commercial Partnerships and Technology Manager at Athletics New Zealand Date: Tuesday, July 1, 2025 Time: 12:00 - 12:30pm (NZST) Webinar Overview: Hear an insightful Lunch and Learn discussion including a Q&A with Libby McGee. Join us for our fifth kōrero in our New Zealand Lunch and Learn Series where we will

By |2025-06-26T12:21:53+12:00June 26th, 2025|Events|Comments Off on Building a Fulfilling and Impactful Career as a Volunteer Manager – 1 July

More Than Laundry: Orange Sky Brings Dignity and Connection to Tauranga

It started when two friends, Lucas and Nic, formed an idea in a suburban Brisbane garage. The vision was to become the world’s first mobile laundry dedicated to supporting those experiencing hardship and homelessness — all free of charge. While the service began with clean clothes and hot showers, it quickly became clear that

By |2025-06-25T10:33:31+12:00June 24th, 2025|News, organisation news, Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on More Than Laundry: Orange Sky Brings Dignity and Connection to Tauranga

Jules finds her joy in volunteering

MEDIA RELEASE May 19, 2025 Young volunteer Jules Delaere is finding there’s a joy in volunteering to help others. She’s just completed her first volunteer sessions, first with Ōtanewainuku Kiwi Trust clearing trails, and then with COLAB in Te Puke’s Kai Resilience movement, supervising activities on last month’s Kids’ Kai Trail. The 17-year-old Te

By |2025-05-22T00:21:55+12:00May 22nd, 2025|Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Jules finds her joy in volunteering

Finding her passion through volunteering

MEDIA RELEASE May 10, 2025 Sukhmani Dhillon is only 17, but she’s already committed to helping and leading others.  Lately, she’s fulfilled that passion through volunteering for Recreate, an organisation that empowers young people with disabilities. Last year she decided she wanted to do more in her community, searched online and found Recreate on

By |2025-06-09T18:42:25+12:00May 15th, 2025|Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Finding her passion through volunteering

Harry referees for Parafed for fun

MEDIA RELEASE May 2, 2025 Harry Jackson has been volunteering as a referee for Parafed Bay of Plenty’s games of boccia for several years now.  Harry, 23, doesn’t have a disability himself, but he’s been a committed volunteer with Parafed BOP for several years. He’s grown up with a parent with a disability -

By |2025-05-01T19:43:35+12:00May 1st, 2025|Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Harry referees for Parafed for fun

Youth voice heard loud and clear

MEDIA RELEASE  April 18, 2025 The voices of young people are being heard loud and clear in Tauranga through the Youth Voices Action panel - and they’ll be celebrated at next month's Youth Fest in the city. Rebecca Kit is the Programmes and Partnership manager, and she’s been actively involved in helping young people

By |2025-04-22T16:03:17+12:00April 22nd, 2025|Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Youth voice heard loud and clear

David’s just part of a team putting Rotorua on the map

David Jones is our Volunteer of the Month - but he insists he’s just one member of several teams pitching in for Rotorua charities. David’s a graphic designer, running his business DJ Creative, a skill many organisations find valuable whenever they need posters, invitations, advertisements or bulletins created for their events and activities. He’s

By |2025-04-09T18:01:42+12:00April 9th, 2025|Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on David’s just part of a team putting Rotorua on the map

Young people help out at Riding for the Disabled

MEDIA RELEASE March 26, 2025 Young Tauranga people with disabilities are pitching in at Riding for the Disabled, keeping the grounds neat and tidy. This week four young adults from Recreate are volunteering in the sunshine weeding the Sensory Trail - but some say they would rather be in the stables working around the

By |2025-04-22T16:01:48+12:00March 26th, 2025|Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Young people help out at Riding for the Disabled

Tanea turns her life around through volunteering

MEDIA RELEASE   February 27, 2025 Tanea Reihana, known as Barnee, entered the Welcome Bay Community Centre in May last year drowning in debt, ashamed and terrified. She was at rock bottom. She came to fix her finances and save her family home from a mortgagee sale. But she also found connection, community, purpose

By |2025-03-26T16:31:07+13:00March 3rd, 2025|Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Tanea turns her life around through volunteering

Free advocacy service relies on volunteers

MEDIA RELEASE February 19, 2024 Hundreds of Tauranga people overwhelmed by dealing with bureaucracy are being helped by a free advocacy service mostly staffed by volunteers. The Free Public Advocacy Service runs regular clinics in Greerton, Arataki, Pāpāmoa, Welcome Bay and a new session is starting up in March at the central city library

By |2025-02-21T12:03:51+13:00February 19th, 2025|Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Free advocacy service relies on volunteers
Go to Top