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

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So far Leanne Rhodes-Robinson has created 21 blog entries.

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

Volunteer English teacher learns from his students

MEDIA RELEASE February 11, 2024 Mark Bils has been teaching English for years, but these days he says he learns just as much from his students. Mark is our Volunteer of the Month, and he teaches English to new migrants or to anyone visiting New Zealand who would like to learn more conversational English

By |2025-02-19T12:55:42+13:00February 12th, 2025|Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Volunteer English teacher learns from his students

40 years of service with Red Cross Meals on Wheels

Nationally, the NZ Red Cross coordinates over 3,000 Meals on Wheels volunteers, who deliver meals and compassion across 33 locations - a lifeline to those in need...read more here. Pam Smith has volunteered for 40 years with Meals on Wheels. After moving to Tauranga from Auckland in 1984, Pam was looking for a way to help the community. Volunteering with

By |2025-02-13T12:04:44+13:00January 20th, 2025|Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on 40 years of service with Red Cross Meals on Wheels

Volunteers staff new Habitat for Humanity op shop

MEDIA RELEASE Volunteers have been busy setting up racks of clothing and pricing shelves of homewares before a new Habitat for Humanity ReStore op shop opened in Mount Maunganui last week. The shop in Tawa Street officially opened last Friday, but work behind the scenes has been going on for a while, thanks to

By |2025-01-20T11:06:53+13:00January 20th, 2025|Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Volunteers staff new Habitat for Humanity op shop

What Can Volunteer Managers Learn About Leadership from the All Blacks? – on demand webinar

A Session with David Kirk Chair of NZ Rugby, NFP Kiwi Harvest, and former Chair of the NZ Food Network. David, who also captained the All Blacks to victory in the 1987 Rugby World Cup, shares his insights and experiences. Watch any time by registering here: click here

By |2025-04-17T00:02:38+12:00December 20th, 2024|Events|Comments Off on What Can Volunteer Managers Learn About Leadership from the All Blacks? – on demand webinar

Neighbourhood Support volunteers turn out for food drives

Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support volunteers turned out in droves to help collect for the Emergency Services Food Drives in late November and December. Neighbourhood Support is a community-led charity building safe, supportive and connected communities throughout Aotearoa. In the Western Bay, there are 14,500 member families, with Street Groups operating in most streets

By |2025-01-20T11:37:32+13:00December 18th, 2024|Volunteer Stories|Comments Off on Neighbourhood Support volunteers turn out for food drives
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