Best volunteering roles to let nature in
Today marks the first day of Mental Health Awareness Week 2018. The theme this year is Let nature in, strengthen your wellbeing – Mā te taiakia whakapakari tōu oranga!
The Mental Health Foundation believe we should all live in a flourishing society where people are happy, healthy, capable and engaged. In other words, a society where people have high levels of wellbeing. One way to do this is to “Let nature in.”
The Mental Health Foundation also recommends you “give”. This could be giving a smile, a compliment or even giving your time to help others.
Volunteering has many positive benefits and is seen to increase health and wellbeing.
Why not accept the challenge this week and not only let nature in, but get out there, get some vitamin D and volunteer in nature.
Not sure where to start? Check out some of the nature-based volunteering opportunities on Collaborate.
Volunteer roles for when you want to Let Nature in
Escape the city and get lost in nature
This volunteering opportunity fits perfectly with the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness week. Conservation Volunteers NZ are a small charity focused on getting people outside and immersed in nature. Escape the city (transport provided), soak in the sunshine and snap some photos of the beautiful scenery and projects they are working on.
Photographer
One-off
A couple hours on a couple of different days.
Wellington/Porirua
Volunteering Ref: 279
Dive into summer
Summer is just around the corner and we have had some stellar weather to prove it. Desperate to get back in the ocean? Why not volunteer for Mountains to Sea as a Snorkel guide. With a group of 2 – 4 students, your role will be to support them with gear selection, keeping safe in the water and looking out for the amazing sea creatures Wellington’s Coastline supports. Snorkel gear is provided.
Snorkel Guide for School Field Trips
Ongoing
4-8 hours per day – Weekdays during Terms 1 and 4
Wellington
Volunteering Ref: 76
Give back by taking a bush walk
Do you enjoy walking in our fantastic native forest and bush? The Brook Sanctuary is completely free from pest animals and its fence is vital to keeping the birds and wildlife inside the Sanctuary safe. We need help to check sections of it to make sure that it is completely pest-proof. Need more convincing? Checkers will get a lift up to the top and you will walk a section of fence downhill, so no hiking uphill! Prefer getting your hands dirty? There are plenty of other volunteer roles to fill.
Fence checker, track maintenance, plant control and more.
Ongoing
At least one day a month
Nelson
Volunteering Ref: 189 – 192
Grow big or grow home
A volunteer gardener is required for a catering business with a social purpose. Laura Fergusson Trust (Can Do Catering) grows their own vegetables to use in the catering. Their clients have physical disabilities and need assistance when working in the garden. However, on occasion, the gardener will be working alone. All materials and tools are provided. Perks of volunteering for a catering business… Morning or afternoon tea will be provided.
Home Gardener
Ongoing
2-3 hours a week
Christchurch
Volunteering Ref: 278
Seas the day!
Do you love getting out on the ocean and feeling that sea breeze on your skin? Share your passion with Nelson’s youth. Iron Duke Sea Scouts is part of Scouts NZ and trains children and young people to be leaders using boats and the sea. The youth also do camps, tramps, mudslides, and anything else Scouts NZ offers.
Scout Leader
Ongoing
2-16 hours per week
Nelson
Volunteering Ref: 195
Share your love of nature
Share your love of nature and volunteer as an educator for Toi Toi Charity T/A Teacher in the Paddock. They are a social enterprise that fosters connections with children, nature and where food comes from. As an educator you will assist with their gardening, food prep and dairying programmes, and horse riding activities.
Educator
Ongoing
6+ hours per week
Papamoa
Volunteering Ref: 199
Green thumbs up for Te Kura Tawhito
The Old School Te Kura Tawhito is a community hub for art, health and well being based at the old Central New Brighton School site. Many not-for-profits, community organisations and artists work out of this hub, offering classes, workshops and more. The site has many well established gardens that are getting out of control and in need of some loving care. Give back to a community that gives so much.
Gardening
Ongoing
As many hours as you can offer
Christchurch
Volunteering Ref: 269
Love history, storytelling and people? This role is for you.
Fancy a stroll through the historic Government Gardens in Rotorua? The Rotorua Museum are looking for volunteers who have a passion for people, history and can tell a story with enthusiasm.
Outside the Walls Guides
Ongoing
1-2 hours per week
Rotorua
Volunteering Ref: 53
Help restore the quality of our New Zealand rivers
Do you care about water quality in New Zealand? You can make a difference by volunteering 2 hours, once a month. Riverlea Theatre, not only host community theatre, but they have also been restoring the Hammond Bush for the past 12 years or so. Join the community of volunteers and help restore water quality in the Waikato River.
Working Bee volunteers
Ongoing
2 hours per month
Hamilton
Volunteering Ref: 244
Bloomin’ good gardens role
Where better to let nature in than one of New Zealand’s best gardens? Hamilton Gardens are looking for a meeter, greeter and retail assistant extraordinaire. In this beautiful setting your role will include giving out information, advice and maps, and selling tickets and store goods to visitors to ensure that they have a memorable and remarkable visit.
Information Centre Volunteer
Ongoing
3-4 hours per fortnight
Hamilton
Volunteering Ref: 206
Perfect way to start the day
Start your day with a morning stroll or go out for farm rides as volunteer for the Riding for the Disabled – Hamilton. This volunteering opportunity is perfect is you love animals, nature and working with people.
Sidewalker/ Horse Leader
Ongoing
One morning per week, approx. 4 hours
Hamilton
Volunteering Ref: 229
Take thyme for what you love
MOTAT are looking for keen gardeners to assist the Environment team in the ongoing maintenance of our garden spaces. In particular, they have a beautiful Victorian Village garden that needs some love and attention. You will need to be physically fit, enthusiastic, and have a passion for gardening. Other than that, training will be provided, and you will receive all the perks of becoming a MOTAT Volunteer.
MOTAT Gardeners
Ongoing
4-5 hours per week/ fortnight
Auckland
Volunteering Ref: 37
Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comments below.
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