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Volunteer

Tūao mai

We couldn't do what we do without the help of our amazing team of volunteers from all around Aotearoa and the world. Want to give back to your community at New Zealand's most exciting youth organisation?

Email us about volunteering
Four participants are pictured wearing harnesses and helmets. As they cross across a rocky river a path surrounded by trees is visible in the background.
A participant is pictured wearing a dark green RecreateNZ shirt that reads, “Adventure. Social. Recreation. Education.” Several tables and chairs are pictured in the background.
Six participants are pictured jumping in a group photo on a beach with a calm shoreline and distant tree-covered cliffs visible in the background.
A participant is pictured wearing a helmet and a harness climbing in an outdoor setting surrounded by dense foliage. This photo is taken from above, capturing the young person looking up with a smile. To the left and right of the participant are others holding onto climbing equipment.
Two participants are pictured smiling towards the camera for a photo.
Six participants are pictured smiling and posing for a group photo in a cave on the beach. An opening in the cave is visible in the background.
Two participants are pictured wearing life jackets and swim gear. One participant is smiling and facing the camera with thumbs up. Another participant can be seen on the left smiling with arms crossed. A big tree and forest is visible in the background.
A participant is pictured wearing an orange life vest and smiling broadly with a shoreline and forest landscape in the background.
Four participants are pictured wearing harnesses and helmets. As they cross across a rocky river a path surrounded by trees is visible in the background.
A participant is pictured wearing a dark green RecreateNZ shirt that reads, “Adventure. Social. Recreation. Education.” Several tables and chairs are pictured in the background.
Six participants are pictured jumping in a group photo on a beach with a calm shoreline and distant tree-covered cliffs visible in the background.
A participant is pictured wearing a helmet and a harness climbing in an outdoor setting surrounded by dense foliage. This photo is taken from above, capturing the young person looking up with a smile. To the left and right of the participant are others holding onto climbing equipment.
Two participants are pictured smiling towards the camera for a photo.
Six participants are pictured smiling and posing for a group photo in a cave on the beach. An opening in the cave is visible in the background.
Two participants are pictured wearing life jackets and swim gear. One participant is smiling and facing the camera with thumbs up. Another participant can be seen on the left smiling with arms crossed. A big tree and forest is visible in the background.
A participant is pictured wearing an orange life vest and smiling broadly with a shoreline and forest landscape in the background.
How it works

Volunteer Criteria

We’re looking for enthusiastic individuals ready to take on leadership roles and inspire our youth. Here are the key requirements:

Your age

Volunteers are typically aged between 15-40 years.

Background check

Volunteers must be police vetted due to the nature of our work with vulnerable young people.

Choose programmes

Volunteers can sign up for as little or as many shifts as they want.

Application Process

Interested in joining us as a volunteer? The process is simple:

Start Volunteering

Once processed, you are good to go. See you on programme!

Email us about volunteering
Volunteering at Recreate

What does it require to become a Volunteer?

Your responsibility on our programmes will encompass a very broad range of tasks. In very general terms, we would like you to encourage our young people to try each activity, facilitate their success, encourage them to take responsibility for themselves and others, and to have a good time!

The most important part of your role is to be a friend. We highly value your input and see you as a fellow co-leader in helping us deliver a successful and safe programme​.

A participant is pictured wearing a helmet and a harness climbing in an outdoor setting surrounded by dense foliage. This photo is taken from above, capturing the young person looking up with a smile. To the left and right of the participant are others holding onto climbing equipment.
Volunteer and Recreate participant enjoying an ice cream cone
Recreate Responsibilities

Our responsibilities to our generous Volunteers

It is our aim to provide you with a safe, fulfilling and positive volunteering experience. We hope you will develop your leadership, learn more about diversity and disability, meet some incredible people and have heaps of fun!

Please approach our Recreate staff about any issues whilst on the programme, as our job is to ensure both participants and staff have the best possible experience. We are happy to provide you with a reference at the completion of your time with us for you to add into your CV.

Feedback from Volunteers

“My favorite part about interning at Recreate was the environment that everyone created. I truly felt embraced within this organization. The staff are all supportive, open, and fantastic at what they do. The youth are so positive, welcoming, and hard-working. Recreate was able to create a strong sense of community. There was never a day where I did not want to come in and volunteer. Being at Recreate taught me so much about other people, myself, and what I hope to get out of my future career as a social worker. I feel lucky and proud to have had the opportunity to work with Recreate.”

Ted, Volunteer from Canada

“I really value the safe, fun and supportive environment Recreate creates for their young people- I think it’s important there are spaces where people feel accepted and safe to be their authentic selves. Even as a volunteer at Recreate, I have grown so much more confident and unashamed in who I am. I love seeing all the young people form genuine relationships and experience the joy in being fully included.”

Ella – Volunteer

“I came across Recreate and I looked at the website and Instagram and it looked like the perfect internship to me: having the possibility to experience outdoor things or social events and getting to know the Auckland area, while still being able to both help and learn. I think my favourite programme type are Getaways. Of course, I get to see stunning places I would not have seen otherwise, but also, I get to know one group of participants really well! It is also rewarding to see the joy of the participants on overnights and to know that they might not get to have such an awesome weekend without organizations like Recreate.”

Kira, Volunteer from Germany