New Plymouth Celebrates Volunteers with Awards and Initiatives

Marie Riordan, the manager of Volunteering New Plymouth, has announced a series of initiatives aimed at recognizing and supporting the contributions of volunteers in the community. This announcement comes as part of a broader campaign to celebrate volunteerism throughout the year.

Honoring Community Contributions

Each year, Volunteering New Plymouth organizes the Volunteer Recognition Awards, which honor individuals for their significant contributions. In June 2025, a total of 98 volunteers were celebrated across various categories, including individuals, couples, youth, and teams. The awards aim to highlight the diverse ways in which volunteers impact the community.

A new initiative, the Volunteer of the Month (VOM) award, has been introduced to further acknowledge individual efforts. Sponsored by Westwill Properties and Kiwi Mosaic, this monthly recognition will culminate in the selection of a Volunteer of the Year, whose achievements will be celebrated at the Volunteer Recognition Awards on December 5, 2026. This date coincides with International Volunteer’s Day and marks the beginning of the International Volunteer Year (IVY2026), a global initiative to promote volunteerism.

Celebrating Excellence and Community Engagement

Volunteering New Plymouth is also actively involved in nominating local heroes for the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year awards. Last November, nine local recipients received medals for their contributions, emphasizing the strong spirit of volunteerism in the region. Taranaki stands out with 16 medallists among the 100 recipients across Aotearoa New Zealand, showcasing the exceptional caliber of volunteers in the area.

The Nielsen Family has also been recognized as one of the ten semifinalists for the upcoming Gala Awards in March 2026, highlighting their significant contributions to the community.

In addition to awards, Volunteering New Plymouth supports various community events, including the Special Children’s Extravaganza held annually in August. This event provides a day of joy for families whose children have faced challenges. In August 2023, students from Sacred Heart Girls’ College and Francis Douglas Memorial College volunteered their time and energy, with 24 young people assisting in setting up and running the event. This initiative, which has been sponsored by SKY since its inception in 1998, serves six regions across the country.

Volunteering New Plymouth also conducts quarterly morning teas for volunteer managers and board members to discuss challenges and share best practices. Sponsored by Age Concern Taranaki, these gatherings foster collaboration and support within the not-for-profit sector. The final meeting of the year will take place at Starbucks, aligning with the celebration of International Volunteers’ Day.

Through these initiatives, Volunteering New Plymouth continues to enhance community spirit and recognizes the invaluable contributions of volunteers, reinforcing the importance of their work in shaping a vibrant and supportive society.