Volunteering Changemakers Hui: 9-10 October 2025, the Grand Millennium Hotel, Auckland

Volunteering New Zealand’s annual conference is a key development opportunity for those leading volunteers.

The Hui is for all volunteer managers and leaders of volunteers to come together, share in learning, and be inspired.

With great speakers, facilitated discussions, workshops and networking, you won't want to miss it.

Sessions include:

> Leading change together

> Best Practice in Action

> Designing a best practice volunteer programme

> Navigating conflict in volunteer management

> Capacity – personal, professional, and working with volunteers

Speakers include:

> Professor Paul Spoonley on the social and cultural factors that impact on social service delivery and volunteering.

> Dr Andrew Lensen on Artificial Intelligence – opportunities and risks for community organisations

> an interactive session, led by Dr Karen Smith, considering the future of volunteering and our Call to Action as we head into the International Year of the Volunteer 2026.

Plus:

> Panel sessions with volunteer managers who have put Best Practice Guidelines into action; and transformational leaders who will share their leadership journey.

> A choice of three workshops with practical advice you can implement.

> Networking opportunities

Optional Masterclass 9th October - Sustainable leadership: know your strengths, lead with empathy

Led and facilitated by Rochelle Stewart-Allen, The NGO Coach

9th of October, Grand Millennium.

Overview:
This interactive and practical one-day workshop is designed specifically for volunteer managers, coordinators, and leaders across Aotearoa New Zealand. Drawing from lived experience and grounded in nonprofit realities, this session supports participants to:

• Discover and explore their personal leadership strengths
• Understand and develop their leadership style
• Build sustainable, values-based leadership practices
• Navigate common leadership challenges in the volunteering sector
• Lead with empathy, care, and cultural responsiveness

To learn more, visit the Volunteering Changemakers Hui website.

Volunteering Auckland 35th Anniversary Celebration & networking event – Thursday 9 October 5-7pm

Join us for this networking event, and a very special celebration of Volunteering Auckland’s 35 years of leadership in volunteering across the non-profit sector in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Ticket information

The Changemakers Hui and 9th October workshop and following celebratory networking event can be purchased separately or as part of a discounted packaged ticket
A suite of packaged tickets are available until 26 September (at the bottom of the ticket list)
A closing networking event is included in the Changemakers Hui ticket.

Accommodation, logistics and speaker details

Learn more about speakers, discounted accommodation options and other logistics on our Volunteering Changemakers Hui website.

Are you a member? Get a discounted price

Check your membership status here: VNZ Membership list

Thanks to supporters of our event