Kaitūao o te Taitonga | Volunteer South is a charitable trust that engages and supports both tūao volunteers and volunteer involving organisations and community groups in the Southern region of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Vibrant, interconnected communities strengthened by the transformative power of volunteering, where collective efforts advance the common good and create lasting positive change.
Kaitūao o te Taitonga | Volunteer South seeks to enhance the capacity of community organisations in Otago and Southland by supporting them in recruiting dedicated volunteers and creating meaningful, rewarding volunteer experiences.
We connect community organisations with skilled and motivated individuals, providing the platforms, resources, advice, advocacy and recognition needed to maximise the benefits of volunteering.
Whakamana | Empowerment
We empower people to achieve rewarding and beneficial volunteering experiences for them and the community. We empower organisations to provide rewarding and beneficial volunteering experiences for people in the community.
Whakawhāiti | Inclusion
We recognise the diversity of volunteers and volunteer involving organisations and are open to everyone.
Matatika | Ethics
We act ethically, openly and transparently in all that we do.
Common Good
We work for the common good of our community.
Kaitūao o te Taitonga | Volunteer South was formerly Volunteering Otago and Volunteering Central, both of which worked under the same board of trustees and continue to do so as Volunteer South. The change to Volunteer South occured on the 22nd of June, 2020.
The Dunedin Volunteer Resource Centre started 1986 with the aim of providing a centralised volunteering support for the wider Dunedin area and was the first volunteer centre in the country. The name was changed to Volunteering Otago in 1993 after it was recognised that there was wider support needed for the whole of Otago. In 2011 Volunteering Central was established as an initiative of Central Lakes Trust focusing on Alexandra, Cromwell, Queenstown and Wānaka. In 2020 we established a hub in Waitaki and Invercargill. Our re brand in June 2020 reflected our growth and wider reach across the lower South Island.
With a strong focus on relationships, we work hard to get to know our member organisations and their needs, and network with community based organisations to ensure we are aware of the bigger picture and avoid duplication of services.
Currently, our team work across Ōtepoti Dunedin, Coastal Otago, Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes and Southland. Nationally, we are a member of Volunteering New Zealand and the Volunteer Centre Network Aotearoa. Like volunteering - we are stronger when working together.