A New Generation of Volunteers
Youth volunteering is on the rise, and community organisations have a significant opportunity to engage the next generation in meaningful ways.
Over the past 12 months to June 2026, Volunteering Auckland recorded over 1,000 volunteer registrations from people aged under 19. This represents a substantial increase from 600 registrations in 2023–24 – growth of more than 70 percent in just two years.
But while young people are stepping forward in increasing numbers, their motivations may differ from some traditional assumptions about volunteering.
Research from the Giving in Aotearoa New Zealand survey by Community Foundations Aotearoa New Zealand highlights that young people are motivated primarily by three key drivers: growth, belonging, and connection.
This reflects an important shift in thinking. As the report notes, volunteering is not about “extracting their time for a purpose.” Instead, young people are looking for opportunities that are mutually beneficial – experiences that allow them to contribute while also developing themselves and building relationships.
For community organisations, understanding these motivations is essential when designing volunteer roles and recruitment strategies.
Growth: Developing Skills and Experience
Growth is one of the strongest drivers for youth volunteering.
Many young people are actively seeking opportunities to develop practical skills, gain experience, build confidence, and explore potential career pathways. For school students and young adults, volunteering can provide experiences that may not yet be available through paid employment.
This does not mean volunteering is simply a stepping stone to a job. Rather, it provides opportunities to learn, contribute, and discover personal strengths.
Organisations that offer meaningful responsibilities, training, mentoring, leadership opportunities, or exposure to different aspects of their work are likely to appeal strongly to young volunteers.
Young people want to know:
• What will I learn?
• What skills will I develop?
• How will this help me grow?
Volunteer roles that clearly answer these questions are often more attractive than roles focused solely on organisational needs.
Belonging: Being Part of Something Bigger
Young people are also seeking a sense of belonging.
Many want opportunities to contribute to causes they care about and to be part of communities that share their values. Volunteering can help young people feel connected to their local community, culture, environment, or social issues.
A sense of belonging develops when volunteers feel welcomed, included, respected, and valued.
For organisations, this means investing time in creating positive volunteer experiences. Effective onboarding, supportive supervision, recognition, and opportunities for volunteers to share ideas all contribute to building belonging.
Young volunteers are more likely to stay engaged when they feel they are part of a team rather than simply completing tasks.
Connection: Meeting People and Building Relationships
Connection is the third major motivation.
Young people want opportunities to meet others, expand their networks, and develop friendships. For some, volunteering provides a chance to connect with people outside their existing social circles. For others, it offers opportunities to work alongside people with shared interests and values.
Volunteering can also help reduce social isolation and build confidence in interacting with different people and communities.
Organisations that create opportunities for volunteers to work together, collaborate on projects, attend events, or participate in group activities are often more successful in attracting and retaining younger volunteers.
What Volunteering Auckland’s Data Tells Us
Volunteering Auckland's referral data provides an interesting insight into how these motivations may be influencing volunteer choices.
The four most common volunteer referral categories for under-19 volunteers over the past 12 months were:
- Retail roles
- Conservation roles
- Youth and children roles
- Fundraising roles
When viewed through the lens of growth, belonging, and connection, these choices make considerable sense.
Retail Roles
Retail volunteering provides strong opportunities for growth.
Young volunteers can develop customer service, communication, teamwork, cash-handling, merchandising, and problem-solving skills. These are highly transferable skills that can support future employment opportunities.
Retail environments are also highly social, providing opportunities for connection with staff, volunteers, and customers.
Conservation Roles
Conservation volunteering aligns strongly with belonging.
Many young people are increasingly passionate about environmental issues and climate action. Participating in conservation activities allows them to contribute to causes they care about while connecting with others who share similar values.
Conservation projects are often team-based and outdoors, creating natural opportunities for both connection and community building.
Youth and Children Roles
Volunteering with children and young people offers all three motivations.
Volunteers can develop leadership, communication, mentoring, and facilitation skills. They often become part of a community focused on supporting others, creating a strong sense of belonging.
These roles also provide extensive opportunities to build relationships with participants, staff, and fellow volunteers.
Fundraising Roles
Fundraising roles often provide flexibility and variety, making them attractive to younger volunteers.
They offer opportunities to develop communication and event skills while supporting causes that volunteers care about. Fundraising activities frequently involve working alongside others at community events, creating strong opportunities for social connection.
Designing Volunteer Opportunities for the Next Generation
If organisations want to successfully engage young volunteers, they may need to rethink how volunteer opportunities are designed and promoted.
Rather than focusing solely on what the organisation needs, volunteer roles should clearly communicate what the volunteer will gain from the experience.
This does not diminish the value of service. Instead, it recognises that effective volunteering creates benefits for both the organisation and the volunteer.
Community organisations should consider:
• Building skill development into volunteer roles.
• Creating welcoming and inclusive volunteer cultures.
• Providing opportunities for volunteers to work alongside others.
• Offering flexibility where possible.
• Explaining the impact volunteers make.
• Involving young people in shaping volunteer experiences.
The significant increase in youth registrations through Volunteering Auckland demonstrates that young people are eager to contribute. The challenge for organisations is not whether young people want to volunteer, but whether volunteer opportunities are designed to meet what young people are looking for.
When volunteer experiences support growth, belonging, and connection, everyone benefits – the volunteer, the organisation, and the wider community.
References:
• Community Foundations of Aotearoa NZ/BERL Giving in Aotearoa NZ research (2026).
• Volunteering NZ State of The Decade of Volunteering - The past, present and future of Volunteering in Aotearoa New Zealand - A comprehensive review of the the previous decade of reports 2015 to 2025.
