Volunteer Organisations

Age Concern is a befriending service that matches older people who are lonely or socially isolated with volunteers who are keen to spend time getting to know them. The volunteers are police-checked and trained, and spend about an hour each week sharing conversation and activities with their older friend

For further information head to Age Concern

Alzheimers Southland offers support, education and information to anyone wanting to know more about dementia. Provide this service by offering educational talks, information sessions, support groups and home visits to clients.

For further information head to Alzheimers Southland

The Buddy Programme contributes to the emotional and social wellbeing of children by matching them with carefully selected and trained adult volunteers in a well-supported mentoring relationship.

For further information head to the Buddy Programme

Blind Low Vision NZ provides support and services to people of all ages across New Zealand.

For further information head to Blind Low Vision NZ

Camp Columba is a place to taste adventure or catch your breath. It’s the perfect place for a retreat and a fun time, book an event or send your young person to one of their school camps, or holiday programme camps!

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Camp Columba

Volunteers play a key role in delivering support and services to people with cancer and their whānau.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Cancer Society

In collaboration with various partners, actively prevent crime and minimise harm through the dedicated presence of trained patrollers. Through intelligence gathering and keen observation, assist law enforcement and other agencies in building safer communities.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Community Patrols of New Zealand

Deliver safe and effective programmes that provide interaction with horses to develop increased ability, independence, confidence, trust and self-esteem

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to New Zealand Riding Disabled Association

There are multiple Volunteer Fire Brigades in our district. They respond to a variety of emergencies in our local area including;

• Fires
• Medical emergencies
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Search and rescue
• Civil Defence
• Natural disaster responses
• fire safety advice

Volunteer Fire Brigade's in Gore District

Gore Volunteer Fire Brigade

Mataura Volunteer Fire Brigade

Waikaka Volunteer Fire Brigade

Best known for fighting blindness, but we also volunteer for many different kinds of community projects - including caring for the environment, feeding the hungry and aiding seniors and the disabled.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Gore Hokonui Lions Club

They serve our local community by:

• Reducing the stray cat population in the Gore District by rescuing, socialising, and desexing stray cats in preparation for rehoming.
• Desexing and rehoming surrendered cats.

The aim is to help unwanted cats & kittens find their forever homes. They do not have a dedicated facility, so cats/kittens are fostered by volunteers in their homes until they are adopted.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Gore Cat Rescue

Gore District Council hosts 7 amazing events every year. They are in need of enthusiastic volunteers to assist with set-up, pack-down, clean up, kid’s activities and more. Whether you can give an hour or a whole day, every bit helps.

To find out about volunteering opportunities email [email protected]

Based in Gore and has a members who are passionate about our community and our Lions Key programs Vision, Hunger, Pediatric Cancer, Diabetes, Environment and Youth. They meet monthly and have social events for club members.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Gore River Valley Lions

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members from more than 200 countries and geographical areas.

Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their communities to working toward a polio-free world.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Gore Rotary

We are a Senior Citizens Club, where you can come and socialise, address issues, and be involved in community support and outings. Call us now to find out more.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Gore & Districts Senior Citizens Club

The Gore Women's Club offers a place for women of all ages to gather, build friendships, share talents and have fun. Members enjoy an annual programme of activities, entertainment and social functions in the gracious surroundings of our clubrooms.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Gore Women's Club

Make a positive difference by volunteering as a shop helper, cleaner, events or administrative assistant. Gain new skills, experiences and friendships as you help others.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Hospice Southland

The gardens are run by a group of volunteers that welcome new helpers to learn gardening skills & provide fresh veggies. Open every Saturday over the summer season from Mataura Community

10:00am-11:00am to anyone in New Zealand wanting to buy as much as they like for a donation.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Mataura Community Gardens

A shed brings men together in one community space to share their skills, have a laugh, and work on practical tasks individually (personal projects) or as a group (for the shed or community).

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Mataura Menzshed

Opened in March 2015, the museum is based in an 1880s cottage, known locally as Clematis Cottage. The museum showcases the former Mataura Paper Mill and Alliance Group's meat works, using touch screens to bring Mataura’s rich social and industrial heritage to life. The collection includes a strong set of local photographs dating back to the 1870s and a comprehensive local history archive. The Mataura Museum is run by a dedicated team of volunteers.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Mataura Museum

Nestled in the heart of Mataura, they're here to provide you with low priced pre-loved stuff so they can carry out their mission to snip and spay ALL the pets! What does SNAPS stand for?

• Spay
• Neuter
• Adopt a pet
• Protect against unwanted kittens & puppies
• Stop all animal cruelty

They provide heavily discounted desexing for cats and dogs. They’re a registered charity and everyone in the shop is a volunteer.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Mataura SNAPS

Parata operate a meals-on-wheels service within the community which is volunteer-based.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Meals on Wheels

Neighbourhood support refers to community- led movements that bring people together to enhance safety, resilience and wellbeing within neighbourhoods.

These initiatives often involve collaboration with local police, emergency services, and other organizations to address community needs and improve overall quality of life

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Neighbourhood Support

The club has been serving our community for more than 30 years, collecting recycling and supporting local initiatives. Run entirely by volunteers, the Gore Pakeke Lions make a real difference, giving back through grants, scholarships, and donations to community organisations.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Gore Pakeke Lions

Join over 8,000 other humanitarians in New Zealand and volunteer. Find a volunteer role, find out about induction and training, and the tools and guidance available for volunteers.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Red Cross

Offering your time is as valuable to us as money or goods. Without our volunteers, we would be unable to help as many people as we do:

• Working in a Family store
• Annual Street collection
• Senior services
• Meals
• Foodbanks

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Salvation Army

As a Plunket volunteer you will be supported by the Community Services team. They'll help you find a volunteer role that you’d enjoy, and that works in harmony with your own family or work commitments. We have a range of roles that may work for you, from running new parent groups or playgroups, teaching early childhood education skills to teens or supporting our many fundraising events. You might even like to volunteer your time from the comfort of your home, by Knitting for Plunket – taking up your needles and crafting some booties or a hat for a new pēpi is a beautiful show of aroha and support. It all depends on what your interests and skills are, and what opportunities we have.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Plunket

(Rural Education Activities Programme) Located in the heart of Southland, we are passionate about improving and enriching our rural communities, we provide a range of courses and support creating lifelong learners of all ages.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Southern Reap

Southland Shafts and Wheels club. Meets every first Monday of the month at their clubrooms. At Gore show grounds. Open to interested public members. We have a Hitch Up once a month at an agreed day and time. Riders welcome to join also.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Southland shafts and wheels

Started out as a voluntary organisation and today about 70% of our workforce are volunteers; a mighty team of 8,000 remarkable individuals doing important work across a diverse range of roles. From operating health shuttles to teaching first aid, providing medical services, crewing ambulances and helping in our retail stores.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to St Johns

Super Grans are groups of volunteers who aim to offer people help when they need it, by sharing their skills and experience with others. Services offered:

• How to make your income go further.
• Financial mentoring and Budgeting
• Cooking healthy, tasty meals on a budget
• Growing your own food
• Getting into a routine around the home
• Developing household routines
• Making your own cleaning products
• Preserving in-season fruit and vegetables
• Basic repairs around the home
• Clothes mending/ sewing/ knitting
• Job seeking skills

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Super Grans - Back to Basics

Volunteer South connects people to meaningful and rewarding opportunities that enables volunteers to the make real difference in their community. Volunteers come from many backgrounds and with all levels of skills and abilities. Whatever your passion, there is a role for you.

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Volunteer South

Volunteering at Youthline looks and feels different for everyone. There are some very defined pathways for those interested in counselling, youth work and events, but we are equally interested in volunteers seeking other skills-based or general volunteer roles. Volunteers help out in the office, assisting at events or run fundraisers at school. Everyone has different skills and interests, and we love hearing from anyone interested in helping us out!

To find out about volunteering opportunities head to Youthline Southland