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As we kick off National Volunteering Week 2026, we’re celebrating the nearly one in four New Zealanders who give their time and skills to support arts, culture, and heritage (ACH) activities. Their contributions help bring events and cultural experiences to life, while easing costs for organisers and making participation more accessible for communities.

Our latest research report, Volunteering for arts, culture, and heritage, shows volunteers come from many different backgrounds, but some groups are more likely to participate. Younger adults aged 18 – 29 years have the highest volunteering rates (35%), alongside Māori (31%), Pacific peoples (28%) and Asian communities (27%), reflecting strong connections to culture and community.

Volunteers are also highly engaged in cultural life:

  • 96 percent attended ACH events, compared with 85 percent of non-volunteers
  • 69 percent created or produced cultural activities, more than double the rate of non-volunteers

On average, people volunteer around one hour a week, reflecting a shift towards shorter, more flexible ways of giving time (as found by Tūao Aotearoa Volunteering New Zealand, 2026).

Giving back to the community is the strongest motivation overall (67%), but other reasons for volunteering vary across groups. Younger adults are more likely to seek work experience (40%) or social connection, while older adults are most driven by community contribution (80%). Māori and Pacific volunteers are also more likely to be motivated by preserving and protecting arts, culture, and heritage.

People volunteer in many different ways. Cultural festivals and event support are the most common activities across all age groups. Younger volunteers tend to contribute across a wider range of roles – supporting theatre, dance and music performances, welcoming visitors at museums, galleries and heritage sites, and supporting art or craft events. Māori volunteers are especially active in ngā toi Māori and preserving heritage and tāonga.

These insights will help organisations better understand and support their volunteers, ensuring these sectors continue to thrive.