We celebrated our volunteers with a community hāngī and a Social Media campaign with student interviews of our incredible volunteers!

It was a 'special coming together' for National Volunteer Week in Waihī Beach to thank and acknowledge all volunteers in the community.

Waihī Beach School and Live Well Waihī Beach organised the hāngī event and invited the community to celebrate volunteering in the local school and community.

Staff of the school co-ordinated the hāngī, including organising food and donations. They guided the students to design invitations and helping with food preparation. They also all got up around 4am on Friday to continue prepping the food for the hāngī baskets. Parent volunteers helped teachers throughout the week as well, for over 400 people.

Waihī Beach School principal Rachael Coll spoke of how volunteers weave together the school and community, and the importance of children to learn about the positive impact this has for all.

Check out the photo album link below:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RPJ8bj7zSKuBtVPF7

To celebrate National Volunteer Week, our tamariki interviewed inspiring community members who volunteer their time in a range of ways to benefit our hāpori | community. The videos were also shared nationally!

Check out their interviewing skills in the videos below!

It's National Volunteer Week | Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu, when we honour the collective energies and mana of volunteers in Aotearoa.

Here in Waihī Beach we have so many incredible volunteers that uplift our cool little community. Listen in, as tamariki from Waihī Beach School speak to just a few of the awesome people in our community who give back.

• Kahu interviews Garston, from Te Whānau a Tauwhao hapū, who gives his time to look after the Taiao | environment, through predator-free actions. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/DtftXHJhUrVfNiDC/

• Camille, a local accountant. Zianthe and Ella kōrero | talk with Camille about how she helps outs local groups in Waihī Beach operate their organisation efficiently! https://www.facebook.com/share/v/GxmtBBU8pLBBWiVd/

• Charlie & Finn kōrero | talk with Doug & Duncan from Lions Club of Waihi about their important mahi around Waihī Beach and Waihī Beach. Kia Ora rawa atu | Big thanks Lions Club for all your incredible work! https://www.facebook.com/share/v/2z9dFRUhPy96Dhr1/

• Addison interviews Jack, who volunteers at Waihi Beach Surf Lifesaving Club helping keeping us safe in the water and on the shore. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/SxHYxBh7bEDH7BLM/

• Our incredible kaiako from Waihī Beach School who never stop giving back to our tamariki! Ngā mihi ki ngā kaimahi o tenei kura - thank you to the staff of our school. They constantly go above and beyond at kura and in the community with their volunteer roles. Thank you for all being committed to our tamariki and whānau, you all have huge hearts and are exceptional educators!!! https://www.facebook.com/share/v/RcnngrtCp44zNt35/

Kia Ora rawa atu | Big thanks volunteers! If you'd like to help out in our community, see here for groups that need a hand: https://livewellwaihibeach.co.nz/volunteer/