Volunteer with us –
Help kids navigate towards life success
At I Have a Dream, our volunteers are the heart of what we do. Bringing diverse backgrounds, unique skills, and a shared passion, our team comes together with one simple goal to inspire dreams and enable futures for our local tamariki and rangatahi!
As the number of Dreamers across our four Whangārei partner schools grows, so does our need for passionate helping hands. Whether you have a few hours a week or a morning to spare, your presence creates a safe, nurturing space where young people can dream big and reach their full potential.
Why Volunteer for I Have a Dream?
- Join an awesome, welcoming team
- Learn new skills
- Make a lasting impact on our Dreamers
We’re Looking For:
- Commitment and reliability
- Willingness to learn, grow and work as part of a team
- Great communication and relationship skills
- Patience, positivity and approachability
- A passion for seeing tamariki and rangatahi succeed
- Reliability and a willingness to show up consistently
We Offer:
- Full induction and training
- Ongoing support and mentoring
- Regular personal and professional development opportunities
- Verbal and written references
- A supportive and inclusive team working environment
- Flexible engagement – our Volunteer Coordinator will work directly with you to create a schedule that fits your availability
Where We Need You Most
After School Programmes
Based at I Have a Dream HQ, partner schools or programme provider locations, Monday – Thursday, 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM (2–2.5 hours/week during school terms)
Help us run engaging, interest-based activities that build confidence and social-emotional wellbeing.
What You’ll Do:
- Support Navigators with activity set-up, pack-down and kai prep
- Assist with educational, cultural, creative and recreational activities
- Role model positive behaviour and wellbeing
- Encourage participation and celebrate each Dreamer’s progress
- Create a welcoming, inclusive and respectful space for our Dreamers.
Breakfast Club
Tikipunga Primary School, Monday – Thursday, 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
Help our tamariki start their day with warmth and a healthy meal so they are focused and ready to learn.
What you’ll do:
- Assist with set-up and pack-down
- Help prepare and serve breakfast to tamariki
- Work collaboratively with Navigator and other volunteers to help create a safe, welcoming, inclusive, respectful environment for Dreamers and their whānau.
Our Partner Schools
- Totara Grove Primary School
- Te Kura o Otangarei
- Tikipunga Primary School (after school programmes & Breakfast Club)
- Tikipunga High School
Join us in shaping brighter futures, one Dreamer at a time.
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, complete the form below, and we’ll be in touch soon!
“I find volunteering rewarding and fun. Working with the Navigators and volunteers is a highlight for me,”
Lucas
“I love getting hugs from the kids, they come running up to me when I walk into the room. I love seeing their faces light up when they learn something new and things click into place for them,”
Rose
“I like how welcoming it is at I Have a Dream, working with other volunteers, and the kids are awesome,”
Jaxon
“We know that a child’s environment and the opportunities provided to them have a huge impact on outcomes in later life. We also get personal satisfaction from helping others and love being outside, so it was an obvious choice,”
Kayleigh and Ian
