Volunteer Profile

Thanks so much for volunteering your time to the Kaipātiki Project EcoHub. Your time and effort are really appreciated.

Our commitment to you: We will do everything we can to help keep you safe while volunteering. Personal information you may provide on this website will be kept secure by Kaipātiki Project and will not be passed on to any third parties without prior consent. Please contact us at admin@kaipatiki.org.nz if you have any concerns about the use of your personal information.

Before you start, remember you’re in an unfamiliar workplace environment, so there are a few things to be aware of and what to bring:

Bring: Please wear appropriate clothes for the weather (sunhats or raincoats). Always wear closed toe shoes (gumboots, sneakers or hiking shoes.) We have sun block available if you want it. Please bring a water bottle.

The tools: You will be using some tools you might not be familiar with – spades, wheelbarrows, trowels and loppers. Please consider your safety and the safety of others when using any tools. If you’re unsure of how to use something safely, please ask. Please put tools back where you found them after use.

The soil: We provide gloves for all volunteers. However, any potting mix has a small chance of causing Legionnaires’ disease – which is a form of fever. People who smoke, have lung conditions or are immunocompromised; or women who are pregnant are more at risk. If you have any concerns or questions, please speak to a member of staff.

Muscle pain and lifting: You will be asked to move some things - plants, mulch or tools. Don’t lift anything you feel is too heavy by yourself and if you’re tired, please take a break. There are always lighter jobs if you want to stay busy without the heavy lifting.

Personal responsibility: I promise to always act in the best interest of the Kaipātiki Project when volunteering. I will follow the directions given to me by Kaipātiki staff in order to optimise the quality of my contributions. I also understand that if I have any concerns that I am welcome to communicate them to Kaipātiki Project staff. Please also consider your own health and safety and don’t do anything that you feel unsafe doing. If you need a break, please take one.

Protocols: Due to the risk of Kauri Dieback, always disinfect your footwear before entering the nursery.

Identifying risks or hazards: If you see anything that you feel is unsafe, please let a member of staff know. We’ll do our best to fix the issue as quickly as possible.

The bridge and the creek: There is a small wooden bridge running over a creek in the property. Watch your step!

If the place of volunteering is in the EcoHub (Birkdale) office or at the Zero Waste Hub (Northcote), follow any Health & Safety instructions given by Kaipātiki Project staff.

We aim to keep you safe and happy while volunteering at the Kaipātiki Project.