AUT Volunteering Expo 2025
Meet charities and not for profit organisations looking for students and graduates who wish to give back to their community by offering their time for free.
Run each semester by AUT’s Employability and Careers team, this popular expo attracts a diverse range of organisations onto campus to interact with students. The organisations include conservation, health, events management, helping rescued pets, elderly support, working with disabled youth, youth and social support, and more.
Volunteering is strongly encouraged by AUT's Employability and Careers team as a great way for students to build up workplace skills, learn about their community and improve confidence – while giving back. Both our employability awards – the AUT Edge Award and the Beyond AUT Award – require volunteering hours.
About the AUT Volunteering Expo 2025
When: Tuesday 1 April, 11am -1pm
Where: WG Building, City Campus
Register below or sign up on the day.
Want to feel prepared? Sign up for workshops on CVs, cover letters, networking and elevator pitches on Elab online
Why you should attend this expo
- Find ways to expand your horizons and have fun outside of your academic study
- Practice your networking skills and introductory pitch by approaching organisations in a stress-free environment
- Meet people doing voluntary work that interests you, then take that next step and sign up to help
- Learn about the range of organisations in New Zealand that provide help to people and the environment
- Mix with other students also thinking about giving back
- By signing up as a volunteer you’re opening up opportunities to network and build confidence and communication skills
Organisations that will be at the Volunteering Expo 2025
Charities participating include:
What organisations say about attending our Volunteering Expo
“We always love attending the AUT Volunteering Expos and find it incredibly beneficial to help us connect with students. We have had wonderful student volunteers helping with planting, weed control and litter clean-ups. Some students have even continued volunteering with us long after they've completed their studies.”
Gemma England
Conservation Coordinator, Conservation Volunteers NZ
“We nurture the people who volunteer for us. If they are shy, have anxiety issues or if English is not their first language, we work to ensure they are comfortable with all tasks we ask them to attempt and slowly encourage their confidence. We believe it is really important our service represents New Zealand society in every possible way.”
Kym McCarthy-Watson
SPCA, Opshop and retail area manager
What students say about attending our Volunteering Expo
“The AUT Volunteering Expo gave me the opportunity to test out conservation through volunteering, which became a gateway to my current job.”
Andrew Bassett
Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology graduate and Conservation Volunteers NZ Conservation Officer
“I had been looking for ways to give back to the community but did not know where to start so the expo was helpful in exploring what was available. I had looked a few charities up online, but at the expo I could ask my questions directly.”
Nikita Gafarov
Student, Master of Construction Management
“When I was with the elderly residents (at Cromwell Care Home) I felt like I was giving back to my grandma. It’s a feeling of satisfaction that I would not have felt if I were expecting anything in return.”
Michelle Dainel
Student, HR management and criminology
Info for interested organisations
Is your organisation interested in participating in future career expos or employer presentations?
You can:
- Find more information about events your organisation can participate in
- Contact AUT's employability relationship managers by emailing autemployability@aut.ac.nz
Make the most of volunteering: read our blog
Why would you bother to volunteer when you’re busy with study, family, friends, work? Here is why, according to some of our student volunteers.
Contact us
Drop into the Employability Lab or email us:
employability@aut.ac.nz
Locations on campus
Visit the Employability Lab at the City Campus in WA202.
We're also available at our other campuses by appointment only. Book at Elab Online