Collaborate and The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa are excited to announce a coordinated, interactive volunteer
platform as part of the Te Papa’s newest exhibit, Te Taiao Nature.
The exhibit launches on the 11th of May, and will feature Collaborate’s volunteer matching platform as a way for
visitors inspired by the exhibition to become kaitiaki (guardians) of our natural environment. Guests will have the
opportunity to find volunteering opportunities in their local community across New Zealand and sign up to take action by
volunteering for conservation groups when they get home.
“This could be anything from getting hands-on protecting our rivers, our native birds, planting trees or helping raise
awareness of climate change. There really is a role for everyone and its so exciting to connect them to where their
skills can make the biggest difference,” says Holly Norton, Collaborate Co-Founder and Chief of Community.
Frith Williams, Head of Experience Design and Content at Te Papa, said “It was really important to us that Te Taiao
Nature sparks personal action in the real world. Collaborate had already created an innovative platform that makes it
easy for people to get involved in community projects, and it was a natural fit for the kaupapa of the exhibition. We
are so delighted that a local company is leading the way in using tech for social change and personal action.”
The platform, launched in late 2017 founded by four young women. It currently has over 1350 active volunteers and 428
opportunities from 350 charities. It is also a current finalist in the NZ Hi- Tech awards for the Best Solution for the
Public Good in 2019. Collaborate is excited to be showcasing its volunteering opportunities to Te Papa’s 1.6 million
annual visitors, many of whom Collaborate hope will become volunteers themselves.
“Having a way to take action as part of the museum experience (Holly says), we believe can really change someone's life;
how they engage with the environment, how they get involved in their community and how empowered they feel that they can
make a difference.”
Are you involved with a group that does good in our environment? Or do you want to become a volunteer? Check out the Te
Taiao Nature at Te Papa or visit https://www.letscollaborate.co.nz/ to join the action!