For National Volunteer Week | Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu 2022, our team decided to award volunteer awards to a few people to thank them for the fantastic work that they're doing in the Marlborough community. First up ... Nathan Hanson
Nathan is the coordinator at Citizens Advice Bureau Marlborough, sits on the board of Volunteer Marlborough and Top of the South Neighbourhood Support, and is a member of the Consumer Health Council for the NMDHB. He is also studying International Relations and Politics through Massey University. In his copious amounts of spare time, Nathan also finds the time to volunteer for Youthline Wairau. The volunteer coordinator for Youthline Central South Island (currently overseeing Youthline Wairau), Ataahua Hepi, had this to say about Nathan:
How has Nathan impacted the organisation?
Nathan volunteers for the Youthline helpline as well as participating in street appeals, workshops, and is also a mentor who has begun to help train our new intake of trainees around the Canteruby, West Coast, Nelson/Tasman, and Marlborough regions.
How many hours on average does Nathan volunteer with your organisation per week?
On average he does about 13 hours per month on our volunteer helpline. However, he also dedicates his Sundays to be present with the new intake of trainees and would be close to doing 10-15 hours weekly in support of Youthline.
Why do you think Nathan's story would inspire others?
Nathan is able to brighten even the most saddest of people's day. His story has not only inspired myself to be more proactive in the community but it has also brought a breath of fresh air into what is Youthline Central South Island.
I believe anyone, especially our young people, who is able to hear and bear witness to Nathan and his story would not only be inspired to get involved in volunteering but also be motivated and driven to give back the way that he does every day of his life. Nathan himself is an inspiration to both young and old people of Aotearoa.
What is the main reason for your nomination of Nathan?
Nathan volunteers for our helpline, helping support rangatahi from all walks of life on whatever they might be facing when they call or text in. He makes the conscious effort to always be there to empower not only his clients but his fellow volunteers.
The reason for my nomination is that I truly believe Nate has been an exemplary role model to not only the young people who have worked with him but to anyone who engages with him and whom he has shown kindness to.
Nathan has shown us what it means to exude manaakitanga (kindness), whakamana (authority), and kotahitanga (togetherness) - traits that we believe he puts into everything he does.
He is a laugh, a delight and always knows how to make it so that we all have a good time as well as knowing when he needs to be serious or make the difficult decisions. These are all qualities that make him of the best people we have had the privilege of working with.
Ka pai, Nathan!