Open Day volunteers

We're looking for student volunteers to help us on the day in various roles. Volunteers support a wide range of functions across the day of the event and are the key to delivering a memorable experience for all visitors! This is a great opportunity to enrich your extra-curriculum experience and help build an unforgettable Open Day experience for prospective students and their whānau.

Mānawa Mai is one of the biggest events on our calendar. We open our doors to showcase our vibrant campuses to potential new students and their whānau, giving them the chance to experience what it’s like to be part of the Waipapa Taumata Rau whānau.

Held in the heart of Auckland city, it’s an action‑packed day where visitors connect with staff and students and explore everything we have to offer,  getting a true taste of their future with us.

Date: Saturday 29 August 2026
Time: 8am-5pm
Location: City Campus (a small numbers of volunteers will also be needed to help at Grafton Campus)

Below you will find some information about the areas of work you may be asked to cover. Please select multiple areas of interest when filling out the application form as you may be assigned to multiple jobs during the day.

We will do our best to accommodate your preference, however, please note that it is not guaranteed. If you really want to work in a particular area, make sure you include a good amount of information on why you’re the best person for the job, as this will increase your chance in getting selected. 

If you have a specific knowledge for an area of the campus (e.g. Grafton Campus) or a specific faculty or school (e.g. Business School), please mention that in your application form. 

Info help desks

• Our Info Help Desks will be spread across Faculties and Campuses. 
  
• Your primarily role will be to provide information to attendees about the event and the programme for the day, answer questions about the campuses and provide clear and simple directions.
• Some questions that you might be asked by visitors are: Do you have the programme for the day? What is the first activity for the day? How do I book a tour for your Halls of Residence?

Wayfinding

• Be a friendly face and assist visitors with finding their way around our campuses. This role requires that you are familiar with the programme for the day and are able to assist attendees with locating their next activity. 
• Some questions you might get asked are: How do I get from Alfred Street to the Business School? Where is the Engineering building? Where is Hiwa, Recreation Centre?

Welcoming crew

• Be the first point of contact for our prospective students as they step foot on our campus for the first time. Help make them feel welcome and calm any nerves with a friendly conversation. 
• The University provides transport for students from schools across Auckland as well as InterCity buses to provide prospective students with an equal opportunity to visit our campus. This role will be welcoming them as they arrive from their journey and will assist with them catching the correct bus at the end of the day. 

Activation support

• The University is putting on a vibrant series of activities throughout the day to highlight our campus in the best light possible. In this role, you would be assisting with running some of those activities e.g. Putt Putt Mini Golf. 

Runner

• Due to the size of our Open Day event, our production team will need help with general requests such as setting up stalls, delivering brochures or campus maps, restocking snacks, crowd control and covering any other gaps around campus during the day.

Applications are now open and will close on Monday 8 June. Please ensure you read the following information carefully before applying. After applications close, we will be in touch to inform you if you have been selected to participate.

All volunteers will be provided with a catered lunch, along with a voucher and a participation certificate. Full-day volunteers will receive a $100 voucher and half-day volunteers a $50 voucher.

If you would like to volunteer but have financial difficulties, please let us know in your application and we will see how we can support your involvement. We do not want financial hardships to prevent you from volunteering and getting involved.

Did you know the hours you volunteer at Open Day can also contribute towards the University’s Co-curricular recognition programme? If you’re not already on a path, lean more here on the About the Co-Curricular Recognition Programme.

This is an opportunity to provide general assistance across City and Grafton Campuses. Faculties hold their own volunteer recruitment and these opportunities are separate from this one.

Shifts and breaks

You have the option of choosing a full day shift or a half day shift. Below you'll find the outlines of each.

• Full day shift: 8am-5pm
• Morning shift: 8am-12.30pm
• Afternoon shift: 12.30pm-5pm

All volunteers have two ten-minute refreshment breaks for a full day shift and one 10-minute refreshment break for a half day shift. A thirty-minute lunch break is included in the full day shift. 

Volunteer briefing

You will be required to attend a volunteer briefing prior to the day of the event, to be scheduled in the week commencing Monday 24 August. During this briefing, you’ll learn more about the event programme, key locations, safety protocols and receive training relevant to your assigned role.