Good Mahi

 
 

A day of meaningful impact and community building.

'Good Mahi' is a yearly joint initiative between UniCrew and Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) Clubs and Socs, dedicated to fostering a spirit of service and connection between town and gown. Whether you're a student or staff member, everyone is welcome to join us for Good Mahi. Big thanks to our mates at Canon New Zealand for helping us to make Good Mahi possible!

About Good Mahi

Good Mahi is a university-wide volunteer day for staff and students to make an impact in our community. We suss the volunteer activity, you sign up for the one that you’re keen on, and we will get you there and back on the day and round off the event with some delicious kai!

Good Mahi is more than just a volunteer day—it's an opportunity for us to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the well-being of our community. By engaging in meaningful community contribution, we aim to:

  1. Make a Difference: We believe that every small act of kindness and service adds up to create positive change. Whether it's sorting donated goods, mucking out in the paddock, growing kai, or beautifying a local school, our collective efforts can leave a lasting impact.

  2. Build Community: Good Mahi is a chance for students and staff from across campus to come together and work towards a common goal. Through shared experiences and teamwork, we get to connect as individuals (not as staff and students!) and foster a sense of belonging within the university community.

  3. Take a Moment: Good Mahi is not only about community contribution but also about taking some time out of our norm to do something different. Change up your routine, meet different people, and do something that adds to your own sense of wellbeing.

Good Mahi 2024

Key Details

📅 Date: Friday 3 May 2024

⏰ Time: 9am - 1pm (Volunteers marshal on campus at 9am, return to campus around 1.30pm)

🚌 Transport: Buses will be provided

🍴Kai: BBQ running from 1.30-2.30pm on campus

🎵Music: Entertainment from RadioOne

Our Projects

We were so excited to work with the following community organisations for Good Mahi 2024, including some of our old faves and some new friends!

  • Pregnancy Help Dunedin: Sorted donated baby clothes and items

  • Tomahawk-Smaills BeachCare Trust: Chopper down weeds and care for seedlings at Smaills Beach.

  • Foster Hope Otago: Make up backpacks and toiletries packs for foster children (FULL)

  • Save the Otago Peninsula Trust: Plant native trees on the beautiful Otago Peninsula.

  • Dunedin Riding for the Disabled: So many things - painting yards, weeding, cleaning horse and rider gear!

  • Shop on Carroll: Varied roles including serving customers, prepping items for online sale, sorting and pricing goods.

  • Ōpoho School: Support with edible garden, weeding, planting, composting, spreading bark chips, building sensory pathway.

  • Valley Project / Open Valley Urban Ecosanctuary: Building kai pantry worn farm/compost bin and replanting kai pantry gardens.

  • SuperGrans / SuperSkills Dunedin: Make apple crumbles to donate to Bellyful/Foodbanks (FULL)

  • Give to Grow Ōtepoti: Refurbish garden tools for redistribution, cleaning and weeding a donated tunnelhouse and garden

  • North Dunedin Shed Society: Clear around creek banks and help with tidying exterior of workshop

  • Otago Community Hospice: Help with gardening to create a beautiful and peaceful outlook for residents

Staff Social Impact Leave

If you are a permanent or fixed-term staff member, did you know that you have Social Impact Leave you can apply for via webkiosk? Remember to tick the ‘part day’ box, as this leave is booked in hours.