Kia ora, future kaiwhakahaere kaupapa (project manager)!
Anyone with a heart for their community! Our project creators include:
School coordinators organising support for their students
Community group leaders addressing local needs
Individuals who see opportunities to help
Youth leaders developing their skills whilst serving others
Organisations wanting to coordinate community support
Whānau members supporting their extended families
If you’re a school or social service, learn more here.
If you’re a rangatahi looking to learn leadership and lead a project, learn more here
Koha Tree supports diverse community initiatives:
Seasonal support: Christmas gifts, back-to-school supplies, winter clothing
Emergency response: Disaster relief, urgent family needs, crisis support
Ongoing programmes: Food redistribution, birthday presents, educational resources
Special events: Community celebrations, cultural activities, fundraising
Innovation projects: New ideas that address emerging community needs
Before creating your project, consider:
Community Need
What specific need does your project address?
Who will benefit and how will it help them?
What gap are you filling in existing support?
Resource Requirements
What do you need from kaituku (donors)?
How many volunteers will you need?
What timeline works for your community?
Capacity Planning
How many people can you realistically support?
What support do you have for coordination?
How will you manage collection and distribution?
Step 1: Create Your Project Profile
Choose a clear, engaging project name
Write a compelling description that explains the need and impact
Set your timeline with key dates for registration, collection, and distribution
Define what you need from donors and volunteers
Step 2: Provide Clear Guidelines
Specify gift requirements (age ranges, spending guidelines, restrictions)
Explain cultural considerations and appropriate choices
Give clear instructions for preparation and labelling
Set expectations for communication and updates
Step 3: Plan Your Logistics
Identify collection points and distribution methods
Recruit local volunteers to help with coordination
Set up communication systems for updates and questions
Plan for quality control and gift appropriateness
You're not alone in this mahi! Support available includes:
Experienced coordinator mentoring from successful project leaders
Platform training on using all the tools effectively
Community connection with other coordinators facing similar challenges
Technical support for any platform issues
Best practice sharing from projects across the country
Emergency backup if you need additional help
Once your project is live:
Respond promptly to questions from kaituku and volunteers
Provide regular updates on project progress and needs
Monitor gift registrations and adjust as needed
Coordinate with your volunteers for smooth operations
Celebrate successes and share impact stories
Running a project teaches valuable skills:
Project management and coordination
Communication with diverse community members
Problem-solving when challenges arise
Leadership in community settings
Tips from experienced coordinators:
Start with clear communication about expectations and processes
Build relationships with kaituku and volunteers
Stay organised with lists, timelines, and systems
Be flexible when things don't go exactly as planned
Celebrate achievements and acknowledge everyone's contributions
Learn from each project to make the next one even better
Your project creates:
Immediate support for community members in need
Stronger social connections between community members
Increased community capacity for future challenges
Cultural practice of koha and reciprocity
Model projects that inspire others to lead
Ready to create your project? Koha Tree platform makes it easy, and our community is here to support you every step of the way.
Your leadership strengthens our entire community. When you step up to coordinate a project, you're not just addressing a specific need - you're building the connections and capabilities that make our communities more resilient and caring.
