Join our annual Big Heart Appeal street collection

Show your big heart and give 2 hours of your time to volunteer as a street collector on Friday 27 or Saturday 28 February for our annual Big Heart Appeal street collection. Volunteering is a fun and easy way to make a difference. All proceeds go towards funding vital life-saving heart research.

To volunteer as a street collector, select your region on the map below, or send us an email at bigheartappeal@heartfoundation.org.nz or call 0800 BIG HEART (0800 244 432).

Select your region

Click on your region to choose
a collection site and time that suits you.

North Island

Northland
Auckland
Waikato
Bay of Plenty
Gisborne
Taranaki
Hawkes Bay
Manawatu-Whanganui
Wairarapa
Wellington

South Island

Tasman/Nelson
Marlborough
Canterbury
West Coast
Otago
Southland

Frequently asked questions

Before the collection dates

To take part in the Big Heart Appeal street collection on Friday 27 or Saturday 28 February 2026, please call 0800 244 432.

The Big Heart Appeal team will be able to help! Call 0800 244 432 or email bigheartappeal@heartfoundation.org.nz and they will tell you where you are registered to collect. 

Otherwise, every volunteer was sent a confirmation email upon registering (sent from bigheartappeal@heartfoundation.org.nz). This also includes your collection site and time.  

Please get in touch with the Big Heart Appeal team if you did not receive any of these items and we can arrange to send them to you. 

  • 1 x collection bucket and lid
  • A Heart Foundation volunteer bib (to be worn at all times)
  • A roll of stickers to give to donors in exchange for a donation 
  • Donation cards
  • Use the collection bucket provided to collect donations.
  • Offer anyone who donates a heart sticker and thank them for their donation.
  • All Heart Foundation street collectors must wear the Heart Foundation bib supplied. We encourage you to wear as much red as possible, so you stand out!
  • Be visible and engaging and have fun!
  • Be prepared to listen as people share their heart stories. 
  • Following public feedback, we kindly ask that Heart Foundation volunteers do not shake their buckets, approach people or go into businesses and cafes. Thank you for your understanding. 

As some collection sites provide table and chairs, please get in touch with the Big Heart Appeal team first to see if these will be available at your collection site.  

If not, we encourage all volunteers to take a chair with them should they wish. 

When your shift finishes, another volunteer should come and take over from you. Please wait for them to arrive, however please only stay on for as long as is convenient for you.

Many people have reported that they enjoy the opportunity to meet and work alongside others. It also provides some security for those who may not feel comfortable collecting on their own. Some sites do only have one person.

Area Coordinators

Area Coordinators are an essential link between the Heart Foundation and a team of volunteers in your area. During the street collection days, your Area Coordinator will: 

  • oversee their team of volunteers at multiple collection sites in your local area
  • Receive and distribute equipment to volunteers (buckets, bibs, stickers) 
  • be the first point of contact for volunteer street collectors in case of any problems during the two days of the street collection. 
  • arrange banking of the donated funds to the closest ASB branch 
  • Trouble-shoot any issues that may arise on the collection days
  • coordinate equipment returns to the Heart Foundation after the street collection days. 

Your local volunteer Area Coordinator will be in touch with you shortly to organise getting everything you will need for a successful collection. 

Please get in touch with The Big Heart Appeal team who will be able to give you the contact details of your local Area Coordinator. 

Your local Area Coordinator will arrange banking of the donated funds to their closest ASB branch and will coordinate equipment returns to the ASB bank after the street collection.  

Health and safety guiding principles

To help keep you, and our team safe, the Heart Foundation has outlined our Health and Safety principles. These principles apply to all members of the National Heart Foundation of New Zealand including volunteer workers.

As a Heart Foundation volunteer, your safety is especially important to us. To comply with Health and Safety legislation, the Heart Foundation asks that you:

  • Always consider your own safety and that of others around you.
  • Phone Hato Hone St John Ambulance (111) if there is a medical emergency.
  • Report any hazards, injuries or "near misses" to the Big Heart Appeal Team on 0800 244 432.
  • Please ensure you are familiar with the evacuation procedures and know your nearest exit for indoor locations, as well as being aware of your surroundings when working outdoors.
  • Your safety is more important than donations. If approached by someone expressing negative opinions or showing verbal aggression, focus on de-escalation and if you feel threatened, hand over the bucket immediately and call 111.
  • Be conscious about how you manage the money on collection days. Please do not open the buckets on the street or give out change. If you have a bag with you, consider placing the bucket in the bag. Avoid parking your car in an isolated spot and if you must take buckets with money back to your car, be aware of your surroundings. If unavoidable, ask someone trustworthy to accompany you to your car.
  • Any suspected theft should be reported to us by calling 0800 244 432.
  • Bring a jacket or something warm to wear in case it is cold.
  • Remember to wear sunblock, drink water and stand in the shade as much as possible.
  • Volunteers under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
  • While you are representing the Heart Foundation, we ask that you refrain from: smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol or sugary drinks (Coca-Cola, Power Ade, fizzy drinks etc.) and avoid eating obviously non-heart-healthy foods (i.e., takeaways, pies, chocolate bars etc.).
  • Maintain good hygiene, it’s important that you use basic hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing, or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces. We would also suggest you wash your hands thoroughly when you get home from collecting and in between breaks, most importantly if you are stopping to eat food.
  • If you ever feel unsafe leave the site immediately and call 111 and phone the Big Heart Appeal Team on 0800 244 432.

 

If you're sick

If you’re sick it is especially important to stay home. Phone the Big Heart Appeal Team on 0800 244 432, to let us know that you are unable to volunteer and look after yourself.