New Zealand Model United Nations 2025 General Volunteer Application

NZ Model UN (NZMUN) is UN Youth’s flagship Model UN conference. Held in the beautiful Whanganui a Tara Wellington, delegates assume the role of and represent UN nations. Across four days, delegates engage with global issues, advocating for their countries perspective in simulated committee and plenary sessions. In between, delegates are invited to participate in an all-around inspiring experience. Between engaging problem-solving workshops, and exciting guest speakers, students will be given a platform to discuss issues important to them! NZMUN gives delegates the opportunity to learn more about the world and their place in it as a global citizen.

As a volunteer, you'll play a vital role in facilitating the simulation of global diplomacy in the form of committees, and plenary sessions. Whether you chair a session, secretary, manage a regional group, or are involved in one of our operational teams, volunteers make it all possible. Volunteers make the NZMUN experience, giving delegates an amazing opportunity while upskilling and creating value for themselves.

Role Descriptions:

Chair:

A committee chair manages a session. They dictate the agenda, speaking order and ensure decorum. As chair it is your responsibility to ensure that everything runs smoothly and that delegates and volunteers have an enjoyable and enriching experience.

Secretary:

While the chair manages a session, the secretary greases its wheels. The secretary is responsible for keeping speakers’ lists, managing amendments, the resolution at hand while performing other administrative duties including roll call.

Special Rapporteur:

Present in technical or otherwise difficult committees, the Special Rapporteur is responsible for keeping delegates and volunteers alike informed. They need to have a solid understanding of a resolutions’ context and any technical aspects relevant, potentially including basic knowledge of international law.

Regional Group Facilitator:

Regional Group Facilitators (RGFs) can make or break an NZMUN experience. Between committee sessions, delegates will return to their regional group, comprising a ‘home room’ for the event. RGFs’ responsibilities lie in promoting an inclusive and enriching environment for delegates during these periods, delivering workshops and supporting delegates generally.

Logistics Officer:

Logistics officers work together with the NZMUN committee finance and logistics officer to deliver quality food and other services for the conference. It is the logistics officers responsibility to keep food on time, ensure dietary information is clear as well as assist in other operational details

Welfare Team:

The NZMUN welfare team is responsible for managing the wellbeing of the conference overall. They will respond to issues including medical incidents and provide support for both volunteers and delegates. Though not required, first aid certificate holders are encouraged to apply.

Press Officer:

The press team facilitates press delegates. They will liaise with the Head of Press to deliver the press programme, including the daily ‘briefing paper,’ a delegate-written ‘newspaper,’ educational content, site visits etc. Applicants must have strong organisational skills and patience with delegates in non-conventional roles.

Media Team:

The media team is responsible for documenting all the going-ons throughout the conference, from committee to parliamentary opening. You’ll then liaise with the promotions officer to edit and share the wonderful photos you’ve taken. 

Regional Delegation Volunteer:

The regional delegation team is responsible for looking after delegates from the regional delegation. Throughout the conference, you will stay with them, help run activities and liaise with the regional delegation director. Pastoral care, patience and empathy are very important skills here.

Equity Team

The equity team comprises the National Equity Officer, the NZMUN 2025 Equity Officer, the Head Liaisons, and the Liaisons. There are three Liaison programmes at NZMUN: Neurodiverse, Queer, and Maori and Pasifika. The Equity Team works together to create a more equitable, inclusive and supportive conference. The Equity Team will be working closely with other portfolios, particularly the Welfare Team.

Neurodiversity Liaison:

As a Neurodiversity Liaison, you will be assisting the Head Neurodiversity Liaison with their projects and events, as well as contributing to the programme yourself. Your main goal is to ensure that the Neurodiverse delegates at NZMUN are catered for, included and supported. You will be acting as a support person for the Neurodiverse delegates, so it is important to have background knowledge and/or experience within the Neurodiversity community and the relevant issues. As a Neurodiversity Liaison, you will be identifying and resolving accessibility issues, taking care of Neurodiverse delegates, monitoring the Quiet Space, and being a general support person for the Neurodiverse delegates and volunteers. You will also assist with the Equity lunch.

Queer Liaison:

As a Queer Liaison, you will be assisting the Head Queer Liaison with their projects and events, as well as contributing to the programme yourself. Your main goal is to ensure that the Queer delegates at NZMUN feel safe, welcome and supported. You will be acting as a support person for the Queer delegates, so it is important to have background knowledge and/or experience within the LGBTQ+ community and the relevant issues. As a Queer Liaison, you will be monitoring the Queer Space, identifying and resolving issues relating to transphobia or homophobia, and creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all Queer delegates and volunteers. You will also assist with the Equity lunch.

Maori and Pasifika Liaison:

As a Maori and Pasifika Liaison, you will be assisting the Head Maori and Pasifika Liaison with their projects and events, as well as contributing to the programme yourself. Your main goal is to ensure that the Maori and Pasifika delegates at NZMUN feel safe, welcome and supported. You will be acting as a support person for Maori and Pasifika delegates, so it is important to have background knowledge and/or experience within the Maori and Pasifika communities and the relevant issues. As a Maori and Pasifika Liaison, you will be helping with the Maori and Pasifika lunch/morning tea, identifying and resolving issues relating to racism or discrimination, and creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all delegates and volunteers from racial minorities. You will also assist with the Equity lunch.