AA Insurance and Student Volunteer Army unite thousands of students in nationwide push for community resilience

AA Insurance and Student Volunteer Army unite thousands of students in nationwide push for community resilience

A month‑long national campaign saw thousands of students connect with one of New Zealand's largest youth volunteering movement aimed at strengthening communities across the country.

AA Insurance partnered with the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) across the campaign, supporting Clubs Expos at seven universities nationwide and concluding with the Big Give - one of New Zealand’s largest youth‑led volunteering events.

Clubs Expos are held annually at universities nationwide, giving student‑led clubs the opportunity to showcase their work and recruit new members at the start of the academic year. Through co‑branded booths and on‑campus engagement, AA Insurance and SVA encouraged students to sign up as SVA volunteers, raised awareness of disaster readiness, and highlighted practical ways students could support their local communities. Across Clubs Expos, more than 2,000 students signed up to join Student Volunteer Army clubs.

Student Volunteer Army Founder Sam Johnson said the collaboration supported students to turn interest in volunteering into action.

“Clubs Expos are where students discover opportunities that can shape their university experience. With AA Insurance’s support, we were able to connect with students across the country and show how volunteering can build skills and have a real impact - whether during a crisis or through local projects year‑round,” said Johnson.

AA Insurance Chief Operating Officer Simon Hobbs said the partnership reflected the insurer’s ongoing focus on preparedness and community connection.

“We know that well‑prepared, well‑connected communities recover faster after disaster, and that’s becoming increasingly important as severe weather events become more frequent. Partnering with the Student Volunteer Army helps equip young people with practical skills, leadership capability, and strong community connections,” said Hobbs.

The campaign concluded with the Big Give at the University of Canterbury, where around 400 students from across the South Island took part in a large‑scale, community‑wide volunteering effort supporting local initiatives.

This year’s Big Give coincided with the 15th anniversary of the Canterbury earthquakes, which led to the formation of the Student Volunteer Army in 2011.

“It was meaningful to see students volunteering in Christchurch 15 years on, reflecting the same community spirit that led to SVA’s formation,” said Hobbs.

The month‑long campaign highlighted the role student‑led volunteering continues to play in supporting communities and building preparedness for the future.