English’s journey with the organisation began at age 13 when he was assigned a school fundraising project and asked to choose a charity.
He said he noticed people going hungry and experiencing homelessness, particularly during Covid-19, and wanted to support something local.
After donating what he collected to the Salvation Army, English met members of the local team and offered to help.
He was signed up as a volunteer and soon found himself returning regularly.
English started one afternoon a week, but over time, his hours grew.
He volunteered up to twice a week during school terms and spent longer days on site during holidays, including full days when demand was high.
No two shifts were the same, English said.
Some days involved restocking shelves or sorting donated food. On others, English packed bread collected twice a week for free distribution, joined staff on supermarket pick-ups, or helped unload and organise incoming stock.
“It just depended on what needed doing.”
When required, he supported shoppers through the Salvation Army’s points-based foodbank system, helping count points and pack bags.
This was one of the significant changes English had seen across his five years volunteering – the shift away from pre-packed parcels to Te Kai Mākona choice-model supermarket.
English said it was “a lot better” as people could “actually pick what they want and what they’ll be able to use”, reducing waste.
Volunteering also exposed the teen to a wide range of people seeking assistance.
He said he had not personally faced many challenging interactions. Still, English acknowledged the work could be confronting at times, particularly when seeing people experiencing homelessness or drug use in the surrounding area.
“It is sad to see”, he said.
One of the biggest lessons, he said, was not to make assumptions from “face value”.
English learnt how to be “a lot more empathetic” as “everyone’s situation is different”.
He said the Salvation Army worked to provide a safe place and support for people in those situations.
The Christmas period was consistently one of the busiest times of year, he said.
With higher living costs and services closing for part of the summer break, demand increased, and the Salvation Army adjusted support by increasing the points allocated to people using the foodbank.
English said the Christmas Appeal played an important role in helping provide that extra support.
One experience that stood out for him was The Hits’ annual Fill the Bus, can collection, which he has helped staff several times. This year’s event on Thursday would be his third Fill the Bus.
“It’s just really uplifting,” he said.
Last year marked the 10th anniversary, with more than 10,000 items collected during the day-long citywide drive.
Balancing volunteering alongside school, paid work, and other commitments was manageable, Finley said, crediting the flexibility and understanding of the Salvation Army team.
English’s commitment to his community was recognised as he was named a 2025 Young Achiever, receiving the award for contributions across leadership, academic achievement, sport, culture, school and community service.
English was the head boy of Western Heights High School for 2025.
Rotorua Salvation Army community ministries wellbeing team leader Darnielle Hoods described English as “a bright, kind and caring young man”, and said his contribution had been a “blessing” to many.
Hoods said English had also organised school-based fundraisers that directly supported the Salvation Army and helped people across the community.
“There will always be a place for him when he comes home”, Hoods said.
English planned to leave Rotorua to attend university next year. He said he hoped to stay connected with the Salvation Army and return to volunteer during semester breaks if possible.
Annabel Reid is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post, based in Rotorua. Originally from Hawke’s Bay, she has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canterbury.
