We scroll, we swipe, we tap—it’s part of our everyday rhythm. But what if that simple action could improve lives?

In just two years, One Good Kiwi, an app launched by One New Zealand when it underwent a brand transformation from Vodafone NZ, has revolutionised the way New Zealanders support youth charities. By swiping on their phones, Kiwi have provided koha of over $2.4 million, funding causes that stretch from urban centres to rural communities—covering everything from mental health programs to sports initiatives, life-saving skills, and even birthday cakes.

Every month, the One Good Kiwi app empowers users to gift 10 tokens to a range of charities supporting rangatahi. And what’s best, anyone can do it, you don’t have to be a One New Zealand customer. At the end of the month, One New Zealand distributes $100,000 amongst those charities based on their token count for the month, giving everyone the opportunity to support the wellbeing of our youth—without needing to dip into their own pockets.

Susannah Winger, Head of Brand & Loyalty at One New Zealand, sums up the app’s appeal: “One Good Kiwi brings giving into the everyday. We wanted to make it easy, so people can contribute to important causes just by swiping during a quiet moment in their day—whether they’re waiting for a bus or having a coffee. We’ve seen such strong engagement because people love that their small action leads to real impact.”

It’s not just the well-known charities that benefit. Local organisations like Kiwi Christmas Books, which delivers new books to families and kids in low socio-economic communities, have seen the impact firsthand. “I don’t know where we would be without One Good Kiwi support. This funding has given us the ability to grow our reach, to impact many more young lives, to get thousands more books into the hands of kids who would otherwise go without,” says Sonya Wilson, founder of Kiwi Christmas Books.

The range of causes supported by the app is vast. Water safety lessons for young people living near the coast, job training programs for teens experiencing disadvantage in rural areas, mentorship schemes that pair at-risk rangatahi with positive role models—the range of impact covers every corner of Aotearoa. From urban to rural, from environmental to educational, One Good Kiwi brings the full spectrum of youth needs into focus.

With 3.7 million tokens distributed and 50,000 active users each month, it's clear that New Zealanders are eager to make a difference. As One Good Kiwi enters its third year, the app continues to democratise philanthropy by helping charities that once struggled for visibility and consistent support.

Beyond financial contributions, charities featured on One Good Kiwi see benefits that extend far beyond the monthly donations.

Susannah adds: “For many of the smaller charities, being featured on the app also drives traffic to their websites and increases their social media engagement. In some cases, we’ve seen a 40% boost in website visits during their feature month, and charities have reported a significant rise in social media activity.”

This added exposure helps grassroots organisations connect with new supporters and donors, creating a ripple effect that lasts well beyond their time on the app.

One Good Kiwi has proven that giving back doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. In an era where many feel financially stretched, this app offers a chance for New Zealanders to make a real impact on their communities—simply by swiping on their phones.

For more information, or to join this growing movement, download the One Good Kiwi app today or visit onegoodkiwi.one.nz