FAQs

We all have questions. Hopefully we've answered all of yours below!

Getting Started

How do I sign up for the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge online?

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It’s easy! Sign up here and let us know if you’ll be taking part with your school, church or other group. The first step is to type in all your details. If you’re under 18, you’ll also be asked to share a parent or guardian’s email or phone number, just so we can make sure they’re informed about your participation.  

The next step is to join your school, church or group. Type in the name of the group you wish to be part of and click “join”. That’s it! You’ve just signed up for the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge and created your very own fundraising page. Sponsor yourself to show everyone how committed you are to raising funds to ensure tamariki in Solomon Islands can grow up healthy and strong! Make sure you share your page with friends and whānau so they can get behind you as well. 

Can I sign up more than one child with the same email address?

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No, fundraisers need to have their own email address to create an online fundraising page. 

What can I do on my dashboard?

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When you first sign up or log in to the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge, you’ll arrive on your fundraising dashboard. This is where you can: 

  • Update your personal details in 'My Account”. 
  • Edit your fundraising page, including adding a personal message to your supporters about why you’re taking part. You can also change your fundraising goal or create a team for your class or year level. 
  • Share your page or invite others to join you via social media or email in ‘Get Support’. 
  • Track your donations and thank your supporters in ‘My Donations’. 

General

What is the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge?  

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The World Vision 40 Hour Challenge is one of New Zealand’s largest youth fundraising campaigns.  
 
Every year since 1975, tens of thousands of young Kiwis have taken a stand through the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge to raise money and bring hope to thousands of children living in poverty in more than 40 countries.  

So far, more than 3 million New Zealanders have participated and over $80 million has been raised – helping to transform thousands of lives both here in New Zealand, and around the world.  

This year, we’re challenging you to go 40 hours, completely offline. Choose something hard to switch off from! How about your phone, social media, gaming, the internet or even electricity? A 40 hour sacrifice for you, can make a life-long difference for children like Polyne in Solomon Islands.  
 
We’d love for you tojoin us!

How does the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge work?

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The World Vision 40 Hour Challenge is a fun way for rangatahi to make a positive difference. This year, we’re challenging you to go completely offline for 40 hours to help raise funds so that communities like Polyne’s in Solomon Islands have enough food to grow up healthy and strong.  

Unplug, disconnect, and get together with your friends and whanau – all while making a life-long difference! Join thousands of others taking on the challenge from 8pm Friday 13th June to 12pm Sunday 15th June.  

Every hour you go offline, and every sponsor you ask to donate to your challenge, helps provide kids in Solomon Islands with food for today and a future for tomorrow! Are you up for the challenge?   

1. Sign up and complete your online fundraising page.
It's the easiest way to get donations that make a difference. You can also raise cash funds with your My Donation Tracker that your teacher or Youth Pastor in charge will have. If you are not in a school or youth group team, you can download it here.  

2. Start fundraising
Let your whānau and friends know that youre doing the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge and ask them to sponsor you. Share your fundraising page on social media and ask your friends and whānau to support you!  

3. Do the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge!
This year, the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge will be taking place from 8pm Friday 13th to 12pm Sunday 15th June 2025, but if those dates don't suit you, you can pick ones that do.  

4. Thank & bank!
Collect and hand in all you money you’ve raised make sure it is all banked by June 27th 2025. Pat yourself on the back and know that you've done a fantastic job, giving kids in Solomon Islands food for today, and a future for tomorrow! Don’t forget to thank everyone who supported you and let everyone know how much you raised and what a difference it will make!    

When is the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge weekend?

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The official World Vision 40 Hour Challenge starts at 8pm on Friday 13th June and ends 12pm Sunday 15th June 2025. 
 
If you’re unable to complete your challenge that weekend then you can choose a time that works for you! You’ll make such a big difference by being a part of it and fundraising.  

Is the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge the same event as the 40 Hour Famine?

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Apart from the name, everything else remains the same. The instructions, and the event itself, are all a continuation of the World Vision 40 Hour Famine that’s been around for 50 years.  

Why have you changed the name?

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While the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge began in response to the Ethiopian famine, the campaign has evolved over the years to support a variety of causes, from the Syrian Refugee Crisis to the Global Water Crisis. The incredible Kiwi kids who take part, support so much more than famine, and our new name reflects this.  

Are participants still allowed to do no-eating challenges?

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We do not promote or recommend no-eating challenges or food restriction of any kind. This includes restriction or labelling of so-called ‘bad’ or ‘unhealthy’ foods. We recommend adult/parental supervision and guidance with all challenges. If you have a health condition, please check with your healthcare provider. 

Do I need my parent’s permission to participate in the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge?

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If you sign up to fundraise online and are under 18 years old, we'll ask for your parent/guardian's email so we can let them know you've signed up. 

It’s important to us that under 18’s feel safe online. This is part of our commitment to safeguard all children, both here in New Zealand and in the places we work. When you share your parent’s email or mobile number, we’ll send them a message letting them know you’ve signed up to take part. If they’re not comfortable with their child having a public fundraising page, they can get in touch with us on 0800 800 776.  

If you're the organiser of a school or church team, we encourage you to use your standard parental/guardian consent process. We have a parental consent  form that you could ask your parents to sign (optional), it also contains some information for your parents about how the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge works. 

How much money from the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge goes overseas? 

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World Vision New Zealand is committed to ensuring the highest proportion of its funds gets to those in need and we work to keep the cost of administration and marketing to a minimum. In 2023, 82% of the money received by World Vision went to fund our development work overseas. 

We are fortunate to get generous advertising rates from television, radio, print, billboard and online media which helps our marketing budget immensely. Most of our administration and marketing costs go towards enabling more financial support so that we can reach even more people in need. 

 

Can I find the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge on Social Media?

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We'd love to connect with you on Social! 
 
Be part of the journey and keep up to date with the latest news and videos as well as what’s happening around the country: 
Facebook.com/40HourNZ 
Instagram.com/40HourNZ 
Tiktok.com/@40HourNZ
 
 
Remember to share your page to your social media and friends and family – to make sure you reach your fundraising target. #40HOURNZ 

What are your guidelines for posting messages and sharing updates online?

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Thank you for joining us and for being part of this online community. 
 
We think this is a great way to raise awareness and funds for the world’s most vulnerable children. We do have a couple of rules though for posting and sharing messages on your fundraising page! Please check out our guidelines here

Why am I being asked to help cover platform fees?

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We pay a small fee on transactions to help power the platform for the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge. You have the opportunity to add a little bit on top of your donation to cover this fee, so that more of your money can help give children food for today and a future for tomorrow. This is totally optional, but we’d love your support! 

How can I request a refund of my donation?

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If you think you've made a mistake with your donation and would like to request a refund, please call us on 0800 800 776 and we can process this for you.

Fundraising

How do I fundraise for the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge? 

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The easiest way to fundraise for the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge, is with your own online fundraising page.  
 
Set up your own personalised  fundraising page , which you can link to your school, church, or other team to reach your fundraising goals together. Share your fundraising page with your friends and whānau - you could even ask them to share the link to people they know that would be keen to support you! All the info is in your ‘My 40 Hour Challenge book’. If you’re not part of an organised team you can order a ‘My 40 Hour Challenge book’ by emailing schools@worldvision.org.nz 

If you choose to fundraise offline you can download a ‘My Donation Tracker’ where you can track your cash fundraising!  

What should I do with the money I've raised? 

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Thank you for taking up the challenge to help raise funds so communities in Solomon Islands have enough food to grow up healthy and strong in a changing climate. Your fundraising will make a real difference! 
 
If you are fundraising for the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge with your school, church or group: 

  • If your sponsors have donated online - nice work, we've already got your funds. 
  • If you've collected any cash donations, give them to your World Vision 40 Hour Challenge Organiser as soon as possible, they will bank the money for you. 
  • If you're the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge Organiser, use your team’s 40 Hour Challenge Deposit Book to bank your team cash donations at any ANZ branch by 27th June  2025. Please ensure the bank includes your team’s unique reference number so we can track your fundraising. Due to the Anti-money Laundering Act, ID may be requested to deposit cash into accounts. The best form of ID to take to the bank is your passport. Alternatively, a driver’s license along with secondary ID, such as birth certificate or bank statement. 
  • Alternatively, you can transfer the funds directly into the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge account: 06-0101-0323407-02. Important: please include your unique reference number (found on the front of your groups Deposit Book) or school name so we can track your fundraising.

 
If you are fundraising for the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge as an individual: 

  • If your sponsors have donated online  - nice work, we've already got your funds. 
  • If you've collected any cash donations, deposit these at any ANZ branch by 27th June  2025. Use your name as a reference and 40 Hour Challenge so we can track your fundraising.  Due to the Anti-money Laundering Act, ID may be requested to deposit cash into accounts. The best form of ID to take to the bank is your passport. Alternatively, a driver’s license along with secondary ID, such as birth certificate or bank statement. 
  • Alternatively, you can transfer the funds directly into the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge account: 06-0101-0323407-02.Important: please include your full name when banking your funds so we can track your fundraising.  

Can I donate to a World Vision 40 Hour Challenge participant or a team online?

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Yes! It is easy to donate online through their fundraising page. 
 
You can click “Donate” on the home page and use the search bar to find the fundraiser or team you wish to donate to.

I've lost my reference number for banking, what should I do?  

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Your team's unique reference number is on the front of your deposit book If you can’t find that either, email your full name and school or church name to schools@worldvision.org.nz and we can let you know what it is. 

If I fundraise online do I need a 'My 40 Hour Challenge book'?

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You can still use your My 40 Hour Challenge book; It helps you understand what life is like for tamariki like Polyne in Solomon Islands, and how your fundraising will help. The book also has instructions on how to set up your online fundraising - the easiest way to raise funds! 

How do I get a My 40 Hour Challenge book(s)?

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Easy! You canorder a My 40 Hour Challenge book by emailing schools@worldvision.org.nz and we will have the books sent out to you in 5-7 working days (please allow a couple extra days for rural deliveries). Any issues, please contact us on 0800 40 HOUR (0800 40 4687). 

Is it safe to collect donations by door knocking?

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If you’d like to door knock in your neighbourhood, then we recommend a parent or guardian joins you.  
 
We know it’s not always easy to ask for money, even when it’s for a great cause! Check out these resourcesfor loads of fundraising ideas and tips. 

How do I post an update to my fundraising page?

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Posting an update to your online fundraising page is a great way to tell your supporters more about what you are fundraising for. You can post updates on your progress and express why you are helping raise funds for communities in Solomon Islands.  

Login to your profile and go to your dashboard, click ‘Edit my page’ and then ‘Add an update’. It’s as easy as that! 

Group Fundraising

As a group organiser, how do I bank funds raised for the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge?

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Thank you for taking on the role of group organiser. Our work wouldn't be possible without your hard work and dedication! 
 
There are two easy options for banking your group's fundraising: 

  • Transfer all funds raised directly into the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge account number: 06-0101-0323407-02 by 27th June 2025. Don’t forget to include your unique reference number (this can be found on the front of your Deposit Book) and school, church or team name so we can track your fundraising. 
  • Alternatively, use your World Vision 40 Hour Challenge Deposit Book to bank your team’s cash donations at any ANZ branch by 27th June 2025. Please ensure the bank includes your unique reference number (this can be found on the front of your Deposit Book) so we can track your fundraising. Due to the Anti-money Laundering Act, ID may be requested to deposit cash into accounts. The best form of ID to take to the bank is your passport. Alternatively, a driver’s license along with secondary ID, such as birth certificate or bank statement. 
  • All banked cash donations will appear on your online fundraising page once processed, approximately 3-4 days after banking. Make sure everyone knows the fundraising can’t make a difference if their donations are not returned.
 

As a school or church group organiser, what things can I do from my dashboard? 

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Aside from all the standard dashboard features (outlined above), you can also click on “My Organisation” to manage your group’s fundraising. You can do things like: 

  • Track all the members of your group and how much they’ve raised to date in ‘Organisation Members’. 
  • Add a blog post or update your group’s fundraising goal in ‘Edit Organisation Page’.  
  • Track your group’s donations and thank your supporters in ‘Organisation Donations’.  
  • Share a link to your organisation’s fundraising page via e-mail or social media to encourage others to join your group. 

As an organiser how do I see members on my team?

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As a team organiser, you can see all the fundraising team members in your My World Vision profile. 
 
Login to your account, and in your dashboard click ‘My Group’ then ‘Group Members’. Here you will find each member of your team and how much money they have raised.

How do I join a School group, Church group, or other team?

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If you registered as an individual and now you’ve decided to fundraise as part of a group, we gotchu! Use the “Find a friend” search bar to look for the group you want to join. Click through to the group’s fundraising page and then hit “Join us”.

Can I create a sub-group to compare fundraising between year levels or classes? 

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Absolutely! Just click on “create a team” from your fundraising dashboard and follow the instructions to get started.