National Council Annual General Meeting 2026

On Saturday 7 November we held our 95th National Council Annual General Meeting in Wellington. National Council is our highest governing body and is responsible for electing our National President, National Board members, and National Youth Representative.

Our voting National Council members attended in person and observers were able to watch the meeting via a livestream. 

At the dinner on Friday night our Red Cross people heard from keynote speaker John Entwistle, Head of Delegation, Country Cluster Delegation for South Asia for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), about his experiences working in the Movement and in challenging circumstances around the world.

Attendees heard from our Patron, Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO, Governor-General of New Zealand, as well as our National President, John Dyer, NZGD, Secretary General Sarah (Norm) Stuart-Black QSO, IFRC Pacific Head of Delegation Finau Heuifanga Leveni and New Zealand Red Cross representative on the IFRC Governing Board Kerry Nickels KSO. We also enjoyed a video address from Interim Chief Executive of Australian Red Cross Penny Harrison.

In his report-back to the National Council National President John Dyer said, “I have been fortunate this year to have spent time with members, volunteers and staff across the North Island and Upper South and I have seen the passion and dedication of all those who dedicate their time to communities and those in need. I want to acknowledge everyone who contributes their time, expertise, and leadership to help guide our organisation into the future.”

Our Secretary General, Sarah (Norm) Stuart-Black also spoke to attendees about the previous year, noting that “none of our work would be possible without the commitment of our New Zealand Red Cross people, our donors, and partners. Every conversation, delivery, deployment, emergency response, donation, and act of support, contributes to something bigger — stronger, more connected, and more resilient communities.”  

Other annual reports included:

• Finance report from Greg Rimmer-Hollyman, Audit and Risk Committee Chair
• National Youth report from Dan Wilden – National Youth Representative
• New Zealand Red Cross Foundation report from Wayne Morgan, Executive Trustee of the New Zealand Red Cross Foundation
• International report from Dr Mat Darling, International Committee Chair
• New Zealand International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Committee report from Dr Marnie Lloyd (video address)

As well as the report-backs to National Council our Annual Report for 2025/26 was approved and our Auditor (Deloitte) was appointed for the 2026/27 financial year.

People who attended in-person also participated in a presentation from Dr Murdoch Stephens, Principal Advisor Policy and International Humanitarian Law on ‘Humanity in Turbulent Times’, which focused on the value of our Movement and our Fundamental Principles in an uncertain and rapidly changing global environment.

This National Council meeting also included an election for four National Board vacancies. Three new Board members were elected in the Upper North Island and Lower North Island Territories.

• Upper North Island Territory: Diane Turner
• Lower North Island Territory: Clare Fearnley and Michael Templeton
• For the South Island Territory, there was a tie between two National Board candidates: Casey Glover and Lynette Will. A tie breaker election is being held after the National Council AGM to determine the results, which will be confirmed on Friday 13 November. 

As always, we extend a warm thank you to all of our members and Counsellors of Honour for volunteering their time to participate in our highest governing body and help to make important decisions about our organisation.

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