Service above self: Mary Anne Eyles honoured for a lifetime of giving back

When Mary Anne Eyles received an email from the Honours Department telling her she’d been awarded a King’s Service Medal, her first thought was: this must be a scam.

“I thought the email was a scam until my husband said, ‘I think you should keep reading,’” Mary Anne says. “There are so many people in New Zealand doing good work in the community who are not recognised that to ‘make it through’ was very humbling. A huge thank you to those who put the nomination together.”

Mary Anne was formally presented with her King’s Service Medal at Government House in May 2025 – a moment she proudly shared with her family.

“All of us gathered in Wellington for the weekend, and it was very special to share the investiture ceremony with them. It was a most professional yet relaxed ceremony and allowed us to meet and hear about the other recipients’ life’s work. Government House is a grand place to visit. I felt very privileged to be there and receive the award from the Governor General.”

For Mary Anne, the honour is deeply personal.

“This honour is special for me because it would mean so much to my parents, who aren’t alive anymore, as their mantra was ‘service above self’. This honour is a testament to their teachings. It also acknowledges my husband and children who enabled me to spend so many hours being a volunteer.”

A life woven into Red Cross

Mary Anne’s service with New Zealand Red Cross spans many years. She has been a Branch President, Area Council Chairperson, International Humanitarian Law (IHL) advocate, shop co-ordinator and continues to lead the Branch Shop’s Friday team.

Napier has a strong and active membership base. Pictured (from left): Napier Branch members Lyn, Jenny, Mary Anne, Alison, Mary, Denise (Branch President) and Lavina

Her Red Cross journey began with a conversation. “I knew our Counsellor of Honour, Joan Cockburn, as we were both Justices of the Peace, and I asked her to tell me about Red Cross. Being Joan, by the time we had had our chat, I was signed up!”

She adds: “I was drawn to the Principles and Mission Statement and still believe that these are the cornerstone of the organisation, especially as these relate to humanitarian law.”

Over the years, she’s been involved in a wide range of initiatives – from oral hygiene projects to fashion fundraisers and youth leadership programmes.

“Particular highlights were being part of an awesome team running a three-day course in Gisborne called Rise Up Tairāwhiti for tamariki. Seeing those tamariki and their rangatahi leaders blossom was well worth the effort.”

She’s also proud of work done by Hawke’s Bay Red Cross staff and volunteers to promote IHL in schools.

“Another highlight was working with our Red Cross team offering IHL workshops, quiz events and art competitions in local secondary schools to increase awareness of IHL and global humanitarian issues.”

The heart of a community

Mary Anne is at the centre of Napier’s Red Cross Shop, coordinating a tight-knit team of around 40 volunteers who restock, sort, and connect. “This team is what keeps me in Red Cross; the willingness of these people to step up and be involved and just get on with making our shop work is amazing.”

Red Cross Shop volunteers sort, categorise and prepare for sale a range of donations every day

She adds: “Our philosophy is to provide a welcoming, happy environment for our volunteers and customers, to provide a social service to our community through affordable goods, and to raise funds for Red Cross.”

Through the shop, she also finds new ways to grow awareness. “Part of what is so good about working here is that you have the opportunity to engage new people with the work of Red Cross and broaden their contribution. Our volunteers join the team through our networks and connections in the community.”

She also helps care for the country’s largest public reference collection on IHL outside a university – this Henry Dunant Collection of more than 300 donated books is housed at Napier Library. “Whatever means there are available to keep IHL to the fore is vital for Red Cross and for our understanding of rules of war and humanitarian law.”

A legacy of leadership

Mary Anne’s leadership has extended far beyond Red Cross. She’s been a Justice of the Peace for almost 40 years, training other JPs for many of these. She was deeply involved with Plunket, a highlight being successfully lobbying her local Council to introduce the first swimming pool fencing bylaw in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

“It’s just something I can do,” she says of her community service. “Volunteering is so rewarding…you create networks and connections that spill over into many facets of community service.”

Inspired by Mary Anne’s story?

To anyone considering volunteering, Mary Anne’s message is simple: “Say yes. The best thing about volunteering is meeting new people, working together for a common goal, having fun, making friends and making a difference.

“As part of a team you can do more than you ever thought you might on your own…who knows where it might take you – as I discovered.”

New Zealand Red Cross has lots of volunteer opportunities – from helping in our shops to supporting community programmes or sharing knowledge about international humanitarian law. However you choose to give your time, you’ll be making a real difference.

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Lead image: Mary Anne Eyles (L) received her King’s Service Medal from Governor General, Dame Cindy Kiro