Every year on 20 June, we mark World Refugee Day to honour the courage of millions of people who have been forced to leave their homes. Across Aotearoa New Zealand, events large and small were held to honour refugee-background communities, amplify their voices, and encourage connections.

A ‘save the date’ on the Manawatū calendar, the Palmerston North Book Sale over King’s Birthday Weekend is annual proof of how our members and branches are here for humanity.

Refugee support volunteers help new Kiwi families with essential tasks such as setting up homes, visiting local schools, attending medical appointments, and learning about their local community.

It’s been five long years since Wisthon Suarez Quintero, Nelvet Mogollan Arcaya, their son Anthony and daughter Valeria left their home in Maracay, Venezuela, to finally find a safe place – Taitoko | Levin.

Krystal Boyes first came across our Disaster Welfare Support Teams while on a first aid course. Today, six years later, Krystal leads the Whanganui Disaster Welfare Support Team and has been deployed both locally and around the country.