Area Council elections

We’re looking for people to join our area councils

Could you help us on our journey to becoming a more impactful, diverse, engaging New Zealand Red Cross and achieve our Strategy 2030 goals?

We’re looking for Red Cross people to join our local leadership groups (area councils), to help guide our organisation to achieve our Strategy 2030 goals. 

Learn more about our area councils

Read about Strategy 2030

Opportunities to join our area councils take place through an annual, two-step process – step one is nominations, step two is elections. 

Check for opportunities in your area: 

Step one: Nominations

Follow this process if you have volunteered with Red Cross before

If you are already part of New Zealand Red Cross because you’ve volunteered with us or are a registered member, nominations open at 12.01am on Monday, 2 March 2026 and will close at 11.59pm on Thursday, 2 April 2026.

Not sure if you're a member? Email membership@redcross.org.nz.

You will need to read our candidate guidance document, and follow the steps to submit your nomination.

Read our candidate guidance

This guidance covers how to:

1. Make sure you’re eligible for the area councillor role, 
2. Self-assess your personal strengths and how these relate to the area councillor role, 
3. Talk to your National Board liaison,
4. Identify and contact two other current members to support your nomination,
5. Fill in an online nomination form, and
6. Email us a photograph of yourself, as well as a Ministry of Justice vetting form if we don’t have a current vetting check for you.  

What happens after I submit my nomination? 

We will assign a designated case manager to review your nomination. They will check to make sure we have all the information required, and will reach out to you if we need anything else.

Follow this process if you are new to Red Cross

If you are interested in the area councillor role but haven't previously volunteered with us, we will help you join and also connect you with two nominators who can support your candidacy if needed.

Please note that new volunteers will need to complete the application process by 5pm on 16 March 2025.

If you are new to volunteering with Red Cross, visit and submit an application via our area councillor volunteer role page

Not sure if you've got a membership number? Email membership@redcross.org.nz.

What happens after I submit my application? 

We will assign a designated case manager to review your application. They will check to make sure we have all the information required, and will reach out to you if we need anything else.

Step two: Elections

When an area has more nominations than available vacancies, an election process will take place in May 2026.

If the number of nominations received either matches, or is less than, the number of vacancies in an area, nominees will be confirmed as elected unopposed.

After nominations close on Thursday, 2 April 2026 we’ll assess whether an election is needed in any of our areas. Nominees and their area councils will be notified of the results, whether an election is needed and what happens next. 

Voting in our Area Council Elections

If we do need elections in one or more of our areas, online voting will take place. All Red Cross members who are not employees are eligible to vote, and we will need an up-to-date email address or mobile phone number to send you information about this.

You can update your own details using our online form, or by calling us on 0800 RED CROSS.  

Update your membership details online

More about our area councils

Our area councils lead, coordinate and nurture our organisation and our humanitarian activities across Aotearoa New Zealand. Area councillors support Red Cross people in their area, helping to motivate, inspire, and empower them to carry out their humanitarian work. 

Our area councils:

• work to develop and retain a strong membership base in their area
• should be as representative of their area as possible
• support branches, groups, and individual members, as well as local employees
• enhance the profile of New Zealand Red Cross in their area
• along with local Red Cross people, lead the planning of New Zealand Red Cross activities in their area
• protect the integrity of New Zealand Red Cross in their area by ensuing members follow the Fundamental Principles, New Zealand Red Cross Values, Code of Conduct and relevant policies and procedures.