National Council elections

We’re looking for members to join our National Council for the 2025/26 term.

Could you help us help govern New Zealand Red Cross by being part of our highest governing body, contributing to our high-level direction and electing our organisations’ key leaders?

We’re looking for Red Cross people to form the Area delegations for the National Council on Saturday, 8 November 2025 in Wellington, and for the 2025/26 term.

Opportunities to represent your Area at our National Council takes place through an annual, two-step process – step one is nominations, step two is elections. Each Area can elect five members of the National Council annually to represent the Area.

To learn more about the role and responsibilities of the National Council, please refer to:

• Our Constitution
• Our Regulations
• Our Strategy 2030
• National Council member role description (PDF, 80kb) 

Step one: Nominations

This opportunity is only open for eligible Red Cross members. This includes volunteers and any member who is not an employee.

Nominations open on 1 July, and close on 1 August at 23:59.

Before filling out the nomination form, you will need to read our candidate guidance.

Read our candidate guidance (PDF, 110kb)

This guidance covers how to:

1. Complete a self-assessment.
2. Find two current members to support your nomination, and collect their details including their membership numbers (which they can get from New Zealand Red Cross).
3. Contact New Zealand Red Cross to get your membership number.
4. Complete a Ministry of Justice vetting form if you don’t have one on file.
   View the vetting form (PDF, 250kb)
5. Submit a photograph of yourself.

Please read the guidance and complete these steps. Then fill out our online nomination form with the information you have prepared.

View and complete the nomination form

Step two: Elections

Elections will be held online on Teams during the period of 25 to 29 August. We will announce candidates and open Teams meeting registration to vote at Special Election meetings for each area on 12 August.

Invitation to special election meetings will be distributed via email. To ensure you receive this, you can update your own details online or by calling us on 0800 RED CROSS (0800 733 27677).

Update your membership details online

More about our National Council

The National Council is the highest authority of New Zealand Red Cross. The role of the National Council is to develop the high-level direction of our organisation to ensure the New Zealand Red Cross meets its principal objective, ‘to prevent or alleviate human suffering with complete impartiality without any form of discrimination’ (Article 1.6.1). The National Council is also responsible for other duties as outlined in the Constitution (Chapter 3) and Regulations (8.1).

The National Council meeting on 8 November 2025 is an important event in our governance calendar. Rigorous governance is essential to maintaining the trust of our communities, partners, and the public, and to ensuring that New Zealand Red Cross can continue to respond effectively and impartially in times of need. As part of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of governance to fulfil our humanitarian mandate in New Zealand and overseas.