Stories

Having received assistance from New Zealand Red Cross after the Canterbury earthquakes 10 years ago, former Christchurch resident Jaki George now devotes much of her time to help us raise funds and support people in need.

When Plimmerton resident, Emma Fromings, received a visit from one of our Red Cross disaster response volunteers, Nikki Carver, following a severe weather event, she was still in shock. But having someone from Red Cross to talk to made all the difference.

For International Volunteer Day, we're celebrating 20 Kiwi humanitarians who have been a difference in 2020. Meet these incredible people.

For Evangeline, a Plimmerton resident whose property has been affected in the recent flood, the sight of a Red Cross volunteer came as huge relief.

Chetan Arekar’s journey to New Zealand was only meant to last three months. However, due to COVID-19, he found himself stuck here longer than excepted - seven months to be exact, without work and with no way of getting home. He was relieved to find out about the support available through Visitor Care Manaaki Manuhiri. 

For husband and wife Garry and Janice Graham delivering Meals on Wheels is a team effort: one drives while the other drops off the meals. It’s an ideal system the couple has perfected over the many years volunteering with New Zealand Red Cross.

Ever wonder what inspires people to become part of the New Zealand Red Cross whānau? Let’s hear it from Max Badran, one of our Disaster Welfare and Support Team (DWST) members in Whangarei.

Thousands of dedicated Kiwis make up our New Zealand Red Cross whānau. Dunedin Disaster Welfare and Support Team (DWST) member, Glyn Saunders, is one of them. He talks about his work with Red Cross.

New Zealand Red Cross whānau is composed of thousands of Kiwis dedicated to help people in need in the community. One of them is Tauranga Disaster Welfare and Support Team (DWST) member Nick Webb who is currently supporting the Visitor Care Manaaki Manuhiri project.

Having received a lot of support from the community, Chris Hamilton returns the favour by helping the local Red Cross Shop and giving a smile to those who need it most.

Shaun Greaves is the General Manager Humanitarian Development at New Zealand Red Cross and has a long history of leading amazing Kiwis who are giving their time and energy to volunteer. This National Volunteer Week, Shaun considers how volunteering has evolved and why it’s still so important. 

This National Volunteer Week, 21 to 27 June, New Zealand Red Cross recognises the immense contribution of volunteers during times of crisis like COVID-19, and every day in their communities.