In New Zealand

The Hurricanes are no stranger to weathering storms and facing intense climates while on the rugby field. At New Zealand Red Cross, we’ve also faced our fair share of storms, so partnering with the Hurricanes was a natural fit.

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.

Students are bringing creative skills and passion for sustainability to upcycle unsellable goods donated to Red Cross Shops. Check out their amazing work at the brand new, second-hand event called Retooled, to be held in Ōtautahi Christchurch this September. 

On the International Day of the Disappeared, New Zealand Red Cross is integrating with a new online Red Cross tool to support families separated along migratory routes.  

Tucked in behind the main street in Nelson is an unassuming concrete building. You’d never know that inside this building, chef and former refugee Alexander Garcia Gongoro is baking up something delicious. The only hint is a small black sign that reads ‘YUM’.

Noah Pullman, from England, is just one of the thousands of travellers who have had plans put on hold because of COVID-19. Through Visitor Care Manaaki Manuhiri, he’s received support to help him get through what has been an uncertain time. 

Constanza Capurso, Wladimir Muñoz, and Franco Busillos Rojas are Chileans, flatmates, friends and now family. Read their story of support through Visitor Care Manaaki Manuhiri, which they hope will encourage others in similar situations to reach out for help. 

The bittersweet closure of the Lower Hutt Group has unearthed beautiful memories for Vivienne GIllespie, Red Cross member and former Branch President. She reminisces how the group helped their community for years. 

Moises is an avid cyclist and gifted bike mechanic in Invercargill. He uses his spare time to refurbish pre-loved bikes, turning them into treasures for newly settled former refugees.

It can be daunting to learn to drive in a new country, let alone when the local language is not your native tongue. That’s why bilingual Open Road driver training mentors like Pa Uk are so important when working with new drivers to achieve their licence. 

Gonzálo Javier Hernández was supposed to return home in May. But that flight, and every other since, has been cancelled. Support received through Visitor Care Manaaki Manuhiri has helped him get through this difficult time. 

During uncertain times, there could be people in the community who are feeling socially disconnected — and for some of them, a kind message could go a very long way.