In New Zealand

Kere and her children had just moved into their house when the wild weather hit Napier in November 2020. Situated at the top of Bluff Hill, they were relatively safe from the threats of flooding – but this did not leave them any less vulnerable to the heavy downpour’s impact. Fortunately, they were surrounded by good and ready neighbours.

Going through adolescence can be hard enough, but when other challenges are added, such as settling in a new country, adapting to a different culture and learning another language, life can be bit tougher for our young people.

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

As we approach the 10-year anniversary of the 2011 February Canterbury earthquake, New Zealand Red Cross is inviting current and former Greater Christchurch residents (which includes Christchurch City, Waimakariri and Selwyn) to participate in a survey aimed at better understanding their recovery.

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.

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.

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. 

The flooding inside their home was a dreadful experience for Leeanne and her family. During such a distressing time, she finds comfort in the fact that there are people around them who care, including New Zealand Red Cross. 

For Fenika and other Regional Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers in Te Puke, the wet weather and COVID-19 have had a major impact on their ability to work, so the support provided by New Zealand Red Cross has been warmly welcome. 

More than 6,000 Kiwi households across Aotearoa hard hit by COVID-19 have received a Red Cross Parcel.

New Zealand Red Cross’ Disaster Welfare and Support Teams (DWST) have been responding to the Napier floods since the early hours of Tuesday 10 November. 

The unlikeliest of friendships are often birthed out of common ground and interest. For Jenny and Dave Pullen, becoming Red Cross refugee support volunteers was in their common interest: to make new friends, both with other volunteers and the families they work with.