Red Cross stories
Red Cross stories
Read our stories filled with humanity, resilience and the spirit of volunteering. They show how your support is helping vulnerable people in New Zealand and around the world.
14 August 2025
‘We came as individuals, we left as a family’ – building first aid capability across the Pacific
When our International Delegate Lesley Jacobson arrived in Fiji to train first aid instructors from across the Pacific, she knew she was there to teach, but she didn’t expect how much she would learn too.
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17 July 2025
Service above self: Mary Anne Eyles honoured for a lifetime of giving back
When Mary Anne Eyles received an email from the Honours Department telling her she’d been awarded a King’s Service Medal, her first thought was: this must be a scam.
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16 July 2025
World Refugee Day 2025: Solidarity across Aotearoa New Zealand
Every year on 20 June, we mark World Refugee Day to honour the courage of millions of people who have been forced to leave their homes. Across Aotearoa New Zealand, events large and small were held to honour refugee-background communities, amplify their voices, and encourage connections.
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19 June 2025
Former refugee helping other new Kiwis into employment
Hamdi Kalif’s story is one of transformation: from a young girl in a refugee camp to a woman now helping others navigate their new lives in Aotearoa. She has turned hardship into hope – not just for herself, but for many new Kiwis.
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16 June 2025
From customer to volunteer: Susan finds community at the Hornby Red Cross Shop
Susan first visited the Hornby Red Cross Shop looking for a warm jacket. She's now on the other side of the counter, connecting with customers and her fellow volunteers.
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