A recent story in the New Zealand Herald has highlighted the impact of New Zealand Red Cross support in Hawke’s Bay following Cyclone Gabrielle, alongside our 2026 Annual Appeal.

New Zealand Red Cross is deeply concerned by the recent escalation of hostilities in parts of the Middle East, as well as rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Four years on from the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine armed conflict, life for many people is the hardest it has ever been, with the conflict continuing to cause immense human suffering and significant humanitarian needs.

Woolworths New Zealand has launched a fundraising initiative in response to the severe weather events in February 2026 that have affected communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. Funds raised will support New Zealand Red Cross in helping communities affected by emergencies and contributing to future domestic disaster responses.

When Otie arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand in November 2000, he woke to a quiet morning and realised how far he had come. The sounds were different, the air was colder, and the sky felt wide and open. “I didn’t know where I was,” he recalled with a smile. “But I knew I was safe.”