On the spur of the moment, and thanks to a Facebook ad, newly arrived immigrant, Jocel Garcia, decided to give volunteering for New Zealand Red Cross a go. She saw a call for volunteers for Meals on Wheels volunteers and decided it would be a meaningful way to give back after a corporate career in Manila in the Philippines, as well as a fantastic way to get to know her new neighbourhood.

On Saturday 7 November we held our 95th National Council Annual General Meeting in Wellington. National Council is our highest governing body and is responsible for electing our National President, National Board members, and National Youth Representative.

Many of Invercargill’s loved but unridden bikes are getting a second lease of life thanks to BestStart Waihopai Kindy and New Zealand Red Cross. Donated bikes are making a difference for former refugee families settling in Southland.

Bradley is a large, unbothered, faintly aristocratic cat — "Garfield's cousin," according to his owner, Jacquie Hurst — and he has Meals on Wheels figured out to the day. "I think he just knows the days of the week," Jacquie says. She started receiving Meals on Wheels around three years ago, after a stay in hospital, on the advice of a nurse.

International treaties already set out protections for astronauts in distress. But when disaster strikes here on Earth, there is still no comprehensive global treaty specifically focused on protecting people. That could be about to change.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched its Earth’s Missing Treaty campaign, backed by astronauts from around the world, to build support for a new global treaty to protect people before, during and after disasters.