The seven Fundamental Principles are the foundation for all the work the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and National Societies around the world do – in peacetime, in public health emergencies, after natural disasters, and in armed conflict.

The Fundamental Principles—humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality—were developed over many years of practical experience. The International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement approved the latest version in Vienna in 1965.


Humanity | Te Ngākau Atawhai

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavours, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.

I ahu ngātahi mai te Rīpeka Whero o te Ao me te Kāhui Ānau Kura i te wawata ki te āwhina – mā te kore whakapainga kanohi – i a rātou e takoto tūākiri ana ki te kauhanga riri, ā, ko tana whāinga mā tōna āheinga ā-motu, o te ao hoki, ko te ārai me te whakamauru i te mamae o te tangata, ahakoa kei hea. Ko tana pūtake, ko te tiaki i te oranga me te hauora, me te āta whakarite i te whakaaro nui ki te tangata. Ka whakanuia te ngākau kotahi o te māramatanga, te whakahoanga, te mahi ngātahi, me te pūmau tonutanga o te rangimārie ki ngā tāngata katoa.


Impartiality | Te Tōkeketanga

It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

Kāhore he whakapainga kanohi mō te noho whenua,te iwi, ngā whakapono hāhi, ngā tūranga, ngā whakaaro tōrangapū rānei o te tangata. Ko tana whāinga, he whakamāmā i te mamae o tēnā me tēnā, ko ō rātou matea anake ka ārahi i ngā mahi, ā, ka aro nui i te tuatahi ki a rātou e tino pēhi rawatia e ngā āwangawanga.


Neutrality | Te Whakaraupapa

In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

Kia pūmau tonu ai te whakamanawatanga o te katoa, ka noho taharua te Rīpeka Whero o te Ao me te Kāhui Ānau Kura i roto i ngā kekeritanga, ā, kāhore hoki e whai wāhi atu ki ngā taupatupatu e hāngai ana ki ngā take o te tōrangapū, o ngā iwi, o ngā whakapono, o ngā whakaaro kaupapa rānei.


Independence | Te Tū Motuhake

The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.

Ka tū motuhake te Rīpeka Whero o te Ao me te Kāhui Ānau Kura. Ahakoa te whai wāhi o ngā kāhui ā-motu hei rōpū e whai wāhi ana ki ngā ratonga ā-tangata o ō rātou kāwanatanga, ahakoa ka whai pānga anō hoki ngā ture o ō rātou whenua ki a rātou, me ū tonu rātou ki tō rātou tū motuhake, kia āhei ai rātou ki te whakatutuki mahi mā ngā Mātāpono o te Rīpeka Whero o te Ao me te Kāhui Ānau Kura i ngā wā katoa.


Voluntary Service | He Ratonga Tūao

It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

He ratonga hāpai tūao te Rīpeka Whero o te Ao me te Kāhui Ānau Kura, ā, e kore rawa ngā mahi e kōkirihia hei painga ake mā tātou tonu.


Unity | Te Kotahitanga

There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

Kia kotahi anake te Rīpeka Whero, te Kāhui Ānau Kura rānei e mahi ana ki te whenua kotahi. Me noho wātea tēnei rōpū ki te katoa. Me kawe haere taua ratonga i āna mahi ngākau atawhai, puta noa i taua takiwā.


Universality | O te Ao

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

Ko te Rīpeka Whero o te Ao me te Kāhui Ānau Kura tētahi ratonga o te ao katoa, ā, he rite tonu te tūnga o ngā kāhui ratonga katoa, ka whakatutuki ngātahi hoki rātou i ngā kawenga me ngā mahi, hei tautoko tētahi i tētahi.


Fundamental Principles in action

In this series of 4 videos, we explore how we're applying the Fundamental Principles in our Red Cross work.

Fundamental Principles in action videos