Honours and awards
New Zealand Red Cross members and volunteers are at the heart of our work. Red Cross awards are one way of thanking people who give their time and effort to support our work.
New Zealand Red Cross awards
Eligibility
All Red Cross members, volunteers, staff, supporters of the Red Cross (including individuals, groups and businesses) are eligible for an award if they meet the criteria.
The eligibility criteria for each award are described in the Members Handbook. Staff, branches, groups and area councils may nominate anyone for an award if they meet the criteria.
Nominate someone for an award
Step 1
Complete the nomination form which is Appendix 4D of the Members Handbook.
Write no more than 300 words about the nominee. This can be used as a draft citation where required. See guidance in the Members Handbook on how to write a good summary.
Step 2
Send the nomination form to your service centre.
The deadline for National Award nominations is 1 July so there is time to assess the nominees before the annual National Council meeting in November each year.
2023 recipients
Sir Kenneth Keith – Counsellor of Honour
Mary Batt – Area 3
Gaynor Carswell – Area 3
Kathleen Cosgrove – Area 7
Colleen Foster – Area 3
Gay Harris – Area 7
Ruth Lamb – Area 3
Astrid Murray – Area 7
Amelia MacArthur – Area 7
Hamish MacArthur – Area 7
Jayne McAllister – Area 7
Elaine Slack – Area 7
Monica Bearsley
Carol Ball – Area 6
Liz Finnigan – Area 3
Balclutha Branch – Area 7
Dough McMillan – Area 5
Lynne McMillan – Area 5
As recognition of contribution to the severe weather events of 2023:
Brandy Alger – Area 6
Jaimee Astle – Area 4
Andrew Bate – Area 4
Krystal Boyes – Area 3
Jackie Bubb – Area 2
Gypsy Chant – Area 3
Shane Chisholm – Area 4
Chris Chong – Area 4
Alan Clarke – Area 2
Denise Coulam – Area 3
Jane Derbyshire – Area 4
Michael Donoghue – Area 6
Julie-Ann Ebdale – Area 3
Jasmine Edwards – Area 6
Sarah Gribbin – Area 6
Teresa Grosvenor – Area 4
Maria Henry – Area 4
Sue Holden – Area 5
Rick Hopcroft – Area 2
Katherine Jackson – Area 3
Nancy Kareroa-Yorke – Area 1
Cate Keville – Area 4
Enimoa Latu – Area 3
Sue Leonard – Area 4
Stephanie Lewis – Area 4
Leon Lim – Area 4
Simon Loi – Area 6
Phil Parker – Area 2
Pip Maben – Area 6
Bruce Mander – Area 4
Susanne Mannell – Area 6
Sandy McDiarmid – Area 3
Sophie McIntyre – Area 4
William McKenzie – Area 7
Roz McNeilly – Area 5
Graeme Messenger – Area 4
Sacha Milne – Area 6
Jacob Moller – Area 7
Chris Moore – Area 6
Dennis Morgan – Area 3
Monica Schael-Isenor – Area 3
Felipe Panteli – Area 4
Krishanthi Ratwatte – Area 1
Rajitha Ratwatte – Area 1
Graeme Richardson – Area 4
Monica Schael-Isenor – Area 3
Cameron Shea – Area 4
Lauren Stephens – Area 4
Alan Stevens – Area 4
Sean Stewart – Area 4
Jill Southon – Area 5
Decibelle Tan – Area 6
Oliver Todd – Area 7
Linda Toms – Area 3
Ana Toneato – Area 1
Malia Tuai – Area 1
Nicky van Praagh – Area 2
Nick Webb – Area 2
Stuart Whelan – Area 1
Tiffany Whelan – Area 1
Jim Wiles – Area 2
Richard Williams – Area 7
Jenny Woodley-Higgins – Area 4
Rowan Worner – Area 4
Mary Arneson – Area 7
Zarghona Lafraie – Area 7
Rosa MacPherson – Area 7
Ethne Wyndham-Smith – Area 4
Rosemary Bushel – Area 6
Judy Finn – Area 2
Michael Gordon – Area
Olwyn Harrex – Area 3
Dorothy Kells – Area 2
Johanna Konings – Area 2
Lilian McCorkindale – Area 7
Robin Rae – Area 1
Gail Roy – Area 7
Robyn Smithers – Area 3
Carolynne Stephens – Area 7
Mary Webster – Area 2
Carolyne Avery – Area 1
Trish Bunting – Area 1
Sue Williams – Area 1
Nanette Clunies-Ross – Area 5
Barbara Collins – Area 1
Robyn Gordon – Area 3
Gay Harris – Area 7
Pera Jones – Area 3
Maureen Joyce – Area 5
Beverley Lucas – Area 5
Betty Owen – Area 2
Lucy McCutcheon – Area 3
Beth Strathern – Area 6
Ann Tutbury – Area 3
Joan Cockburn – Area 3
Our other awards
New Zealand Red Cross Counsellor of Honour
This is the highest honour awarded by New Zealand Red Cross. It recognises achievement and merit of the highest degree of service by a member or staff of New Zealand Red Cross.
The National Council will only appoint a member as a counsellor of honour on the recommendation of the National Board. The National Board must be unanimous in their recommendation.
The maximum number of counsellors of honour at any one time is 20.
New Zealand Red Cross Medal of Honour
This prestigious award recognises outstanding, society-changing achievement and service by a member of New Zealand Red Cross.
New Zealand Red Cross Distinguished Service Award
This award recognises distinguished service by a member, staff member or, in special circumstances, a non-New Zealand Red Cross person. Only New Zealand Red Cross service may be considered for this award.
New Zealand Red Cross International Service Award
This award recognises distinguished service by people who serve New Zealand Red Cross internationally with evidence of exceptional contributions to the assignments undertaken. This award is open to members and staff of New Zealand Red Cross.
Meritorious Service Award
This award recognises outstanding service by a member, staff member or, in special circumstances, a non-New Zealand Red Cross person. Only New Zealand Red Cross service may be considered for this award.
New Zealand Red Cross Honorary Life Member
Honorary Life Membership is a category of membership of New Zealand Red Cross. The award recognises members of New Zealand Red Cross who have given remarkable service or dedication in the advancement of the aims and ideals of New Zealand Red Cross.
New Zealand Red Cross Certificate of Commendation
This certificate is awarded to people who have made a special noteworthy contribution to the work of New Zealand Red Cross at a branch, area or national level.
New Zealand Red Cross Certificate of Appreciation
This certificate is awarded to people who have made a special noteworthy contribution to the work of New Zealand Red Cross at a branch, area or national level, but who do not qualify for a higher award.
National Society Achievement Award
This award is for the purpose of recognising outstanding achievement by a Pacific Island Red Cross Red Crescent National Society. The achievement must be of definite and precise nature in a particular activity.
Jennifer Clark Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship to the value of $2000 to attend a course, recognises past National Board member Jennifer Clark, as a passionate advocate for the development of youth, by way of an annual scholarship. Established in December 2010 with the permission of Jennifer’s family.
New Zealand Red Cross Service Award
Service Awards recognise the contribution given to New Zealand Red Cross by members and staff over a period of time.
International awards
The Florence Nightingale Medal
The Florence Nightingale Medal is the highest international Red Cross honour that can be awarded to a nurse. It honors nurses or nursing aids who have worked as international delegates and shown exceptional courage and a devotion to victims of armed conflict or natural disaster.
It is also awarded to nurses who demonstrate outstanding service and a pioneering spirit in the areas of public health and nursing education.
- Felicity Gapes – 2019
Read about Felicity's award - Gail Corbett – 2017
- GuruDev Singh – 2017
- Barbara Turnbull – 2017
- Graham Zinsli – 2015
- Janet Askew – 2013
- Andrew Cameron – 2011
- Joyce Hood – 2009
- Marianne Whittington – 2007
- Geraldo Cruz Pires-Ribeiro – 2001
- Margaret Ann Bryson, Order of Merit – 1999
- Louisa Akavi – 1999
- Sheryl Thayer (posthumous) – 1997
- Judith Owen – 1995
- Wendy Smith – 1993
- Philippa Parker – 1993
- Jennifer McMahon – 1991
- Glenys Rodger-Checchi – 1987
- Megan Crisp – 1981
- Ngaire Simpson – 1975
- Moya McTamney – 1969
- Muriel Jackson – 1965
- Mary Gidall – 1963
- Doris Ramsay – 1961
- Edith Rudd – 1961
- Flora Cameron – 1959
- Catherine Wells – 1957
- Edan House – 1951
- Helen Crooke – 1949
- Irene Campbell – 1947
- Hester Maclean – 1920