Issue 13 - Winter 2020 - New Zealand Red Cross
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Issue 13 – Winter 2020
Kia ora,
As the year progresses, the presence and impact of
COVID-19 in New Zealand is still very much apparent
– and so too is the COVID-19 response work of New
Zealand Red Cross. One key example of this is Visitor
Care Manaaki Manuhiri.
New Zealand Red Cross is delivering in-kind assistance
to help foreign nationals meet basic needs, such as
food and accommodation, by working together with
Te Tari Taiwhenua, Department of Internal Affairs,
the organisation that is managing the New Zealand
Government’s Foreign Nationals Impacted by COVID-19
Programme (known by New Zealand Red Cross as
‘Visitor Care Manaaki Manuhiri’).
In just 10 days, New Zealand Red Cross got Visitor Care
Manaaki Manuhiri up and running (see page 7) – an
incredible achievement which I am very proud of and
which highlights once more the strengths and breadth
of our organisation. I wish to thank everyone who has been
involved in making this possible; our people on the ground,
staff members who are working on the project and anyone
who has taken on more responsibilities to allow their team
members to work on this important programme.
Also part of our COVID-19 response, our teams across Aotearoa
distributed more than 3,700 Red Cross Parcels to support
Meals on Wheels recipients and newly settled former refugees,
bringing much needed hope and comfort (see page 3). Letters
of Kindness have also poured into our Service Centres to send
to isolated people, ensuring that they are not forgotten during
these uncertain times (see page 10).
As we know, outside of New Zealand, the rest of the world
has been fighting the pandemic; the Red Cross Red Crescent
Movement has been working around the clock to support
people most vulnerable to COVID-19. Some of these people are
in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, living in the world’s largest camp
for displaced people, where isolation and physical distancing
is almost impossible (see page 13).
I hope you enjoy the stories in this edition of RED and, just
like me, are inspired by the depth of our work and how we’re
supporting Kiwi communities and beyond.
Ngā mihi,
Niamh Lawless
S E C R E TA R Y G E N E R A L
Contents Who are we?
3 A symbol of hope
New Zealand Red Cross
5 Essential Kiwi Legends is part of the largest
7
humanitarian network
Visitor Care Manaaki Manuhiri in the world – the
9 Giving back with a smile International Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement.
10 Marking a historic moment that brought We’ve been helping in
Kiwis together New Zealand since 1915.
10 Letters of Kindness We’re helping Kiwis every day -
whether that’s providing a hot
11 A priceless treasure meal, helping former refugees
rebuild their lives or engaging
13 A race against time with local communities to
be better prepared for an
15 Volunteering: passion, connection, learning emergency. And, right across
the world, we help people
17 Snippets from the region affected by disaster and
conflict. Our mission? To
21 Member Spotlight: Meet Dunedin Disaster improve the lives of vulnerable
people by mobilising the power
Welfare and Support Team (DWST) member,
of humanity and enhancing
Glyn Saunders
community resilience.
22 First Aid: Safer on the road
Our
Fundamental
Principles
ɠ Humanity
ɠ Impartiality
ɠ Neutrality
ɠ Independence
ɠ Voluntary Service
ɠ Unity
ɠ Universality
Read more about them at
Jessica Timings, Communications Advisor at redcross.org.nz/about-us/
New Zealand Red Cross and the first to jump what-we-stand-for.
in our
Jump! for Red Cross skydiving event in Auckl
and
2
A
s y m b o l of
HOPE
In June, our iconic Red Cross Parcels were gifted
to vulnerable members of our community.
The revival of our parcels provided Kiwis with
a boost during these COVID-19 times. But the
story of the Red Cross Parcels, and the hope
Historical photo of Red Cross Parcels
being packed during World War Two they bring, begins more than a century ago.
to send overseas
Red Cross Parcels are part of These boxes were packed with and thanks to donations from
New Zealand Red Cross’ long food, knitted socks, personal generous businesses, New
history and have been, in hygiene items and even Zealand Red Cross has delivered
many cases, a symbol of hope. tobacco or cigarettes. Goods parcels to people supported
Parcels were a big part of the came from across the world, through Red Cross services.
work Red Cross undertook including Aotearoa where tens The parcels contained similar
during World War Two. of thousands of Kiwi women essential items to the ones in
knitted socks and mittens, World War Two, including food,
Back then, thousands of Red
crafted bandages and sewed hygiene products, blankets and
Cross Parcels were sent to
clothing to be sent to prisoners wellbeing resources.
prisoners of war in Europe,
of war.
giving hope and, in some “These parcels are about
cases, saving a life by providing Reviving the hope more than just providing
vital sustenance. Resources essential goods and wellbeing
amid the pandemic
were scarce for people in these information – they are about
camps, with one of the few In 2020, the spirit of these spreading kindness and hope.
glimmers of hope arriving in parcels continues. With the We know that some Kiwis found
the form of Red Cross Parcels. support of major partner AMI COVID-19 very challenging and
3 RED Good people doing good things
this is just one of the ways we Our amazing Red Cross In July, we received additional
helped people in need,” says volunteers distributed around publicity and support thanks to
Shaun Greaves, New Zealand 3,700 parcels across the country. Air New Zealand’s Carepoints™
Red Cross General Manager, The parcels brought comfort programme which resulted in
Humanitarian Development. and joy to those who received an amazing 59,000 Airpoints
them, including Meals on Dollars™ being donated in
Our Red Cross volunteers
Wheels recipient in the support of our parcels. The
across Aotearoa, with the Airpoints Dollars™ will be
Wairarapa, Margaret Mckenchie,
support of our partners, who said she was taken aback converted into gift cards to
worked hard to package all when the Red Cross came purchase household essentials
the donated goods from our knocking on her door one sunny to include in our second
partners into boxes to gift Saturday afternoon. wave of parcels, which will be
to vulnerable members in distributed over the months
our communities affected by I was truly blown away ahead. Reckitt Benckiser also
COVID-19, including our Meals by the thought and care helped lift awareness and
on Wheels recipients and that went into every parcel donations through their
newly settled former refugee parcel. It’s a tremendous Glen 20 TV commercial which
families. Parcels contained in- screened in July.
flight blankets and treats from
effort you [Red Cross
Air New Zealand, sanitizer, volunteers] put in, Thank you!
disinfectant and liquid soap Margaret remarked. The revival of our Red Cross
from Dettol and Glen 20, Parcels would not have been
In Wellington, for six-year-old possible without the support
toilet paper from Countdown,
Johan and his young sister of generous businesses, who
seeds from Bunnings and
who settled in New Zealand have helped us spread hope
wellbeing postcards from the
with their mum earlier this and kindness to those who
All Right? health promotion year, their favourite part of the
and marketing campaign. need it most during these
parcels was the warm beanie unprecedented times.
Funds from AMI and CBRE gifted by the Hurricanes. The
and donated by Kiwis through Hurricanes also gifted tickets A big thank you to the following
Trade Me’s Kindness Store to one of their rugby games in organisations who contributed
were used to top up the parcels Wellington to former refugee to the revival of Red Cross
with grocery and wellbeing families, including to Johan Parcels:
resources including bookmarks, who proudly wore his new AMI
puzzle and colouring books. beanie at the game.
Air New Zealand
Bunnings
Countdown
CBRE
Hurricanes
Reckitt Benckiser
Trade Me
Johan, 6, wearing his
favourite item from Donate
the Red Cross Parcel,
Help us bring hope
a Hurricanes beanie
to more Kiwis in
need redcross.
org.nz/donate.
4
Essential
#KiwiL
During the COVID-19 Alert Level 3
and 4 lockdown, essential workers risked
their health to ensure the rest of the
“It is very humbling to be
country had access to supplies, health
able to be there for someone
in their most vulnerable time. care, news, transport and other essential
It makes you feel good that services. They became our COVID-19 Kiwi
you can do that for them.” Legends – and some of these people
– Sabira Nouri, Registered Nurse were from refugee backgrounds.
“My company gave us the
choice not to work during
lockdown, but I wanted
to work. I am happy
because I got a chance to
help people – to help New
Zealand. I feel very proud.”
- Rose (Bishnu) Pradhan,
Truck Driver
“People call us because they
need help with food, clothing,
hardship assistance. I always
welcome them and want to
help them.”
- Masood Chakari, Case Manager
5 RED Good
RED Good people
people doing
doing good
good things
things
Legends
Our recent campaign for World Refugee
Day profiled former refugees who worked
through the nationwide lockdown: a nurse,
“I’m always thinking
a truck driver, a supermarket assistant, a
about how I can give back
caregiver, a bus driver and a case manager.
to New Zealand. Working
Meet our Essential Kiwi Legends:
as a bus driver during
lockdown is one way.”
Learn more - Lin Thuam Cin, Bus Driver
Check out the full stories at
redcross.org.nz/kiwilegends.
“What I did helping
my community during
lockdown is only a fraction
of what we were given
resettling in New Zealand.”
“Being a caregiver is good for me, - Nedal Ebrahim,
I like to look after the old people. Supermarket Worker
I like to think about them as a mum,
dad, grandma or grandpa.”
- Lian Thuam Cin, Caregiver
6
How we care for visitors says a lot about New Zealanders.
In difficult times, we must look after both our own and
the people visiting our country.
New Zealand Red Cross is lockdown on 23 March, their if we can get home. There is a
delivering in-kind assistance situation changed dramatically. good chance our flights will get
to help foreign nationals cancelled,” says Evelyng.
Simon, who was working on an
meet basic needs, such as
orchard in Tauranga, went from It was while living in the car
food and accommodation, by that Simon and Evelyng heard
full-time work to just a few
working together with Te Tari about Visitor Care Manaaki
hours a week almost overnight.
Taiwhenua, Department of Manuhiri, the support available
Internal Affairs, the organisation My work is not for people on temporary visas
that is managing the New happening, says Simon. in New Zealand. Through
Zealand Government’s Foreign Visitor Care Manaaki Manuhiri,
I only have one day
Nationals Impacted by COVID-19 Simon and Evelyng were
Programme (known by New of work every week. It is
provided with emergency food
Zealand Red Cross as ‘Visitor impossible for living. vouchers, vouchers to purchase
Care Manaaki Manuhiri’). winter bedding and clothing,
Unable to pay rent, barely able
and financial assistance for
"It means everything to buy food and knowing that it
their accommodation needs.
to us.” was unlikely Simon would find
more work in the Bay of Plenty, For Simon, this assistance has
Coming to New Zealand should the pair moved into Simon’s car. provided reprieve during an
have been the beginning of an anxious time.
exciting adventure for Simon Evelyng had planned to stay in
Carrasset and Evelyng Morales. New Zealand and apply for a It is a very difficult
They arrived in New Zealand working holiday visa, but soon situation for us here – no
in early February, Simon on knew she would have to try to
family, in another country.
a working holiday visa and get home instead. However,
returning home is not as simple It’s very complicated. With
Evelyng on a visitor visa. The
pair were excited to explore as it once was. no money, with nothing.
New Zealand but, when “I have a flight on 4 September, This is very special for us,
COVID-19 reached our shores but there are very few flights to Simon smiles.
and the country went into Latin America. We are not sure Thank you so much.
7 RED Good people doing good things
Simon and Evelyng, visitors from Chile, received
support through Visitor Care Manaaki Manuhiri.
on and
Help from Red Cross has meant Sim
food and mov e out of the car
Evelyng can buy
they were sleeping in. Cecilia, who is from Tonga but got stuck in
New Zealand, was provided food vouchers through
Visitor Care Manaaki Manuhiri.
The Red Cross team also
provided the pair with a Red
Cross Parcel full of goodies,
a gesture of kindness after
weeks of stress.
In Evelyng’s words: “It means
everything to us.”
From 1 July 2020,
people who are in need
and on temporary visas
(work, student, visitor)
or Recognised Seasonal
Employer (RSE) visas
can find out more and A group of Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE)
workers in Hawke’s
apply at redcross. Bay who accessed assistance through Visitor Care
Manaaki Manuhiri.
org.nz/visitorcare.
8
Chris Hamilton has been
volunteering to keep one
of our Red Cross Shops in
Hawke's Bay up and running
for the past three years
A chance to give back
G IV ING B A CK Aside from the sense of
belonging, among Chris’ key
motivations is the opportunity
With a Smile
to give back to her community
as a shop volunteer.
“In the past I’ve had a lot given
to me because of my mental
health problems,” she shares.
And in my own little ways,
It is not an unusual sight twice a week, until the shop I am able to give back to
for the people along Dalton coordinator came to me and society what society has
Street in Napier to run into a said: ‘Chris, why don’t you work given to me – and this just
here instead of just coming in happens to be through our
lovely lady with a big smile,
and buying things all the time?’ local Red Cross Shop.
making her way to the local
So, I filled out the paperwork
Red Cross Shop onboard a and ended up starting to About Red Cross Shops
mobility scooter. This lady is volunteer here the next week.”
New Zealand Red Cross has
Chris Hamilton – a dedicated
Finding her place in her over 50 Red Cross Shops across
shop volunteer who has Aotearoa. Our shops offer
been helping keep one of our new home
pre-loved items to everyone
stores in the Hawke’s Bay Chris had just moved to Napier at affordable prices, ranging
region up and running for the from Auckland when she first from clothing to homeware
past three years. came across the Red Cross and furniture. The best part:
Shop. Being on her own in a every dollar spent in the shops
Chris shares, “I help out three new environment, she admits goes to help vulnerable people
times a week. I get here at 10am, that she often felt lonely. in communities across New
which is when the shop opens.” Zealand and around the world.
“I used to go around op shops
“My job is mainly to go around in the area because I was Browse through a wide selection
and tidy up all the racks, make lonely. And when I was asked of second-hand treasures, or
sure that all items are facing to come and volunteer my time donate good quality pre-loved
the right way and all the sizes here, it was sort of the answer items for a good cause.
are in the right place.” to the loneliness,” she says.
Chris knows how customers Being surrounded by friendly
appreciate seeing their store people who are happy to have To find the Red Cross Shop
neat and clean – she used to be a chat and share a laugh is nearest you, visit redcross.
an avid shopper of secondhand something that Chris enjoys. org.nz/red-cross-shops.
treasures from the store. I love talking to the people, And if you’re in Bay of Plenty
“I actually started off as a and the camaraderie with or Otago, check out our two
regular customer here – I the people and with other recently opened shops.
often bought books. I went in volunteers.
9 RED Good people doing good thingsMarking a historic moment
that brought Kiwis together
During the COVID-19 The purchase of each
lockdown, families across commemorative stamp pack
New Zealand were kept included a $3 donation to
entertained by the nationwide New Zealand Red Cross.
bear hunt phenomenon. The New Zealand Post raised a
simple gesture of putting total of $18,654 for New Zealand
a teddy bear in the front Red Cross from the sales of
window of people’s homes its New Zealand Bear Hunt
or in other creative locations commemorative stamp issue.
helped create a magical “Thanks to New Zealand Post
experience for people of all for your ongoing support
ages during a challenging time. to people in need across
To celebrate this, New Zealand Aotearoa, and to everyone who
Post partnered with NZ Bear has purchased one of these
Hunt and New Zealand Red lovely stamps,” says Niamh
Cross for the ‘Share your Bear’ Lawless, New Zealand Red
campaign. The public were Cross Secretary General. “Your
invited to share photos and incredible generosity will allow
stories of their teddies to be us to run essential services
in our communities, such as
featured in a special stamp
Meals on Wheels, disaster Following the nationwide
collection commemorating
response and preparedness, COVID-19 lockdown, our teams
the nation’s combined
and support to newly settled across the country observed
response to COVID-19.
former refugees.” there were some people who
felt isolated and disconnected,
Out of hundreds of submissions, and wanted to do something
six winners were selected: to bring a cheerful message
from a kind individual in their
Lubert (Wellington) community. In response, the
o)
Little Ted (Waikat Letters of Kindness project
was created.
We have received approximately
1,300 Letters of Kindness
from caring people across
Aotearoa. The letters have
Frontliner Bear come in different shapes and
(Auckland) sizes, as letter-senders have
crafted their contributions with
Hay Hay Teddy thoughtfulness and creativity
(Canterbury) which we know the recipients
have truly appreciated.
Thanks to everyone who has
contributed to this project!
Childhood Bear Theodore Bear
(Auckland) (Canterbury) 10A p r i c e le s s treasure
Families
Photo by Sport Southland/Healthy
New
Invercargill
residents
on their
refurbished
bikes
Moises is an avid cyclist and gifted bike
mechanic in Invercargill. He uses his spare Moises refurbishing
time to refurbish pre-loved bikes, turning them a bike gifted by
New Zealand Post
into treasures for newly settled former refugees.
Whether he is climbing steep Moises’ passion for cycling expensive, so I just made my
hills in Colombia, training goes back to when he was own,” explains Moises.
with his Venezuelan team, 16 years old in Colombia
From there, Moises started
coasting down our spectacular when he acquired a modest
cycling competitively in
mountains in Queenstown, mountain bike. He picked up
Colombia, winning many
or commuting to work in the mechanics of bicycles as he
mountain races in his early
Invercargill, Moises always loves learnt to properly take it apart
the feeling biking brings him. and put it back together. Later twenties. He then joined a
on, he started adding new professional cycling team in
“I’ve always loved riding a bike. neighbouring Venezuela, where
pieces to improve it.
It’s healthy. I enjoy the view he spent nine years, before
and the fresh air, and it helps “After three years, I created returning to Colombia.
me forget about my worries,” a really good bike. Usually,
says Moises. bikes for competitions are very His passion for cycling was put
11 RED Good people doing good thingson hold when he became a you’ll just see them cycling with other bikes gifted by the
refugee. His life was in danger, around town. It gives them wider community.
and he was forced to flee his freedom and independence. It’s
home country to seek safety a great feeling when you see the He explains: The bikes are
in Ecuador. Then, in February bikes being used,” says Darren. in good condition, but for
2019, Moises, his wife and two the families’ convenience,
New Zealand Post, New Zealand
daughters were resettled in we do some extra servicing
Red Cross' long-term corporate
New Zealand. such as fixing small parts,
partner, was immediately keen
Moises and his family are to support the bike initiative adding oil to the chains or
among the 1,500 annual quota when they learnt about it changing the tyres.
refugees who are offered because of the environmental
settlement in New Zealand, benefits associated with reusing Through the funding from
providing them with a safe resources, as well as the social New Zealand Post, Moises also
home and the opportunity to benefits it offers the former acquired new tools to do the
start a new life. refugees. maintenance on the bikes and
ensure they are safe to ride.
Life in Invercargill, Since supporting this Since getting involved with
programme in late 2019, New
one wheel at a time New Zealand Red Cross, Moises
Zealand Post has gifted 25 old has refurbished more than
As the primary provider of postie bikes, along with 40 new 50 bicycles.
community refugee settlement frames, new helmets, locks,
in Aotearoa, New Zealand Red pumps and maintenance tools. He has also conducted a
Cross has been supporting workshop to teach former
refugee-background people “The bike programme has been refugees how to ride their bikes
in Invercargill since the city great for New Zealand Post. Not safely and how to take good
started welcoming former only is it helping us to reduce care of them.
refugees in 2018. waste in our supply chains, but
we also get to see parts of old “The bikes become the main
The Red Cross team in postie bikes bring joy to the mode of transportation for
Invercargill quickly identified former refugee community as families. When you come here,
transport as an issue for its refurbished new bicycles,” says you have nothing, so a bike is
newest residents, due to the Karen Mikaera, New Zealand like a treasure,” says Moises.
lack of public transport in the Post Supply Chain Specialist. For some people, a bike
city, so they started sourcing
bikes for each newly arrived When New Zealand Red Cross is something small, but for
former refugee. heard about Moises’ skills us it isn’t. It allows us to see
with bicycles, the team saw an the country, see people and
“Almost everyone who has opportunity for him to keep his
arrived in Invercargill has commute. Thank you to Red
passion alive in New Zealand
received a bike, so that would through this project. Cross and everyone involved
be probably more than 140 – we are very grateful.
bikes in total,” says Darren “I was very happy when Red
Frazer, New Zealand Red Cross Cross asked me to be involved Thank you New Zealand Post
Volunteer Programme Lead in with the bike programme for your ongoing support.
Invercargill. because I really enjoy it and
I really like to be able to help
“Providing former refugees, people,” shares Moises.
especially children, with bikes
is one of the most rewarding Moises spends a lot of his spare
Find out how you can also
parts of my job. One day, you time upgrading bikes donated support former refugees
give them a bike; and then, by New Zealand Post, along in your community
redcross.org.nz/refugee.
12A race
Ag ai nst ti me
New Zealand Red Cross’ communications
delegate, Elodie Berthe, reflects on what the
old, fled violence in threat of COVID-19 means for people she met in the
Mohammed, 70 years mar, in August 2017
ine state, Myan
Rakh
world’s biggest camp, Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh.
The atmosphere of the camps packed shelters surrounded hazards, and congested living
in Cox’s Bazar may feel like by piles of rubbish, or after conditions.
a vibrant Bangladeshi city you’ve reached a hilltop Sadly, this animated life in
at first. Tom-toms (a type of with a 360-degree view over the camps that I witnessed in
auto rickshaw) storm down thousands of tiny homes built October 2019 when I visited the
the road, avoiding at the very on unstable land, that the district has now vanished. Only
last moment people carrying reality becomes clear. a few shops are left open, very
metres-long bamboo poles few tom-toms drive through
Since 25 August 2017, more
on their shoulders and kids the camps and no children can
than 700,000 people have
running after chickens, while be found playing outside.
arrived in Bangladesh,
the smell of freshly-made
fleeing violence in Myanmar’s It may have only been
bread attracts shoppers,
Rakhine state and triggering a matter of time before
fisherman sell their catch of
one of the region’s largest, COVID-19 reached Cox’s
the day, teenagers play cane
most complex and protracted Bazar, but it has - imposing
ball and even barbers ensure
humanitarian crises in yet more challenges to the
customers’ beards look sharp.
decades. Today, close to lives of people already living
But the first impression of one million people are living in extremely precarious
the camps is misleading. It in an extremely precarious situations.
is only once you’ve ventured situation and continue to
among the narrow alleyways face instability, health issues, Nearly one million people are
and got lost among tightly poverty, natural and climatic living in 13 square kilometres,
Donate to our
International Appeal
redcross.org.nz/
donate/around-world.
13 RED Good people doing good thingsmaking it one of the most but places like the Bangladesh Centre being one of them. This
densely populated places on Red Crescent Society’s (BDRCS) is a devastating blow to those
earth. Implementing physical Dignity, Access, Participation, who have come to rely on the
distancing in such overcrowded Safety (DAPS) Centre have programme and its staff.
camps is extremely challenging, helped her to find a renewed
if not almost impossible. This is why the Red Cross
sense of safety, confidence and
The unhygienic conditions, and Red Crescent Movement
happiness.
including lack of access to has been working around
hygiene facilities and safe water, Rashida says, I usually the clock. We are running 12
different health facilities inside
is a major concern. feel unsafe, unsettled and
the camps and in the adjoining
How do you wash your hands struggle a lot, but when area and disseminating
frequently if you don’t have I come to the centre, I am consistent and accurate
soap or access to water? How happy, I can learn new messaging and distribution
do you avoid crowds if you are skills, chat with other of hygiene materials. Cyclone
all picking up food from one preparedness activities
aid agency? How will people women and share my
are being undertaken
in camps be quarantined, and suffering and sadness. simultaneously with work
where? Will they be able to get to prevent COVID-19, as the
A safe space for survivors of
tested and looked after? annual threat of the cyclone
violence and at-risk groups, the
season looms.
The clock is ticking centre provides psychosocial
support and the teaching of Now, back in New Zealand
With the first few cases of new skills such as sewing and and safe from COVID-19, I
COVID-19 confirmed in the fish net making, and for young keep thinking of Rashida,
camps, it’s now a race to women who are survivors of Jaynab, Abdul, Shifika, Hafaz,
avoid another humanitarian gender-based violence, it helps Rohima and many more who
disaster and to protect the them to meet other women welcomed me into their home
people already living in such facing similar problems, to and shared their stories of
vulnerable conditions who have share their experiences and to courage, determination and
undergone such huge trauma learn from one another. hope. People who, along with
just to get to Cox’s Bazar. another million more, deserve
Now that the risk of COVID-19
People like Rashida, who is to be remembered by those
has become clear, non-essential
only 18 years old and was of us lucky enough to live in a
services have been suspended
separated from her family in safe and comfortable place like
within the camps, the DAPS
the chaos of fleeing Myanmar. New Zealand.
The camps are difficult for her,
Rashida, sewing at the
community centre
Alma, fetching
water from a
shared tap next
to her doorstep
Cox’s Bazar camps 14Refugee Support
aster Volunteeer,
Brooklyn Wilson, disin Hamilton Young Humanitarians in Inve Heng Zhang
response volunteer rcargill
Volunteering:
passion, connection, learning
For National Volunteer Week in June, Shaun Greaves, General Manager
Humanitarian Development at New Zealand Red Cross, reflected on how
volunteering has evolved and why it’s still so important.
When you look across the as charities, big and small, Red Cross volunteers and
room inside your local bustling simply could not exist. members, and the programmes
community hall, when it’s they make possible. It seems
I started volunteering when I
packed with books, second- to me that being a volunteer
was 11 years old and haven't
hand treasures or fundraisers, is an integral part of what we
there is sure to be a crew of stopped. As a young person I
believe is best about being
volunteers ferreting away in got up each year well before
a Kiwi: generosity, goodwill,
the background. Volunteers are dawn to help take care of
community spirit and ingenuity.
running the barbecue outside people at Anzac Day services,
your local supermarket or DIY sometimes even providing first Passion
store, in high-vis vests looking aid. I remember there being
weather extremes – one time In past times, people would tell
after people at a march to me they volunteered because
Parliament, in the steaming- was so hot that people were
fainting, and another on a wet, they wanted to give back to
hot first aid tent at your child’s
windy, cold and miserable day their community. But more
sports game.
we all got saturated – but we recently, it seems that people
Volunteering is a vital to the persevered. are led by passion. The most
foundation of our country and dedicated volunteers that
volunteers undoubtedly have a Volunteering has always been I’ve met in the past few years
huge impact across Aotearoa. a huge part of what makes have been those that fervently
In fact, without volunteers, me, me. I’m privileged in my believe in the cause or issue
many small businesses as well current job to support amazing they are volunteering for -
15 RED Good people doing good thingsFatima, O-Red member
Jennie, Meals on Wheels
caring enough that they are connected than ever yet In other cases, volunteering
willing to give their time, effort, lonelier than we have ever can be a step in an education
commitment or platform. been. During the COVID-19 or employment journey, a way
Alert Level 4 lockdown, we to learn something new that
For example, recent headlines
all discovered that keeping will be of value in a future role
around climate change and
connected, even when we or career.
Black Lives Matter show
couldn’t be together, can take
us the lengths that people
many different forms. Many Volunteering supports
everywhere, of all ages, will go
to defend, protect or fight for of us adapted in the way that wellbeing
what they believe in. we work and interact with It's not lost on me that
people, discovering new ways these themes link closely
In my experience, young to maintain friendships and with three of the Five Ways
people are anything but connections. So, as we look to Wellbeing: Connect - Me
apathetic, and they are looking to the future of volunteering, Whakawhanaunga, Give - tukua,
for ways to channel their perhaps we can consider not Keep Learning - me ako tonu.
passion. It's imperative for a only the ways that volunteering As we still feel the impacts
healthy future in Aotearoa that can facilitate physical social of the COVID-19 pandemic in
we understand and harness the connection, but also new Aotearoa and around the world,
incredible passion of our young innovative digital connections. being conscious of our own
people, and empower them to
wellbeing is more critical than
fight for what they believe in. Learning something
ever. Volunteering can be a
Social connections Many volunteering roles great way to keep connected, to
provide an opportunity to learn and give your time, your
You may be surprised to learn learn, to develop skills or build presence or your words - while
that, in a disaster, the strength knowledge. In some cases, supporting your own wellbeing
of your social connections is volunteer roles require you to to keep healthy and happy.
one of the key factors of how train in specialised skills that
well you will get through and most people would never be
recover. Social connectedness is
exposed to – learning how to INSPIRED?
vital to every aspect of our life.
save a life with first aid skills, or
And yet, as you’ve probably the tools you need to support a Become a volunteer
heard before, we are more family who is new to Aotearoa. redcross.org.nz/volunteer.
16Auckland/Northland
y 15 jumpers joined Jump! Red Cross volunteers delivering
Red Cross Parcels in Kaitaia
for Red Cross Auckland, our
tandem skydiving event and
raised just over $15,000 for
New Zealand Red Cross
y The Red Cross Shop and
Service Centre in Whangarei
moved to a new location at 46
John Street
Auckland - our brave
y Good and Ready Auckland Jump! for Red Crossdy to take the big
jumpers get tin g rea
se
volunteers, alongside our plunge for a good cau
corporate partners, Air New
Zealand and AMI, assisted in
Snippets
packing 585 Red Cross Parcels
at Wiri Warehouse
y Bedding Pack Project was able
to supply Mahitahi Hauora
(part of Healthy Homes) with
89 individual bedding packs,
which will support up to 35
families all over the wider
Northland region
from the regions
y The Paihia branch held a New Zealand Red Cross people are doing
market stall on 18 July to amazing work all over Aotearoa. Check out
raise funds for their continued what’s been happening in the regions.
work in the community. The
team was able to sell out of
all the baked goods, home-
made crafts and children’s
collectables they had on hand,
despite the wild weather
y The Kerikeri Branch partnered
with three local community
groups: Hauora Hokianga,
Healthy Homes and Mid North Meals on
Family Support, to deliver Wheels
recipient
62 baby packs to pregnant receiving
mothers who are vulnerable Red Cross
Parcel
y 344 “Letters of Kindness”
were sent to elderly members
of our community through
rest homes Garth and Lynette,
Disaster Welfare and
Support Team (DWST)
members, delivering
Red Cross Parcels
17 RED Good people doing good thingsRed Cross volunteers in Tauranga, alongside
Waikato/Bay of Plenty our corporate partners, AMI and members of the
New Zealand Rugby Sevens Team, delivering
y 15 jumpers joined Jump! Red Cross Parcels
for Red Cross Tauranga, our
tandem skydiving event and
raised $15,000 for New Zealand
Red Cross
Support Team y Disaster Welfare and Support
Disaster Welfare and
Hamilton,
(DWST) members in Team (DWST) member,
oklyn raised
Monica, Thea and Bro
over $3,000 as part
of our Jump! for Brooklyn Wilson in Hamilton,
diving event
Red Cross tandem sky won Waikato Volunteer of the
Year Award – Youth Award
y The Red Cross Shop in Tauranga
relocated from Cameron Road East Coast/Wairarapa
to Chadwick Road
y In July, the Young Humanitarian
y Some Red Cross Parcels were Programme kicked off in
delivered by members of the Masterton with 15 students
NZ Rugby Sevens team from Masterton Intermediate.
Throughout the school year,
students learn about the history
of New Zealand Red Cross,
our migration programmes,
emergency preparedness and
response, and volunteering
opportunities. We look forward
to working with these future
leaders to complete the
programme
y 450 Red Cross Parcels were
delivered in the Hawke’s Bay
Region
Our Red Cross
team alongside
Secretary General
Niamh Lawless
meeting Recognised
Seasonal Employers
and support
workers as part
of Visitor Care
Manaaki Manahuri.
Taranaki/Manawatu
y Taranaki Emergency Civil y The Red Cross Shop in
Defence donated 80 frozen Taranaki has moved to Gover
meals to our Meals on Wheels Street
recipients y The Palmerston North Book
y Disaster Welfare and Support Fair has been cancelled, due
Team (DWST) in Taranaki to COVID-19 lockdown
delivered 130 Red Cross Parcels
18Wellington
y New Zealand Red Cross
hosted a successful event at
Parliament for World Refugee
Day to acknowledge the
contribution former refugees
have made to their new
communities and remember
the millions of displaced Taste of Cultures event
in Wellington
people in the world. Our
Essential Kiwi Legends, former
refugees who were COVID-19
essential workers during Alert
Level 3 and 4, were celebrated
during the event
y We hosted another successful
Taste of Cultures fundraising
dinner on 30 July; 200 guests
joined us for an evening at
The Museum of New Zealand
Red Cross volunteers in
Te Papa Tongarewa, raising Invercargill packing Red Secretary General, Niamh
Cross Parcels Lawless alongside Monmaya
over $20,000 Pradhan and Essential Kiwi
Legend, Rose Pradhan, at our
y Red Cross volunteers in World Refugee Day event at
Wellington packed 237 Red Parliament
Cross Parcels with the help of
our members and staff
y Isabella and Grace, students Otago/Southland
at Wellington East Girls’
College, inspired their class y A new Red Cross Shop opened
to write over 30 Letters of in Dunedin, located at 56
Kindness to contribute to Crawford Street
their community y The preparations for the annual
Red Cross Charity Art Auction
in Dunedin are underway, mark
your calendar on 8 October.
Find out more: redcross.org.
nz/dunedin-art-auction
y 130 Red Cross Parcels were
delivered to Meals on Wheels
recipients in Mosgiel and
Balclutha, and to former
refugee families in Dunedin
y The Southland Cheese Roll
fundraising event is coming
Southland up on 20 September. Find
Cheese Roll
coming up, 20 out more: redcross.org.nz/
September cheeseroll
19 RED Good people doing good thingsTasman/Marlborough
y Blenheim has welcomed
the arrival of their first two
Red Cross volunteers in of
former refugee families from Blenheim wait for the arrivalily
Colombia, after a long wait. the first former refugee fam
Families arrived in Mangere
Refugee Resettlement Centre
in Auckland in March, just
before the lockdown, and
were only able to reach their
new home in July
y A mid-winter celebration was
held on 20 June in Nelson, to
acknowledge World Refugee
Day and National Volunteer
Week. Red Cross refugee
Blenheim's first former
support volunteers gathered refugee family arrives
to celebrate the amazing
work the volunteers have
done to help settle former
refugee families
Canterbury/West Coast
y 787 Red Cross Parcels were
packed and distributed to Meals
on Wheels recipients and former
refugee families recently resettled
y Charing Cross Branch has sadly
closed. Thank you to the branch
members, past and present, for
all the hard work you’ve done in
your community for the past 76
years. The branch members will
Red Cross volunteers continue as a group
in Christchurch,
alongside our y Sana Ditta, a Christchurch
corporate partners,
Air New Zealand and woman, set up the Teddy Bear
AMI, packing 787 Red Project, where she raised funds to
Cross Parcels purchase teddy bears for former
refugee children who arrived into
Christchurch. Sana was inspired
by the idea after she received a
teddy bear herself from Red Cross
in the wake of the Christchurch
Mosque Attacks. Thanks to Sana,
30 children have received teddy
bears with the help of our Red
Happy young rec Cross team in Christchurch
the Teddy Bear Pripients of
oject
20member Spotlight
Thousands of dedicated Kiwis make up our New
Zealand Red Cross whānau. Dunedin Disaster Welfare
and Support Team (DWST) member, Glyn Saunders, is
one of them. He talks about his work with Red Cross.
What does being a member What do you know now that stretcher up a sand dune in the
of the Disaster Welfare and you didn’t when you started pouring rain, helping people
Support Team involve? volunteering? affected by the Mataura floods,
I have been with the team The outreach work is something and seeing so many people
now for a year and have been I have learnt a great deal happily support the Red Cross
involved in a range of activities. about, especially with the on Red Rose Day.
They are a cohesive, well- pandemic and lockdown. I did What do you currently do
trained team that are very some phone support during as part of the Visitor Care
professional, so it is really lockdown and it reinforced how Customer service team?
rewarding being a part of that. important this work is across
I work in the Visitor Care
I have been involved in some a whole range of situations – it
first aid support and I was sent is an extremely useful life skill Manaaki Manuhiri contact
to the Mataura flood response as well. centre, where we deal with
to do house-to-house needs enquiries and conduct needs
What is your favourite part assessments for people
assessments. Operational tasks
about being a Red Cross needing support with warm
like this are really rewarding
member? clothing and bedding, fuel,
but the Dunedin DWST also
get involved in other Red Cross There are so many levels to phone top-ups and the like. It’s
activities such as Red Rose Day. this. At the local level, being extremely rewarding work with
Selling roses in the hospital part of the Dunedin DWST a great team across the whole
foyer really showed me how is brilliant – it is quite an programme. It takes a mix of
highly the Red Cross is regarded honour to volunteer with such skills but puts into effect our
across the community. a capable group of people. PFA (Psychological First Aid)
Bigger picture, it is great to training and the ability to listen
What inspired you to get be part of an international
involved? to people’s concerns in these
organisation that is so highly
difficult times - a perfect fit for
I used to work for the United respected across the globe,
Red Cross I reckon. Also, as I
Nations World Food Programme especially here in New Zealand
come from a field background
(WFP) in emergency logistics where everyone I talk to holds
myself, I especially enjoy
and had a bit to do with the Red Cross in high regard. You
Red Cross teams. So when I can be very proud to say you working with the Red Cross
moved back to New Zealand, belong to Red Cross. Service Centres, face-to-face
I was keen to get involved teams and social workers out
Do you have a favourite there delivering the support
in some form of community
moment from your Red Cross on the ground. All in all, we are
support – Red Cross, and DWST
volunteering? doing good things and that is
in particular, seemed a good
place to start. There are so many – hauling a something to be proud of.
21 RED Good people doing good thingsFirst Aid: Safer on the road
New Zealand Red Cross has friendly when the worst New Zealand Red Cross
teamed up with Automobile happens.” Product Development
Association (AA) to keep Kiwis Manager, Marcus Bird, explains
“Now our new Vehicle First Aid
safe on our road. Together, how he learnt New Zealand
Kit has specialist products like
we’ve developed and released had no dedicated vehicle kits
the TraumaFix pack to quickly
a new range of first aid kits, currently on the market.
assist with severe bleeding
which we hope will raise the and BurnSoothe for treating “The first thing I decided to do
bar for self-help supplies burns. That’s an important was lead an informal review
nationwide. change because, while airbags of what was available on the
The Vehicle First Aid Kit was are proven to reduce fatalities market here and I was shocked
designed to help keep Kiwis and serious injuries in vehicle to find that many of these
safe on our roads. The kits accidents, they can also so-called vehicle kits are just
included specialist products cause minor burns when they smaller versions of a household
for roadside and vehicle- deploy,” says Thiruna. first aid kit.”
related incidents. In developing the AA’s new Although there are currently
AA Retail Product Co-ordinator, Vehicle First Aid Kit, New no official standards in New
Thiruna Selvaratnam explains, Zealand Red Cross used Zealand for vehicle first aid
“We wanted to make sure that accident statistics and the kits, Marcus hopes the new
our AA kits provide the best British Standard (which AA and New Zealand Red
and most up-to-date products utilises research data found Cross kits become something
on the market and are user- in Formula 1 racing) to better of an unofficial standard. The
understand what’s required kits have also been designed
in that critical period before with the environment in mind
emergency services arrive – where the team made a
at the crash scene. conscious decision to remove
the usual plastic shrink
wrapping found in first aid kits.
The new Vehicle First Aid Kit
is now available at AA centres
across the country and available
on our online retail shop.
Make sure you have your First
Aid Kit redcrossshop.org.nz/.
Get involved Join the conversation NewZealandRedCross
Join today at redcross.org. Follow us on Facebook,
nz/get-involved Twitter and Instagram for all @NZRedCross
the latest New Zealand Red
Volunteer with us nzredcross
Cross news and updates.
Learn first aid
Donate Head to
Leave a lasting gift redcross.org.nz/volunteer
in your will to find out more.
Fundraise to help others 22You can also read
