Celebrating 100 years of caring

Celebrating 100 years of caring

We've been around for 100 years!

We are celebrating 100 years of humanitarian action, a century of care in New Zealand and around the world.

Red Cross began in New Zealand in 1915 with Kiwis sending food parcels, clothes and medical supplies to sick and wounded soldiers in hospitals overseas.

100 years later, New Zealand Red Cross is at the forefront of humanitarian assistance at home and overseas and is part of the world’s oldest and most trusted humanitarian organisation.

In New Zealand, more than 15,000 people, most of whom are volunteers, provide a range of different services including meals on wheels, first aid education, disaster relief, refugee resettlement and reuniting people with long lost relatives.

Internationally Red Cross aid workers support people affected by conflict and disaster.

Secretary General Tony Paine says their 100th birthday is testament to the people who make up Red Cross.

“It is impossible to tell how many people we’ve helped over the years– whether by dropping off a hot meal, teaching life-saving first aid or by providing overseas assistance, but what I do know is that it’s because of the help of our supporters.

“We are needed today, as much as we were one hundred years ago. We want to provide another century of care, but in order to do this we need people to continue to join us as members, volunteers and donors.”

Red Cross is celebrating its history and the New Zealanders who have made this century of caring possible on a new website.

Stories include Red Cross’ responses following national and international disasters, refugee resettlement and everyday work in our communities.

Have a look at the new website, send us your Red Cross story and check out all of the centenary events happening around the country.

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