Here are a list of some of the major (and not so major) charitable institutions within New Zealand, who do such fantastic work, that I am aware of, at least. Most, if not all of these allow on-line donations.
Click here to view some international charities.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL (NZ)
We are a global movement of individuals who protect human dignity and defend human rights.
BARNARDOS
Barnardos New Zealand provides child and family services in communities around the country.
BLIND FOUNDATION
The Blind Foundation is New Zealand’s main provider of practical and emotional support for the 12,100 Kiwis who are blind or have low vision, enabling them to face their future with confidence.
Guide dogs act as the eyes for many New Zealanders who are blind or have low vision. They provide freedom, confidence, companionship and independence and many people would not be able to live life to the full without a guide dog by their side.
CANTEEN
Supporting young people living with cancer. If you, or a brother or sister are aged between 13 and 24 and have been diagnosed with cancer, CanTeen is for you.
CCF
Child Fund New Zealand. Child sponsorship.
CHILD CANCER FOUNDATION
We aim to ensure children and their families are supported, informed and well cared for on their journey with cancer.
CHILD POVERTY ACTION GROUP
CPAG works to produce evidence about the causes and effects of poverty on children and their families. It examines how Government policies affect children and families. CPAG publishes reports, makes submissions and conducts small-scale research projects to achieve its goals.
CITY MISSION’S
Auckland; www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz
Auckland City Mission is a passionate, dynamic, social service organisation. We strive to foster innovation while being flexible and sustainable. The Mission has a proud history of serving people who have been marginalised through poverty, ill health, addiction and/or trauma.
Wellington; www.wellingtoncitymission.org.nz
The Wellington City Mission is a charitable trust affiliated to the Anglican Church. It has been helping Wellingtonians in need for 111 years, beginning in 1904 when it was part of St. Peter’s Church.
Christchurch; www.citymission.org.nz
The Christchurch City Mission offers an invitation to all people, to lend a supporting hand to those discarded, abandoned or overlooked by our society.
CURE KIDS
At Cure Kids, our purpose is simple. Every single day, we’re driven to find cures for the life-threatening illnesses that affect many of our children. How do we do it? We focus on raising funds so that vital medical research can continue till our researchers find the cures our kids need. Put simply: we fund the cures, they find the cures.
DEAF ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND (INC)
Deaf Aotearoa focuses on promoting Awareness of, Access to and Advancement of New Zealand Sign Language – to help strengthen the rights of Deaf people and give them the confidence to be an active part of society.
DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION NZ
The NZ Down Syndrome Association is a family/whanau driven organisation for people whose lives have been changed by Down syndrome. Aims: To promote and advocate for positive attitude; to promote the rights and inclusion of people with Down syndrome; to review policies and lobby government, and other agencies
FOOD BANKS
You may like to consider making an offering to a food bank that is part of your community. Many people rely on this service in order to get by from one week to the next, and lives are changed as a result.
Salvation army food bank: www.foodbank.org.nz
FRED HOLLOWS FOUNDATION
The Fred Hollows Foundation was established in Sydney, Australia on 3 September 1992, just five months before Professor Fred Hollows passed away, with the aim of continuing his work. The Foundation now works throughout the developing world, in collaboration with its partners and supporters, to eliminate avoidable blindness.
HALBERG FOUNDATION
The Halberg Foundation is a charitable organisation founded in 1963 by Olympic legend, Sir Murray Halberg (ONZ) on the belief that all people, regardless of their ability, should have equal opportunity to enhance their lives through sport and recreation. Since 1963, the Foundation has worked tirelessly to make Sir Murray’s vision a reality for New Zealand’s physically disabled people.
HEART KIDS
Every week, 12 babies are born with a heart defect in New Zealand. Whilst there are surgical procedures that can improve the heart’s function, there is no cure for a Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). Heart Kids NZ is the only charity that supports Kiwi children and families affected by CHD, right through their life.
IHC
IHC works for all people with an intellectual disability. We provide services, advocacy, support and information. IHC will advocate for the rights, inclusion and welfare of all people with an intellectual disability and support them to live satisfying lives in the community.
KIDS CAN
At KidsCan, we feel it is a great injustice that one in four New Zealand children (source: OECD report) live in poverty, going without the basics most of us take for granted. Our mission is to meet the physical and nutritional needs of Kiwi kids less fortunate than others so they can be more engaged in their education and have a better chance of reaching their potential in life.
LIFE FLIGHT TRUST
If you suffer a medical emergency or are involved in a serious accident the time saved by flying could save your life. The Life Flight Trust is a charity providing nationwide air ambulance services and the Wellington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
LIFELINE
Lifeline New Zealand provides the following helplines:
| Lifeline 24/7 | 0800 543 354 | |
| 0508 TAUTOKO Suicide Crisis Line | 0508 828 865 | |
| Kidsline | 0800 543 754 | www.kidsline.org.nz |
| It’s Not OK! Family Violence Helpline | 0800 456 450 | www.areyouok.org.nz |
| SHINE (Safe Homes in NZ Every Day) | 0508 744 633 | www.shine.org.nz |
| Warmline | 0508 927 654 |
Lifeline has been struggling to find financial support for some time.
MARY POTTER HOSPICE FOUNDATION
Mary Potter Hospice belongs to the people of Wellington, Porirua and the Kapiti Coast. We provide the best quality specialist care we can to people living with a terminal illness and to give their families the support they need.
OXFAM
Working together to end poverty and injustice.
RED CROSS
Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilising the power of humanity and enhancing community resilience.
PARALYMPICS NEW ZEALAND
Paralympics New Zealand supports and encourages opportunities for disabled people to participate in sports, from regional, national and international levels, providing athletes and coaches access to international competitions, such as the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and IPC World Championships.
PILLARS
On any given day more than 23,000 children are affected by having a parent in prison in New Zealand. Without the right support these children are over 9 x more likely than other kiwi kids to end up in prison as adults.
PLUNKET
New Zealand’s largest provider of support services for the development, health and wellbeing of children under 5. Plunket works together with families and communities, to ensure the best start for every child. Whānau āwhina – caring for families.
PRESBYTERIAN SUPPORT NEW ZEALAND
Collectively, the seven Presbyterian Support organisations are one of the largest providers of a range of social services in New Zealand. We work with older people, people with disabilities, families at risk, children and young people.
RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION NZ
New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Association (NZRDA) is a charitable organisation which provides opportunities for anyone with a disability to enjoy safe, healthy, stimulating, therapeutic horse riding and horse-related activities in New Zealand.
RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES NZ
The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities NZ (RMHC) is to create, find and support programmes that directly improve the health and well being of children.
- Auckland – www.rmhauckland.org.nz
- Wellington – www.rmhw.org.nz
- South Island – www.rmhsi.org.nz
ROYAL NZ FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND
The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind is New Zealand’s main provider of sight loss-related services to blind and partially sighted people.
Main website: www.rnzfb.org.nz
Become a Red Puppy sponsor: www.redpuppy.org.nz
RSA
The RSA was formed in New Zealand in 1916 by returning Anzacs during World War One to provide support and comfort for service men and women and their families.
SAMARITANS
Samaritans offer non-judgemental, confidential support to anyone who is lonely or in emotional distress.
SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army has fought poverty and social and spiritual distress in New Zealand. Our mission is to care for people, transform lives and reform society.
Food bank: www.foodbank.org.nz
SAVE THE CHILDREN NEW ZEALAND
Save the Children works to create a better future for children. We deliver world-class solutions and sustainable results for children all around the world. We save children’s lives, protect their rights and provide children with the opportunity to live healthy, successful lives and achieve their full potential.
ST JOHN
The mission of St John is to prevent and relieve sickness and injury, and act to enhance the health and well-being of all people throughout New Zealand.
STARJAM
All over New Zealand, StarJam inspires young people with disabilities (our Jammers) to express themselves through music, dance, singing and performance. Our workshops, gigs and discos are fun and exciting spaces for Jammers to grow in confidence, discover musical and performance talents and make lifelong friends.
SURF LIFESAVING (NZ)
Surf Life Saving is the leading water safety organisation in NZ. We have been providing surf lifesaving services to New Zealand communities for nearly 100 years.
TE OMANGA HOSPICE FOUNDATION
Te Omanga Hospice is a Charitable Trust that specialises in support and care for those living with a terminal illness, helping patients to make the most of their life that remains and ensuring that they die comfortably with dignity and in their own homes if they wish.
THE STARSHIP FOUNDATION
Starship Children’s Health is a dedicated paediatric healthcare service and major teaching centre, providing family centred care to children and young people throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific.
UNICEF NEW ZEALAND
UNICEF is the United Nations Children’s Fund. We are the world’s leading aid agency dedicated to children. Our mission is to create a better world for every child.
VARIETY – THE CHILDREN’S CHARITY
Variety is a worldwide organisation with 43 offices across 13 countries. Variety New Zealand benefits from its international links, but ensures that all funds raised in New Zealand stay in New Zealand.
WELLINGTON FREE AMBULANCE
Wellington Free Ambulance provides a broad range for services as the sole emergency ambulance provider for the people of greater Wellington.
WELLINGTON S.P.C.A (INC)
We care for over 6,000 animals each year at our animal centres located in Newtown and Waikanae. We never turn away an animal in need of help. We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome abused, neglected and unwanted animals and where appropriate take prosecutions under the Animal Welfare Act.
WOMEN’S REFUGE
Women’s Refuge is New Zealand’s most significant domestic violence organisation. We are a women’s organisation for women and their children, here to help prevent and stop family violence in New Zealand.
WORLD VISION
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome extreme poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.
YOUTHLINE
Youthline works with young people, their families and those supporting young people. We were established to ensure young people know where to get help and can access support when they need it. At the core of Youthline’s work is the development of leadership and personal skills in young people. We do this by involving young people; both those who seek assistance and those who wish to develop themselves.
Jason Remfrey | Website 