UNICEF is the United Nations Children's Fund. We are proud to be the world's leading aid agency, having saved the lives of more children than any other organisation.

Our mission is to create a better world for every child.

UNICEF operates in over 150 countries. Our work is diverse and includes maternal and child health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation, education and child protection.

• We ensure that our programmes our sustainable and effective by working at the family, community, regional and country level with direct access to policy makers and local organisations.
• In emergencies, we can respond within 48 hours, using our network of supply hubs located strategically around the world.
• Here in New Zealand, we’re working closely with other organisations to bring children’s issues into the spotlight and affect change at a government level.

Children and women have rights!

The ultimate aim of all UNICEF-supported activities is the realisation of the rights of children and women, as laid down in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

UNICEF in action

UNICEF achieves amazing, life-changing results – making real changes to the lives of children everywhere. 

You can read about the difference we are making in our stories from the field and in our projects section.

Every $1 donated to us is worth at least $10 in the field through our leverage effect, while our supply division allows us to get quality supplies to children and their families quickly.

Our Ambassadors highlight our work – raising public awareness of the battles we’re fighting, not just in emergency situations, but day-to-day in areas such as children’s health and education.

Read UNICEF NZ AT A GLANCE to get an overview of who we are and what we do.

Find out what you can do to support our work.