You need to enable JavaScript to view this website.
Around The World
Around NZ
About
Stories
Stories
search
Search
Ways To Donate
stories from the frontline
LATEST POST
Our work overseas
Big Problems Need Big Solutions
We reached more than 760 million children with life-saving vaccines over the last 20 years, and helped prevent more than 13 million deaths. Our greatest challenge is just beginning.
Continue Reading
Our work in NZ
Chiefs lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi opens up on rugby and living a healthy lifestyle
“Initially, I wanted my kids to be sports stars, but at the end of the day, I just want them to be happy and healthy. If they choose sport then that’s awesome. If they don't choose sport then that’s awesome too."
Read more
Media releases and reports
UNICEF NZ appoints leading-edge CEO
Leading children’s rights organisation selects Michelle Sharp as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Read more
Our work overseas
A firsthand account from the hours after Beirut's explosion
Jackeline Atwi's niece was missing. As she desperately tried to find her, hope was running low.
Read more
Our work overseas
Hunger Relief - Malnutrition
Hunger and malnutrition deprive children of essential nutrients, making them susceptible to severe versions of common sicknesses and diseases, and can lead to poor growth, development and stunting.
Read more
Our work overseas
Hunger Relief - Water Lilies
Nine-month-old Baby Chiengjiuk lives in Bentiu camp for displaced people in South Sudan.
Read more
Our work overseas
Hunger Relief - Grass
Nyabel Wal travelled for six days to look for food, only to come back empty-handed. With no other options, she’s been forced to gather plants which grow close to the ground in the her remote village of Kiech Kon, South Sudan.
Read more
Media releases and reports
On World Children’s Day, UNICEF warns COVID-19 is causing irreversible harm to children
Children and adolescents account for 1 in 9 of reported COVID-19 infections, according to new analysis released by UNICEF.
Read more
Our work overseas
5 Things You Should Know About Malnutrition
Childhood malnutrition affects more than 229 million kids worldwide. It's a triple threat which includes undernutrition, hidden hunger and overnutrition. Find out what you should know about malnutrition.
Read more
Our work overseas
Would you go this far to help children?
UNICEF Health Worker Paul Maesiala travels on a boat for three hours to reach children in remote Solomon Islands.
Read more
Our work overseas
Displacement leaves its traces on health and nutrition of children in Cabo Delgado
Mossa is the only father in the group. He has come today with his four children: “I wanted to give their mother a break today. We have such a long, dangerous journey behind us, and she is exhausted and sick because of all the worrying for our kids.”
Read more
Media releases and reports
1 in 6 children lives in extreme poverty, World Bank-UNICEF analysis shows
The pre-COVID-19 analysis reveals that 356 million children struggle to survive on less than $1.90 a day, two-thirds of them in sub-Saharan Africa
Read more
Our work overseas
Former refugee Robel Teklay knows what it means to be hungry
Robel talks to UNICEF NZ about growing up with precious little food in Sudan and his journey to New Zealand
Read more
Our work overseas
What families eat for breakfast around the world.
Some breakfasts are hot, some are cold. Here’s what breakfast looks like for children in 10 countries around the world.
Read more
Our work overseas
How little Adut beat malnutrition
From not being able to stand by herself, to walking again on her own - this is Adut's 8 week journey to recovery.
Read more
Our work overseas
It is an ambitious goal – to end global hunger by 2030
Are we on track?
Read more
Media releases and reports
Fragile gains to health of women and children threatened
Gains made to advance women and children’s health are threatened by conflict, the climate crisis and COVID-19.
Read more
Media releases and reports
Kiwi Entrepreneur Commits to Help End Racism and Discrimination in Schools.
Young Entrepreneur Sharndre Kushor celebrates her 26th birthday with the launch of a foundation and a partnership with UNICEF
Read more
Our work in NZ
'I want all kids to be free of racism'
Kiwi musician Paige Tapara is a singer-songwriter. She spoke to UNICEF NZ about racism, growing up feeling disconnected from te ao Māori, her struggles with depression, and how ultimately her music gave her a way to express herself.
Read more
Our work in NZ
Vivien Maidaborn steps down as Executive Director of UNICEF Aotearoa NZ
Vivien Maidaborn is stepping down from her role after more than six years.
Read more
Our work in NZ
New Report Card shows that New Zealand is failing its children
Report Card gives New Zealand an F for failure when it comes to wellbeing outcomes for children.
Read more
Media releases and reports
How do we help the most vulnerable children from failing in our education system?
COVID-19 has significantly increased education disparity amongst New Zealand's low-income families and those that enjoy a privileged upbringing.
Read more
Our work overseas
How do you deliver vaccines during a pandemic?
Vivien Maidaborn is used to fielding unusual questions. But this was a question even she hadn’t heard before.
Read more
Our work overseas
Six ways UNICEF is helping children after the explosions in Beirut
Here's what we're doing to help children in Beirut.
Read more
Our work overseas
"What a time to deliver a baby!"
On the day Khalid held his oldest daughter for the first time, there was an explosion close to the hospital where she was born in Yemen.
Read more
Our work overseas
Concern for wellbeing of children following explosions in Beirut
UNICEF concerned children among the casualties after massive explosion in Beirut.
Read more
Our work overseas
Breastfeeding during coronavirus
An interview with nutrition expert at UNICEF South Asia
Read more
Our work overseas
Inside one of Yemen's few operational hospitals
Only half of Yemen's health centres are functional. We went inside one of the main hospitals in Sana'a.
Read more
Our work overseas
One Love single featuring Māori singer released worldwide
Māori soul singer TEEKS features on new version of One Love launched by members of the Marley family.
Read more
Our work overseas
Yemen's children 'want peace'
Aussie aid worker Harriet Dwyer wants to remind people that Yemeni children can truly flourish with the right support.
Read more
Our work overseas
UNICEF New Zealand and Bybit launch partnership
An innovative partnership to help children in greatest need
Read more
Our work in NZ
Parents of newborns get four more weeks of paid parental leave
Kiwi parents can now spend a full six months at home with their precious pēpi (baby).
Read more
Our work overseas
Samoa better prepared for Covid-19 after measles outbreak
Reflections six months after the measles outbreak that killed 83 people.
Read more
Our work in NZ
UNICEF's Childhood Challenge
The Childhood Challenge is simple: pull out that old photo album and reminisce about your favourite childhood memories. It’s a sure way to brighten up your week. Take a look at our favourite staff snaps!
Read more
Our work overseas
Kane Williamson goes to bat for clean water and soap
"We can make a huge difference to people's lives by giving them access clean water and soap."
Read more
Our work overseas
COVID-19: A double emergency
COVID-19 is bringing a new threat to already battered countries – and makes delivering life-saving assistance even harder.
Read more
Media releases and reports
Highly regarded Māori advocate joins UNICEF NZ
UNICEF New Zealand today welcomes Brandi Hudson to the role of Deputy Executive Director – Child Rights.
Read more
Our work overseas
Global leaders come together to raise $13.6b for vaccines
Enough money to immunise 300 million children.
Read more
Our work overseas
Millions of children at risk as Covid-19 impacts nutrition, education and vaccines
Covid-19 has impacted access to vaccines, education, and exacerbated issues around food shortages.
Read more
Our work overseas
Hand washing around the world
The simple act of hand washing is the best protection we have against Covid-19.
Read more
Our work in NZ
COVID-19: Number of children living in household poverty set to soar
New analysis from Save the Children and UNICEF reveals that without urgent action, the number of children living in poor households across low- and middle-income countries could increase by 15 per cent, to reach 672 million
Read more
Our work overseas
Yemeni children face fighting a virus in a war zone
After more than five years of conflict, families in Yemen now face the threat of a deadly pandemic without even the most basic supplies.
Read more
Our work overseas
Protecting Pacific Kids from Covid-19
As Covid-19 spreads around the world, communities in the Pacific are desperately preparing to respond to the imminent threat of the pandemic.
Read more
Our work overseas
Snaps of Covid-19 lockdown life with children from around the world
Photographers in countries around the world are at home with their families – these are their photos.
Read more
Our work overseas
Through pandemics and epidemics, UNICEF has been there (and will be there)
For more than 70 years, we have been working to improve the lives of children and their families.
Read more
Our work overseas
The difference soap and water can make in a refugee camp
As Covid-19 spreads around the world, water and soap are more important than ever before. But what if you didn’t have access to them?
Read more
Our work in NZ
Youth Week: What is the value of education?
A reflection on the value of education in the wake of Covid-19.
Read more
Our work overseas
New Zealand commits $5m to UNICEF to support Indonesia’s Covid-19 response
NZ govt pledges $5 million to protect Indonesia against Covid-19.
Read more
Our work overseas
Child mortality rate set to increase for first time in decades without urgent action
The COVID-19 pandemic is fast becoming a lasting crisis for children.
Read more
Media releases and reports
Children are the unseen victims of COVID-19
UNICEF appeals for NZD $2.6 billion to meet the growing needs of children impacted by COVID-19.
Read more
Our work in NZ
Gemma McCaw wants all Kiwi mums to know they’re not alone
Gemma McCaw speaks to UNICEF NZ about the joys of motherhood and why looking out for others is so important during the COVID-19 crisis.
Read more
Our work overseas
Pregnant mothers and babies born during Covid-19 pandemic under threat
With 116 million expected births in the approximately 9 months since the Covid pandemic was recognised, UNICEF calls on governments and donors to maintain lifesaving services for pregnant women and newborns.
Read more
Our work overseas
Six inspirational stories about mothers around the world
As COVID-19 continues to turn our lives upside down, Mother’s Day will look a little different.
Read more
Our work overseas
Vaccines and the diseases they prevent
Find out more about the most commonly recommended vaccines.
Read more
Our work overseas
A day in the life of a vaccinator in Mali
Going the distance to reach every child, no matter where they live.
Read more
Our work overseas
The lengths to which health workers go to reach every child with vaccines
Vaccines can prevent disease outbreaks now and in the future.
Read more
Our work in NZ
Kiwi Mum encourages parents to ask for help amidst Covid-19 crisis
As the Covid-19 crisis pushes families to the brink, Kiwi Mum Malaina Tuafa says now is not the time to worry about putting your hand up for a bit of help.
Read more
Our work overseas
Routine vaccinations must continue – UNICEF
As COVID-19 has continued to spread globally, more than 117 million children in 37 countries may miss out on receiving the lifesaving measles vaccine.
Read more
Our work overseas
World Immunisation Week 2020
Find out how vaccines keep your child and community safe.
Read more
Our work overseas
In the race to fight against Covid-19, UNICEF's supply chains are working 24/7
The Covid-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on global supply chains. UNICEF is developing innovative solutions to ensure we continue to reach as many children as possible with life-saving supplies.
Read more
Our work in NZ
A Kiwi mum explains the importance of food parcels
Maya Vai Bourne has a massive heart – she supports her husband Anthony who is on dialysis for ten hours a day as well as her three children and five nieces and nephews. She tells UNICEF NZ why food parcels have been so important for her family during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Read more
Our work overseas
Pacific islands face two crises at once
Not only must the region protect its people from the deadly coronavirus pandemic, it has to also recover from a second wave of destruction - Tropical Cyclone Harold.
Read more
Media releases and reports
UNICEF NZ and The Salvation Army partner to reach families in response to Covid-19
For the first time ever, UNICEF New Zealand is fundraising to support Kiwi children and families impacted by Covid-19.
Read more
Our work overseas
What will COVID-19 mean for the Pacific?
"It's even more important that we continue to support children in these communities."
Read more
Our work overseas
How children around the world are adapting to life under COVID-19
Children and parents around the world are making a new normal
Read more
Our work in NZ
How teenagers can protect their mental health during COVID-19
Six strategies for teens facing a new (temporary) normal.
Read more
Our supporters
What children want to know about coronavirus
Straight from the playground - here are the tough questions kiwi kids want answered about Covid-19.
Read more
Our supporters
Coronavirus
What can you do? Be part of the solution!
Read more
Our work overseas
Covid-19 is devastating Italy
But rainbows offer a ray of hope all over the country. “Andrà tutto bene"
Read more
Our work overseas
Almost 5 million children born into war in Syria
As the conflict enters its 10th year, millions of children are entering their second decade of life surrounded by war, violence, death and displacement.
Read more
Our work overseas
Hitching a ride aboard a flying, lifesaving vaccine delivery
UNICEF Pacific Chief of Comms Cate Heinrich flew aboard a lifesaving vaccine delivery to Samoa last November.
Read more
Media releases and reports
Two highly experienced business leaders join UNICEF NZ’s board
Rachel Petero and Carmen Vicelich
Read more
Our supporters
Coronavirus: What parents need to know
How to protect yourself and your children.
Read more
Our work overseas
“Covid-19 is clearly not a virus that anybody in the world will have immunity to.”
Doctor Nikki Turner
Read more
Media releases and reports
Deadly measles and coronavirus outbreaks are on the rise. But where is the outrage for pneumonia?
Boosting efforts to fight pneumonia could avert nearly 9 million child deaths from pneumonia and other major diseases, a new analysis has found ahead of the first ever global forum on childhood pneumonia.
Read more
Our work overseas
In photos: how vaccines reach the most remote places on earth
No child too far.
Read more
Our work overseas
A Syrian family's journey to the safety of New Zealand
Four years ago, Ramia Saidawi left Syria, with her husband and two girls, for a life of safety in New Zealand
Read more
Our work in NZ
A healthy home for every child
NZ is in the middle of a housing crisis with many sides - cost, quality and availability among them. But every child has the right to a safe and healthy home
Read more
Our work overseas
A Kiwi view of the world's largest refugee camp
My bags and I are heading to Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh - the largest refugee settlement in the world
Read more
Our work overseas
A long walk and a longer wait
Three-year-old Nur has been vomiting for three days, with severe diarrhoea, and now his father watches him, wondering if he waited too long to bring him in.
Read more
Our work overseas
A celebration of change in tropical Kiribati
Of every 1000 children under five in Kiribati, 47 will die, often from entirely preventable causes. But that's changing.
Read more
Our work overseas
A family's journey from Syria to Libya
Eight-year-old Bassam and his family have been running from war for five years, only to have it chase them every step of the way
Read more
Our work overseas
Unicef Heroes: Fighting Sickness With Donkey Power
An unusual ally has been enlisted in the fight against polio in the war-torn mountains of Yemen: Donkeys
Read more
Media releases and reports
UNICEF statement on the adoption of the Global Compact for Migration.
Statement from UNICEF Director of Data, Research and Policy Laurence Chandy
Read more
Our work overseas
Vaccines are a lifesaver in NZ and the world
New Zealand still isn’t immune from outbreaks of disease, and a lack of vaccination can still be a death sentence for kiwi children
Read more
Our work overseas
Violence And Displacement Stalk Children In Raqqa
As violence escalates in the Syrian region of Raqqa, families have been fleeing their homes to poorly equipped temporary shelters and camps.
Read more
Our work in NZ
What Drives An Award-winning Athlete?
When 19-year-old, award-winning shot putter Nathaniel is not training, he's helping out Kiwi kids as a teacher aide at a Hutt Valley kindergarten.
Read more
Our work in NZ
"Why Is It Mainly Maori Who Are Homeless?"
19 year old Lyric Brooklyn has spent time living on the streets since his early teens. He talks about the challenges of being young and homeless in Wellington.
Read more
Our work overseas
"We can't run from the war and then die from the cold"
Syrian children have been fighting to survive war, hunger, poverty and disease. But now they are fighting to survive the cold.
Read more
Our work overseas
Why We Won't Stop Fighting For Children
Every day we see the very worst of what people can do to one another, and the very worst conditions that people are forced to survive in.
Read more
Our work overseas
Winter In Syria: A Mother's Worst Nightmare
Iman fled the war in Syria with her four children, but just when she thought they were safe – they faced a threat they couldn’t escape: winter.
Read more
Our work overseas
Watch: Two generations of refugee children. One emotional childhood
Meet Ahmed and Harry.
Read more
Our work overseas
A Week Following Children On The Move
Marie-Pierre Poirier recently travelled the migrant route through the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Croatia. She shares her story with us
Read more
Our work overseas
As fighting takes place down the road, families return to rural Syria
Some Syrian families are attempting to live in relative normality, as fighting takes place down the road
Read more
Our supporters
New Zealand is Watching
We urgently need your help in petitioning the NZ Govt to support survivors of the Syrian war.
Read more
Media releases and reports
World first: child in Vanuatu receives the first ever drone-delivered vaccine
Drone technology is proving a game changer when it comes to immunising the world's hardest-to-reach children
Read more
Our work overseas
Black Ferns lift the lid on UNICEF's sport-in-a-box kits
The foreign object is a UNICEF sport-in-a-box kit. It’s the key ingredient in a new partnership between the Black Ferns and UNICEF called PLAY ON, helping children all over the Pacific.
Read more
Media releases and reports
Te Hiringa Tamariki: A wellbeing model for tamariki Māori
Te Hiringa Tamariki is UNICEF New Zealand’s tamariki Māori wellbeing model. The model was developed during 2018 and 2019 with the assistance of 600 Māori who attended hui in Hastings, Wellington and Auckland.
Read more
Our work overseas
Breastfeeding is 'easy, healthy and cost-effective'
Baby Luthfi was born just six days after the dual disasters that devastated Indonesia. His mother was feeding him with formula, until a UNICEF-trained midwife supported his transition to breast milk.
Read more
Our work overseas
UPDATE: Vanuatu Schools - first toilet blocks completed
Most of the schools in Penama Province, Vanuatu, do not have toilets and there are some obvious health risks for children. With support from our donors, we're helping change this.
Read more
featured stories
Our work overseas
Big Problems Need Big Solutions
Media releases and reports
1 in 6 children lives in extreme poverty, World Bank-UNICEF analysis shows
Our work overseas
Former refugee Robel Teklay knows what it means to be hungry
categories
Our work overseas
Our supporters
Media releases and reports
Our work in NZ
Tags
Breastfeeding
Immunisation
COVID-19
New Zealand
Mother's Day
Health
Rohingya
Children in Conflict
Syria
New Zealand Rugby
Black Ferns
Child Protection
Plumpy'Nut
hunger
Malnutrition
Pacific
WASH
Child Survival
Advocacy
Whānau
Timor Leste
Education
Refugee Crisis