A legacy of care, a future of hope
In 2024, RMHC NZ celebrated a year of major milestones.
It marked the 35th anniversary of the first RMHC doors being opened in New Zealand.
Underpinning these decades in operation has been our unwavering commitment to never turn away a single eligible family.
Throughout 2024, we hosted a record 4,420 families with a child in need of urgent hospital care, serving as yet another reminder of how integral the work that we do is.
Despite the increased complexities of whānau and greater demand across the country, we
were again able to keep our doors open to all eligible families.
But it has not been easy.
With our Houses often reaching capacity, we’ve had to rely more regularly on providing accommodation off-site at significant additional expense.
In this context, it’s important to remember that RMHC NZ has always provided a ‘home-away-from-home’, but we see our responsibility as bigger than that.
Warm meals, an on-site school, play areas and breakout rooms for stressed parents all play a critical role in creating a space that’s comfortable for families, a welcomed respite from the hospital environment.
RMHC NZ is about giving families varied support that extends well beyond a roof over their heads.
It’s a space where they can feel safe to be vulnerable, while giving parents and siblings some consistency of lifestyle; doing the simple tasks that go along with a normal family routine.
Because at RMHC NZ, we know that even on the darkest day, the simple giggle of a child can light up a room and warm a family’s aching hearts.