John Dyer – leading New Zealand Red Cross into a new era
14 April 2025
For John Dyer, our newly elected National President, leadership has always been about service, resilience, and people.
From his early days in the military to his extensive international experience with Red Cross, John brings a wealth of knowledge and an unwavering commitment to humanitarian work.
Now, as National President, he is focused on ensuring the organisation is financially sustainable, fostering a unified Red Cross, and strengthening its member base.
A life of service
Born and raised in Tairāwhiti, John began his career in the New Zealand Army, serving for over 20 years in training, management, and command roles. His service took him to Sierra Leone in 1998-99 as a United Nations military observer during a time of significant conflict.
After leaving the military, he joined the New Zealand Red Cross Central Region Board, marking the beginning of what has become a 24-year journey with the organisation.
“I had an understanding of Red Cross from my time in the military, and when I saw an ad calling for volunteer board members, I thought, ‘That might be interesting.’ So, I put my name forward,” John recalls.
That decision has led to a remarkable career with Red Cross, including a decade-long tenure with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Geneva. He worked in operations safety and security, training delegates, and developing security frameworks for global humanitarian operations, and a mission in Aceh, Indonesia, following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
Then, in 2017, after returning to New Zealand, John was elected to the National Board, serving as Vice President before stepping into the role of National President from 24 November 2024.
John with Valerie Hunnan from Austrian Red Cross and Kevin Duignan, one of our international delegates, in Indonesia, 2005.
Vision for the future
As National President, John has set clear priorities to guide the organisation forward. His vision aligns with Strategy 2030, ensuring that New Zealand Red Cross remains a trusted organisation that people can depend on before, during, and after crises.
“To achieve this, I have three key priorities,” John explains.
“First, we must be financially sustainable. We haven’t been for a number of years, and that needs to change. Second, we need to strengthen our Area governance structures so that our employees, members, and branches have the support they need. Finally, we must embrace the idea that we are one Red Cross — a unified organisation where everyone feels valued and respected.”
Facing challenges head-on
John acknowledges the significant challenges Aotearoa New Zealand and the world are facing. He says an increase in weather-related disasters have placed greater demand on New Zealand Red Cross services, and economic pressures mean that financial sustainability is more critical than ever.
“We’ve taken on more and more over the years because people saw a need, but we can’t be all things to all people,” John says.
“What we do, we need to do well, if we are going to be here for the next 100 years and beyond.
“That’s why we defined our core business in Strategy 2030 and reconfirmed it in Realising 2030 as emergency management, international, and migration. These areas must be underpinned by strong international humanitarian law and financial frameworks.
“We need to be coordinated, structured and sustainable, in a way that allows us to provide the best possible support to communities.”
John says New Zealand Red Cross is already seeing the benefits of refining its core business, through its partnerships with national agencies to deliver coordinated, structured programmes that maintain the organisation’s reputation and deliver impact.
“If we don’t take this approach, we risk not only failing to provide the support that’s so urgently needed, but also losing our credibility – opening the door for others to step in,” he explains.
Strengthening volunteerism
John says people are at the heart of New Zealand Red Cross, and he is deeply committed to ensuring they feel valued and engaged.
“We wouldn’t be the Red Cross without people volunteering their time,” he says. “People want to help, and they want opportunities to grow and develop.
“Our role is to provide meaningful ways for them to contribute. At the same time, we need to recognise that people will come and go, and that’s okay. If we treat them well, they will leave with a positive experience and may return to support us in other ways.”
As part of his focus on ‘One Red Cross,’ John wants to ensure that employees and members all feel part of a cohesive, well-supported organisation.
“I think we can do better when we are working together,” he says.
A legacy of impact
“Looking ahead, if I could achieve one major thing during my time as National President, it would be to set us firmly on the path to financial sustainability,” he says.
“And, equally important, I want to see everyone embracing the concept that we are one Red Cross, working together towards a common goal.”
As this year marks 110 years of Red Cross in New Zealand, John’s leadership is focused on ensuring it remains a trusted, resilient, and unified organisation for the next century and beyond.
His experience, vision, and passion for humanitarian work make him well-placed to guide Red Cross into the future, ensuring that our vital services continue to support communities when they need them most.
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