Area Council elections

We’re looking for people to join our Area Councils

Could you help us on our journey to becoming a more impactful, diverse, engaging New Zealand Red Cross and achieve our Strategy 2030 goals? 

We’re looking for Red Cross people to join our local leadership groups (Area Councils), to help guide our organisation to achieve our Strategy 2030 goals. 

Read more about Area Councillor role and responsibilities

Learn more about our Area Councils

Read about Strategy 2030

Opportunities to join our Area Councils take place through an annual, two-step process – step one is nominations, step two is elections.

Check for opportunities in your Area: 

Please note that this year there are no vacancies in Northern Area Council. 

Step one: Nominations

If you have volunteered with Red Cross before

If you have previously volunteered with Red Cross and have a membership number, nominations open at 12.01am on Saturday, 15 February 2025 and will close at 11.59pm on Monday, 17 March 2025.

Not sure if you've got a membership number? Email membership@redcross.org.nz. 

Before filling out the nomination form, you will need to read our candidate guidance. 

Read our candidate guidance

This guidance covers how to:

1. Complete a self-assessment
2. Talk to your Board Liaison
3. Find two current members to support your nomination, and collect their details
4. Contact New Zealand Red Cross to get membership numbers for yourself and your nominators
5. Complete a Police vetting form if you have not completed one in the last three years
6. Submit a photograph of yourself

If you are already a member of New Zealand Red Cross, first please read the guidance and complete these steps. Then fill out our online nomination form with the information you have prepared.

View and complete the nomination form

If you are new to volunteering with Red Cross

If you are interested in the Area Councillor role but haven't previously volunteered and held a New Zealand Red Cross membership number (note: this is different than a Supporter ID), we will help you join and also connect you with two nominators who can support your candidacy if needed.

Please note that new volunteers will need to complete this process by 10 March 2025. 

If you are new to volunteering with Red Cross, visit and follow the process outlined on our Area Councillor volunteer role page

Not sure if you've got a membership number? Email membership@redcross.org.nz. 

Step two: Elections

Where there are more nominations received than available vacancies, an election process will take place in April. If the number of nominations received either matches, or is less than, the number of vacancies in an area, those nominees are confirmed as elected unopposed.

After Monday, March 17, we’ll assess whether an election is needed in any of our Areas. Nominees and their Area Councils will be notified of the results, whether an election is needed and what happens next.

If we do need elections, voting papers will be sent out in the post, so we need up-to-date membership details including postal addresses.

You can update your own details online or by calling us on 0800 RED CROSS.

"Applications from people new to volunteering with Red Cross are now closed".

Update your membership details online

More about our Area Councils

Our Area Councils lead, coordinate and nurture our organisation and our humanitarian activities across Aotearoa New Zealand. Area Councillors support Red Cross people in their Area, helping to motivate, inspire, and empower them to carry out their humanitarian work. 

Our Area Councils:

• work to develop and retain a strong membership base in their Area
• should be as representative of their Area as possible
• support branches, groups, and individual members, as well as local employees
• enhance the profile of New Zealand Red Cross in their Area
• along with local Red Cross people, lead the planning of New Zealand Red Cross activities in their Area
• protect the integrity of New Zealand Red Cross in their Area by ensuing members follow the Fundamental Principles, New Zealand Red Cross Values, Code of Conduct and relevant policies and procedures.