December 11th 2023 marks the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of RNZWCS Limited (Rotary New Zealand World Community Service). That was the day we were registered with New Zealand Charities (CC26860).
As some will know, our work began 38 years ago. We started operating under the ROAP (Rotary Overseas Aid Projects) umbrella. One of the first activities was the introduction and promotion of the EMBOX Emergency Box Project in New Zealand, a UK Rotary initiative launched there in 1975.
The ROAP Committee formed a relationship with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAT) which enabled it to apply for government funding. The scope of the work broadened beyond EMBOX to include, for example, water projects in the Pacific. Soon, ROAP joined forces with Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS). Together we produced a booklet that listed projects worldwide that required funding.
For many years, the EMBOX project was the main focus, the boxes initially filled with used goods donated by Rotarians. In 2009, an MFAT-funded review prompted a major revamp. A national standard was adopted. EMBOX became ERK (Emergency Response Kit) in New Zealand. It was decided that the contents would be new and selected to best meet the needs of the recipients - disaster-affected families in the Pacific.
Over the years, a streamlined and more cohesive approach to funding and activities became necessary. MFAT would find it easier to deal with one entity than the 260 individual Rotary Clubs that sought funding for their overseas aid projects. MFAT also suggested more focus on development in addition to disaster relief to address the health, education and income needs of the most vulnerable. In 2003, after much work and deliberation, RNZWCS Limited was born - a limited liability company with a Board of Directors and with legal charity status.
Of course, none of this happened overnight. It has involved a great deal of work by individuals and groups through the decades and endless fundraising to try and meet increasing need. Our aid and development activities now reach beyond the Pacific to include parts of Africa, South East Asia and India, as well as here at home in New Zealand and in Australia. Collaboration between RNZWCS and RAWCS has strengthened, as have partnerships with Rotary Clubs, other NGOs and governments wherever we work.
RNZWCS Limited looks forward to the challenges the next 20 years will bring and the opportunity to do more good in the world.
For the latest news on what we’re planning, doing and have achieved, please follow or visit our Facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/rotarynewzealandworldcommunityservice and https://www.facebook.com/EmergencyResponseKits