Save the Children works overseas and in New Zealand. However, a relatively small proportion of our funds are spent in New Zealand. All of our work, whether overseas or in New Zealand reflects our commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

What about administration costs?

Save the Children New Zealand has very low administrative costs. Most of our administration costs are covered through the proceeds from our shops and legacies programme.

Why doesn’t Save the Children New Zealand sponsor children?

Save the Children New Zealand used to have a child sponsorship scheme but this is being phased out. Save the Children believes that the best way to assist children is through their community. Our experience has shown that by supporting a community instead of an individual child, the benefits are more widely enjoyed and more readily sustained.

Community sponsorship also reduces the administrative costs compared to individual sponsorship, ensuring that more funds directly benefit the children and their community. It’s also important to us that one child or family is not seen to be favoured. One child or family receiving letters and gifts, while others do not, can be misinterpreted or encourage a feeling of dependency.

Does Save the Children really make a difference to children’s lives?

Save the Children offers hope, protection and opportunity to millions of children whose rights are being violated. We're committed to narrowing the gap between reality and our ideal. We start by listening to children - learning about their lives, their hopes and views. We support practical projects which involve children and their families in improving their day-to-day lives - for the long-term. We also use our global experience and research to lobby for changes that will benefit all children, including future generations.