Frequently Asked Questions

What is Taskforce Kiwi?
Taskforce Kiwi (TFK) is a veteran-led, not-for-profit organisation through which former members of the armed forces, police and emergency services (fire, paramedic etc) volunteer alongside Kiwis from the wider community with the relevant skills, experience and motivation to help those impacted by local and national emergencies such as bush fires, earthquakes, floods and extreme weather events.

Is this a new idea? Are there similar organisations elsewhere?
This type of organisation first emerged in 2010 in the USA and has since proven to be extremely successful in the US, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with hundreds of thousands of volunteers deployed around the globe. For examples, check out the awesome work carried out by Disaster Relief Australia across the Tasman, Team Rubicon in the US, Team Rubicon Canada, and Re:Act in the UK.

Sounds great in theory, but what have you actually done?
Since forming in late 2022, we’ve been busy. Our first deployment was in support of Disaster Relief Australia in September 2022, providing a team to undertake flood relief operations around Lismore, NSW. This was followed up in January 2023 with another three teams dispatched to NSW to assist with flood relief around Forbes.

We launched our first domestic operation at the end of January 2023 in response to the Auckland Anniversary floods, deploying a team of 29 who completed 909 hours of skilled labour over a two week period. This included the full clearance of 29 flooded homes, and 59 damage assessments carried out for Auckland Emergency Management. With the arrival of Cyclone Gabrielle, our team pivoted to Hawke’s Bay, where over ten weeks 165 volunteers carried out 4,649 hours of skilled labour, with tasks including debris clearance, plant operations, aid coordination and delivery, impact and needs assessments, and missing persons searches. To close out 2023, a team of 7 volunteers deployed to Nova Scotia, Canada, to support Team Rubicon Canada in their wildfire relief efforts.

Why this group? Aren’t there enough veterans’ groups already?
Yes, there are a number of veteran-focused groups in New Zealand doing great work, and it’s not our intent to step on anyone’s toes. However, the loss of purpose, identity and community that many veterans feel upon leaving their force is still to be adequately addressed. TFK complements existing groups and works alongside them to benefit both veterans and the wider community while possessing a unique mission and intent.

Is TFK a Ex-Services Organisation (ESO)?
No. While we utilise the skills of defence force veterans, we are not an ESO, and do not speak on behalf of the veteran community. 

Who is behind it and where is TFK based?
TFK is a national network of volunteers that are enabled by a national coordination team. Volunteers are supported to respond to events with surge support from elsewhere in the country provided as and when required.

How is your work funded?
Funding comes primarily from our business and charitable partners, including the Domino’s Give for Good Foundation, the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association, the Ranfurly Veterans Trust, BNZ and the Steadfast NZ Trust. We are also supported in-kind by other businesses, such as Mitsubishi New Zealand, AirLink, and Mitre 10. Members of the community are also welcome to support our cause by donating here.

Who can be involved? Is it just for veterans?
No. While TFK strives to provide a sense of purpose, identity, and community for those who have stood up to serve New Zealand in the past and wish to do so again; our team is made up of military veterans, serving and retired emergency management volunteers and personnel, and civilian volunteers. Each of us offer a skillset unique to the other, which are complimentary in a situation that requires a multi-faceted and disciplined team to assist local emergency managers, while also working autonomously. We welcome all who have the skills, experience, motivation, and resilience to help others on their worst day.

Aren’t there already civil defence volunteer agencies that I can join?
New Zealand has a proud volunteering tradition and that is particularly true of emergency management. Organisations such as Civil Defence, Fire & Emergency New Zealand, the Red Cross, LandSAR and Coast Guard all play a vital role. But there is a gap, particularly between the initial response and long-term recovery, where direct assistance is needed for hardest hit communities hardest. That’s where we come in. As a mission-focused, task-oriented organisation; we get results by providing a skilled and motivated resource pool for emergency management authorities while also working directly with the community to understand and address their needs and help them get back on their feet sooner.

Do I need to undergo training to be deployed?
Initially, all you need is to have attended A Day One Induction course, which take approximately 2.5 hours and held either in person or virtually. Other training opportunities are being offered to our inducted volunteers that support a variety of functions we deliver to communities.

What time commitment is required?
There is no minimum time commitment so it depends entirely on what time you have available and are willing to give. Our experience shows that some will make this their primary community group; whereas others might attend training or social events three to four times a year, and some will just show up at the concentration area when an emergency event occurs near them. It’s entirely up to you and how much time you want to give.

What if I’m disabled, or not as mobile as I once was?
There’s a role for everyone. Not everyone needs to be able to juggle two 36” chainsaws. We also need administrators, logisticians, image analysts, radio operators, drivers and so on. Understanding different medical needs is also a strength we are interested in.

How do I get involved?
Complete our quick volunteer Expression of Interest form here, and we'll be in touch. 

Where do I go to ask more questions?
Either head over to our Get In Touch page, or email us at contact@taskforcekiwi.org.