The Salvation Army has fought poverty and social and spiritual distress in New Zealand since 1883. Describing itself as 'no ordinary army,' it helps more than 150,000 people in need each year through budgeting advice, food and clothing assistance, life skills programmes, and other comfort and support, guided by a mission of caring for people, transforming lives and reforming society.
Across New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, The Salvation Army runs a network of churches, Family Stores, foodbanks and welfare centres, alongside specialist services such as Alcohol and Drug Support, Early Childhood Education Centres, and Specialist Youth Centres. Its Family Stores let the public recycle household goods, clothing and furniture, and buy them at an accessible price, while its food response programme — Te Kai Mākona — supports people to choose, cook, grow, share, buy or connect through kai.
The organisation also runs seasonal appeals such as the Red Shield Appeal and Winter Appeal, partners with businesses including Woolworths, Kmart, The Warehouse Group, Wattie's and Resene, and provides services such as housing support, family tracing, prison and courts support, reintegration services, and a Hauora health service.
Since 1883, The Salvation Army has worked across New Zealand to fight poverty and social and spiritual distress. The organisation describes itself as 'no ordinary army,' and says it helps more than 150,000 people in need each year, offering budgeting advice, food and clothing assistance, life skills programmes, and other forms of comfort and support. Its stated mission is caring for people, transforming lives and reforming society by God's power.
The Salvation Army's presence spans New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, and includes a network of churches, Family Stores, foodbanks and welfare centres. Its Family Stores give the public a way to recycle household goods, clothing and furniture, offering them for sale at an accessible price. On the food side, its Te Kai Mākona programme is built around helping people choose, cook, grow, share, buy and connect through kai, alongside a dedicated Foodbank Project and Food Champions initiative.
Beyond food and retail, the organisation runs welfare services including budgeting advice, loan services, and life skills and parenting programmes. Housing support spans supportive housing and community/social housing, while other specialist services include Alcohol and Drug Support, an Early Childhood Education Centres network, Specialist Youth Centres, family tracing, prison and courts support, reintegration services, and a Hauora health service.
The Salvation Army runs recurring public appeals, including the Red Shield Appeal and an annual Winter Appeal — its 2026 Winter Appeal was launched in response to what the organisation describes as a deepening child homelessness crisis. It also partners with major New Zealand businesses on fundraising and donation drives, including Woolworths (with an annual Woolworths Winter Appeal), Kmart, The Warehouse Group, Wattie's and Resene, as well as with the motorcycling community through the Harley-Davidson-linked United We Ride charity fundraiser.
The organisation's Social Policy & Parliamentary Unit (SPPU) publishes research and positional statements on social issues, including reports on the link between secure housing and reduced reoffending, and public commentary on government policy changes affecting families in hardship, such as Budget decisions and social housing reforms.
People looking for support can find their closest Salvation Army church, locate a nearby Family Store, access food support, or find other services such as welfare centres, alcohol and drug support, early childhood education and specialist youth centres through the organisation's website. Those wanting to help can donate, volunteer at a Family Store, donate goods for pickup, take part in payroll giving, become a regular giver through True Heroes or Food Champions, leave a gift in their will, or get involved through corporate partnerships. The Salvation Army can also be reached on its national freephone number, 0800 53 00 00.