About us
Our vision and values
Thank you for coming to learn more about us and our vital work!
Since 2009, Hagar NZ has existed for two reasons:
1) To raise awareness of the issues:
Many people in New Zealand don’t know that human slavery still exists or that human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. Our team takes every opportunity we get to share with different groups around the country about these issues and how everybody can join us in playing a part in tackling them.
2) To raise funds to support our transforming projects overseas:
We do all that we can to raise as much funding as possible here in New Zealand which is used to support Hagar projects overseas providing life-changing services. In Cambodia and Vietnam, our Hagar colleagues on the ground provide a range of expert recovery services to women and children who have survived slavery, trafficking and abuse. The funding we raise here in New Zealand helps provide counselling, case management, safe accommodation, legal support and economic empowerment advice to survivors. Hagar’s global commitment is to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to see our survivors overcome their trauma and move into seasons of life where they are thriving.
Together with our donors, our mission is to transform the lives of as many survivors overseas as possible and see whole communities free from the trauma of these experiences. We also run prevention activities in communities to stop abuse from happening in the first place!
Our Vision
Our Values
Integrity: We commit to act ethically and honestly, striving to do the right thing in all times and in all circumstances.
Compassion: We want compassion and kindness to be evident in our attitude, communication and in active, practical ways.
Excellence: We hold ourselves to high standards, listening and learning from those we support, our partners and each other, to continuously improve all that we do.
Our Name: The Story of Hagar
The name Hagar comes from the biblical story of Hagar found in Genesis 16 & 21. This is a story that is found in the Christian, Jewish and Islam faiths and is about Hagar, the first recorded slave in written history.
When Hagar was cast out of her employer’s home, an angel of God found her hopeless, alone and crying in the desert. In response to how God sought her out in her hopelessness, Hagar declared, “You are the God who sees me.” She returned home, but fourteen years later was cast out of the home permanently due to her employer’s ongoing jealousy. Hagar returned to the desert and wandered there without hope. Finally, when their water ran out, she placed her son under a bush and walked away to weep at a distance, as she could not bear to watch him die. An angel of God called to Hagar and said, “Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying.” This angel reminded Hagar of God’s blessing and provided a spring of water for them. They survived and prospered, and Ishmael became a great nation as God had promised.
The story of Hagar and her son, Ishmael, is the story of millions of exploited and trafficked women and children today. Our organisation seeks to see and provide a kind hand of support to those struggling now just as God did for Hagar all those years ago.
If your connect group or church might be interested in having a Hagar representative come along and share about this story and our work, please contact us, we’d love to meet you.
Our Team
Kate Russell, ONZM, FFINZ, MCANZ
Executive Director of Hagar New Zealand
Kate has had a distinguished career in the New Zealand not for profit and local government sector. Having held CEO positions in two charities and senior executive roles in several others, Kate brings her management and governance experience to Hagar NZ, having Chaired several NGO Boards and government advisory committees. She was recognised for services to governance and health in 2016 with an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit New Years Honour.
Kate Russell
Executive Director of Hagar New Zealand.
Kate has had a distinguished career in the New Zealand not for profit and local government sector. Having held CEO positions in two charities and senior executive roles in several others, Kate brings her management and governance experience to Hagar NZ, having Chaired several NGO Boards and government advisory committees. She was recognised for services to governance and health in 2016 with an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit New Years Honour.
021 452 831
Ms. Joanne Hand
Hagar International (New Zealand)
Joanne joined the team as our Northern Coordinator in 2016, after a longstanding career in women’s empowerment overseas. Joanne spent twenty years working with Kurdish women and girls in Turkey, engaging with many of the social justice issues that disproportionately impact women globally, such as violence against women, sexual exploitation, the spread of HIV, mental health issues, and gender equity. She is deeply passionate about the work of Hagar and enjoys communicating our work with anyone and everyone who has an interest in it.
joanne.hand@hagar.org.nz
022 043 8091
Ms. Joanne Hand
Joanne joined the team as our Northern Coordinator in 2016, after a longstanding career in women’s empowerment overseas. Joanne spent twenty years working with Kurdish women and girls in Turkey, engaging with many of the social justice issues that disproportionately impact women globally, such as violence against women, sexual exploitation, the spread of HIV, mental health issues, and gender equity. She is deeply passionate about the work of Hagar and enjoys communicating our work with anyone and everyone who has an interest in it.
joanne.hand@hagar.org.nz
022 043 8091
Janine Millington
Hagar International (New Zealand)
Janine is a recent addition to Hagar NZ in her role as Fundraising and Communications Coordinator. She has a broad and varied background, having worked in graphic design, marketing, communications, fundraising, and is a published children’s book illustrator and artist. She also has recently completed a Bachelor of Business at Massey University in Financial Planning and Advice. Janine feels very privileged to be part of the Hagar family and is looking forward to engaging with Hagar’s supporters.
Janine Millington
Janine is a recent addition to Hagar NZ in her role as Fundraising and Communications Coordinator. She has a broad and varied background, having worked in graphic design, marketing, communications, fundraising, and is a published children’s book illustrator and artist. She also has recently completed a Bachelor of Business at Massey University in Financial Planning and Advice. Janine feels very privileged to be part of the Hagar family and is looking forward to engaging with Hagar’s supporters.
Ms. Andrea Herbert
Hagar International (New Zealand)
Andrea joined Hagar NZ in 2021 as our project coordinator for a program in the Solomon Islands that aims at preventing and responding to Human Trafficking, Child Sexual Exploitation, and Sexual Abuse. Andrea has a passion for social justice and a PhD in Anthropology and Antarctic Studies.
Andrea Herbert
Andrea joined Hagar NZ in 2021 as our project coordinator for a program in the Solomon Islands that aims at preventing and responding to Human Trafficking, Child Sexual Exploitation, and Sexual Abuse. Andrea has a passion for social justice and a PhD in Anthropology and Antarctic Studies.
Hagar NZ is a member of the Council for International Development (CID) and is a signatory to the CID Code of Conduct. The Code requires members to meet high standards of corporate governance, public accountability and financial management. Complaints relating to alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct by any signatory agency can be made to the CID Code of Conduct Committee.
More information about the CID Code of Conduct can be obtained from Hagar NZ and from CID at: www.cid.org.nz Email: code@cid.org.nz
Help us transform lives
Donate now
By partnering with Hagar, you’re supporting survivors to heal from the trauma of severe abuse. Our work is dependent on charitable giving by people like you.
Help us transform lives
Donate now
By partnering with Hagar, you’re supporting survivors to heal from the trauma of severe abuse. Our work is dependent on charitable giving by people like you.
Help us transform lives
Donate now
By partnering with Hagar, you’re supporting survivors to heal from the trauma of severe abuse. Our work is dependent on charitable giving by people like you.
