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

Communities free and healed from the trauma of human trafficking, slavery and abuse.
 

 

Our Values

Respect: We believe in the right of all people to be heard and treated with respect and dignity.
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

Executive Director (Hagar NZ)

Kate has enjoyed a career in the not-for-profit sector that spans 30 years, having led several kiwi charities such as Cystic Fibrosis NZ, Canterbury Medical Research Foundation and the NZ Brain Research Institute. An experienced director, Kate has also served on a number of not for profit boards as well as several government advisory committees.  Awarded an ONZM in 2016 for services to Governance and Health, Kate brings a wealth of fundraising and strategic development knowledge as well as a deep faith and commitment to following Christ’s example of service.

kate.russell@hagar.org.nz

Kate Russell

Executive Director (Hagar NZ)

Kate has enjoyed a career in the not-for-profit sector that spans 30 years, having led several kiwi charities such as Cystic Fibrosis NZ, Canterbury Medical Research Foundation and the NZ Brain Research Institute. An experienced director, Kate has also served on a number of not for profit boards as well as several government advisory committees.  Awarded an ONZM in 2016 for services to Governance and Health, Kate brings a wealth of fundraising and strategic development knowledge as well as a deep faith and commitment to following Christ’s example of service.

kate.russell@hagar.org.nz

021 452 831

Kylie Malin

National Fundraising Manager

Kylie has had the privilege of working in the not-for-profit sector for more than 15 years, both inside organisations and as an advisor. In that time, she has supported over 60 organisations to achieve their fundraising and organisational goals. She is a specialist fundraiser and has a depth of experience in NGO communications. Kylie started her career at World Vision NZ and, after visiting developing countries in her twenties, she developed strong passion for supporting marginalised communities and pursing social justice… as well as for country music.

kylie.malin@hagar.org.nz

Kylie Malin

National Fundraising Manager

Kylie has had the privilege of working in the not-for-profit sector for more than 15 years, both inside organisations and as an advisor. In that time, she has supported over 60 organisations to achieve their fundraising and organisational goals. She is a specialist fundraiser and has a depth of experience in NGO communications. Kylie started her career at World Vision NZ and, after visiting developing countries in her twenties, she developed strong passion for supporting marginalised communities and pursing social justice… as well as for country music.

kylie.malin@hagar.org.nz

Joanne portrait

Joanne Hand

Northern Relationships Manager

Joanne joined the team as our Northern Relationships Manager 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: 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

Joanne portrait

Joanne Hand

Northern Relationships Manager

Joanne joined the team as our Northern Relationships Manager 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: 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

Dr Andrea Herbert

Project Coordinator

Andrea joined Hagar NZ in 2021 as our project coordinator for a programme in the Solomon Islands that aims at preventing and responding to Human Trafficking, Child Sexual Exploitation, and Sexual Abuse. She also coordinates Hagar NZ’s government grants including projects in Cambodia, Viet Nam and Myanmar. Andrea has a passion for social justice and a PhD in Anthropology and Antarctic Studies.

Andrea Herbert

Project Coordinator

Andrea joined Hagar NZ in 2021 as our project coordinator for a programme in the Solomon Islands that aims at preventing and responding to Human Trafficking, Child Sexual Exploitation, and Sexual Abuse. She also coordinates Hagar NZ’s government grants including projects in Cambodia, Viet Nam and Myanmar. Andrea has a passion for social justice and a PhD in Anthropology and Antarctic Studies.

Jon Slack

Communications Officer

Until recently, Jon and his family were based in the shadows of the Himalayas. There they were partnering with non-profits and faith based organisations, many which were focused on combatting human trafficking. As our Communications Officer, Jon is partnering with other international Hagar branches to review our communications strategy, which will influence how we develop our social media and website going forward. He is also an adjunct lecturer and tutor for Laidlaw College. Along with his wife Mari, Jon is working to form their two youngsters into empathetic question-askers. Jon continues to coach emerging ministry leaders in his spare time. 

jon.slack@hagar.org.nz

Jon Slack

Communications Officer

Until recently, Jon and his family were based in the shadows of the Himalayas. There they were partnering with non-profits and faith based organisations, many which were focused on combatting human trafficking. As our Communications Officer, Jon is partnering with other international Hagar branches to review our communications strategy, which will influence how we develop our social media and website going forward. He is also an adjunct lecturer and tutor for Laidlaw College. Along with his wife Mari, Jon is working to form their two youngsters into empathetic question-askers. Jon continues to coach emerging ministry leaders in his spare time. 

jon.slack@hagar.org.nz

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.

Join our movement

 

Each year we help over 65000 survivors of abuse recover and are helping many more.

Join us today to receive updates about this critical work.

Thank You for Joining Us. We will be in touch.

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