Welcome to Caritas
 

Caritas is the Catholic agency for justice, peace and development. Caritas can be translated as “love in action”, which means that we work to make a real difference in the lives of people living with poverty or injustice. Gospel values and Catholic social teaching provide the foundation and framework for our work. We are a part of the Caritas Internationalis confederation of Catholic aid, development and social justice agencies.

New Zealand Charities Commission Registration No: CC36055.

Climate Change: act now for a future for all

In the lead-up to international negotiations in Copenhagen to secure a climate deal, what's happening locally and internationally to ensure a fair deal for all?

Kiwis for 350 campaign

Caritas endorses the “Kiwis for 350” petition sparked by Dunedin Catholic laywoman Nicky Chapman, calling on our Government for stronger action and commitment on climate change. The petition asks the Government to target an upper limit of 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide equivalents in the atmosphere as the basis for its policy in legislation and international negotiations. Copies of the petition are being sent to Catholic parishes and schools around the country, but you can also circulate your own:

Download the petition here. Return completed forms to Nicky Chapman by Wednesday 2 December.

Read more background on "why 350?", and why we need to act now.

Reflection: Jesus and Climate Change.

 Climate change is eroding
shorelines in Tonga.

Caritas in the international arena

In a joint statement, Caritas Internationalis has joined UN agencies, the Red Cross, Oxfam, World Vision, and Save the Children, to say that climate change is undermining efforts to end hunger for over one billion of the world's people. Copenhagen must be a start to improved food production, better social protection, and disaster preparedness. Read more...

Caritas Internationalis underscores the moral issues underlying climate change in its report Climate Justice: Seeking a new global ethic, noting that climate change is threatening to undermine the humanitarian and development work of its 165 member agencies 

Send a message to world leaders through the Grow Climate Justice campaign

Response to recent emergencies 

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand  would like to thank all who have responded so generously to recent disasters in the central Pacific, the Philippines and Indonesia. Over $324,000 has been provided to help with tsunami relief in Samoa and Tonga, assisting with food, water, shelter and counselling, as people rebuild their lives.  Read more on the Caritas response in Samoa and Tonga, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Click here to make a donation.

Social Justice Week: Justice that reconciles

Social Justice Week 2009 called for a new attitude to crime and punishment.   Each year Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, at the request of New Zealand's Catholic Bishops, organises Social Justice Week.  Resources prepared for parishes, schools, youth groups and the wider community are still available. Read more ...

Caritas Gifts – Love in Action

“Caritas Gifts” lets you buy for friends and family a “hamper” supporting a range of Caritas projects such as emergency supplies, healthcare in Timor Leste, or advocacy for protection of New Zealand's working children. You receive a card to give to your recipient, explaining what their gift is supporting. Choose from an Emergency, Green, Learning, Caring, Healing or Hope Hamper. For any occasion. Find out more and place an order ...