Click here to view the 2020 Annual Report
For over 31 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) New Zealand have offered their services under the simple premise – to give families with a hospitalised child what they need most — each other.
Our Ronald McDonald House® programmes located in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch provide accommodation and support – free of charge – to give families across New Zealand, while our Ronald McDonald Family Room® programmes in these cities as well as Invercargill, provide a place for families to rest and recharge inside the hospital, moments away from their child’s bed.
Families can take a welcomed break together at our Ronald McDonald Family Retreat in Rotorua, and our Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® program brings dental care to Northland and South Auckland children.
For families with a child in hospital, RMHC® New Zealand is their safe space – for some, it may be their home for months at a time, even through a global pandemic.
We are proud to say that in 2021, RMHC New Zealand never turned an eligible family away.
Despite the challenges faced, we remained 100% committed to our mission: keeping families safe, services open and available, and making sure our operating model was sustainable.
We are an essential service to families, not just during this crisis period, but every single day and we will continue to give families the support they need regardless of the pressures on our services and facilities.
Our COVID-19 response is highly effective and was constructed to ensure the safety of families and staff. We moved to contactless operations in a matter of hours, and our team were extremely efficient and agile, making the transition under alert levels as smooth as possible for families.
The families staying within the House programmes received hotel-style food delivery services to their door, up to three times a day. Families staying offsite in Alert Level 3 and 4 were provided with care packages to make three meals a day in their self-serviced apartments. We also completed daily welfare calls to check the mental wellbeing of our families.
No new families entered Ronald McDonald House® New Zealand programmes during Alert Levels 3 and 4, increasing our need to offsite families in nearby accommodation close to the hospital. We saw a huge increase from 2020 where we housed 724 families for 4,052 nights compared to 1,073 families for 7,433 in 2021.
The necessary changes in operations and the increase in offsite accommodation has had a major financial impact. However, the driving force of our mission never wavered: keeping families close when they need it most.
It has been more than 30 years since the first Ronald McDonald House opened its welcoming doors in New Zealand. I continue to be immensely proud of our people’s commitment to our mission of supporting families with a child in hospital away from home.
2021 continued to be another year of disruption due to changing COVID alert levels, lockdowns and social distancing. Through it all, the response from our staff, volunteers, supporters and partners has ensured that we kept families together while their child was receiving medical treatment.
The need for our services is as great as ever and in 2021 we had 3,893 families staying with us; some for a few weeks and others for nearly a year. We saved families an estimated $6.7 million dollars in accommodation costs alone.
A further 27,690 family members found a space to relax and recharge in a Ronald McDonald Family Room; just steps away from the high dependency or paediatric intensive care unit. Our dedicated volunteers supported our staff and families with over 15,700 hours of selfless service to others.
I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to our family of supporters. Your generosity makes an immeasurable difference to our families and ensures that they can stay together when they need each other the most. With your support, our Houses can alleviate some of the practical, financial and emotional burdens our families face when they have a child in hospital.
I am grateful to my fellow trustees for their determined spirit and considered governance this year. It has not been without its challenges. I deeply appreciate their passionate voices and perspectives that help us to shape our future.
To the staff of RMHC New Zealand, led by our CEO Wayne Howett – you have my continued admiration for your unwavering support of New Zealand families and for ensuring that no eligible family was ever turned away. You work tirelessly every day to provide a home away from home that is filled with compassionate care, support and encouragement and that makes all the difference
With thanks,
Mark Conelly
Chair, RMHC New Zealand
As the number of families who need our support grows, so too do the pressures on delivering a high level of service and a welcoming ‘home-away-from-home’.
In 2021, our programmes across New Zealand served 3,893 families, saving them over $6.7 million in accommodation expenses. Due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, more families were also assisted with off-site accommodation where we ensured daily necessities such as meals were supplied. Despite the challenges faced in 2021 we have found it rewarding to continue to support families in this way.
The need for our services is as great as ever, with the costs and the way we deliver that help growing more complex each day. Our focus remains on our vision to expand our social good offering and to continue to supply care and support to families with a child receiving hospital care across New Zealand.
To our Founding Partner McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd, thank you for being by our side since the beginning and helping to provide stability and support to families across New Zealand.
Thank you to the many businesses, individual donors, trusts and foundations, and community groups for your generosity throughout 2021. Our overarching goal, to provide better outcomes for more families, cannot be achieved without your support.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to our Board of Trustees for your invaluable contribution and governance through a challenging year, to our crucial volunteer work force, and the RMHC New Zealand staff for your dedication and commitment to the mission.
On behalf of RMHC New Zealand, and the families who call our Houses their ‘home-away-from-home’ – thank you for all your support, over this last year and the years to come.
Family stories
The Leggett Family
Since Toby was just seven weeks old, the Leggett family had been visiting their local South Island hospital every month or two because of pneumonia and wheezy breathing.
Several years later, Toby’s mum Louisa heard something scarily different in his breathing. “He was rushed to ED, then to paediatrics. Ultrasound and x-rays showed that his lung had collapsed.”
The O’Leary and Ogden Family
During pregnancy, Sarah learned her two unborn babies were experiencing Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. TTTS can happen to as many as 1-in-7 sets of identical twins. For some, the baby with increased blood supply and amniotic fluid can develop heart complications.
Sarah and Darryl found this was the case for one of their boys and were warned that he may not survive the pregnancy. If he were to die before being born it could pose a very serious risk for their second twin.
Our Impact
Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room programmes take care of the practical things in life so that families can focus on their child staying in hospital away from home.
Note: Numbers identified are for Ronald McDonald House programmes in Auckland and Wellington only. This excludes Ronald McDonald South Island.
Family Ethnicities
Numbers identified are for Ronald McDonald House programmes in Auckland and Wellington only. This excludes Ronald McDonald South Island.
Premier Partners
A huge thank you to all our premier partners that have been by our side during 2021, keeping families close™.
McDonald’s® Restaurants
(New Zealand) Ltd
From the moment the first Ronald McDonald House was opened, McDonald’s franchisees, crew, suppliers and customers have helped provide stability and support to families across New Zealand.
Our Founding Mission Partner restaurants collectively raise over $1.5 million each year, as well as gifting their time and in-kind services. RMHC New Zealand wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for all their support that helped families so significantly in 2021.
Photo caption below: McDonald’s Head Office cooking for families at the Auckland Domain House.
McDonald’s Campaigns
Click or tap each window to read the full details
Share the Love
From the 10th to the 23rd of November, McDonald’s restaurants across the country encouraged customers to buy a $1 Heart sticker, to help fill the House with love. Customers heard the call to action and headed to their local restaurant to help support families with a child in a hospital away from home.
Annual Appeal
McDonald’s joined the fight to fund a night by kick-starting RMHC New Zealand’s 2020 Annual Appeal with a $100,000 donation. On top of that they did the Macca’s match donating a further $100,000 – that means if you donated $10, RMHC New Zealand received $20. Thank you Macca’s!
Supper Clubs
In 2021, three Franchisee-led Supper Club events were hosted across the country, collectively raising $495,587.
A huge thank you to the Nelson, Dunedin, and Auckland Supper Club Committees who overcame all of the obstacles of 2021 to support families with a child in hospital.
Ronald McDonald Family Retreat Rotorua
During 2021, 68 families had the opportunity to stay at the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat in Rotorua. Our two Family Retreat Houses provide one week of free holiday accommodation for families who have experienced the impact of a chronic/long term illness or bereavement in their family.
Franchisees Rob and Linley Parry and their Rotorua crew volunteer their time to oversee the day-to-day operation of the Family Retreat, alongside their supportive committee and local supporter network.
Ray White
The generosity of the Ray White family with donations, in-kind support and fundraising events enables RMHC New Zealand to support and care for so many families. They have been a Premier Partner and key supporter for 14 years.
The partnership has gone from strength to strength, and not only does Ray White New Zealand make a significant annual financial donation, the Ray White community likes to show support locally by organising golf days, fashion shows, auctioneering at our signature events and cooking at our Houses.
Ray White also has the annual ‘A little Ray of Giving’ initiative which began in 2012, where they call on local communities to collect Christmas gifts for families with a child in a hospital away from home.
Thank you so much for your support Ray White!
Photo caption below: Ray White Millwater masked singer fundraiser
1-day Partnership
1-day has been supporting us since 2012. They generously donate auction items for our signature events: Red Shoe Ball and Supper Clubs. They donate gifts for our House families to enjoy and they raise funds through customer giving and digital support on their website.
We have also been the charity of choice for the 1-day Junior Tough Guy and Gal Challenge since 2019! The event is New Zealand’s biggest mud run series for all age levels and families from across the country and they rally together to raise money for RMHC New Zealand.
Thank you 1-day, for your continued support in so many ways!
La-Z-Boy Partnership
Giving to RMHC New Zealand means so much more than just providing comfortable furniture. To La-Z-Boy it means being able to provide an opportunity for families to spend time together in a calming and relaxing environment, and that is exactly what happens at our Houses across Aotearoa.
Thank you, La-Z-Boy for the ultra-comfy sofas, chairs, and recliners that allow families to spend precious time together.
Sealy Partnership
A good night’s sleep is so important for a family to be able to focus on their child’s medical journey.
Sealy has been ensuring our families are well-rested by providing top-quality and comfortable beds at our facilities Nationwide. Thank you so much!
Community Trust Mid and South Canterbury
Essity Australasia
Kindercare Learning Centres
Montgomerie-Whitton Family
PACT Group NZ
Peter and David Picot Charitable Trust
Phillip Verry Charitable Foundation
The Dines Family Charitable Trust
The Lion Foundation
Trillian Trust Limited
Trust Tairawhiti
Trust Waikato
Nib NZ Limited
All the above-listed partners and supporters donated over $10k.
Our 2021 Campaigns
House to House
Thank you to our House-to-House Heroes for making our 2021 Campaign the most successful in RMHC New Zealand history!
Participants were challenged to walk, run, bike, or swim 210km in March while each raising $210. 2,874 supporters took up the challenge and registered as individuals, teams, and workplaces raising an outstanding $583,800.
Annual Appeal – join the fight to fund a night
When a child is fighting for their life, their family fights with them. The stories shared by Phil, Laura and Amani in our 2021 Annual Appeal were raw, deeply personal and an honest account of what it means for a family when a child is in hospital away from home.
“I’ve been through horrible leukaemia. Packing my life into a bag. Six rounds of chemotherapy and 273 nights not in my own bed. But I’m not sick. My brother Makai is.” – Amani Phillips, House sister
Christmas Campaign
We were able to give families the gift of time together thanks to your continued support of our Christmas Campaign which raised over $260,000. Our friends at Zespri matched all donations up to $50,000 and we delivered Christmas care packs full of yummy treats and toys to families staying with us.
Emergency Appeal
Our Emergency Appeal launched in August as New Zealand entered Level 4 lockdown once again. Lockdown is a time of huge stress and uncertainty, and as you know, is hard enough in your own home. But for families with a child already in hospital, or needing emergency treatment, RMHC New Zealand was their ‘home-away-from-home’ during the crisis period. Thanks to the generous support and aroha, over $74,000 was raised to help keep families safe.
Volunteers
Our Volunteers are instrumental in providing support to staff and more importantly to the families staying at Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald House Family Room programmes.
Thank you to all our volunteers for your unwavering commitment and support – we appreciate all your hard work and are so proud of your efforts over the last year!
Financial Summary 2021
Due to the circumstances of 2021 RMHC New Zealand has seen a significant increase in operational costs. The demand to house more families in offsite accommodation and provide contactless food delivery services during lockdown is reflected in our financials
Note: The above financials are pre-audited. Please visit the Charities Commission website to view our 2019 financials. Audit will be completed and uploaded here by the 15th of July.
Support Us
There are so many ways to make a difference to families with a child in hospital. If you want to know how you can support families please get in touch with us at [email protected]
Every contribution counts, if you would like to donate, please visit www.rmhc.org.nz/donate or call us on 093658315.
The Leggett Family
Since Toby was just seven weeks old, the Leggett family had been visiting their local South Island hospital every month or two because of pneumonia and wheezy breathing.
Several years later, on his dad’s birthday – December 13 – Louisa heard something scarily different in Toby’s breathing. “He was rushed to ED, then to paediatrics. Ultrasound and x-rays showed that his lung had collapsed.”
This was just the start of his traumatic journey. Toby was taken 250km to Christchurch Hospital for monitoring in the Intensive Care Unit.
The next day in ICU, Toby was intubated ahead of his first non-invasive surgery in Christchurch and stayed intubated until 30th December. His medical team placed a drain in his lung which was used to flush out his lungs. This works in 80% of cases, however it wasn’t successful for Toby. “He was looking pretty critical at that point,” his Mum remembers.
Louisa, Toby’s Mum, was welcomed by the team at Ronald McDonald House South Island. Thanks to RMHC New Zealand she never had to waver from Toby’s care to think about where to stay or what to eat whilst he was receiving medical treatment in hospital.
In fact, the Leggett Family had already experienced our incredibly generous care and hospitality at Ronald McDonald House Wellington, when Toby’s big sister Charlie was recovering from birth complications.
Toby needed urgent, invasive surgery in Auckland, but waiting six hours for a medevac flight was too long. While still in Christchurch Hospital he received a thorochotomy – cutting through his little ribs to reach his lung. He could no longer breathe on his own.
In Auckland Louisa discovered that parents cannot stay overnight in children’s ICU, “so we had the use of Ronald McDonald House Auckland, which was amazing. Even under the Covid measures last year, it still felt homely”, said Louisa.
“The relief from the financial burden was incredible – with not working and having to be away from home for a long time.”
The Ronald McDonald House helped to provide that support … “and all the extras,” Louisa adds. “We were fed … a lot. Meals being popped in our box in the fridge. Or you could nip up and get lunch, which was incredible, because you didn’t have to spend $20 every day in the cafeteria.
“We would have just been on packaged sandwiches, but at the end of ward time late at night, there is a lot to be said for a hot meal at the House.”
As Christmas approached, Toby was improving, “so on Christmas Eve they decided to try to remove his tube.”
It was the most frightening event of the family’s lives. Toby’s lungs were too fragile. His throat became dangerously inflamed. “He had to have an emergency procedure to put him under again.”
After six more days unconscious, “Toby came off the ventilator on the 30th of December.” A strong boy, who within a week was fit to fly home. Despite a few lapses, today he is doing great. So is his family, thanks to Ronald McDonald House.
Louisa will always remember how much RMHC New Zealand supported her family. “It’s perfect. You couldn’t ask for more. An amazing building, so close. The staff are wonderful – very empathetic for those going through a very hard time. The food and facilities are incredible. It is a very, very worthwhile cause.”
The O’Leary and Ogden Family
Boys. Lots of boys. Sarah had Matt. Darryl had Max and Sam. Together they blended into such a wonderful family and soon they were expecting the unexpected – identical twins! Two more beautiful boys on the way!
Then Sarah and Darryl learned that they had begun the hardest battle of their lives.
Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) New Zealand have helped them bear the unbearable, by giving Sarah and Darryl the chance to stay at Ronald McDonald Domain House in Auckland.
During pregnancy, Sarah learned her two unborn babies were experiencing TTTS – Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome. TTTS can happen to as many as 1-in-7 sets of identical twins. For some, the baby with increased blood supply and amniotic fluid can develop heart complications.
Sarah and Darryl found this was the case for one of their boys and were warned that he may not survive the pregnancy. If he were to die before being born it could pose a very serious risk for their second twin.
After months of fighting TTTS together, Jacob and Will were born more than ten weeks premature. They were so tiny, both boys needed intensive care, but it was Will who was in the greatest danger.
Mum and Dad were given a sombre warning. “There was a good chance he wouldn’t make it through the next 24 hours,” Sarah said. “That was heartbreaking – but he surprised everybody and made it through.”
It was December 14, less than two weeks until Christmas. Mum and Dad had no energy to find a place to stay or feed themselves. Thanks to RMHC New Zealand, they did not have to even think about such things. They simply took a short walk across the hospital grounds to Ronald McDonald Domain House.
Will’s family were facing an impossible dilemma. He urgently needed heart surgery, but he had to weigh at least 2kg. He was born far lighter than that – just 1269g.
The pressure on his parents was enormous, but thanks to RMHC New Zealand they had a sanctuary. As Sarah says, “It made such a huge difference to Darryl and me. The comfort of the place. Just knowing that we had a really nice spot to lay our heads.”
Being so close to their children means so much to the families we support.
“Like any mother who has been through NICU would know, it’s really hard to walk out of the hospital and leave your babies there. But we were basically still on hospital grounds!”
Closeness was especially important with Will. “He had so many ups and downs. We were getting phone calls at 3 and 4 in the morning because he’d taken a turn. We could be with him in five minutes.”
At 7 days old, Will’s condition went downhill so badly that his parents received their second grim warning. “We were told he was unlikely to make it through the next 24-48 hours.”
“But again, my little trooper pulled through, surprising everybody again.”
By Christmas Eve, Will had managed to gain enough weight for his first heart procedure. A tiny balloon was inflated in his little heart, to get more oxygen around his body.
Little Will kept fighting from Christmas into the New Year, but when he was 27 days old, on January 6, an ultrasound revealed a devastating brain injury. If he lived, he was at very high risk of having severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.
Sarah and Darryl talked about the best pathway for their little boy. A boy awaiting heart surgery, fighting infections with poor functioning kidneys and now also a severe brain injury.
After many discussions and meetings with hospital specialists, they decided to take him home for end-of-life care – and move Jacob to NICU in their hometown hospital.
The family said goodbye to everyone from the House on January 11, after staying for 28 nights. Their stay, their sanctuary, was made possible by generous donations and fundraising support for RMHC New Zealand.
Back at home, they gathered the family to meet Will and celebrate his life. “We had aunties and uncles and big brothers and grandparents and friends coming to see the twins. Absolutely beautiful. And then we just closed up, switched off our phones.”
Will died a beloved son and little brother, when he was five weeks old.
Four weeks later, Jacob came out of NICU. The family took a lovely trip to celebrate Will, talk about him and make up for the Christmas together the boys had missed.
“Jacob is doing beautifully,” Sarah says. She is very grateful for the support RMHC New Zealand gave her family. “I don’t know what we would have done without it. It was just an absolute lifesaver for us. Ronald McDonald House meant that we could spend as much time with Will as possible.”
Diagnoses by Room Nights
Antenatal/Prenatal – 5%
Cardiac – 17%
Medical – 3%
Neonatal (NICU) – 17%
Neurology – 10%
Oncology – 15%
Surgical – 7%
Renal – 5%
Other – 16%
Respiratory – 4%
Note: Numbers identified are from Ronald McDonald House Auckland and Wellington programmes. This does not include Ronald McDonald House South Island.
Diagnoses by Families
Other – 20.2%
Cardiac – 15.7%
Surgical – 13.9%
Neonatal (NICU) – 10.1%
Neurology – 9.8%
Oncology – 7.1%
Antenatal/Prenatal – 6.7%
Respiratory – 6.2%
Renal – 4.3%
Medical – 3%
Psychological (CFU) – 3%
Note: Numbers identified are for Ronald McDonald House programmes in Auckland and Wellington only. This excludes Ronald McDonald South Island.
100,000 Kiwiburgers
From July 29 – August 12, $1 from every Kiwiburger was kindly donated to RMHC New Zealand. McDonald’s set the goal: to reach $100,000. Their customers heard the call-to-action to help support Kiwi families.
McDonald’s Hutt Valley annual Golf Tournament
Chris and Liz Boon and the McDonald’s Hutt Valley team worked tirelessly to make this event one to remember, raising an outstanding $75,000.
Classics at Ōhope
A weekend full of vintage cars, caravans, rock ‘n’ roll, and craft food which raised a huge $15,000. Thank you McDonald’s Whakatāne, Ocean Ford Whakatane and the Ōhope Beach Top 10 Holiday Park.
In-store fundrasiers
McDonald’s Franchisees and crew find all kinds of creative ways to help support RMHC New Zealand, hosting bake sales, sausage sizzles, and raffles within their local communities and restaurants. Each fundraiser, no matter the size – adds up to make a huge difference.
Photo caption: McDonalds Massey Road and Papatoetoe sausage sale and bake sale
Supper Clubs
In 2020, three Franchisee-led Supper Club events were hosted across the country, collectively raising $404,000.
A huge thank you to the Rotorua, Dunedin, and Wellington Supper Club Committees who overcame all of the obstacles of 2020 to support families with a child in hospital.
Despite the challenges COVID-19 was starting to cause, the Rotorua Supper Club organising committee spent months making this event a huge success, raising $158,000.
McDonalds Dunedin ambassadors hosted their 9th Supper Club, with over 650 guests the event raised $168,000 and had an amazing support local model.
The Wellington Supper Club included a cocktail party and auction this year with Ben Atwill from Ray White stepping up to be the auctioneer, raising $78,000.
Photo caption: Justin and Eterei Stonelake at the Dunedin Supper Club
Sponsor a Room Campaign
Two top Ray White agents – Ben Atwill and Brendan Shefford – are hard at work marketing room sponsorship opportunities in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. These 1-3 year sponsorships give individuals, businesses, communities, and family groups a way to purposefully invest in their community.
A Little Ray of Giving
Ray White’s annual ‘A Little Ray of Giving’ calls on local communities to collect Christmas gifts for those in need. Thank you to Ray White Kingsland, Ray White Takapuna, Ray White Ellerslie, Ray White Eastern Group in Auckland, and Ray White Full Circle, Ray White Metro, Ray White Ferrymead in Christchurch – for bringing festive cheer to families with a child in hospital at Christmas.
Photo caption: Ray White Takapuna
Events
Despite a difficult year for fundraising, Ray White offices have once more gone above and beyond. Ray White Whangamatā hosted the eighth annual golf tournament, raising over $14,000. Ray White Manukau was unable to run their breakfast events due to lockdown, so they co-ordinated four Trade Me auctions – including signed Joseph Parker boxing gloves that sold for $750. Ray White Howick’s fashion event raised $15,000 on the runway. Ray White Mount Maunganui & Ray White Papamoa’s pub quiz and charity auction fundraiser ran for the third year in a row – raising $5,000. Thank you Ray White for all your support!
Photo caption: Ray White Howick – Karen Goosman and Wayne Howett
Volunteer Support
Ben Atwill of Ray White Wellington, Chip McCabe from Ray White Kemeys Brothers, and Cameron Brain of Ray White City Realty Group have donated their time and talent to support fundraising events with their excellent auctioneering skills. Larissa Tuhaka from Head Office has also championed our Mission at every opportunity. Thank you!
Photo caption: Ben Atwill at Wellington Supper Club
CHAIR: Mark Conelly
Mark has held several senior finance positions, including CFO at several large NZ retailers. He has 30 years’ experience in governance roles within the not-for-profit sector (including CanTeen and the Child Cancer Foundation – he was recognised with Life Membership awards with both). He is an Independent Director and Chair for several commercial entities and is the Chair of the largest independent school in NZ. Mark also provides CFO services to a range of businesses, including currently acting as Interim CFO for Trademe Limited. Mark is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and NZ and a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors.
Dr Liz Edmonds
Liza is a Māori Neonatal Paediatrican and Senior Clinical Lecturer at Kõhatu Center for Hauora Māori and Dunedin School of Medicine at the University of Otago. Clinically she works for Te Whatu Ora Southern in Dunedin. Liza has worked in roles within the Southern rõhe, including clinical Neonatology, General Paediatrics and research in perinatal health and wellbeing. She is the mother of 3 teenagers and married to a tane from Oamaru and enjoys being part of her wider whanau and community.
Liza passionately cares for whānau with health needs and supports Ronald MacDonald House Charity in their efforts to support whānau during their health care journeys no matter where they come from.
Ata Te Kanawa
Ata Te Kanawa is a Senior Communications and Engagement Advisor in the Māori Economic Development Unit of the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. She is the founder of Miromoda – The Indigenous Māori Fashion Apparel Board and the former independent publisher of Tu Mai magazine and Chair of her whānau and trust. Ata is actively involved in the wider Māori community and committed to fostering iwi engagement with RMHC New Zealand.
Ben Rose
A proud father of three, Ben has experienced first-hand the difference being close by a hospital can make to both the patient and broader family. Ben founded and runs Australasian sales growth consultancy The Growery. An experienced marketing and sales executive, Ben’s career has seen him driving the brand and growth strategy for many brands, including Tourism New Zealand, ASB, Adidas, and Nissan. A previous sponsor/partner of RMHC New Zealand, Ben is delighted to contribute to the mission of the organisation
Julie Neilsen
Julie is an ex-school teacher and business owner. Julie is currently employed as the Family Support Manager for Heart Kids NZ and is a parent rep on the ANZ Fontan Registry. She has volunteered with several Not-for-profit organisations in a variety of roles including counsellor, trainer, committee member, and Board member.
Malcolm Swan
Malcolm (Mal) Swan is General Counsel for McDonald’s Restaurants NZ and has held many senior legal roles within large corporations and law firms over the past 20 years. Mal is a current chair of the Advertising Standards Codes Committee and is a past school trustee and PTA Board member. Mal is committed to providing better outcomes for children and is actively involved in junior soccer and basketball.
Rachel Brown
Rachel is Executive Leader, Service Delivery at the National Hauora Coalition. A PhD graduate with an interest in Indigenous research, Māori and Pacific health, equity, health outcomes, and health services. Previously a member of the University of Auckland – Health Research Ethics Committee (AHREC), current member of the Ngāi Tahu Māori Health Research Unit Expert Advisory Group, and Member of the Māori Monitoring Equity Group.
Rosemary Escott
Rosemary is the Nurse Manager at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Wellington Hospital which as well as managing a 40 bed Intensive Care Unit involves overseeing neonatal surgery, an active transport team, and education. She is a member of several national reviews and reference groups for neonatal services. In addition to her clinical roles, she has held a variety of roles in community groups and charities including chairperson for a private kindergarten.
Sam Maharaj
Sam owns and operates several McDonald’s franchises in Auckland with his wife Angela. His company, Maharaj Corporation Ltd, has received the prestigious Golden Arch Award for the top 1% performing franchisees globally as well as Franchisee of the Year award. Sam supports a number of community groups & youth sports teams and is a former Chairman of the McDonald’s Franchisee Group.
Scott Brown
Scott has held several senior strategy and finance roles across the Food & Agri-Business, Media, Energy and Telecommunications sectors over the last 20 years. Scott is delighted to support the RMHC New Zealand mission of supporting New Zealand families when their child is in hospital. Scott is also a Chartered Member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and NZ and a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors.
Our Social Impact
Today, more than ever, it is essential to understand the impact our services provide to the families of Aotearoa who use our facilities. It’s more than just about how many families stay with us, but the contribution our mahi has on New Zealand society. In 2020 we partnered with New Zealand-based ImpactLab to quantify our social value to articulate exactly how much we help change lives for the better. The GoodMeasure report enables us to show that every year RMHC New Zealand delivers over 46 million dollars of ‘measurable good’ to New Zealand society. This social value is recognised through mental and physical health, jobs and earnings, income and consumption, and housing.
Social Value Breakdown
RMHC New Zealand creates social value across different aspects of people’s lives. This chart shows the breakdown of social value created according to the NZ Treasury Living Standards Framework. Each domain highlights a different aspect of wellbeing, showing the positive impact we have on families that stays with us, with Health being the highest (80%).
For every dollar invested in RMHC New Zealand, there is a Social Return On Investment (SROI) of NZD $4.80, or $4.80 of measurable good to New Zealanders.
Social Value Definition
Social value generated for each successful participant
$3,078
Measurable benefits as proportion of program cost
480%
Cost of the programme per participant
$642