Our story 

From small beginnings in 1975, Tearfund has grown into one of New Zealand’s largest Christian aid and development agencies, raising over $15 million a year to support global partners.

 



 

 

Together we’ve created lasting impact

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Child Development

Over 39,000 Kiwis have sponsored a child with us since 1986, when we began our partnership with Compassion International. This generosity has transformed lives by providing education, medical care and hope for children living in poverty.

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Modern Slavery

We've helped remove 827 victims from harm, convicted 183 offenders and trained 426 law enforcement officers, since our partnership with LIFT International in Thailand began in 2014. 

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Farming and Enterprise

In 2011, a post-war dairy programme in Sri Lanka began with eight farmers supplying 273L of milk, earning just NZ $15 per month. Today, has trained 6,100 farmers across six districts, boosting incomes to NZ $80–$1,000 monthly. 

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Disaster and Conflict

After the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004, we assisted thousands across Sri Lanka and Indonesia with medical treatment, emergency food parcels, clean water and temporary shelters. It was one of our largest disaster responses, raising $1.6M from supporters and securing $1.1M from the NZ Government. 

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A look through the decades

1970s: In the beginning

1975: The Evangelical Alliance Relief (TEAR) Fund New Zealand was born, with the aim of being the humanitarian arm of Kiwi churches.  Tearfund’s first project was to construct a village well in Guinea Bissau, with a $10,000 grant from Tearfund UK, marking the start of Tearfund New Zealand's global impact.


1976: Tearfund launched its first public newsletter, Tear Update, fostering communication with supporters.  

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1980s: Expanding support

1980: 1980: Tearfund was officially registered as a charity. 

1981: Artists Tours began, featuring musicians like Barry McGuire and Sheila Walsh, raising awareness and funds for Tearfund's work.

1984: Tearfund started promoting microenterprise initiatives, laying the groundwork for today's Self-Help Groups. 

1984: Child sponsorship programmes were initiated in partnership with Compassion, providing sustainable pathways for child welfare. 

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1990s: Responding to crises and fighting modern slavery

1992: Tearfund partnered with efforts in Ethiopia to alleviate famine and build community resilience. 

1999: Tearfund partnered with the International Justice Mission (IJM) to combat modern slavery in Thailand, taking a strong stance against human trafficking. 

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2000s: Global recognition 

2000: First Tearfund Compassion Day in New Zealand resulted in 544 children being sponsored through the generosity of New Zealanders. 

2004: Tearfund was the first organisation in New Zealand to launch an appeal in response to the Boxing Day Tsunami, providing crucial relief to affected areas and solidifying its role in global disaster response. 

2005: Tearfund became a founding member of the Integral Alliance, joining forces with other aid organisations worldwide. 
 

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2010s: Innovation 

2011: Tearfund launched the Poverty Cycle initiative to raise funds and awareness for social causes, especially focused on combating trafficking and poverty. 

2012: Tearfund pioneered the Wanni Dairy programme with World Concern Sri Lanka and funding from the NZ government. It was our first public/private partnership using NZ expertise/technology. It transitioned from a peacebuilding programme to a thriving livelihoods programme. 

2013: Supported victims of Typhoon Haiyan through recovery and livelihood restoration efforts, which later became an innovative multi-year agricultural livelihoods programme connecting farmers to lucrative markets. 

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2020s: Responding to Crises 

2022: Tearfund developed the SAFE Programme, integrating agricultural livelihoods with anti-trafficking efforts to reduce vulnerabilities in at-risk communities.

2024: Tearfund responded to the Ethiopia Hunger Crisis, securing the largest disaster grant in its history ($750,000) from the New Zealand Government to aid those affected. 

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Where are we going?

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” 
Galatians 6:9


When Tearfund was founded 50 years ago, about 60% of the world lived in extreme poverty, now 50 years later this has dropped to 8%. Thanks to Kiwi's like you, we’ve seen millions of lives changed for the better. 

While there have been notable improvements in health, education and poverty reduction, challenges such as inequality, climate change, and conflict continue to impact the world's most vulnerable.  

That's why Tearfund is dedicated to providing aid and development that is rooted in our Christian faith, tailored to the local needs of communities and implemented by local partners and staff.  

 

 

As we look forward, Tearfund is working to:

Expand our innovative church-based development work

We’re expanding our church and community-based solutions, keeping our faith central to our work. These empowerment programmes have shown a $28 social return for every $1 invested.

Innovate programmes for environmental challenges 

Tearfund is expanding its climate finance work, assisting people to overcome urgent environmental issues. These agricultural programmes have proven successful in East Africa as well as the Pacific.

Strengthen justice systems for human trafficking survivors

Tearfund will continue to assist our modern slavery partners with advocating for legislative change.

Be good stewards 
To make every dollar go as far as possible, we will keep our overheads low and continue unlocking government grants to double and triple funds sent to the field.

This work is not possible without people like you!


Becky Kemps, child sponsor

Becky Kemps and her two daughters share about going to Kenya and meeting the children they sponsor for the first time.


Chrissy Conyngham, Flo & Frankie founder

Kiwi businesswomen Chrissy Conyngham is helping empower women who have been trafficked in Nepal, through her fashion wheelhouse Flo & Frankie.


Ross Wallis, dairy farmer

Raglan dairy farmer, Ross Wallis, has been part of helping lift thousands of Sri Lankan small-holder dairy farmers affected by war out of poverty.

Pray with us

As well as reaching out to marginalised people in practical ways we also believe in the power of prayer. Here are some prayer requests from our CEO Ian McInnes, we encourage you include these in your prayer life this year. 

+  Please pray for the tens of thousands of refugees and those in drought-stricken communities served by Tearfund’s partners. They span from the Middle East to East Africa and down into South Asia.  
  
+  The atrocity of human trafficking and slave labour is sadly far from over. Lift up our advocacy work and partners working with law enforcement, legislators, and communities to stop human trafficking and change the fortunes of vulnerable individuals through crucial livelihood programmes. Pray for the survivors, for deep resolve for our brave partners, and their communities confronting it head on. 
  
+  Billions have risen out of extreme poverty in our lifetimes, yet our global commitment to the 700 million remaining is waning. May God place on each of our hearts a desire to change that. To use our collective skills, resources, and voices to lift those still struggling daily to make ends meet.  

 

‘Poverty should have ended with our generation. It still can. It needs prayer, action and obedience to God’s call to truly love our neighbour.’

Ian McInnes, Tearfund CEO

Caption: Somalia, 2009

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