An epic journey that started mid-last year with a phone call to New Zealand from beleaguered Kharkiv, ended in July with seven decommissioned New Zealand ambulances crossing the Polish border into Ukraine in mid-August. 

The ambulances have since been serviced and repainted and are now ready to be presented to Ukrainian Medical Units at a dedication ceremony planned for early September in Kyiv. 

The ambulances, which left New Zealand on 4 May, travelled some 20,000 kilometres by ship and road from Auckland to Kyiv, and were collected by a combined Ukrainian - New Zealand team from Port Antwerp, Belgium, in early August.  

Kiwi K.A.R.E (Kiwi Aid & Refugee Evacuation), a registered New Zealand Charity, managed the negotiations and logistics of moving the ambulances across the globe, supported by a multinational team. 

“This exemplifies multinational teamwork at its best, all-in support of Ukraine,” says Kiwi K.A.R.E chairman Tenby Powell.

“We have had tremendous support from St John Ambulance New Zealand, who donated the ambulances to Kiwi K.A.R.E, and shipping company, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, who moved the ambulances to Europe. Without the support of these two wonderful organisations, they would certainly not be in Kyiv now.”

Tenby also approached Tauranga based Iwi, Ngai Te Rangi, to advise on naming and blessing the ambulances. 

“We are thrilled to be involved in this important mahi and, having done blessings from afar during Covid, we feel honoured to be able to bless these lifesaving vehicles and those who will travel within them for the people of Ukraine,” says Ngai Te Rangi CEO Paora Stanley.

Each ambulance will carry a name reflecting the seven key principles of Māori worldview: Rangatira (Leadership); Manaaki (Caring); Kotahi (Unity); Whanau (Relationships); Kaitiaki (Guardianship); Wairua (Spirit); and Tupuna (Ancestry). 

Kiwi K.A.R.E parter, Day-by-Day, a registered Ukrainian NGO and importer of the ambulances, have worked hard to get them serviced and painted before handing them over to medical units. 

“Our partnership with Kiwi K.A.R.E has enabled us to gain greater geographical reach for distribution of humanitarian and medical aid, and now we are able to gift ambulances in the service of Ukraine,” says Day-by-Day chairman Oleg Kuptsov.

“Honestly, we are overwhelmed to have such support from a small county which is literally on the other side of the world.”

Kiwi K.A.R.E and Day-by-Day intend to keep one ambulance as a mobile health clinic to serve those in newly liberated areas who lack access to medical resources. 

“Our combined humanitarian strength offers a big step-up in operational capability, and this comes at a cost. We are a big organisation to run, with a number of logistics vehicles including a 12-tonne truck, also donated by Kiwi K.A.R.E, and of course an ambulance,” says Day-by-Day director Oleksii Tsapenko.

“We rely on donations and ask any business who wants to support us to reach out. We need sustainable funding to continue our operation.

“We want to thank the wonderful people of New Zealand who have supported Kiwi K.A.R.E since June last year. We are very grateful for your continued support.”

Kiwi K.A.R.E is funded by public donations received via a New Zealand crowdfunding site called Give-a-Little. Donations can be made at: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/kiwi-kare-ukraine-kiwi-aid-and-refugee-evacuation