A major humanitarian shipment carrying ambulances, medical equipment and wheelchairs has departed from the Port of Tauranga bound for Ukraine.

There, it will support frontline medical evacuations and civilian healthcare in war-affected regions.

The consignment, organised through a partnership between Kiwi K.A.R.E, Hato Hone St John and the Ukrainian Association of New Zealand, includes seven shipping containers loaded with lifesaving aid, a media release from Kiwi K.A.R.E said.

The latest shipment increases the number of Kiwi K.A.R.E ambulances operating in Ukraine to 68, alongside seven other support vehicles, including a truck.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, said the initiative demonstrated the strong support New Zealanders had shown Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.

“Kiwi K.A.R.E’s extraordinary commitment to Ukraine is a powerful example of the solidarity New Zealanders have shown with the Ukrainian people,” he said.

“These ambulances and medical supplies are not simply vehicles and equipment. They are helping save lives every day.”

Myroshnychenko said the close partnership between Kiwi K.A.R.E founder Tenby Powell and New Zealand’s Ukrainian community continued to deliver vital assistance to those most in need.

The aid will be used for emergency medical evacuations, mobile health clinics and civilian healthcare services in some of Ukraine’s most dangerous regions.

Powell said every ambulance delivered through the programme had a tangible impact.

“Every ambulance we deliver saves lives and delivers hope to Ukrainian families living under constant attack,” he said.

“This shipment reflects the incredible generosity of New Zealanders and the strength of our partnership with the Ukrainian community here. Together, we are making a tangible difference where it matters most.”

Kiwi K.A.R.E founder Tenby Powell, alongside supporters and volunteers, farewells a shipment of ambulances and humanitarian aid at the Port of Tauranga bound for war-torn Ukraine.

Vladimir Rodnyanskyi, of the Ukrainian Association of New Zealand, said members of the Ukrainian diaspora had worked closely with Kiwi K.A.R.E to fill the containers.

“This enduring partnership shows the depth of support New Zealanders have given Ukraine in our darkest days. We are deeply grateful,” he said.

Founded in 2022, Kiwi K.A.R.E operates three key humanitarian programmes: Road-of-Life, providing frontline evacuations and patient transfers; Heat-for-Health, producing stoves and water boilers from recycled hot water cylinders; and Lifeline Logistics, which delivers ambulances and other humanitarian supplies.

Hato Hone St John chief executive Peter Bradley said the organisation was proud to support the initiative by enabling retired ambulances to continue serving communities in need.

“While these decommissioned vehicles have completed their service in New Zealand, they still have an important role to play in Ukraine,” he said.

Kiwi K.A.R.E is run entirely by volunteers and receives no New Zealand Government funding, relying instead on private donors to support its work.

Adding a family touch to the operation, Powell’s 87-year-old father-in-law Frank Hunter and four of his friends drove several of the ambulances from Hamilton to the Port of Tauranga before their departure.

Powell and his wife Sharon Hunter drove the remaining vehicles.

Hunter said he was proud to contribute to the cause.

“While many would say we are over the hill, we were thrilled to be asked to drive the ambulances over the hill from Hamilton to support Kiwi K.A.R.E and Ukrainians living under the siege of a full-scale war,” he said.

Supporters say the latest shipment further strengthens the growing humanitarian and cultural ties between New Zealand and Ukraine.