New Zealand Kindness Movement
The inspiration for our kindness movement came from seeds planted by kindness initiatives in the
USA, particularly reports of random acts of kindness such as the ones documented on TV programs
like Oprah, where angel networks and other selfless people were seen to be making a difference
through kind acts. The term ‘random acts of kindness’ in itself magically conjures up images of kind acts
being committed all over the world.
In 2002, we obtained approval to use ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ in our name as we endeavored to
organize a regional kindness group in the Waitaki district of the South Island. Our Mayor Alan McLay
supported our efforts as he pronounced November 13, ‘Waitaki Kindness Day’. We later broadened our
horizon and renamed our group NZ Kindness Movement.
Prior to this, New Zealand had been represented by Denise Van Aalst at the WKM Conference in
Japan. She was a founding member of the then ‘Kiwi Kindness Movement’. Denise has now joined our
small group, along with Isaac Ng from Singapore who brings with him a wealth of knowledge and
experience in kind acts. Singapore’s loss has become our gain.
Our motivation in maintaining a kindness movement in New Zealand is that it keeps kindness at the
forefront of our minds. While we do not actively pursue new membership, we always keep the door open
to it. We remain as an active group and valuable resource to anyone interested in joining.
NZKM’s motto is ‘Kindness without debt’, plucked from the song ‘Faster than Light’ by Neil Finn. It seems
to sum up what we try daily to offer. |
New Zealand
