Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
-Matthew 28:19-20
Our vision
Transform lives and change communities
Our mission
A worldwide partnership of Christian organisations fulfilling the commission of Jesus Christ, supporting each other to see transformed lives, families and communities.
Our story
International Needs was founded by New Zealander Ray Harrison in 1974, who at the time was the International Director for Youth For Christ. Ray recognized the importance of supporting national church leaders in growing their own local churches. His holistic concept of ministry was based on the belief that local nationals are best equipped to identify and address the needs of their communities. This approach was a significant departure from the traditional mission models of the time but has since been acknowledged as a key strategy in spreading faith, fostering long-term sustainability, and alleviating poverty, all while keeping the gospel at the center of the mission.
International Needs New Zealand (INNZ) is a non-denominational, not-for-profit Christian mission support organization with a strong track record in overseas aid, development, and mission work dating back to 1974. The ministry focuses on partnership, connecting Christians and churches in New Zealand with Christian workers in partner countries. Through these partnerships, New Zealanders can support programs led by national leadership that focus on evangelism and church planting, as well as essential social and community initiatives. This collaboration ensures that the needs of local communities are met effectively and sustainably, with the gospel remaining at the core of all efforts.
Our values
Bible-based
Christian values
National
Leadership
Holistic Development
& Capacity Building
Transparency
& Integrity
Non-discrimination
& Social Justice
Evangelism
Self-sufficiency
Stewardship
Fiscal Integrity
Shaun Sutcliffe
Executive Director
Shaun Sutcliffe is the Executive Director of International Needs New Zealand; he leads with a deep passion for making a positive impact on the lives of those less fortunate. Driven by the organisation's mission and his unwavering faith, he is committed to connecting New Zealanders to being God's hands and feet in the world.
At home, Shaun is married to Ruth, and they are the proud parents of three young children, Nate, Kayden, and Sophia. Balancing family life with their unwavering dedication to International Needs and their local church, they believe in uplifting others and fulfilling God’s calling on their lives.
Our team
Robert Choy
International Programmes Manager
Kerry-Lee Fox
Programmes Support Officer
Rachel Honeybone
Ministry & Resource Coordinator
Theresa Parker
Accounts Officer
Beverley Lee
Accounts Assistant
Rochelle Embling
Education Programme Coordinator
Laura van Aardt
Education Programme Assistant
Constanza Palacios
Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator
Judith Deighton
Marketing Assistant
Our board
David Hughes
Chair
David is the chair and has been a trustee since 2016. David and his wife Philippa attend Mt Albert Baptist Church in Auckland. During the week David works in the field of science and technology both as a senior executive at Plant & Food Research (a Government owned science company) and also as a director on the board of a number technology centered companies.
Daniel Gibbons
Treasurer
Daniel Gibbons joined INNZ in November 2013 after being a donor of the INCAP programme for a number of years. In addition to being a trustee, Daniel serves on the audit and risk committee and the executive committee. He lives in Queenstown, with his wife Stacey and their three children. He is a qualified lawyer and works as a Tax Advisor for an international accountancy firm.
Geoff Warne
Secretary
Geoff joined the Board in 2018 after a period as interim Executive Director. His professional background is primarily in executive management and governance in local and international mission agencies and not for profit organisations. This has included 20 years with The Leprosy Mission, mainly in London and 16 years with the Blind Foundation in New Zealand.
Rabena Tanielu
Board Member
Rabena, who is Samoan, began sponsoring a child through INNZ. She and her husband Ronji spent two years as self-funded missionaries overseas, during which they were privileged to visit all 15 children and their families in the Philippines and Uganda. They also worked alongside INNZ partners in Nepal, Philippines, Uganda and India.They attend a small church in South Auckland.
Inez McClea
Board Member
Inez McClea became a board member of INNZ in 2023. She has been involved with several IN projects in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and E Europe, promoting them back in NZ. Inez is married to Andrew and has four adult sons. She currently lives in Tauranga and has joined the Congress Committee of INNZ to help organize the 2024 International Congress and 50th Anniversary Dinner, in Rotorua.
Sarah Markley
Board Member
Sarah joined the Board in April 2015. She is a member of the Governance Committee and also a member of the Finance and Audit Committee for International Needs Incorporated. Sarah is a chartered accountant with many years’ experience in public sector financial audit. She works for the Office of the Auditor-General, focusing primarily on capacity development support.
Suzie Newman
Board Member
David Simpkin
Board Member