Mercy Ships NZ

Mercy Ships NZ Mercy Ships Mercy Ships, a faith-base not-for-profit NGO, operates hospital ships which provide free surgical services for the poorest nations of the earth.

Staffed by volunteer doctors, dentists, nurses and other health care and maritime professionals, the Africa Mercy and Global Mercy are dedicated to providing life-transforming surgery and medical capacity building in sub-Saharan Africa.

Over 5,000 patients!!Behind every one is a story. A future filled with possibilities that once seemed out of reach.As th...
16/06/2026

Over 5,000 patients!!

Behind every one is a story. A future filled with possibilities that once seemed out of reach.

As the concludes her third consecutive field service in Sierra Leone, we celebrate the thousands of lives, families, and communities that have been impacted through access to safe surgical care.

New Zealand Volunteer Shoutout! Sophia (Photographer) 📸Behind every surgery performed by Mercy Ships is a person whose l...
16/06/2026

New Zealand Volunteer Shoutout! Sophia (Photographer) 📸

Behind every surgery performed by Mercy Ships is a person whose life has been completely transformed. Someone who can now walk, work, dream, smile or simply live without pain because hope arrived at their port.

A photograph can capture a moment, but it also tells a deeper story. That even the smallest act of generosity can travel across the world and change a life forever. Through these stories, supporters are able to see the direct impact of their giving, while Kiwis from all walks of life are inspired to realise that their own skills, compassion and time can become part of something far greater than themselves. Once we see the need, we cannot unsee it. And once we understand that change is possible, we are invited to become part of it.

During her year of volunteer service with Mercy Ships, Sophia Niblock is using her gift of photography to bring these stories to life. She is spending time with patients, listening to their journeys, visiting their homes and capturing the extraordinary transformation that safe surgery makes possible. Along the way, she is witnessing firsthand the stark contrast between the resources we often take for granted in New Zealand and the realities faced by many families in Africa.

Yet amid the challenges, Sophia is also capturing something incredibly powerful. How a person dressed in Hope has the ability to radiate from the inside out. Her photographs remind us that compassion has no borders and that ordinary people can help deliver extraordinary change.

Volunteering for an entire year is a remarkable commitment of service. If you would like to invest in Sophia’s journey with Mercy Ships and help bring hope and healing to those who need it most, please use the link below.
https://mercyships.org.nz/volunteer/sophia/

15/06/2026

The has just wrapped up her third consecutive field service in the beautiful country of Sierra Leone!

The ship's departure marks the ending of a special season of partnership, but the impact and relationships formed will continue far into the future.

Thank you to the countless people who have played a role in bringing hope and healing, and thank you to the government and nation of Sierra Leone for graciously hosting and trusting us for the last three years.

“What do we do now?”It’s a question no one wants to ask during a real emergency, which is why the crew on the practice...
13/06/2026

“What do we do now?”

It’s a question no one wants to ask during a real emergency, which is why the crew on the practice ahead of time through hospital evacuation drills.

From moving mock patients to coordinating response teams, the exercise helps prepare crew and hospital staff to respond calmly and safely if an emergency ever happens onboard.

Almira’s journey to healing from her cleft lip and palate was not easy. She was initially found to be underweight, resul...
12/06/2026

Almira’s journey to healing from her cleft lip and palate was not easy. She was initially found to be underweight, resulting in months of dietician appointments, and her first repair surgery failed. What followed was three different surgeries spanning three different field services.

Despite the difficulties, Almira remained curious and joyful, like a typical toddler.

“Almira is very brave. She is lively and playful,” Almira’s mother, Kadiatu, said.

NZ Volunteer Shoutout: Meet Lucy! 💙🇳🇿 We’re so excited to celebrate Lucy, a paediatric ward nurse who just finished her ...
12/06/2026

NZ Volunteer Shoutout: Meet Lucy! 💙🇳🇿

We’re so excited to celebrate Lucy, a paediatric ward nurse who just finished her second service with Mercy Ships.

“Serving again with Mercy Ships was a natural and very easy choice for me,” Lucy shares. “I jumped at the chance to return as I felt so touched by the patients and their families who have extremely limited health and wellbeing options available.” On board, Lucy primarily cared for children admitted for general surgeries but she also had the opportunity to support both adults and children receiving maxillofacial, gynaecological and general surgery care. 🩺👩‍⚕️

One of her favourite parts of this service was how quickly she settled back into ship life. “Having familiarity around how Mercy Ships operates has meant I can be somewhat of a mentor and support to others during their first time onboard,” she says. “Learning new languages and forms of communication has been another highlight for me.”

Serving in Sierra Leone also left a lasting impression. “Being able to gain insight into the Sierra Leonean history, culture and healthcare services has had an incredible impact personally and I will be forever grateful to have shared this experience.”

Professionally, Lucy continued to grow her clinical knowledge and skills, learning alongside international and specialised medical professionals while also bringing her own experience in operating theatres and paediatric nursing to support patients and fellow crew. “I feel I have grown in more ways than I could have imagined and would highly recommend serving to others who may be searching for a fresh outlook on life, whether that be in a professional, personal or spiritual sense.” 🌿🤝

We’re so grateful for Lucy and the kindness, joy and care she brings to our patients, crew and Mercy Ships community. Thank you for saying yes to serving again with us Lucy! ⚓

NZ Volunteer Shoutout: Rachel (Hospitality Team)Rachel is the kind of person who doesn’t just talk about making a differ...
08/06/2026

NZ Volunteer Shoutout: Rachel (Hospitality Team)

Rachel is the kind of person who doesn’t just talk about making a difference, she quietly builds her life around it.

From her time with Tearfund, to her work with Auckland Council and now stepping into service with Mercy Ships, Rachel has consistently chosen people over comfort. She carries a deep desire to champion others and create spaces where dignity, hope and transformation can flourish.

What makes her journey even more powerful is the waiting. Rachel first applied before COVID but instead of forcing the timing, she kept asking God, “When is the right time to go?”

Now, with clarity and courage, she’s said yes - carving out six months of her life to serve onboard, supporting the hospitality team and helping create a home for volunteers serving the world’s forgotten poor.

Many have asked how they can support her. Rachel has launched a fundraising page and has already raised $5,000 towards her goal of $7,000.

Would you consider investing into Rachel’s journey? Your support doesn’t just send one person, it helps create an environment where lives are changed, both onboard and for every patient who walks through the doors.

Partner with Rachel today. Be part of something bigger. https://mercyships.org.nz/volunteer/rachel-j/

“For many years now, we have been looking for treatment for my son. We have gone to many hospitals,” shared Usman, Amara...
06/06/2026

“For many years now, we have been looking for treatment for my son. We have gone to many hospitals,” shared Usman, Amara’s father.

Shortly after his birth, Amara’s parents discovered an unusual mass under his jaw. This discovery set off an 8-year search for treatment. With the in the port of Freetown, their search for treatment finally came to an end.

The Africa Mercy celebrates nearly three decades of partnership in Madagascar.Recently, crew and volunteers welcomed gue...
06/06/2026

The Africa Mercy celebrates nearly three decades of partnership in Madagascar.

Recently, crew and volunteers welcomed guests and partners aboard to celebrate the beginning of the new field service. Guests included the Minister of Transportation and Meteorology, Mr. Andrianavalona Ramanambola Herizo, representing the Malagasy Government, as well as port officials and local partners.

In 2025 alone, this partnership helped provide more than 1,500 free surgeries in Madagascar.

As the Minister shared, partnerships like these turn compassion into lasting impact.

Address

Level 1, 300 Great South Road, Greenlane
Auckland
1051

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

6499504303

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