“It’s the right thing to do”: A conversation with Tim Mahood

As global crises and climate change force record numbers of people to flee, your support has never been more urgent. For Tim Mahood, supporting refugees is both personal and profoundly important. We sat down with Tim to hear his reflections on the journey so far and the generosity of New Zealanders:

Tim, you’ve worked as a lawyer for 25 years, and your firm Hudson Gavin Martin has generously supported Aotearoa New Zealand for UNHCR with pro bono work. What motivated you to get involved in this cause?

It was partly about giving back, but also a bit of happenstance. A friend of mine had been supporting Australia for UNHCR for some time and invited me to get involved when the opportunity came up here in New Zealand.

My own story played a part too. I moved to New Zealand when I was one year old — not as a refugee but as a migrant. I was one of the lucky ones. I grew up in Hamilton, which has quite a large refugee community, particularly from Somalia. My mum, who was a local politician, was deeply involved in helping new families settle.

I saw first-hand the enormous contribution refugees made to Hamilton and to the community at large. That experience shaped my belief that refugees, if given the opportunity, bring incredible value — whether to a small town or a much larger city.

Another factor was my interest in climate change. We know that climate displacement will increasingly put pressure on communities in the years to come. I felt I could use my skills to support UNHCR’s efforts to protect and resettle people forced to flee.

A 2024 IPSOS study showed that 83 per cent of New Zealanders believe people should be able to seek refuge in other countries, including here, to escape war and persecution. Do you see this generosity reflected in the way Kiwis support UNHCR?

Absolutely. By and large, Kiwis are a very generous bunch. Most people I talk to want to know how they can help — whether through donations, time or spreading awareness.

Aotearoa New Zealand for UNHCR is still young but the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Despite a tough economic climate, we’ve seen a steady increase in donations and a strong commitment from supporters. That speaks to New Zealand’s long history of welcoming refugees and migrants.

How has Aotearoa New Zealand for UNHCR evolved since its launch?

It’s been a great journey. We started in 2022 with incredible support from Australia for UNHCR and UNHCR globally, who were instrumental in helping us get established. In our first year, we raised $30,000, which we were absolutely thrilled about.

Since then, things have really built momentum. Our supporter base is growing, our fundraising capacity has expanded, and we’re raising awareness of UNHCR’s work, which isn’t as widely known here in New Zealand as it should be.

What achievements so far are you most proud of?

The generosity of our donors — none of our work would be possible without it. We’ve now raised more than $1.5 million for UNHCR, with $1.1 million already distributed to support UNHCR’s international emergency responses. 

Sometimes that generosity is deeply personal. One story that stayed with me came from a man who approached one of our face-to-face fundraisers after recognising the UNHCR logo. He told us he had been in a UNHCR camp 30 years ago. He signed up to give on the spot, saying simply, “Thank you”. 

That kind of story — giving back after having been helped himself — is incredibly moving.

What inspires you personally to do this work? Do you have a message for donors and supporters?

For me, it comes down to something very simple: it’s the right thing to do. When people are in desperate need, the least we can do is step up and help.

What inspires me is seeing the impact of our collective effort — how donations from everyday New Zealanders can translate into shelter, safety and hope for families forced to flee.

To our supporters, I just want to say thank you. You are making a real difference. And for anyone who hasn’t yet joined us: get involved if you can. Donate, spread the word, or lend your time. Every contribution helps UNHCR protect people who need it most.

Find out more about how your support can help refugees survive and thrive