True faith makes a difference to how we live. Knowing God’s love, everyday people sometimes do extraordinary things. Across New Zealand and beyond, Hope Heroes inspire and encourage us — ordinary individuals who give of themselves to bring hope to others, often at great personal sacrifice. From war veterans to everyday Kiwis, their courage, compassion, and perseverance light the way. Hear their stories of hope and service.
CHAPLAIN HAROLD HARDING was awarded the MBE, with special note made of his service in Italy and his courage under fire. We remember him.
FATHER PATRICK DORE participated in the Chunuk Bair offensive in 1915. Back in New Zealand, he suffered from his wounds for nearly 3 years before he died in July 1918, aged 33. He was awarded the Military Cross for notable acts of courage at Gallipoli. We remember him.
CHAPLAIN JESSE KINGAN was awarded the Military Cross in World War Two for serving with valour and distinction until he was seriously wounded.
REVEREND GUY BRYAN-BROWN died in action at the age of just 32, while he was helping the wounded at an Advanced Dressing Station. We remember his story.
REVEREND GEORGE SPENSE was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery and devotion to duty throughout the military campaign in Greece, Crete, Libya and Egypt.
FATHER JAMES McMENAMIN was respected for his tireless courage and willingness to do whatever was needed to serve and help the men. He died i action at the age of 43, whilst burying the dead on a battlefield. We remember his story.
REVEREND JOHN SOMERVILLE was awarded the Military Cross for his influence on the men in trying circumstances. He passed away, back in New Zealand, 5th October 1999 aged 89. We remember him.
REVEREND CHARLES DOBSON was awarded the Military Cross for ‘acts of gallantry in the field’. He passed away in 1930, aged 44. We remember him.
REV WILLIAM GRANT – With the outbreak of WW1, despite being in his fifties and too old to be a soldier… William Grant’s care for others saw him leave the safety of home and family to enlist.
REVEREND CLARENCE SETON was award the Military Cross for his courage and conduct whilst serving with the NZ Rifle Brigade, 1st Battalion in France. We remember him.
PADRE JOHN WATSON was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of his heroism in World War II. Here is a short piece of his story.
REVEREND ALWYN WARREN was award the Military Cross for a continuously fine example of cheerfulness under fire and devotion to duty. He went on to serve as a Vicar and then as the Bishop in Christchurch. We remember him.
REVEREND GEORGE SPENSE was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery and devotion to duty throughout the military campaign in Greece, Crete, Libya and Egypt.
CHAPLAIN JESSE KINGAN was awarded the Military Cross in World War Two for serving with valour and distinction until he was seriously wounded.
REVEREND CHARLES DOBSON was awarded the Military Cross for ‘acts of gallantry in the field’. He passed away in 1930, aged 44. We remember him.
CHAPLAIN HAROLD HARDING was awarded the MBE, with special note made of his service in Italy and his courage under fire. We remember him.
REVEREND ALWYN WARREN was award the Military Cross for a continuously fine example of cheerfulness under fire and devotion to duty. He went on to serve as a Vicar and then as the Bishop in Christchurch. We remember him.
REVEREND JOHN SOMERVILLE was awarded the Military Cross for his influence on the men in trying circumstances. He passed away, back in New Zealand, 5th October 1999 aged 89. We remember him.
REVEREND GUY BRYAN-BROWN died in action at the age of just 32, while he was helping the wounded at an Advanced Dressing Station. We remember his story.
FATHER JAMES McMENAMIN was respected for his tireless courage and willingness to do whatever was needed to serve and help the men. He died i action at the age of 43, whilst burying the dead on a battlefield. We remember his story.
REV WILLIAM GRANT – With the outbreak of WW1, despite being in his fifties and too old to be a soldier… William Grant’s care for others saw him leave the safety of home and family to enlist.
PADRE JOHN WATSON was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of his heroism in World War II. Here is a short piece of his story.
REVEREND CLARENCE SETON was award the Military Cross for his courage and conduct whilst serving with the NZ Rifle Brigade, 1st Battalion in France. We remember him.
FATHER PATRICK DORE participated in the Chunuk Bair offensive in 1915. Back in New Zealand, he suffered from his wounds for nearly 3 years before he died in July 1918, aged 33. He was awarded the Military Cross for notable acts of courage at Gallipoli. We remember him.
More Kiwi Heroes of Hope
When we think of ‘Hope Heroes’, we think of people who pour enormous energy into bringing hope to the lives of others, yet they don’t look for fame for themselves. They tend to be everyday people who do extraordinary things to bring about positive change. We love nothing more than to share their stories… and it’s our hope that you’ll be encouraged and inspired to catch hold of the spirit within what they do.
As part of our exploration of ‘hope’, the Hope Project team have taken time to interview a wide cross-section of every-day New Zealanders – which in itself had been a thoroughly [...]
Rebecca of ‘Just Zilch’ took a simple idea and turned it into a means of feeding 150 to 200 hungry New Zealanders nearly every day. Rebecca has been applauded by many [...]
Kerri and Billy have established a boxing academy that’s part personal mission and part family collaboration. For Billy, having been trained by legendary Boxing coach Dick Dunn, it’s been his mission [...]
As part of our exploration of ‘hope’, the Hope Project team have taken time to interview a wide cross-section of every-day New Zealanders – which in itself had been a thoroughly [...]
As part of our exploration of ‘hope’, the Hope Project team have taken time to interview a wide cross-section of every-day New Zealanders – which in itself had been a thoroughly [...]
REVEREND GEORGE SPENSE was awarded the Military Cross for his bravery and devotion to duty throughout the military campaign in Greece, Crete, Libya and Egypt.
CHAPLAIN JESSE KINGAN was awarded the Military Cross in World War Two for serving with valour and distinction until he was seriously wounded.
REVEREND CHARLES DOBSON was awarded the Military Cross for ‘acts of gallantry in the field’. He passed away in 1930, aged 44. We remember him.
CHAPLAIN HAROLD HARDING was awarded the MBE, with special note made of his service in Italy and his courage under fire. We remember him.
REVEREND ALWYN WARREN was award the Military Cross for a continuously fine example of cheerfulness under fire and devotion to duty. He went on to serve as a Vicar and then as the Bishop in Christchurch. We remember him.
REVEREND JOHN SOMERVILLE was awarded the Military Cross for his influence on the men in trying circumstances. He passed away, back in New Zealand, 5th October 1999 aged 89. We remember him.
REVEREND GUY BRYAN-BROWN died in action at the age of just 32, while he was helping the wounded at an Advanced Dressing Station. We remember his story.
FATHER JAMES McMENAMIN was respected for his tireless courage and willingness to do whatever was needed to serve and help the men. He died i action at the age of 43, whilst burying the dead on a battlefield. We remember his story.
REV WILLIAM GRANT – With the outbreak of WW1, despite being in his fifties and too old to be a soldier… William Grant’s care for others saw him leave the safety of home and family to enlist.
PADRE JOHN WATSON was awarded the Military Cross in recognition of his heroism in World War II. Here is a short piece of his story.
REVEREND CLARENCE SETON was award the Military Cross for his courage and conduct whilst serving with the NZ Rifle Brigade, 1st Battalion in France. We remember him.
FATHER PATRICK DORE participated in the Chunuk Bair offensive in 1915. Back in New Zealand, he suffered from his wounds for nearly 3 years before he died in July 1918, aged 33. He was awarded the Military Cross for notable acts of courage at Gallipoli. We remember him.
Discover other hope-filled stories
