Gisborne Hospital staff treated to free lunch for International Nurses Day

Nurse Kat Ngatai, left, about to be served lunch by RRT volunteers Nyrelle Wallace and Maria Forrest at Gisborne Hospital on International Nurses Day today. Photo / Kim Parkinson

Nurses and midwives were celebrated at Gisborne Hospital today with a free lunch provided by the Rapid Relief Team.

The lunchtime event was in recognition of International Nurses Day (May 12) and the International Day of the Midwife (May 6).

RRT served up burgers with beef patties, sausages and bread, fruit, tea and coffee, catering for about 660 people. All hospital staff were invited.

“Twice a year we try to bring staff together to celebrate like this,” said Tairāwhiti chief medical officer Dr Nejat Zeyneloglu.

Nurse Kat Ngatai said it was great to have the recognition as part of International Nurses Day.

“This is a big hit and definitely boosts morale,” district chief nurse Serita Karauria said.

“The food is of high quality, so people love it.

“Thank you to RRT for coming to celebrate us – it’s awesome,” she said.

The first time RRT put on lunch like this in Gisborne was in 2023 after Cyclone Gabrielle.

“We really needed a boost back then and now it’s something we all look forward to.”

Karauria said the close to 400 nurses who worked at Gisborne Hospital shared a desire to be supported so they could do the best job they could.

Nurse Toni-Anne Moloney finished an evening shift last night and brought her three children to have lunch today.

She said events like this made her feel valued and appreciated.

“It’s a good way to celebrate International Nurses Day – and something that brings people together.”

District chief nurse Serita Karauria, district chief midwife Nerissa Walters and RRT volunteer Wes Judd at Gisborne Hospital, where RRT provided a catered lunch for 660 people today. Photo / Kim Parkinson

Wes Judd has volunteered for RRT, a global group founded by Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, for 10 years.

He said the organisation, which is funded from donations, hosted 21 events around the country today to mark International Nurses Day.

“RRT is here to say thank you to those whose work often goes unappreciated,” he said.

Nurse Toni-Anne Moloney and her children Eloise, Amelia and Charlie tuck into burgers made by the RRT volunteers at a catered lunch today to celebrate International Nurses Day at Gisborne Hospital.

RRT in Gisborne provides catering and support to emergency services, government and charity organisations, including support for local farmers and healthcare workers.

International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world with 46,000 meals being prepared by Rapid Relief Teams in the USA, Europe and South America.

Celebrated annually on May 12, it is the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth and honours the contributions, compassion and dedication of nurses worldwide.

The 2025/2026 period focuses on themes regarding the economic power of care, investing in nursing, and supporting the health and wellbeing of nurses.