After you purchase a gift, we send you a physical card or an e-card (depending on which you choose) with a description of the gift and its impact on a family in the developing world. The price of the gift is not included on the card, so you can give it to your friend, colleague or loved one. We’ll also send you a tax-deductible receipt for any amount over $5. That means you’ll get back 33% of the money you gave us!

Physical gift card

• Each card has a picture of the gift and a story of its impact on a family in the developing world. There is room to write a message to the recipient in the card.

E-card

• Each e-card has a picture of the gift and a story of its impact on a family in the developing world and there is space to write your own message. Once you enter the recipient’s e-mail as well as your own, the card is automatically sent to their e-mail address. Attached with the e-card is a printable PDF which they can fold into a card shape.

We don’t consider any one gift to be better than others. The project that your donation goes to has been selected to meet critical needs. Each gift is valuable and we want you to feel free to choose.

Should the number of items sold exceed the amount needed for a project, Tearfund will redirect donations to where they are needed most. But don’t stress! You’ll still receive a card for the gift you originally purchased.

The feedback we regularly receive from our programmes team who work in the communities is that animals are not mistreated. In fact, they are a seen as a vital part of their livelihood and treasured gifts. "Animals are often the main source of family income in rural developing communities and thus are usually treated with high regard and respect. The animal's owner is totally aware that the animal is hugely significant in terms of helping provide a livelihood and so making sure animals are well cared for is given high priority." Kevin Riddell, Programmes officer, Tearfund.

Unfortunately, no. When you purchase a Gift for Life, your donation goes toward the project, which includes giving out the gift you’ve selected. We do receive stories from our partners of families who have been blessed as a result of the programme, but we are not able to trace each individual who is benefitted through our Gift for Life programme.

For more information regarding the projects featured in Gift for Life please contact Tearfund on 0800 800 777 or email: enquiries@tearfund.org.nz

We can't send Gift for Life presents to sponsored children, however we can send special gifts to them through Compassion instead. If you would like to send a gift to the child you sponsor, please email enquiries@tearfund.org.nz or send through a donation with details of the child you sponsor to Tearfund. We will then be sure your gift makes it to your child.

It's easy! You can order items from our unique gift catalogue by phone or online.
Online, visit the gifts section on this website, or alternatively give us a call on 0800 800 777.

E-cards are sent as soon as the order has been finalised and payment has been authorised. They should arrive within a few minutes, however, internet traffic and many other factors can sometimes delay delivery. You will be sent a confirmation of your e-card order. If you have made an error on the delivery address for your e-card the email should be returned to the sender address you entered. You will then need to resend the e-card to the correct recipient’s address.

To ensure you receive your cards in time, Christmas orders should be made before 16 December. Choosing the 'courier postage' option is the best way to ensure you receive your cards in time.

Delivery service of cards can vary depending on the time of year eg. leading up to Christmas deliveries may take longer than usual. Please allow at least five working days from when you make your order, plus NZ Post delivery (see below). International deliveries will be dependent on the postal service of the country specified for delivery. 

• Auckland: Up to 5 days
• Nationwide: Up to two weeks
• Rural Delivery: Up to two weeks

NB: Due to the increased volume of Christmas parcels and letters sent via NZ Post, some customers have been experiencing delays of up to two weeks. We try our best to process your orders as quickly as possible, but to ensure a quick delivery, please select courier at the checkout for an additional $5.

*courier not available for international deliveries, orders will be sent via surface mail.

We do recommend you make your order well in advance of the Christmas rush to avoid disappointment. December 15 is the last date for Christmas orders that require a physical card.

Any orders for physical cards made after 22nd of December will be processed in the New Year. E-cards can be ordered anytime and will be processed immediately pending internet traffic and network. As deliveries are reliant on NZ Post we cannot guarantee that orders will be received prior to Christmas. Please feel free to contact us with regard to the status of your order.

If you order a physical card, it will be sent to you so you can write a special note inside the card and give it to the recipient.

If you order an e-card it can be sent directly to your friend and there is space to include a message.

When you buy a Gift for Life, your donation goes to our overseas partner. This allows them to help the poorest and most vulnerable in the communities they work in, which includes giving families and individuals the gift you’ve selected. For example, when you buy a coffee plant, the money goes to our partners who provide coffee plants in Vanuatu. A donation like this will help provide plants and training in agricultural processes and income generation to vulnerable families in Vanuatu.

Should the number of items sold exceed the amount needed for a project in total, Tearfund will redirect donations where they are needed most. But don’t stress! You’ll still receive a card for the gift you originally purchased.

Tearfund regularly audits its projects and partners, and we in turn are audited by external auditors and in some cases by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. We not only audit that the money gets to the intended partner and project but we also audit how effective the money given is being used and how it is impacting the communities and individuals involved.

Approximately 70% of your donation will reach the project. We are continually endeavouring to reduce the cost of our operations so that we can make the biggest impact possible. If you would like further information or a copy of Tearfund’s audited financial accounts please contact enquiries@tearfund.org.nz

Yes. Because we are a registered charity, when you purchase a Gift for Life or make any donation of $5 or above, you can expect to receive a tax-deductible receipt at the end of the tax year in April.

Sorry, no. The money received is a donation to Tearfund so the donor must receive the receipt.