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Help Nehads surviving family evacuate Gaza

  • Two beloved Family Members Murdered in Gaza

      30 September 2025
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    In the past few days, two more of Nehad’s cherished family members Sami & Ghani have been murdered in Gaza, bringing the total to more than 80 of his loved ones killed in Israel’s ongoing genocide. The scale of loss is beyond words

    Through all of this, Nehad continues to run his business, Zaitoon, working at local markets & his restaurant in Southmall Manurewa to support his surviving family. Please support him by enjoying his Palestinian cuisine, spreading the word about his mahi, taking action and keeping Gaza in your prayers.

    Please also share this page and link so others can donate and stand with Nehad, his family, and Gaza.

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  • March the harbour bridge 13th September 2025

      11 September 2025
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    Kia ora friends & whānau.

    Most of you will be aware there is a massive March for humanity this Saturday 13th across the harbour bridge. Follow @aotearoaforpal on Instagram for updates & info

    Meeting point 9:30am Onepoto Domain, Northcote, Auckland

    The wonderful Nehad will have his delicious Palestinian kai there with 100% donations going to Gaza.

    Please bring your friends, whānau, colleagues; neighbour, everyone as we stand hand in hand for the people of Gaza.

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  • Update on Nehads family - In memory of Ahmed

      29 August 2025
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    It is with deep sadness that we share Nehad’s 17 year old nephew, Ahmed, was recently killed in Gaza. Ahmed was deliberately starved to death—slowly killed through malnutrition after being denied alternative maize flour due to his wheat allergy and the ongoing siege. He was a much-loved son, brother, and part of Nehad’s wider family—another precious life taken too soon.

    While no donation can ease such grief, the support from this page helps to lessen some of the immediate burdens his family faces as they try to rebuild their lives in safety. Donations go towards food, clean water, treatment, burial costs, rebuilding, and supporting Nehad’s family’s livelihood—especially with the excessive cost of basic necessities under siege. Even the smallest contribution makes a difference.

    Thank you for continuing to stand with Nehad and his family. Please share this givealittle page to your networks, the more eyes, the more support. Please continue to pray for Nehads whānau and for the on going genocid3 in Gaza to end.

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    • 01/09/2025 by Rebecca

      Nehad and family, I'm so sorry to hear of Ahmed's murder. What a beautiful, precious young man. This genocide must stop. With love, Rebecca.

  • One last push to help Nehads whānau

      13 January 2025

    A message from Nehad:

    Assalam alaykum, Kia ora

    I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to every single person who supported my Givealittle campaign. Your donations, love, and solidarity have brought immense hope to my family and me during this devastating time.

    Sadly, the situation in Gaza continues to be devastating. I have lost more precious family members, and some of my family who escaped to Egypt now face immense challenges, including my newphews and niece not being allowed to access education, leaving their future uncertain. Without a special visa pathway, i am unable to bring my loved ones to safety in Aotearoa. Some of my family remain trapped in Gaza displaced in tents in the North & South.

    I wish to extend my Givealittle page for one last push to raise the vital funds needed to help my family survive, rebuild their lives and provide some stability amidst the chaos.

    Please share this campaign widely on your social media and with your networks it should be live by this evening.

    Please also continue to advocate for the special visa so my family have a chance of rebuilding here in Aotearoa.

    Continue to keep Gaza in your prayers & May we see a Free Palestine, Inshallah.

    With gratitude,

    Nehad Al-Battniji

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  • Shaving 75cm of hair to fundraise for Nehad

      19 September 2024
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    Kia ora friends and whānau,

    This Sunday, 22nd September at 2pm, join us for a rally and march in Britomart. During the event, we will be holding a special fundraiser for Nehad—"The Shave for Solidarity."

    In a powerful act of support, Clementine will have her head shaved by Nehad himself to raise funds for the evacuation of his surviving whānau. This act also highlights the heartbreaking reality faced by women in Gaza, who are forced to shave their heads due to the severe water crisis caused by the ongoing Israeli blockade.

    Please continue to share the Givealittle page, and we hope to see you this Sunday.

    Ngā mihi

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  • Update on Nehad’s new venture

      5 September 2024
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    Kia ora everyone,

    Nehad would like to extend his heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your generous donations and for those who have organized fundraising events to support his mission to bring his surviving whānau to safety in New Zealand. After the unimaginable loss of 78 family members, it has truly been the strength of the community that has uplifted his spirits. Your ongoing support, prayers, and advocacy to press Immigration minister & the NZ government for special visas mean the world to him and his family.

    While we still don’t have positive news regarding the visas, many people continue to push, and we must not lose hope.

    In the meantime, Nehad has embarked on a new journey with his venture, Zaitoon, bringing the flavors of Palestine to Aotearoa. If you’re looking for a delicious bite, visit Zaitoon at 185 Great South Road, Manurewa (inside the Southmall Food Court). ‘Zaitoon’ means olive, a symbol of peace and resilience, so come by and support Nehad’s business as we all continue this journey together.

    Please continue to share Nehad’s givealittle page & raise awareness on your social media channels & networks

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  • Update about Nehad’s father Omar

      6 August 2024
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    It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Nehad’s father, Omar, on the 18th of July, 2024. Omar bravely battled cancer, but due to the blockade, he was unable to receive the life-saving treatment he desperately needed since the start of the war. Omar & his family have been displaced five times since Oct.

    Our hearts extend sincerely to Nehad and his whānau during this incredibly difficult time.

    Tragically, the total number of deaths among Nehad’s family members now stands at 78.

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  • Update on Nehads Family

      24 May 2024

    Kia Ora

    Nehad wanted to update you and express his gratitude for the funds raised so far. Thanks to your generosity, Nehad has been able to contribute towards the evacuation of two of hus family members from Gaza to Egypt, with each evacuation costing $10,000 USD.

    Currently, nine of Nehad's family members are in Egypt, awaiting approval from the Minister of Immigration and the New Zealand government to come to New Zealand for a better life.

    Unfortunately, despite assurances from Erica Stanford that Palestinian applications would be given priority due to the humanitarian crisis, Immigration New Zealand has declined Nehad's family's application. We will be resubmitting the application.

    Nehad’s parents and other family members remain trapped in Gaza. We ask for your continued support in sharing and donating to this Givealittle page so we can help bring them to safety as soon as possible.

    Thank you for your continued support.

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  • Nehads update

      22 March 2024
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    Nehad was featured on One news last night

    Nehad’s brother, along with medical staff, was abducted, tortured, and forced to abandon critically injured patients following an attack at Al Shifa hospital by the IOF two days ago.

    We’re appalled by what we believe to be complicity of the NZ government. They have been challenged for their inaction in granting special humanitarian visas to Palestinian-Kiwi citizens to bring their families away from the war zone. They claim to be “closely monitoring the situation daily,” promising to reconsider special visa pathways when circumstances change. The situation in Gaza is worsening and we are at severe risk of losing more of our family members. They advocated for Ukraine to receive visas within 20 days.

    Our sole wish is for the safety of Nehad’s surviving family and other Palestinians in NZ. Please continue to share this story and pressure the government for action.

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  • Update on visa situation

      14 March 2024
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    As our Palestinian community approach the 157th day of the devastating ethnic cleansing brought upon Gaza, we still have not had any news about the visas being granted.

    The people fighting for Palestine have showed up to rally at Erica Stanford (minister of immigration) meeting last Sunday. There have been articles & news segments but still we wait.

    This is 4 family members who among many are waiting for the special visa for a safe life and beginning in New Zealand.

    During this sacred month of Ramadan, let’s hold the people of Gaza close in our thoughts and prayers. Please continue to rally, raise awareness on social media, email, phone and share Nehads story. There is no justification for Ukrainian visas being approved in 20 days compared to the lack of equality, empathy and urgency our Palestinian community is facing.

    Your support is deeply appreciated.

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  • Help Nehads surviving family evacuate Gaza

      26 February 2024
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    Kia Ora,

    Since the beginning of this givealittle page Nehad has tragically lost another 6 family members bringing the total to 77.

    Our collective mission is to raise $80,000 to help Nehad's surviving whanau evacuate Gaza and come to Aotearoa for safety.

    Nehads brother Mohammed, along with his wife Reem and 4 children ranging from ages 2 years old to 23 years old need our help with costs associated with airfares, visas & Egypt entry and passport escalations. Cost break down can be found on the main page.

    Please continue to contact the Minister of immigration & leaders to approve the special visas with urgency. This is the same visa Ukrainians were granted within 20 days of the war.

    Please share this givealittle page with your friends, social media, family and colleagues.

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  • Update on Nehads whanau

      20 February 2024
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    It is with deep sadness to update that an additional 3 beloved family members have been martyred. Nehad is now desperately trying to bring his brother, brothers wife and children to NZ for safety, the situation is worsening with nowhere safe to seek refuge as the death toll rises. For 135 days there is still no special visa granted, we’re praying the visa can be urgently escalated for approval to prevent losing more of our beloved family members.

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  • Update on Nehad surviving whanau

      4 February 2024

    Kia ora, here's a brief update on Nehad's situation. He has successfully evacuated 7 family members from Gaza to Egypt but 42 family members still remain trapped with nowhere safe to live. The evacuation costs range from $5000 to $10,000 NZD PER Palestinian. Nehad and other Palestinian-NZ citizens are still awaiting a decision from the government on a special visa to bring their whanau to safety in New Zealand.

    We deeply appreciate your ongoing support, and Nehad extends his heartfelt gratitude for your generous donations.

    Please consider sharing this Givealittle page on your social media pages and with friends, whanau & work colleagues.

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