Supporting Maurice's Journey Home

$7,975 of $100,000 goal
Given by 42 generous donors in around 3 months

Help bring Maurice home to Germany for the specialist care he needs after a life-changing brain injury - every donation will help.

Takaka, Tasman

Maurice is from Germany and has been living in New Zealand for the past few years. In that time, he became a loved and active part of the Golden Bay community — always quick to lend a hand, offer a smile, and share his many gifts. He brought joy, generosity, and warmth to the people around him, and hoped to make Aotearoa his long-term home.

Maurice has been in intensive care for over a month after a hypoxic brain injury. He spent time in a coma, but thanks to the efforts of the medical team and Maurice’s strength and determination, he is now awake!

Maurice is courageously beginning the long process of rehabilitation. The next step is needing to return to Germany — to be closer to his family and to access the specialist care that he needs. His visa expires in December, so the ICU in New Zealand are doing all they can to organise a long-term plan for his recovery.

Maurice has no medical insurance. We are fundraising to cover the cost of a medically supported flight home, which will cost at least $75,000 NZD. This is our most urgent need.

Anything raised beyond that will go toward the significant medical costs of ICU care in New Zealand which are still rising.

If you’re able to contribute, to pray — or to share this with others — we are deeply grateful. It all helps.

Thank you for your support, your prayers, and your love.💛

Kirsty Kraay's involvement (page creator)

Maurice is a well-loved Friend in our Golden Bay Community

Use of funds

We are fundraising to cover the cost of a medically supported flight home, which will cost at least $75,000 NZD. This is our most urgent need.

Anything raised beyond that will go toward the significant medical costs of ICU care in NZ which are still rising

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Latest update

Mo's progress  11 November 2025

It’s been 7 weeks now since Mo’s injury, and we’re so happy to share that he’s making steady progress every day.

After spending 42 days in intensive care, Mo has now been in the rehabilitation ward for 11 days and is improving day by day. He’s re-learned to eat, walk, speak — and even dance! His memory is slowly returning: he remembers his mum, his dogs, and his Oma and Opa in Germany, and is beginning to recall parts of his more recent life too, little by little.

German comes more naturally right now.

He’s supported by an amazing team in the rehab ward and enjoys spending time in the garden — soaking up sunshine, listening to the birds, and rediscovering some of his favourite foods like burgers and caramel slice!

Mo’s brain is still healing, and he has a long journey of recovery ahead that will require ongoing specialist care and support. His next big step is returning to Germany, to be closer to family and to access the care he needs.

We continue to raise funds for a medically supported flight home for Mo. He has no medical insurance, and the cost of this flight home is around $75,000 NZD. Anything raised beyond that will go toward the medical costs of ICU care and rehabilitation in New Zealand.

We are so encouraged by his progress, and so grateful for all the love, prayers, and support from this community. Every contribution and message makes a difference. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

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2% Effective Fee
On average, fundraisers pay just 2% to use Givealittle. This is one of the lowest effective fees in New Zealand fundraising. We charge a 5% platform fee to cover the cost of running the platform. Because most donors choose to top up their donation to cover this fee, the effective cost paid by fundraisers is about 2%. That means around 98 cents of every dollar raised goes to the cause. Learn More

Latest donations

Matthius
Matthius on 27 Dec 2025
Jesus liebt dich Bruder, das wird wieder ❤️
$20
Maurice
Maurice on 26 Dec 2025
Private
Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 04 Dec 2025
$10
Zoë Silvester
Zoë Silvester on 25 Nov 2025
Hey Mo, Zoë wanted to give you everything in her giving budget for your recovery. Arohanui, Chris
$20
Chris, Sophie, Zoë, Jamin and Eloise
Chris, Sophie, Zoë, Jamin and Eloise on 25 Nov 2025
Lots of love from the Silvesters, Mo
$20

Who's involved?

Kirsty Kraay's avatar
Created by, and paying to a verified bank account of, Kirsty Kraay on behalf of Maurice Neuwirth and his mum, Birgit Leuenberger
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This campaign started on 20 Oct 2025 and ended on 20 Jan 2026.