Kiwi nurse receives top honour for field service

An Auckland nurse has been awarded the highest honour in her profession for her work as a Red Cross aid worker.

Joyce Hood has been awarded the Florence Nightingale medal by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The medal is given to people who distinguish themselves in times of peace or war by showing exceptional courage and devotion to the wounded, sick or disabled or to civilian victims of conflict or disaster.

The 66-year-old from Remuera has worked for the organisation for 11 years and has undertaken 10 missions encompassing 75 months of field service in countries such as Afghanistan, Kenya, East Timor and South Ossetia.

Speaking from South Ossetia where she is now working, Ms Hood said she was surprised and honoured.

"I am very humbled to be awarded the Florence Nightingale medal," she said.

"The work I do with New Zealand Red Cross is very rewarding and I get just as much back from it as I give."

New Zealand Red Cross international operations manager Andrew McKie said Ms Hood's life had been one of hard work and service to others.

Many of her missions had been in areas considered highly volatile, he said.

Fifty Florence Nightingale medals are awarded worldwide every two years.

- NZPA