Sisters in Arms helps to support NZ Army women

New Zealand Army Sisters — Ngaa Tuaahine o Ngaati Tumatauenga — was founded by Staff Sergeant Aroha Bentson, RNZALR (Ret.) in September 2019.

After retiring from the New Zealand Army, Aroha felt disconnected from her military whānau.

She was diagnosed with a terminal cancer, and not wanting to face it alone, Aroha created NZ Army Sisters — Ngaa Tuaahine o Ngaati Tumatauenga (Sisters in Arms).

Unfortunately, Aroha would not get to see how successful her dream would become as she passed away in April 2020.

We reached out to Aileen Tough-Wright and Tania Good from Sisters in Arms to find out a bit more about what the Sisters in Arms is all about. 

What is the purpose of Sisters in Arms?

Sisters in Arms supports current and former New Zealand Army Women — soldiers and officers from the Regular Force, Reserves, and NZWRAC.

Sisters in Arms provides:

• Whanaungatanga, through connection and relationships.
• Manaakitanga, providing an inclusive and welcoming environment where women are valued and respected.
• Kaitiakitanga, care and responsibility for our taonga (us); and
• Whakaiti, humility in leadership.

What makes Sisters in Arms unique?

We use our sisters' individual personal networks, which are predominately within the New Zealand Army, to build relationships with people who are at their most vulnerable.

Sisters in Arms is not a Charitable Trust or Incorporated Society. Our Sisters are not required to pay a membership fee. We are a self-funded organisation.

How does Sisters in Arms help those who have served or are serving?

Whanaungatanga

We encourage our Sisters in Arms to hold informal get-togethers to reinforce our connections and whanaungatanga within the group, and we have had annual get-togethers.

Manaakitanga

Sisters in Arms distributes care packages to former and current serving women of the New Zealand Army — to those who are going through hard times, whether it be a protracted medical journey, a loss in the family, or a sister simply showing signs of just needing a pick-me-up. We sent one of our Sisters in Arms challenge coins to Commander Yvonne Gray as a small taonga to let her know that we stand beside her. We call this fairy dusting.

We give gifts to acknowledge our Sisters in Arm's achievements and promotions or for representing New Zealand on the international stage. One of our Sisters has been selected to attend the world powerlifting competition this year so we gifted her a Sisters in Arms t-shirt to wear at the competition.