NHNZ producer Natasha Harris spends her spare time volunteering for the Red Cross, helping people from far-flung parts of the world reunite with people who shifted to New Zealand as a result of war, armed conflict, disaster or migration.
Many of the people she helps track down had been separated from family members living in New Zealand since the latter came here as refugees at the end of World War 2.
"Some of the people are elderly, so there is a sense of urgency that this their last chance,'' Ms Harris said.
It was an "incredible feeling'' when she was successful in tracking people down.
"It's very humbling to be part of the process where you can help reunite families who might not have spoken for 50 years, or in some cases never met.''
One facet of the work involved dealing with "incoming cases'' - meaning searching on behalf of people from overseas who were looking for loved ones who they believed lived in New Zealand.
The other involved collating information for New Zealanders looking for relatives overseas, which was sent on to Red Cross offices in the country where the person was thought to be living.
To track down people she used skills she had gained when she was a reporter.
Her methods included using search engines, trawling social media, looking up people's details in the electoral roll and contacting government departments.
"If I can find them then I will get in contact with them and say one of your loved ones is looking for you.''
It was then up to that person whether they wanted to get in touch with the person looking for them.
"We will always respect the privacy of the sought person.''
She had most of her success trawling the internet and from electoral rolls.
"I've spent hours and hours in Dunedin Public Library looking through every single electoral roll in the country, trying to find people, and it's worked."
She enjoyed volunteering and encouraged others to share their unique set of skills to help volunteer organisations.
People would be surprised how their skills could be used in the volunteer sector, she said.
"If you are keen to help out in the community, one of the most important things to think about is what you are passionate about and what you are good at.''
Ms Harris shared her story as the Red Cross launched a campaign to acknowledge volunteers last month.
In launching the campaign, New Zealand Red Cross secretary-general Tony Paine said the good work it did would not be possible without the efforts of "good people across the country''.
"When we each do a little bit of good, together we make a big difference.''
As part of the campaign New Zealand Post issued a series of postcards highlighting the work volunteers do.
Red Cross restoring family links programme co-ordinator Miriam Bugden said the Red Cross provided the service free of charge for people separated as a result of war, armed conflict, disaster or migration.
Volunteers, such as Ms Harris, were integral to the work it did.
"Natasha's journalistic skills, such as research and investigation, have been a great resource when looking for the missing, and she has a great way with people and providing information and support to families.''
Anyone who had missing family overseas or wanted to know more about the service could email familylinks@redcross.org.nz or phone (04) 494-1312.
