Hands around the Beehive
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Behind every health statistic is a human being.
Kia ora team,
Greetings from Aotearoa.
My name is Debbie Leyland, and I am the Chairperson of UCAN for Health, a grassroots network advocating for healthcare as a human right.
I am writing to invite Dignity in Care to take part in Hands Around the Beehive — A National Day of Remembrance for Health, on Wednesday 21 October 2026.
At 2.00pm New Zealand time, people across Aotearoa and around the world are invited to pause for one minute in remembrance, solidarity and hope for better health.
We will remember those who have struggled, suffered or lost their lives while trying to access healthcare. We will stand alongside those who continue to face barriers to care and acknowledge the health workers who care for people every day, often under immense pressure.
Why this matters
In New Zealand, one in four adults and one in five children needed to see a GP but could not get an appointment because of long wait times.
Globally, 4.6 billion people lack coverage for essential health services, according to the World Health Organization and World Bank.
The WHO’s World Health Statistics 2026 highlights the continuing challenges and the need for progress towards universal health coverage, so that everyone can access the healthcare they need.
Behind these statistics are real people, families and communities.
Every person matters. Health is an election issue.
This peaceful, non-partisan act of remembrance is not a protest. It is an opportunity to come together and remind decision-makers that everyone deserves timely, accessible and fair healthcare.
Wednesday 21 October is also Global Dignity Day. We invite communities, organisations, churches, workplaces, whānau and friends to join this national and global moment of remembrance and solidarity.
Taking part across different time zones
As this is a national and global event, we recognise that time differences and existing commitments may make it difficult for everyone to participate at the same moment. If 2.00pm New Zealand time on Wednesday 21 October is not suitable in your location, we warmly invite your organisation to take part at a suitable time between 21 and 25 October 2026, according to your local time zone and commitments. What matters is that we come together in remembrance, solidarity and hope for better health.
Get involved. It’s easy.
At 2.00pm on Wednesday 21 October, or at a time that suits you, simply pause for one minute wherever you are — at work, in your community, with your organisation, church, whānau (family) and friends, or by yourself.
Share this invitation with your colleagues, networks, whānau and friends.
Display the Hands Around the Beehive poster in your workplace, organisation, community space or church, where appropriate.
Take a moment to remember: We invite your organisation, colleagues and networks to pause together in remembrance, solidarity and hope for better health. You are welcome to share a photograph of your participation to help create our global human mosaic of health.
Churches with bells or chimes: Where possible, please consider ringing your bells or chimes at 2.00pm as a shared expression of remembrance and hope.
Somewhere, someone will hear those bells, or share a moment of remembrance in their own cultural or spiritual way, and know that their life does matter.
Please email photographs to [log in to view email address], include your organisation or group name and location, and ensure permission has been obtained from identifiable people.
Together, these photographs will bring people from across Aotearoa and around the world into one human mosaic of health, celebrating the strength of our communities and reminding us that behind every health statistic is a human being.
They care. We care.
Join us. Stand together. Remember.
For further information, please contact Debbie at [log in to view email address].
HANDS AROUND THE BEEHIVE — EVENT DETAILS
Date: Wednesday 21 October 2026
Location: Parliament Grounds, Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
Gathering: 1.15pm
Speakers: 1.30pm
National Minute of Silence for Health: 2.00pm New Zealand time
Sources
New Zealand: Ministry of Health, Health and Independence Report 2025
https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/health-and-independence-report-2025-online-version
Global: World Health Organization, World Health Statistics 2026
https://www.who.int/data/gho/publications/world-health-statistics
Global health coverage: World Health Organization and World Bank, Tracking Universal Health Coverage: 2025 Global Monitoring Report
https://www.who.int/teams/health-financing-and-economics/global-monitoring-report/2025
Global Dignity Day: Global Dignity
https://globaldignity.org/global-dignity-day/
Thank you for your time and for considering supporting this important event. We would be grateful if you would share this invitation with your colleagues, organisation, community and networks, and display the poster where appropriate.
Ngā mihi nui,
Debbie Leyland
Chairperson, UCAN for Health
Email: [log in to view email address]
Website: www.ucanforhealth.co.nz