Welcome to the Asthma Foundation's website

The Asthma Foundation is New Zealand’s not-for-profit sector authority on asthma and other respiratory illnesses. We advocate to government and raise awareness of respiratory illnesses, fund research for better treatments and educate on best practice. We provide resources on our website and support our 18 affiliated asthma societies in providing education, support and advice.

 

Our affiliated Asthma Societies and their branches offer one-on-one education and support free or at little cost.

Call for Research Proposals

The Asthma Foundation has called for research proposals. See here.

Photo: Asthma Hawke's Bay's Balloon Day street appeal team. From left: Toni, Jo, Chris and Heather.

Smoker? Live in Wellington or Christchurch?

If you answer yes to these questions...the University of Otago’s School of Medicine is looking for 1600 people to participate in a clinical trial of a promising new nicotine mouth spray, Zonnic, to help people quit smoking. Zonnic may be more powerful than nicotine patches or gum and will be tested in combination with nicotine patches.

Participants have said that they like the research because they get to use the free spray and patches for three weeks before their quit date, so they get a chance to get accustomed to using the spray. This means they build up confidence through the success they have in reducing the amount they smoke, so they are well equipped to quit after three weeks. 

Participants will also benefit from counselling to help them stop smoking.

If you want more information or are interested in taking part go to www.otago.ac.nz/zonnic or phone (04) 918 6041.

It is estimated that 5000 New Zealanders die each year as a result of smoking.

Cough free DVD

The Asthma Foundation and the Ministry of Health worked together on Cough free–the way to be, a film aimed at helping parents and health professionals recognise persistent wet coughs in children, often a sign of bronchiectasis . Getting in early is essential. The five minute, 48 second DVD is narrated by former Warriors rugby league star Wairangi Koopu. You can view it here. (Fourth item down).

Bike to Breathe raffle winners

Want to know who the winners are? Click here.

The Asthma Foundation approves some products and services for inclusion in the Sensitive Choice Programme where it believes those products and services may have potential benefits for people with asthma and/or allergies.  The fact that a particular product or service has not been so approved does not imply disapproval of them by the Foundation, which makes no representation, positive or negative, in respect of them.