Welcome to the Asthma Foundation

We are a non-government charitable organisation. We want to help you learn more about asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other respiratory conditions. Having helped New Zealanders breathe easier for over 40 years, we are dedicated to making a difference.

We have 17 affiliated Asthma Societies and branches throughout New Zealand that can offer you one-to-one education, tips, techniques and support for dealing with respiratory illness. We can also put you in touch with COPD Support Groups around the country.

Where did we come from?

The Hutt Valley Asthmatic Society was formed in 1964. This led to the establishment of the New Zealand Asthma Society in 1965 to provide a national support network for New Zealanders with asthma. In 1980, the Society became the Asthma Foundation of NZ. The early asthma support network had evolved in to an organisation dedicated to advocacy, education, increasing awareness and funding research.

In 1996 the Asthma Foundation of NZ changed its name to the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand We now represent the interests of everyone with respiratory conditions, including people with asthma and we have 17 affiliated Asthma Societies throughout New Zealand. Last year we changed our name to the Asthma Foundation and we have this strapline accompanying our logo: 'Better respiratory health for New Zealanders'.

Where are we heading?

We are committed to finding new solutions for people with asthma and other respiratory diseases through contributing to the development of public policy, education and funded research. We continue to advocate on behalf of all people with respiratory conditions and increase awareness of respiratory conditions in New Zealand

Our Funding

The Asthma Foundation receives most of its funding from:

  • donations - our donor family are the backbone of our organisation. Please click here if you can help us with a donation.  
  • bequests - the gift that extends to future generations
  • grants
  • sponsorships - our thanks to Mitre 10, Dyson, Downia, and Rinnai
  • the Lottery Grants Board kindly provides assistance toward communication and advocacy activities
  • dividends from Air Flow Products Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Asthma Foundation. Profits from the company's activities are returned to the Asthma Foundation as dividends and are used to help fund Asthma Foundation programmes. Air Flow Products Limited is a commercial company, engaged in the sales and marketing of health care products within New Zealand.

For more information

If you have any questions or queries, we would love to hear from you. Here are our contact details:

The Asthma Foundation
P O Box 1459
Wellington 6140
Tel: 64 4 499 4592
Fax: 64 4 499 4594
Email: info@asthmafoundation.org.nz

Wanted:  feedback on our website

Your feedback will help us to ensure this website works for you and the other people who use it.  We would also like to know how you found about www.asthmafoundation.org.nz, so that we can direct more people who would find it useful to the site. Please email:  mysay@asthmafoundation.org.nz.