For Media

Media enquiries can be made to our National Communications Manager, Malcolm Aitken, on  (04) 499 4592 ext 205 or 027 62 52 835.

The Asthma Foundation is now on Twitter: www.twitter.com/asthmaFndation

19 Decmeber 2011 - The Asthma Foundation supports the new Ministerial Committee on Poverty

The connection between poverty and bad respiratory health is well established. Poverty affects respiratory health in many ways. Overcrowding and cold, damp houses are known to cause respiratory illnesses. Poor access to health care prevents these illnesses from being treated adequately. Read more

 

8 November 2011 – The Asthma Foundation urges smokers to visit GP

With World COPD Day approaching on 16 November, the Asthma Foundation is urging smokers and ex smokers who have breathing difficulties to talk to their GP or contact their nearest Asthma Society. More...

21 September 2011 – The triumphs and the adversity will be revealed

The challenges of living with asthma and other respiratory conditions will come into sharp focus at the Asthma and Respiratory Achievers Awards at Government House in Wellington on 22 November. More...

27 April 2011 – Increased asthma hospitalisations among children: no room for complacency

New Ministry of Health figures reveal that asthma hospitalisations among New Zealand children have increased. More...

15 April 2011 – Asthma in Aotearoa: not a pretty picture

Imagine that every, single person in Hamilton has asthma. 

That’s how many New Zealand children live with the challenges, fears and disadvantages of asthma. More... 

15 March 2011 – The Asthma Foundation congratulates the Government

The Asthma Foundation has welcomed the Government’s commitment to a smoke free New Zealand by 2025. More...

10 March 2011– Asthma Canterbury re-opens

The Asthma Canterbury office in Cashel Street, Christchurch, has re-opened following the 22 February earthquake.

09 February 2011 – Do the right thing for your child with asthma

Especially with schools going back recently, parents of children with asthma should ensure that their child's condition is well-managed, advises the Asthma Foundation. More...

26 January 2011 – The importance of being ISAAC

“The immense worth of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood [ISAAC] is especially clear when you consider a recent study showed lower educational achievements among children with asthma,” says the Asthma Foundation’s Chief Executive, Jane Patterson. More...

20 December 2010–Educational disadvantages faced by children with asthma must be tackled

"The educational disadvantages faced by young New Zealand children with asthma are unacceptable and the Government needs to act decisively, " says the Asthma Foundation's Chief Executive, Jane Patterson. More...

17 November 2010 – Get a WOF for your lungs, save yourself grief

On a World Day raising awareness of COPD, a lung condition that is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, the Asthma Foundation is urging people aged over 35 who smoke or used to smoke to ask their doctor for a simple lung test. More...

 30 April 2010 – We see what smoking does to people

The Asthma Foundation today praised the Government and congratulated the Associate Minister of Health, Tariana Turia, for facing the facts and raising taxes on cigarettes – poisonous products that play a massive role in New Zealand’s appalling respiratory health statistics. More...

4 Feb 2010 –Advocate at altitude makes flying easier for others

A Canterbury man with respiratory problems is being presented with a special award by the Asthma Foundation because he was instrumental in working with Air New Zealand to enable customers to carry Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs) onboard domestic 737 jets. More...

15 July 2009 — Silver Fern Casey Williams: 'Let's hear the people's stories'

New Zealand’s shocking asthma and respiratory statistics mean there are many silent heroes among us with stories that we could all draw inspiration from, says Silver Fern and Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic netballer, Casey Williams. More...

7 July 2009 — People with respiratory illnesses need to be vigilant

People with respiratory illnesses such as asthma and emphysema are strongly advised to take a few simple steps to reduce their chances of contracting swine flu or becoming very ill if they do contract it.  More...

22 April 2009 — Tariana Turia: Breathing properly is everyone's right

Tariana Turia today spoke of the effects of her asthma on her family and came out in support of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation's Balloon Day campaign. More...

16 March 2009 — Keep yourself and your kids out of hospital this winter

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation is strongly advising people with respiratory illnesses to try to stay out of hospital this winter by contacting their GP's surgery about a free influenza vaccination now. More...

2 December 2008 — Time to make our homes healthier

The Government needs to act on an energy efficiency type rating system immediately to help prospective home buyers and tenants know how healthy a dwelling is before they move in. More...

26 September 2008 — Asthma and Respiratory Foundation says exercise caution

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation recommends that people taking Spiriva (tiatropium), Atrovent or Combivent (containing ipratropium) for a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) should keep taking their medication but talk with their doctor if they are unsure about cardiac risks. More...

29 July 2008 — Shortland St actor's efforts for asthma appreciated

Shortland Street actor Alison Quigan’s decision to donate proceeds from the sale of a plate she hand-painted to the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation has been warmly welcomed by Foundation Executive Director, Jane Patterson. More...

4 July 2008 — Asthma Foundation worried by tobacco lobby revelations

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, a member of the Smokefree Coalition (SFC), is seriously concerned about reports that a pro-tobacco lobby group has misled New Zealanders regarding its backers and what its intentions are: More...

18 June 2008 — People should get free flu vaccines while they can

The flu season’s kicking in and time’s running out for people with respiratory conditions to get their free flu vaccines this winter, says the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation. More...

21 April 2008 — Actors come out in support of balloon day

High profile New Zealand actors (from left) George Henare, Jane Waddell, Ken Blackburn, Ray Henwood and Jude Gibson have shown their support for Balloon Day 2008. The actors are part of the cast of "Who Wants To Be 100?" the Roger Hall play currently playing at the Circa Theatre in Wellington. They blew up some of our new red balloons with a "one in four kids can't fill these" message on them.

3 April 2008 — Let's do more for the one in four!  Balloon Day 2008 is launched

The fact that one in four Kiwi kids has asthma is one of the important messages the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation is stressing in its Balloon Day 2008 campaign, officially launched today.  More...

20 February, 2008  —  Who's going to do something about Maori respiratory health?

Maori have been dying from asthma and other respiratory conditions at two-and-a-half times the rate of non-Maori, according to startling newly-released research.
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation’s Executive Director Jane Patterson today commented on the findings of Hauora: Maori Standards of Health IV, published by Otago University.  More....

30 December, 2007  —  Jac Bos remembered with great respect

The Foundation’s Executive Director, Jane Patterson, says she was very sad to hear the news that Jacob (“Jac”) Bos from the Manawatu Breathe Easy Group passed away over the Christmas-New Year break.
Jac died in hospital on 30 December following a long fight with COPD. He had recently turned 76.
“Jac was a driving force behind the establishment of this very successful COPD group and his connections with his local community were quite remarkable. He was involved with the Lions, he was a scoutmaster and on the management committee of a local community hall,” Jane says.
“Jac’s popularity was obvious. At his funeral in Palmerston North, there was not enough room in the chapel for everybody. 
“The Foundation passes on its condolences to Margaret and the rest of the family.” 
Jac was also a Supreme Achiever in the 2003 Asthma and Respiratory Achievers Awards.

23 November, 2007  —  Health and environment groups slam campaign against tougher emissions standards

The Public Health Association, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation and the Sustainable Energy Forum are condemning the campaign by the Independent Motor Vehicle Dealers Association (IMVDA) against the Government's move to lower vehicle emissions.  More...

14 November, 2007 — Wellington Medical Research Foundation INC-AGM

The president and council invite you to attend the AGM of the council on Wednesday 14 November, 2007 at 5.30pm at the Conference Room, National Library of New Zealand, Cnr Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Wellington. Guest speaker: Professor Julian Crane, Director of the Wellington Asthma Research Group. Subject: Asthma and Allergies-the evolving role of hygiene, housing and vitamins.

22 October, 2007 — Pollen counts linked to respiratory hospital admissions

MedWire News:  Pollen counts are associated with respiratory hospital admissions independently of asthma admissions, suggesting that ambient airborne pollens have a wider public health impact than has been hitherto appreciated, say Australian investigators.  More...

16 October, 2007 — Asthma Foundation calls for action on cigarette displays

Backing the Cancer Society's call for a ban on the display of tobacco products for sale, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation said today that an estimated 170 000 New Zealanders live with respiratory problems due to smoking.   More...


21 September, 2007 — Time to recognise unsung heroes with respiratory conditions

The upcoming Asthma and Respiratory Achievers' Awards provide a timely reminder that thousands of New Zealanders with respiratory conditions face real challenges positively, sometimes heroically, the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation said today.
Recently, there has been media coverage about a study pointing to reduced prevalence of asthma among 13 and 14 year olds and people wrongly being diagnosed with the condition. The Foundation acknowledges these as valid and important issues.    More....


26 June, 2007 — Pharmac increases access to tiotropium

Relief in sight for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Pharmac's decision to increase access to the medication Tiotropium for people with moderate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) comes as a welcome relief to the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation and thousands of patients throughout the country.
The drug Tiotropium is currently available to people with severe COPD from their doctor under Special Authority from Pharmac.  From July 1 the Special Authority will be changed to enable doctors to offer Tiotropium prescriptions to patients with moderate COPD. This will be assessed with reference to lung function tests and exercise capacity.  "Tiotropium relaxes the airways in patients with COPD in a way which is different from patients with asthma.  Indeed tiotropium may be beneficial in patients for whom a standard bronchodilator inhaler does not work" said Professor D Robin Taylor, Medical Director of the Foundation.  More...