Join the Programme

Join the programme

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of NZ (Inc.) and the National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) run a programme to help people with asthma and allergies. One in four Kiwi kids and one in six adults has asthma, so the Sensitive Choice programme has a large target audience.

We have opportunities for partners to develop exclusive relationships with us. Partnerships are developed with manufacturers who have products or services that are “low allergy” or “low irritant” - essentially products or services that may offer consumers a better choice.

The Sensitive Choice programme assists the marketing of products which may benefit people with asthma and allergy. It is represented by a butterfly to help consumers easily identify products and services that may reduce asthma and allergy triggers.

Aims

The aims of the Sensitive Choice programme in New Zealand are to:

• make Kiwis more aware of the need to manage their asthma
• encourage manufacturers and suppliers to produce products and services that are low irritant and low allergy, in order to benefit people with asthma and allergies
• provide consumers with a way of identifying products and services that may benefit people with asthma and/or allergies and improve health and wellbeing.

Your Questions Answered

Is my product suitable?

Not every product is suitable for the Sensitive Choice programme. Every product is assessed by the Product Advisory Panel of the Asthma Foundation.

What happens if my product is accepted?

If a product is deemed acceptable by the Product Advisory Panel, a cause-related marketing contract is negotiated. The team at the Asthma Foundation then assist in the implementation of the Sensitive Choice programme into your marketing programme.

Promotion of the Sensitive Choice symbol

An advertising and promotional program is run annually to support the consumer recognition of the butterfly trademark.

The advertising program has two aims:

• increasing the profile of the symbol, and
• offering advertising opportunities to product partners.

How does the Asthma Foundation use the fees?

The Asthma Foundation has been helping New Zealanders breathe easier for over 40 years. Here are some of the ways we make a difference:

• by funding research
• by acting as advocates for people with asthma and respiratory illnesses.
• by providing information on how to understand and manage your illness
• by producing resources for educators
• by running training courses for nurses and community health workers
• by helping schools become ‘asthma friendly’

More information

Like to know more about the Sensitive Choice programme? Please contact:

^{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.}