Asthma and respiratory diseases are two of the leading causes of sickness and death in New Zealand

1 in 5

have a respiratory disease

3rd

most common cause of death

$8.4B

cost to country each year

1 in 8

children have asthma

Latest News

View all

Highlights

Video Blue Shirt Day 16

Get involved this Blue Shirt Day

May 5 is Blue Shirt Day - and we need your support. Register your Blue event today and help us raise funds for the 1 in 8 Kiwis with asthma. Register now

Fundamentals Summer Special 2025

Asthma and COPD Fundamentals eLearning Course

Recently updated to align with the NZ COPD Guidelines: 2025 update, you can now study the most up-to-date asthma & COPD course available in New Zealand for $99.00 Enrol now

Articles

View all

Support families in need

Every year, respiratory disease costs our country $8.4 billion -impacting the health system, the one million New Zealanders living with a respiratory condition, and the people around them. 

Will you help fund research to identify where the pressure is growing, and what needs to change? 

Right now, your donation will be DOUBLED.   

We’re excited to share our latest campaign with you. A generous donor has agreed to match every dollar you give to the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, up to $20,000.  

The reason this is so important right now is we’re in the process of producing a nationally significant piece of research - the 2026 Respiratory Impact Report, which analyses national respiratory health data to identify where pressure is growing most.  

Any amount you can give before 30 June 2026 will be doubled!

$30 will be double to $60

$45 will be doubled to $90

$90 will be doubled to $180

$135 will be doubled to $270

Any donation you make will double your investment into this important life-saving research project.

The lead researcher on this project, and member of our Respiratory Advisory Board, Dr Lucy Telfar-Barnard, says:

Respiratory disease is the third largest category of illness, and almost everyone has someone in their life living with a respiratory condition. We see the costs to the country are significant, particularly in days missed from school and work due to illness. There is also a personal cost, creating fear, stress, and disruption for whānau.”

We know you care about individuals and whānau impacted by respiratory illness, that’s why I wanted to reach out to you today.

Donate now