We're all in it together

New Zealand’s increasing ill-health means we need your support more than ever.

As our Medical Director, Norman Sharpe says: “Despite medical advances, cardiovascular disease continues to be New Zealand’s number one killer, because of complex changes in the way New Zealanders live, work, eat and exercise.

“We have never before witnessed such a raft of difficult social factors as those currently contributing to New Zealand’s widespread poor health and increasing rates of obesity and diabetes. It’s this level of declining health that causes the loss of one life every 90 minutes.”

We’ve set our sights high and we’re nowhere near being done with addressing our nation’s health challenges. Donations from this year’s appeal will be used to pursue the Foundation’s vision of ‘healthy hearts for all New Zealanders.’

As you can see from some of the stories on this site, we’ve developed a life-long approach to heart health, from programmes for children and supporting good heart health in middle age to aiding cardiac care rehabilitation.

This approach will be instrumental in ensuring every New Zealander has the opportunity to live well and fulfil their lifetimes. We look forward to seeing your smiling faces out on the streets.