Media Releases

Big-hearted volunteers will be out in full force in February 2024 as part of the Heart Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Big Heart Appeal, which kicks off once again on streets across New Zealand.

A phone-sized defibrillator for community first responders, investigating whether AI can prevent a catastrophic heart event, and understanding the impact of ultra-processed food on heart health are just three of the many research projects awarded funding by the Heart Foundation today.

Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for almost 10,000 deaths every year in New Zealand with almost a quarter of those avoidable, increasing to half of all cardiovascular deaths for Māori and Pacific people.

The next generation of cardiologists want to impact heart health on multiple levels – in both clinical cardiology practice and the research field – and ideally at the same time.  

The Heart Foundation has released a new position statement on alcohol advising that no amount of alcohol is good for your heart health and drinking less is a better option.

According to the Heart Foundation, a simple check of your heart strength can save your life as it launches its Stand Strong campaign.

Big names, big hearts, big stories. The Heart Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year is back this month with some well-known New Zealanders sharing their heart stories to highlight the Big Heart Appeal and the importance of investment in heart research to save lives.

Dr Sandra Hanchard, Research Fellow at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, has been awarded the Heart Foundation’s inaugural Pacific Research Fellowship.

Big-hearted volunteers will be out in full force in February 2023 as the Heart Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the Big Heart Appeal, kicks off once again on streets across New Zealand.

Understanding the increased risk of heart disease faced by premature babies and their mothers, how heart valve disease progresses from mild to severe symptoms, and exploring heart failure disparities for Māori and Pacific people are just three of the projects awarded funding by the Heart Foundation today, World Heart Day.

The foods we eat play a key role in our health and wellbeing. However, with such a big focus on sugar in recent years, have Kiwis forgotten about salt?

Partnering with the Heart Foundation, School Fun Run NZ launched Jumping June, a school-based skipping event that engages schoolchildren to get active, have fun and learn about their heart health.