Heart support groups

If you’re living with a heart condition, a support group can be a great way to share your experience with others in a similar situation.

Three people sit together in a bright office space having a discussion, with one person gesturing while talking and a large city window view in the background.

Cardiac support groups are in-person or online groups for people with heart disease or other heart conditions and their families. This includes people who:

  • have had a heart attack or other heart event
  • have had heart surgery or stenting
  • have a congenital or inherited heart condition
  • are living with a heart rhythm condition
  • are living with any other kind of heart condition.

Most support groups are run by volunteers, usually with a heart condition themselves, with the aim of bringing together people who have shared similar experiences.

The format of groups will vary. For example, some are regular social meetings, while others may involve physical activity or education sessions. 

No matter what the format, connecting with others provides an opportunity to talk about your condition and treatment, your physical and emotional recovery, and share tips and coping strategies.

Click the links below to find out what’s available.

Online groups

Heart Foundation NZ Support Group
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hfnzsupport 

Heartbeats HeartTALKS
Platform: Zoom
Contact: Trent Lash T: 0220 606 199
E: info@heartbeats.org.nz
W: https://www.heartbeats.org.nz/

Heartbeats Private Group Facebook Page
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/groups/476099493155288/  

Regional groups (face-to-face)

We don't know of any support groups in this region currently. If you know of a group, or you’d like to start one, please contact our Heart Line 0800 863 375.

Heartbeats
Location: Hibiscus Coast / Mt Albert / Sunnynook / Henderson
Contact: Trent Lash
T: 0220 606 199
E: info@heartbeats.org.nz
W: https://www.heartbeats.org.nz/

Howick and Districts Cardiac Group
Location: Howick 
Contact: Gay Gallagher
T: 021 145 1574
E: gaylgallagher@gmail.com

The Trusts Arena Gold Club (over 65s) 
Location: Henderson 
Contact: Alan Ross and Marilyn Pullen
T: 09 827 8679 (Alan), 09 834 2172 (Marilyn), phone after 12
E: nakiman9@gmail.com

Papatoetoe Ezy Exercise and Cardiac Club
Location: Papatoetoe 
Contact: Suzanne Johnstone
T: 021 159 6522
E: suzanneswim1@gmail.com

Heart Friendship Group
Location: Pukekohe 
Contact: Pat Richards
T: 021 206 4088
E: wrpe@xtra.co.nz

Cambridge Cardiac Support Group
Location: Leamington
Contact: John Barns Graham
T: 07 827 8411
E: jcwbg@slingshot.co.nz 

Zipper Cardiac Support Group (conditions apply) 
Location: Hamilton
Contact: Graeme Burbery, Les Billcliff and Judi Billcliff
T: 027 273 0901 and 027 273 0901
E: gburbery@gmail.com 

We don't know of any support groups in this region currently. If you know of a group, or you’d like to start one, please contact our Heart Line 0800 863 375.

Gisborne Cardiac Support Group
Location: Gisborne
Contact: Liz Thompson
T: 021 114 9347
 

We don't know of any support groups in this region currently. If you know of a group, or you’d like to start one, please contact our Heart Line 0800 863 375.

The Zipper Cardiac Support Club of NZ
Location: Taranaki
Contact: Margaret Gregory
T: 027 460 1181
E: mgregory@outlook.co.nz 

THINK Hauora
Location: Levin
Contact: Margaret Strawbridge
T: 06 367 6433
E: margaret.strawbridge@thinkhauora.nz 

Heart Support Group Feilding
Location: Feilding
Contact: Sandy Hirst
T: 027 448 8632
E: sshirst90@gmail.com 

Heart Help Group Wairarapa
Location: Masterton
Contact: Jill Trower
E: cardiac.outreach@wairarapa.dhb.org.nz

Hutt Atrial Fibrillation Support Group
Location: Lower Hutt
Contact: Judy Dixon
T: 022 043 4703
E: jjdixons45@gmail.com

Hutt Valley ICD Support group (conditions apply)
Location: Hutt Valley
Contact: Cardiology CNS / Mātanga Tapuhi Tiaki Tūroro, Hutt Hospital or Katrin Tijsen
T: 04 570 9097 / Katrin 027 265 9988
E: Katrin.tijsen@CCDHB.org.nz

Take Heart Club – Hutt
Location: Lower Hutt
Contact: Trevor Richardson
T: 027 358 2496
E: trevandy@outlook.com

Heart Help Richmond
Location: Richmond
Contact: Shelley Burge
T: 021 079 2680
E: siburge@xtra.co.nz 

Heart Help Motueka
Location: Motueka
Contact: Janet Kelly
T: 03 528 8445
E: janet.kelly@xtra.co.nz

Heart Help Stoke
Location: Stoke
Contact: Lynne Bulmer
T: 027 260 3485
E: bonbonbrixio@xtra.co.nz 

Marlborough Primary Health Education Programme
Location: Blenheim
Contact: Lois Wong
T: 03 520 6200
E: selfmanagement@marlboroughpho.org.nz
W: https://www.marlboroughpho.org.nz/programmes-services/cardiac-self-management-programme-cardiac-risk-healthy-hearts

Westport Heart Club
Location: Westport
Contact: Margaret Reedy
T: 03 789 8173
E: reedybuller@xtra.co.nz 

Christchurch Cardiac Companions Association (conditions apply)
Location: Burwood
Contact: David Martin or Drew White
T: David 020 4012 3028 / Drew 027 223 4253
E: cardiac.companions@gmail.com

South Canterbury Cardiac Support Group
Location: Timaru
Contact: Lorraine South
T: 021 076 4519

Living Well - North Canterbury
Location: Rangiora
Contact: Sadie Ross
T: 027 330 9826
E: heartfailurepracticenurse@gmail.com

Heart Support Group
Location: Christchurch Central & Virtual
Contact: Shannon
W: https://shannonmac98.wixsite.com/hearthelp

The Otago Phoenix Club
Location: Dunedin 
Contact: Keith Tricker
E: president@otagophoenix.nz

Cardiac Club of Southland
Location: Invercargill
Contact: Peter Kennett
T: 022 612 5504
E: noeleneandpeter@msn.com

Walk in the Park
Location: Invercargill
Contact: Jenny Nester
T: 022 065 2396
E: j.ln@kinect.co.nz 

Start or list a support group

Please contact our Heart Line if you’d like to start or list a support group, or update contact details. We have a guide available to help you set up and lead a heart health support group.