Respiratory Community News

World Asthma Day 2021 wrap-up

World Asthma Day is the annual awareness campaign hosted by the Foundation to educate Kiwis about one of New Zealand’s most prevalent respiratory diseases.

This year, we launched a dedicated New Zealand Asthma Awareness Day: Aotearoa - Te Rā Whakaarohia te Huangō, which we held on Tuesday 4 May.

New Zealand’s asthma statistics are among the worst in the world, and we believe it’s time for Aotearoa to take asthma seriously and do it our way! Our Friends of the Foundation and other partners donated some great prizes for the day, including an air purifier from Daikin, a signed Highlanders Jersey from Pulse Energy, and a $300 voucher from Shoe Clinic. The money we raised will help to get Asthma Action Plans into the hands of New Zealand children, so they can manage their asthma better and enjoy life to the full. Find out more at worldasthmaday.org.nz

Life memberships for Breathe Easy volunteers

The Horowhenua Breathe Easy Support Group has awarded life memberships to volunteers Jean Wells and Barbara Timms, acknowledging their contribution over the 13 years the organisation has been running.

At their annual Christmas party, President Lynne McKenzie and patron and local nurse practitioner Tui Hancock presented Jean (pictured) and Barbara with the first ever life memberships.

Jean and Barbara were founding members of Horowhenua Breathe Easy, which now has over 70 members.

Fashion for a cause

The clothing store Blue Illusion in Palmerston North organised a fashion show on March 25 to raise money for the Foundation. We’d like to say a big thank you to the team at the store, who managed to raise a fantastic $301.

Healthy Homes Standards

Nearly 600,000 households rent in New Zealand, and research shows that rental properties are generally of poorer quality than owner-occupied homes. Cold, damp and mouldy homes can contribute to negative health outcomes, particularly for those with illnesses such as asthma and cardiovascular conditions.

In 2019, the Residential Tenancies Healthy Homes Standards were introduced to ensure rental properties meet a minimum standard for heating, insulation, ventilation, draught proofing, moisture ingress and drainage. From next month (July 2021), all private rentals must comply with these standards within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy. Read the full requirements at tenancy.govt.nz/healthy-homes