News
Read articles and our latest media releases about our efforts
Open letter to the Prime Minister of New Zealand
Every 90 minutes, someone dies from heart disease in New Zealand. Our open letter to the Prime Minister calls for urgent action to reduce cardiac wait times and save lives.
Whooping cough outbreak prompts calls for urgent action
Whooping cough cases in NZ have reached their highest level in five years, prompting calls for urgent vaccination to protect babies, older adults and people with respiratory conditions.
More Kiwis suffer from respiratory disease than previously thought, new data shows
New data shows respiratory disease affects far more New Zealanders than previously thought, with 1 in 5 now estimated to be living with a respiratory condition, prompting calls for greater action.
From near-death experience to quest for awareness
After surviving life-threatening pneumonia as a child, Lara Mead is sharing her story to raise awareness of bronchiectasis, a lifelong lung condition that affects thousands of New Zealanders.
Four-fold increase in vaping education for pre-teens
Demand for Foundation vaping education workshops for 10 to 12-year-olds has quadrupled in a year, highlighting growing concern about youth vaping and the need for stronger prevention efforts.
Public health at risk, tax cut labelled irresponsible
Concerns have been raised over the Government's decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products, with warnings it could increase nicotine addiction and benefit the tobacco industry.
Hit-and-run victim first Kiwi to run across Australia and America
Wellington ultra-runner Nick Ashill is believed to be the first Kiwi to run across both Australia and the US, completing nearly 4000km in Australia to support better respiratory health.
NZ should mirror Australia's new vape law
Australia has passed world-leading laws restricting vape sales to pharmacies, prompting calls for New Zealand to adopt similar measures to better protect young people from nicotine addiction.
Youth want tighter vaping controls
Feedback from school vaping workshops shows young people want tougher vape laws, including fewer retailers, higher prices and stronger restrictions to reduce youth vaping and nicotine addiction.
Asthma-related hospitalisations plummet, NZ leads the world in asthma management
Asthma hospital admissions fell 17% as use of 2-in-1 inhalers rose 108%, highlighting the impact of national asthma guidelines on improving care for 1 in 8 New Zealanders.
Budget needs to help eradicate the pest that is youth vaping
After previous government introduced vapes like stoats to get rid of rabbits. the Foundation is calling on the current Government to use Budget 2024 to help eradicate the pest that is youth vaping.
Running an exercise class at 78 with a chronic lung condition
78-year-old Margaret Bowler, living with COPD, runs a Christchurch respiratory exercise group and supports others with lung disease, earning the 2024 Respiratory Achievers’ COPD Award.