The organisation was formed in January 1973 by a group of parents with children who had asthma. They wanted to support each other and others in the community who were also affected by the condition. However, since those early days we have grown and our operational team and mobile nurses now manage a growing list of referrals. We visit people in their homes, schools, maraes; wherever is needed. We even have our own clinic that you can come to if your prefer.

The Team

Our Respiratory Nurses can be seen driving their specially marked cars around the Greater Waikato region from Pokeno to Taumarunui, Raglan & Kawhia to Thames and including Hauraki, Coromandel, South Waikato and Piako. Being mobile means we are better able to provide our services where they are needed. Back in the office the Operational Manager works hard to make sure everything is running smoothly and in addition, we have a number of members and supporters that kindly dedicate their time.

We are a small hard-working team here at Asthma Waikato. Yehudit (left) is our Respiratory Nurse Educator who sees clients for consults as well as delivering asthma education around the community. Sheryl (centre) is the Operational Manager who oversees all aspects of service delivery, funding and overall management of the centre. Carolyn (right) is our Respiratory Support Worker who manages bookings, admin and support to the rest of the team.

The Board

In recognition of the need to extend our services across the entire Waikato region, Asthma Waikato established a formal Board of Directors responsible for Best Practice Governance and to provide strategic direction. Our current Board members are (left to right):

Ofa Pouono - Board Member
Peter Granville – Treasurer
Dr Hamish McCay – Board Member
Julia Crosby - Board Member
Tam Matangi - Board Secretary
Graeme Allen - Board Member

Asthma Waikato Newsletter
The Asthma Link / Te Ha Ora Huango

Our Newsletter is full of news, views and home truths to encourage and inform people with breathing difficulties.

Read Our Newletters

Our Charity Status

Asthma & Respiratory Services (Waikato) Inc trades as Asthma Waikato, is a registered charity and is affiliated to the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand based in Wellington.

Our Service - What do Asthma Waikato customers get?

We listen, we educate and we act – we make a difference

We educate - Education helps clients better understand what happens in their body when they get asthma, how their medication helps and highlights potential triggers

We make it simple – We provide advice and tips to simplify how people manage their asthma on a day to day basis – staying as well as they can possibly be

We help them stop smoking - Smoking cessation referrals are made to help people in this area

We are their voice – we link people with the right organisations to get their environment right e.g. liaising with landlords/Housing NZ when damp, mouldy houses are causing asthma symptoms

We give them our time - Many situations are complex e.g. multiple caregivers, complicated social issues and we spend as long as is necessary with every client to get the best outcome for them

For more information on the services we provide, please read more >>

Currently in New Zealand 550,000 school days a year are missed by children with respiratory conditions.

Of the asthmatics we helped last year, nearly 90% were under 15 years old – those children and their families are now more able to live full, active lives not limited by asthma.

Testimonials

We believe strongly in what we do and how we do it. But why trust what we say - check out some testimonials from the people we help and support. Health is so important and therefore put any anxious thoughts to rest, knowing that other customers have been happy and satisfied after working with us.

Read some feedback from the people we support

Did You Know...

Over half of those we helped last year were children referred to us by the hospital – and that number is increasing. Please help us by sponsoring or supporting in any way you can to make sure they never have to experience the upset of watching their children struggle to breathe again. And to make sure children never have to experience the trauma of not being able to breathe.