What we do
Allergy New Zealand is a national membership-based, not-for-profit society whose primary role is to provide information, education, and support to the many thousands of New Zealanders living with allergies, including those at risk of anaphylaxis.
We also represent their interests particularly in the media and to policy makers and government, provide information and guidance to the health, education and food sectors, and support research wherever possible.
History
Incorporated in 1981 as ‘Allergy Awareness’ by people living with allergies, parents and interested health professionals, the organisation was run for many years by hard-working and dedicated volunteers including (to name just a few) Neil and Ivy Hickman, Dr J. Chunn, Carolyn Sutherland, John Datson, Margaret Wong, Joanna Paul, and Natalie Lloyd. Our sincere thanks go to these and the many other volunteers who have been involved, without whom Allergy New Zealand would not exist today.
Name change
In 1999, the organisation changed its name to the ‘Allergy Awareness Association New Zealand’. In 2001 it became Allergy New Zealand Incorporated. As of 5 April 2007 we are registered with the New Zealand Charities Commission, Registration No: 10148.
We are the only national not-for-profit organisation with an exclusive focus on allergy in New Zealand and have the advice and support of a Medical Panel including all of the Allergy specialists in New Zealand. One of these specialists, Associate Professor Rohan Ameratunga at the Auckland Medical School and District Health Board, is the current Medical Panel representative on our Board of Directors.
We are also a founding member of the international Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Alliance, a network of national food allergy support organisations across 10 countries including Australia, USA, Canada, UK, Europe and Japan. Food Allergy is a global problem, and through the Alliance we are able to share the latest information and research and work together internationally in all areas which impact on food allergy sufferers.
How we operate
Allergy New Zealand has a head office in Auckland with six staff across four full-time equivalent positions. They are:
Chief Executive Officer
Penny Jorgensen
Allergy Educator
Sara-Jane Murison
Information Officer
Inga Stünzner
Membership Services
Julie Dunsmuir
National Support Network Coordinator
Kimberley Madden-Snoad
Office Manager
Michelle Rogers
National Support Network
Many members assist Allergy New Zealand on a voluntary basis particularly in providing support through our National Support Network. Regional Coordinators provide support to families in their local areas, using their personal experiences as well as training and resources provided by Allergy New Zealand. Click
here to find out who is in your area.
Members
As a membership-based organisation we welcome members and encourage people to join not only in order to receive regular information and access support, but also to support Allergy New Zealand and be a part of one of the leading patient/consumer-based organisations in New Zealand. If you would like to join, click
here.
Membership is open to anyone with an interest in allergy. Allergy New Zealand has more than 1000 members including 12 life members. We also provide complimentary membership on grounds of hardship, as recommended by GPs and specialists.
Funding
Allergy New Zealand is supported by funding from grants, membership fees, donations, and fundraising activities including sponsorship. Please note that as a registered charity, Allergy New Zealand has donee organisation status confirmed by IRD.
