Who we are

Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand is the national charity dedicated to stroke.

• Every year, it’s estimated that over 9,000 strokes and an unknown number of transient ischaemic attacks happen in New Zealand.
• It is the second leading cause of death in New Zealand, and a leading cause of adult disability.
• Stroke isn't limited to the elderly: up to 30% of strokes happen to people under the age of 65.
• 89,000 people are living with the effects of stroke.

When you add to this number the people caring for those who have had a stroke, the number is in the hundreds of thousands. With the number of strokes projected to keep increasing, this group is getting bigger.

At Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand, we want a different future for our country. We want all Kiwis to know how they can reduce their risk of stroke. We want to ensure everyone can recognise the signs of stroke. We want to make sure that anyone experiencing a stroke gets the best possible acute care to minimise harm. We want to ensure people affected by stroke are supported and able to make a strong recovery. We want to bring people affected by stroke together. In short, we are leading the fight against stroke.

Stroke Aotearoa is built on expert medical and community support. Tracing our origins back to 1979, we were established through a partnership between community volunteers and speech therapists and quickly expanded to include a broader range of rehabilitation professionals. Over the years, we have supported and changed the lives of thousands of stroke survivors and their whānau. Our team, many of whom have lived experience of stroke themselves, are committed to making a difference, every day.

Our passion burns deep. Te Ahi Tūmanako, the flame of hope, connects us. Te Ahi Tūmanako symbolises taking action and advocating for others, ensuring that hope remains alive and thriving in our communities. Hope doesn’t mean denying the realities we face; instead, it means facing them head-on and working towards positive change.

As the backbone of the fight against stroke, we provide the source of strength and support for life before and life after stroke. We seek to inspire, unify, and mobilise collective action against stroke. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier, Aotearoa.