Helping keep Te Ahi Tūmanako, The Flame of Hope, alight

Helping keep Te Ahi Tūmanako, The Flame of Hope, alight: A new look and feel for the Stroke Foundation.

The Stroke Foundation has been able to do amazing work over the last 40 years. Since we were first established, we have tirelessly advocated for the rights of stroke survivors and their whānau, supported the stroke affected community, and educated Kiwis about the signs of stroke and how to reduce stroke risk.

But for reasons beyond our control, stroke is on the rise. It is a leading cause of adult disability and the second leading cause of death for New Zealanders. And despite our longevity, the public awareness of the Stroke Foundation remains low. Even amongst medical professionals and stroke survivors, there is little awareness of our work.

We know that things need to change. The stroke tsunami is coming, and New Zealand needs to be prepared. It is critical that all of Aotearoa knows who we are and what our role is in the fight against stroke. But just as importantly as being prepared, we also need to have hope.

Stroke survivors and their whānau tell us everyday how important hope is. Hope they will be able to live their best life. Hope that we can prevent more people from experiencing the devastating impact of stroke. And hope that more lives can be saved. It became clear to us that hope needs to be central in describing what we do.

We are very excited to share that we have launched a new look and feel for the Stroke Foundation – or as we’re now known, Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand. And at the heart of this new look and feel is Te Ahi Tūmanako - the Flame of Hope. 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.

We are still the same charity, fighting to prevent stroke, improve outcomes, and save lives. We are still out in the community, educating people about stroke, promoting ways to reduce your stroke risk, and advocating for improved services for stroke survivors. The big difference is now our branding inspires warmth and hope – taking us into the future, while remaining true to who we are at heart.