The Haemophilia Foundation of New Zealand (HFNZ) supports a diverse range of members from a variety of backgrounds. One of the ways that we do this is by offering educational and psychosocial opportunities specifically targeted at particular demographic groups. Central to this are our national events. These events are generally age-targeted, and are designed to ensure that HFNZ members have the tools available to navigate each life stage.

Over the last few weeks, the HFNZ team have been planning when and where our key national events are going to be. This ensures that we can lock-in venues and book transport well in advance. It also means that members who are interested in attending these events are able to plan effectively, including taking time off work if necessary.

Here’s what we have lined up:

Youth (18 - 30) event. 15 - 17 September 2023. Wellington

Youth (18 - 30) sailing. January/February 2024. Auckland

These are open events for 18 - 30 year-old HFNZ members. The events focus on empowering young people with bleeding disorders to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to support physical activity, career paths, mentoring, and leadership skills.

Teen and youth camp. 01 - 03 March 2024. MERC, Auckland

Growing up is exciting, challenging, and often very confusing. When a bleeding disorder is added to the mix, the challenges of young adulthood only increase. The youth camp, for 11-18 year-olds, uses a combination of education, fun, and peer and mentor support, to help young people move to the next stage of managing their condition. The focus is on being well informed and better able to make decisions about their bleeding disorder treatment, education, work, life-style, and relationships.

Women’s wellness weekend. 26 - 28 July 2024. Taupō.

Traditionally haemophilia and bleeding disorder education has been geared towards men. This weekend-long workshop specifically targets women with bleeding disorders, and women who carry the haemophilia gene, of all ages. Women’s weekend offers a safe and supportive environment where women can increase their knowledge, and discuss issues that relate to their age & stage, or to being a carrier of the haemophilia gene.

National family camp. 06 - 09 February 2025. Ngāruawāhia.

Young families, where a child (0-10 years) is newly diagnosed with a bleeding disorder, often need support and information to manage the impact of the disorder on their family. The national family camp enables parents to access education in a supportive environment, while their children are enjoying their own recreational programmes. Opportunities are included for families to mix and mingle so that they can establish friendships and develop support networks with other families who understand and live with bleeding disorders.

Adult wellness weekend. October/November 2025. Christchurch.

Living with a bleeding disorder, or living with a person with a bleeding disorder, is challenging. The Adult Weekend is an opportunity for adults with bleeding disorders, and their partners, to discuss their experiences, challenges, and concerns about living and aging with a bleeding disorder. The focus of the weekend is to increase knowledge about bleeding disorders, about upcoming trends and treatments, about aging with a bleeding disorder, and about the provision of health care in New Zealand, as well as learning about HFNZ and its activities.

The goal is to run each of these national events every 2 - 3 years. However, unforeseen events like earthquakes, cyclones, and pandemics can put a spanner in the works. The best way to find out about upcoming events is to keep an eye on Panui, or look out for invites to events targeted at you.