Stories

When Maketu coastguard volunteer Henry Samson flew to the UK for his father’s 90th birthday in 2024, he never imagined his brothers, and two strangers, would end up saving his life.

When well-known New Zealand artist Greg Straight woke up on one morning in June, the 52-year-old had no idea his life was about to hang by a thread.

The Pasifika community in South Auckland came together throughout February to celebrate Heart Health Month through a series of vibrant, culturally grounded events led by Maxcare Medical Centre - a Pacific led primary healthcare provider.

Two early-career cardiologists have been awarded a new Heart Foundation overseas fellowship, allowing them to train at world-leading hospitals and bring specialised skills and expertise back to New Zealand.

At Rumpus Room Waterview, pre-packaged goods are out and fresh food is in, thanks to a bold nutrition overhaul that’s winning hearts and appetites.

Parents have noticed their children willing to try new veggies at home thanks to the new menu at Ko te Aroha Children’s Centre, Masterton, since signing up to the Tohu Manawa Ora I Healthy Heart Award, a programme run by the Heart Foundation.

After years of unknown symptoms, Karen had a frightening heart event on Christmas Day. But that shock became her wake up call - pushing her to heal and listen to her heart and instincts once more.

Tania thought she was setting off on a wellearned holiday when she boarded a flight to Australia last November. Instead, the fit, music loving grandmother from the Bay of Plenty ended up in intensive care, in a coma and fighting for her life.

When Palmerston North runner Martin Boult crossed the finish line of the 10km Rotorua ‘Run the Forest’ event in August, he didn’t know he was hours away from a potentially devastating heart attack.

For decades, Denise, a nurse, midwife, and caregiver, was the one people turned to in moments of crisis.

Working for New Zealand’s leading heart charity, the Heart Foundation, for nearly a decade, Ian was passionate about raising awareness and the risks of heart disease. He never imagined, he would be the one fighting for his life.

In Māngere, Samoan early learning service Fetu Taiala Aoga Amata teamed up with the Heart Foundation to tackle a common challenge: how to support their whānau/aiga to create lunchboxes for their children that are delicious, healthy, affordable, and still rooted in cultural traditions.