Heart support groups

If you’re living with a heart condition, a support group can be a great way to share your experience with others in a similar situation.

Cardiac support groups are in-person or online groups for people with heart disease or other heart conditions and their families. This includes people who:

  • have had a heart attack or other heart event
  • have had heart surgery or stenting
  • have a congenital or inherited heart condition
  • are living with a heart rhythm condition
  • are living with any other kind of heart condition.

Support groups are run by volunteers, usually with a heart condition themselves, with the aim of bringing together people who have shared similar experiences.

The format of groups will vary. For example, some are regular social meetings, while others may involve physical activity or education sessions. 

No matter what the format, connecting with others provides an opportunity to talk about your condition and treatment, your physical and emotional recovery, and share tips and coping strategies.

Click the regions below to find out what’s available in your area.

Please contact our Heart Line if you’d like to start or list a support group, or update contact details. 

Regions

We don't know of any support groups in this region currently. If you know of a group, or you’d like to start one, please contact our Heart Line 0800 863 375.

Heartbeats
Location: Hibiscus Coast / Mt Albert / Sunnynook / Henderson
Contact: Trent Lash
T: 0220 606 199
E: info@heartbeats.org.nz
W: https://www.heartbeats.org.nz/

Howick and Districts Cardiac Group
Location: Howick 
Contact: Gay Gallagher
T: 021 145 1574
E: gaylgallagher@gmail.com

The Trusts Arena Gold Club (over 65s) 
Location: Henderson 
Contact: Alan Ross and Marilyn Pullen
T: 09 827 8679 (Alan), 09 834 2172 (Marilyn), phone after 12
E: nakiman9@gmail.com

Papatoetoe Ezy Exercise and Cardiac Club
Location: Papatoetoe 
Contact: Suzanne Johnstone
T: 021 159 6522
E: suzanneswim1@gmail.com

Cambridge Cardiac Support Group
Location: Leamington
Contact: John Barns Graham
T: 07 827 8411
E: jcwbg@slingshot.co.nz 

Zipper Cardiac Support Group (conditions apply) 
Location: Hamilton
Contact: Graeme Burbery, Les Billcliff and Judi Billcliff
T: 027 273 0901 and 027 273 0901
E: gburbery@gmail.com 

We don't know of any support groups in this region currently. If you know of a group, or you’d like to start one, please contact our Heart Line 0800 863 375.

Gisborne Cardiac Support Group
Location: Gisborne
Contact: Liz Thompson
T: 021 114 9347
 

We don't know of any support groups in this region currently. If you know of a group, or you’d like to start one, please contact our Heart Line 0800 863 375.

The Zipper Cardiac Support Club of NZ
Location: Taranaki
Contact: Margaret Gregory
T: 027 460 1181
E: mgregory@outlook.co.nz 

THINK Hauora
Location: Levin
Contact: Margaret Strawbridge
T: 06 367 6433
E: margaret.strawbridge@thinkhauora.nz 

Heart Support Group Feilding
Location: Feilding
Contact: Sandy Hirst
T: 027 448 8632
E: sshirst90@gmail.com 

Kapiti Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Support Group 
Location: Paraparaumu
Contact: Annette Straugheir
T: 64 4 47022780 ext 1
E: annettes@heartfoundation.org.nz

Heart Help Group Wairarapa
Location: Masterton
Contact: Jill Trower
E: cardiac.outreach@wairarapa.dhb.org.nz.

Hutt Valley ICD Support group (conditions apply)
Location: Hutt Valley
Contact: Cardiology CNS / Mātanga Tapuhi Tiaki Tūroro, Hutt Hospital or Katrin Tijsen
T: 04 570 9097 / Katrin 027 265 9988
E: HV-UD-CardiologyNurseSpecialists@huttvalleydhb.org.nz or Katrin.tisjen@CCDHB.org.nz

Take Heart Club – Hutt
Location: Lower Hutt
Contact: Trevor Richardson
T: 027 358 2496
E: trevandy@outlook.com

WELL Heart Manawa Ora
Location: Wellington and Porirua
Contact: Leigh Peacock
E: wellheart1@gmail.com 

Heart Help Richmond
Location: Richmond
Contact: Shelley Burge
T: 021 079 2680
E: siburge@xtra.co.nz 

Heart Help Motueka
Location: Motueka
Contact: Janet Kelly
T: 03 528 8445
E: janet.kelly@xtra.co.nz

Heart Help Stoke
Location: Stoke
Contact: Lynne Bulmer
T: 027 260 3485
E: bonbonbrixio@xtra.co.nz 

Marlborough Primary Health Education Programme
Location: Blenheim
Contact: Lois Wong
T: 03 520 6200
E: selfmanagement@marlboroughpho.org.nz
W: https://www.marlboroughpho.org.nz/programmes-services/cardiac-self-management-programme-cardiac-risk-healthy-hearts

Heart Help Wairau
Location: Blenheim
Contact: Averil West
T: 027 215 3836
E: averilw@heartfoundation.org.nz
 

Westport Heart Club
Location: Westport
Contact: Margaret Reedy
T: 03 789 8173
E: reedybuller@xtra.co.nz 

Christchurch Cardiac Companions Association (conditions apply)
Location: Burwood
Contact: Christine Hart or Drew White
T: Christine 021 606 202 / Drew 027 223 4253
E: cardiac.companions@gmail.com

South Canterbury Cardiac Support Group
Location: Timaru
Contact: Lorraine South
T: 021 076 4519

The Otago Phoenix Club
Location: Dunedin 
Contact: Keith Tricker
E: president@otagophoenix.nz

Cardiac Club of Southland
Location: Invercargill
Contact: Peter Kennett
T: 022 612 5504
E: noeleneandpeter@msn.com

Walk in the Park
Location: Invercargill
Contact: Jenny Nester
T: 022 065 2396
E: j.ln@kinect.co.nz 

Heartbeats HeartTALKS
Platform: Zoom
Contact: Trent Lash T: 0220 606 199
E: info@heartbeats.org.nz
W: https://www.heartbeats.org.nz/

Heartbeats Private Group Facebook Page
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/groups/476099493155288/