With no cure for a childhood heart condition, Heart Kids NZ is committed to providing lifelong, vital services at no cost to ensure all those impacted will feel supported, informed, educated, and connected.
Heart families can be faced with separation, isolation, stress, financial hardship, and loneliness during their journey. The future is uncertain, and these families need support.
“You’re not really ever out of the woods,” says Rebecca Gourlay, Maya’s mum.
Heart Kids NZ is the only national organisation in Aotearoa NZ dedicated to providing that support.
We help at every step of the journey; from diagnosis, through childhood, the teenage years and into adulthood. Our practical and emotional support is vital in helping individuals and families cope with the day-to-day challenges of living with a childhood heart condition.
Our Heart Community
More than 14,000 people make up the Heart Kids NZ whānau. Together, we’re creating a community where no one faces a childhood heart condition alone.
🤍 Heart Children, Teens, Adults and Whānau
Living with congenital and acquired childhood heart conditions, and supporting one another through every stage of the journey.
🤝 Family Support Taituarā
Providing practical and emotional support in hospitals, communities, and homes throughout New Zealand.
🌟 Volunteers
From camp and event volunteers to community supporters, helping families connect and creating memorable experiences.
💙 Heart Heroes
Donors, fundraisers, corporate partners, and ambassadors who make our services possible and keep them free for families.
🛡️ Board Trustees
Providing governance, leadership, and expertise to help Heart Kids NZ deliver lasting impact.
Want to join us?
Whether you’re a heart family, volunteer, supporter, fundraiser, or partner, there’s a place for you in our community.
Nau mai, haere mai – welcome to Heart Kids NZ.
Brave Hearts Standing Tall
Read inspiring stories from heart children, teens, adults, and families who have faced challenges with courage, resilience, and hope.
It truly takes a village
Every donation, fundraising effort, partnership, and act of support helps us be there for heart children, teens, adults, and their whānau when they need us most.
Together, we can ensure no heart family has to face their journey alone.
$12
Equals $1 for each child
diagnosed with a heart condition this week
$25
Gives the gift of a Maia Bear
to a child after their first open-heart surgery
$50
A week’s worth of practical support
for a heart parent as they sit by their child’s bedside in hospital
$100
Specialised counselling
for heart families needing extra support
$250
Provides food and travel support
for an out-of-town family while their heart kid is at Starship
$500
Send a heart kid to camp
no matter where they live in Aotearoa NZ
