As we all get used to the big wide world again, now is a great time to reflect on the strength and resilience of our community. It has been wonderful to see HFNZ people pulling together and supporting one another during the lock-down, and beyond. This is a part of what makes HFNZ special. While we all hail from different parts of the country, and from different walks of life, we continue to look out for each other in good times and in bad.

The Executive have been meeting regularly via Zoom throughout the lock-down and subsequent level changes, and the full national Council met yesterday 28 May. In this issue of Pānui we want to let you know about the decisions made to support HFNZ members and staff over the next six months. 

Many of you will already be aware that Midland Outreach Worker Nicky Hollings has finished up at HFNZ. The National Council has decided not to seek a replacement Midland OR Worker for the next 6 months, as we wait and see where we are at as an organisation. During that time members in the Midland region will be supported by either Northern OR Worker Amber Maihi or Central OR Worker Lynne Campbell.

If you live in the Waikato DHB catchment your OR contact is Amber Maihi at amber@haemophilia.org.nz or on 027 512 1114.

If you live in the Bay of Plenty or Lakes DHB catchments, then your OR contact is Lynne Campbell at lynne@haemophilia.org.nz or on 027 273 3443.

Please refer to the image below to determine the DHB you fall under.

Outreach will not be undertaking any travel for the next six months. That means they will be conducting all member contacts via phone, text, email, or video. Please connect with your OR Worker to organise the best way for you to meet with them.

Southern: Ross Paterson - ross@haemophilia.org.nz, 021 656 804
Central: Lynne Campbell - lynne@haemophilia.org.nz, 027 273 3443
Northern: Amber maihi - amber@haemophilia.org.nz, 027 512 1114

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation some of the national events we had planned have had to be postponed. We are very aware of how valuable these events are to the groups they are targeted at, so we are working hard to make sure those events happen in a timely manner, while ensuring the safety of participants.

The next event out of the gate is the 2020 Adult Weekend in Christchurch. We still plan on holding this event on the weekend of November 6 - 8, as previously scheduled. There will be more information about the Adult Weekend coming out in the next few weeks. We understand that there may be some concern about flying in the current environment. Rest assured, we will be taking all necessary steps recommended by the MOH related to the current alert level.

Youth Camp was meant to happen in July this year. The National Council decided that this is too soon, and has decided to push Youth Camp back into the slot previously filled by the National Family Camp in late April 2021. It is likely that we will still use the Blue Skies venue in Kaiapoi that we were going to use for Family Camp.

That means postponing Family Camp until 2022.

As of writing we have had no notifications of specific upcoming regional events. That being said, all regional events are now in the hands of regional committees. Rest assured that any events planned by HFNZ committees will involve risk management assessment around Covid-19 and safe physical distancing, in accordance with the current national alert level.

Watch this space, and keep an eye on your inbox, for information about what's coming up in your region.

As many of you will be aware, the WFH are running a virtual summit to replace the World Congress. Congress was due to start on June 14. Instead WFH have planned a virtual summit to run on the same dates, involving wide variety of online speakers.

Best of all, registration is free! Click here to register, and here to see what's on the programme.

Check out HFNZ President, and WFH Board of Directors Lay Member, Deon York talking about the multidisciplinary programme:

Here's what HFNZ have lined up for members in the coming months:

Adult Weekend
November 6 - 8, 2020 in Christchurch.

Youth Camp
April 29 - May 2, 2021 in Kaiapoi at Blue Skies.

National Family Camp
2022. Date and venue to be advised.

If you have any questions about any of these events, please don't hesitate to drop us a line at info@haemophilia.org.nz.