Diabetes New Zealand

What Diabetes New Zealand does

Diabetes New Zealand (Diabetes NZ) is a Charitable Trust (registration CC11432), founded approximately 1962 and headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand. It is the recognized national non-profit body representing and supporting people living with diabetes in New Zealand, serving an estimated 260,000–307,000 individuals directly and approximately 1 million people when including whānau and family. Its mission is to ensure that every person in Aotearoa New Zealand with diabetes or at risk of diabetes has equitable access to affordable, quality diabetes care and education. The organization maintains a national network of local peer support groups across regions including Auckland, Waikato, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupō, and Wairarapa.

The organization operates a portfolio of digital, content, and community-based services. Its flagship digital product is the My Diabetes Journey mobile application (launched December 2021), which consolidates approximately 60 educational resources from the Take Control Toolkit, recipes, physical activity inspiration, mental health resources, and tracking tools for exercise, food intake, emotional wellbeing, and health changes (including photo upload for foot monitoring). Supporting offerings include a free national Diabetes Helpline (0800 342 238, Monday–Friday 9am–3pm), youth and whānau camps, Type 1 newly diagnosed packs, Brave Bear Packs for children, pamphlets and publications, the quarterly Diabetes Wellness Magazine, the Jumo Podcast, and a library of diabetes-friendly recipes. Distribution is conducted through the website, mobile app, social media, email newsletter, local support groups, and healthcare professional referrals.

Diabetes NZ is funded almost entirely through charitable contributions. Revenue streams include individual donations (tax-deductible from NZ$5), corporate partnerships and Champion Sponsorships (Fitbit/Google, NZMS Diabetes, VIBE), the Project Partners Programme (minimum NZ$1,000 major-donor contributions directed to specific projects), legacy/bequest giving (in partnership with EveryWill), payroll giving, and community, workplace, and school fundraising. The Fitbit MoveMeant Challenge has raised over NZ$263,000 across five years. The organization has been notably effective in policy advocacy, securing Pharmac funding for continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps for people with Type 1 diabetes effective October 2024, and continues to advocate for Type 2 insulin users. It is governed by a Board of Directors, led by CEO Heather Verry, and is not venture-backed or equity-funded.

Name

Diabetes New Zealand

Legal name

Diabetes New Zealand

Website

https://diabetes.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Diabetes New Zealand is a national charitable trust that provides diabetes education, peer support, digital tools, and policy advocacy for the 260,000–307,000 New Zealanders living with diabetes and their whānau, funded through donations and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diabetes Health Charity Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Social Assistance (624), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Hospitals, Clinics & Charitable Healthcare Providers (BPAGACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Diabetes (General) (HLAKADAA), Diabetes Education & Insulin Management (Home-Based) (HSABACAJ), Diabetes & Blood Sugar Nutrition Coaching (HSADAFAF)

Keywords

• Diabetes support services
• Diabetes education resources
• Chronic disease advocacy
• Health charity services
• Diabetes self-management

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Primary revenue stream from individual donations, fundraising events, and appeals. Donations of $5 or more are tax deductible. The organization runs various fundraising campaigns including community events, workplace fundraising, school fundraising, and individual fundraising pages.
2. Legacy/Bequest Giving: Charitable bequests and gifts left in wills. The organization partners with EveryWill for online will-making services and receives residual, pecuniary, or specific gifts from supporters' estates.
3. Project Partners Programme: Major donor programme requiring minimum donations of $1,000 to specific projects including Youth Camps, Community Testing, Online Courses, Regional Support Services, Research, and Advocacy.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorships and partnerships with corporate entities including champion sponsors like Fitbit, NZMS Diabetes, and VIBE. Includes both cash and in-kind contributions.
5. Payroll Giving: Employees can make regular pre-tax donations through workplace payroll giving programmes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Diabetes New Zealand is a Charitable Trust that delivers diabetes information, education, advocacy, and community-based support services to people living with diabetes in Aotearoa New Zealand. Its service portfolio includes a free telephone helpline, the My Diabetes Journey mobile application, the Take Control Toolkit, youth and whānau camps, newly diagnosed resource packs, a quarterly Diabetes Wellness Magazine, podcasts, and local peer support groups, all funded through donations and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

Diabetes New Zealand operates as a charitable organization offering a portfolio of support services and digital resources for people living with diabetes. The core digital offering is the My Diabetes Journey mobile application, which consolidates educational content, tracking tools, and resources. Supporting services include the Take Control Toolkit resources, a diabetes helpline, youth and whanau camps, and educational materials including pamphlets, publications, and the Diabetes Wellness Magazine. The organization also provides newly diagnosed packs (Type 1 Newly Diagnosed Packs and Brave Bear Packs) and maintains a library of diabetes-friendly recipes. These offerings work together to provide comprehensive support across the diabetes journey from diagnosis through ongoing management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• My Diabetes Journey: Mobile application for tracking daily exercise, food intake, emotional wellbeing, and health changes for people living with diabetes.
• Take Control Toolkit
• Diabetes NZ Awards
• Diabetes NZ Lived Experience Forum

Products and services

• My Diabetes Journey App Mobile application available on Google Play and App Store for people living with diabetes to track daily exercise, food intake, emotional wellbeing, and health changes to discuss with healthcare providers. Includes approximately 60 resources, recipes, nutritional information, physical activity tips, and mental health resources with photo upload capability for tracking foot changes.
• Take Control Toolkit Comprehensive self-management program providing educational resources and tools for diabetes management across topics including physical activity, eating with diabetes, and emotional wellbeing. Originally comprised approximately 60 standalone resources which have been consolidated into the My Diabetes Journey app.
• Diabetes Helpline Free telephone support service (0800 342 238) providing information, assistance, and guidance to people living with diabetes in New Zealand, available Monday to Friday 9am-3pm.
• Youth and Whānau Camps Camps for children and teenagers with diabetes and their families, providing peer support and diabetes management education in a recreational setting across New Zealand.
• Type 1 Newly Diagnosed Packs Information packs provided to individuals and families newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, containing educational materials and resources to support the transition into diabetes management.
• Brave Bear Packs Support packs designed for children with diabetes to help them understand and manage their condition through age-appropriate materials.
• Diabetes-Friendly Recipes Online collection of recipes specifically designed for people with diabetes, featuring nutritional information and meal planning guidance.
• Pamphlets and Publications Printed and digital educational materials covering various aspects of diabetes management, types of diabetes, and living well with the condition, available for ordering through the Diabetes NZ website.
• Diabetes Wellness Magazine Quarterly magazine providing news, stories, research updates, and practical diabetes management advice for people living with diabetes in New Zealand.
• Jumo Podcast Podcast series providing discussions and information about diabetes-related topics, sharing personal stories and educational content for people affected by diabetes.
• Local Peer Support Groups Community-based peer support groups meeting across New Zealand regions including Auckland, Waikato, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupō, and Wairarapa, providing direct community support for people living with diabetes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully advocated for Pharmac funding of CGMs and insulin pumps for people with type 1 diabetes announced August 2024, effective October 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NZMS DiabetescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with NZMS Diabetes, a Dexcom company specializing in diabetes management solutions. NZMS provides continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, t:slim X2 insulin pumps, and other diabetes-related accessories. The partnership aims to amplify awareness and education around diabetes management and support for the 307,000+ people living with diabetes in New Zealand.
• Fitbit (Google)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMulti-year partnership with Fitbit to drive awareness of how healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent type 2 diabetes and manage all types of diabetes. Includes the annual Fitbit MoveMeant Challenge which has raised over NZ$263,000 over 5 years. Fitbit is a Champion Sponsor of Diabetes NZ.
• EveryWillminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLegacy partnership with EveryWill, an online Will provider offering FREE Will-making service. Partnership supports Diabetes NZ's legacy giving programme by making it easy for supporters to leave bequests.
• University of OtagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with University of Otago researchers Dr Susan Wardell and Laura Starling who conducted a study on the impact of self-funding CGMs on families. The report explores how families fundraise to access CGMs and recommends government funding.
• Heart FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity health partnership to improve care for those with heart disease and other chronic health problems. Partners have jointly appointed Tahi Tait to engage and support people in Northland living with long-term conditions.
• Arthritis New ZealandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity health partnership with Arthritis New Zealand and Mahitahi Hauora to provide integrated support for people with chronic conditions in Northland. Addresses the connection between diabetes, heart disease, and gout arthritis.
• Mahitahi HauoraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with primary health entity Mahitahi Hauora to support people in Northland with long-term conditions. Focus on equity and improving access to healthcare services for underserved communities.
• Pharmac (Te Pātaka Whaioranga)coreOthersDiabetes NZ has conducted sustained advocacy resulting in Pharmac announcing funding for CGMs, insulin pumps, and consumables for people with type 1 diabetes from October 2024. Ongoing advocacy for funding CGMs for people with type 2 diabetes who use insulin.
• University of AucklandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for the LIFT wellbeing app study - exploring how a digital tool co-designed with young people could be used in routine diabetes care. Also partnered on the SNAPP study examining ghrelin hormone in Pacific peoples with type 2 diabetes.
• AUT (Auckland University of Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for sibling studies and other diabetes-related research initiatives involving AUT researchers.
• NZCR (New Zealand Clinical Research)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to recruit participants for clinical trials researching potential new treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes, including the NEXUS-AD trial.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Diabetes Canada: National Canadian diabetes charity operating support, education, advocacy, and research programs. Comparable operating model including regional support networks, advocacy for device funding, and culturally tailored outreach to Indigenous populations.
• Diabetes Australia: National peak body for diabetes advocacy, education, and support in Australia. Highly comparable as a fellow national diabetes charitable organization focused on all diabetes types, advocacy for technology funding, and culturally tailored programs for Indigenous populations.
• JDRF Australia (Breakthrough T1D): Charity focused on type 1 diabetes research, advocacy, and support. Comparable in type 1-focused youth camps, peer support, and CGM/pump advocacy that align with Diabetes NZ's type 1 programs.
• American Diabetes Association: Largest US diabetes nonprofit providing advocacy, education, and research funding. Comparable mission, multi-channel program portfolio (helpline, camps, publications, risk assessment), and advocacy focus on access and affordability.
• Diabetes UK: Leading UK diabetes charity providing information, support, and advocacy. Closely comparable mission and operating model — fundraising, helplines, research funding, and policy advocacy for technology access and care quality.

Others

• NZMS Diabetes (Dexcom): Dexcom's NZ distributor for CGMs (Dexcom) and t:slim X2 insulin pumps, and a Champion Sponsor of Diabetes NZ. Adjacent ecosystem partner enabling diabetes technology adoption that Diabetes NZ advocates for.
• Arthritis New Zealand: NZ charitable organization addressing chronic disease. A direct partner with Diabetes NZ in Northland chronic-condition integrated care programs; comparable in operating model as a NZ chronic-disease charity.

Broad incumbents

• International Diabetes Federation: Umbrella organization of national diabetes associations globally. Diabetes NZ is part of IDF's network; relevant as the global parent body for national diabetes charitable advocacy.
• Heart Foundation New Zealand: NZ's leading heart health charity and an active partner of Diabetes NZ in Northland chronic-disease programs. Comparable as a national health nonprofit operating community support, advocacy, and research funding in NZ.

Regional players

• Diabetes Wellington / Regional Diabetes Societies (NZ): Regional diabetes societies operating across NZ cities (Wellington, Auckland, Waikato) providing local education and support. Comparable to Diabetes NZ's regional support group model but operate at a smaller geographic scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/diabetesnz
• Xx.com/diabetes_nz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/diabetes-nz

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Diabetes New Zealand