Heart Kids New Zealand

What Heart Kids New Zealand does

Heart Kids New Zealand is the only national charitable organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand dedicated to providing lifelong, free support to children, teens, adults, and whānau affected by congenital and acquired childhood heart conditions. Founded in 1983/1984, the organisation serves a community of more than 14,000 members, addressing a need driven by roughly 12 new diagnoses per week, over 550 major heart surgeries annually, and approximately 50 child deaths per year (Heart Angels). Service delivery spans hospital-based family support taituarā co-located with the pediatric cardiac unit at Starship Children's Hospital, regional community family support workers across 13+ NZ regions, residential camps (Brave Hearts for ages 8-12 and Teen Beat for ages 13-17), peer-connection groups (Murmurs, National Murmurs, Heart Transplant Support Group, Rheumatic Heart Disease Support Group), bereavement support for Heart Angel families, educational events (PULSE and the bi-annual Education Forum), and a Heart Stories content library covering 40+ condition types. Membership is free and families enter via health-professional referral or self-referral.

The organisation operates as an incorporated society (Charities Services registration CC63980) with 11-50 staff, governed by a Board of Trustees, and is transitioning to a charitable trust structure effective 1 April 2026 following a member vote at the May 2025 Special General Meeting. There is no proprietary technology platform; digital infrastructure is limited to Raisely for donations, Shopify for merchandise, and standard social media channels. The CEO since July 2024 is David Pimblott.

Revenue is generated entirely through voluntary channels: individual donations (Heart Heroes, monthly givers), corporate partnerships (Supercheap Auto NZ has raised over NZ$1 million across 12+ years), a diversified base of 35+ trust and foundation grants (The Lion Foundation, Lottery Grants Board, Newman's Own Foundation, Rata Foundation, Aotearoa Gaming Trust, NZCT, Foundation North, and others), bequests via the Footprint Will-writing partnership, community fundraising events (Little Heart Day, Heroes for Heart Kids, Everesting challenges), and modest merchandise sales (Maia Bears, Sophie's Heart children's book). All support services are delivered free of charge to families.

Name

Heart Kids New Zealand

Legal name

Heart Kids New Zealand Incorporated

Website

https://heartkids.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Heart Kids New Zealand is the only national charity providing free lifelong support to New Zealand children, teens, adults, and whānau affected by childhood heart conditions, delivering hospital-based and regional family support, camps, and peer connection services to a community of more than 14,000 members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Patient & Family Support Services (Charitable Health Services)

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Family & Parent Support Services (Parent Coaching, Advocacy) (EDAJALAK)

Keywords

• Childhood heart charity
• Family support services
• Congenital heart disease
• Patient advocacy charity
• Community health support

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals, referred to as Heart Heroes. Donation tiers range from $12 to $500 for specific purposes.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate fundraising campaigns, corporate donations, event sponsorship, workplace giving programs, pro-bono support, and mentoring partnerships with businesses.
3. Trust and Foundation Funding: Grants from approximately 35+ trusts and foundations including The Lion Foundation, Lottery Grants Board, Newman's Own Foundation, Aotearoa Gaming Trust, Rata Foundation, and others. Multiple funders provide sustained funding for operational costs and specific programs.
4. Bequests and Wills: Gifts in wills left by donors to provide lasting support for heart families.
5. Camp and Event Fees: Heart Kids NZ Camp programs where donations help send heart kids to camp ($500 per child).
6. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling merchandise including Maia Bears for children after surgery, and other items.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Heart Kids New Zealand provides free, lifelong practical, emotional, and social support services for children, teens, adults, and whānau affected by congenital and acquired childhood heart conditions across Aotearoa New Zealand. Services include hospital-based family support at Starship Children's Hospital, community-based regional family support workers, residential camp programmes (Brave Hearts and Teen Beat), peer connection groups, educational events, and bereavement support for Heart Angel families.

Product overview

Heart Kids NZ is a charitable organization (not a technology company) providing a unified set of support services for heart families across Aotearoa New Zealand. The core offering consists of family support services including hospital support, community outreach, and practical assistance; camp programmes (Brave Hearts for ages 8-12 and Teen Beat for ages 13-17); peer connection groups (Murmurs coffee groups and online National Murmurs); educational events (PULSE events and bi-annual Education Forum); and specialized support groups for heart adults, heart transplant recipients, and rheumatic heart disease members. The organization also provides resources, advocacy, and awareness campaigns including Little Heart Day, and shares inspiring Heart Stories. All services are free to heart families and provided through a national network of trained family support staff and volunteers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Brave Hearts: Camp program for heart children aged 8-12 years
• Teen Beat
• Heart Kids NZ Camp
• Murmurs
• PULSE
• Little Heart Day
• Heroes for Heart Kids
• Heart Heroes

Products and services

• Heart Kids NZ Family Support Services Specialized hospital and community family support services providing practical, social, and emotional support including prenatal support, hospital care packs, food and phone vouchers, travel subsidies, CPR training, and access to medical equipment for heart children, teens, adults, and whānau across New Zealand.
• Heart Kids NZ Camp Programme Residential camp programmes including Brave Hearts for ages 8-12 and Teen Beat for ages 13-17, offering adventure activities, peer connections, and confidence-building experiences for heart children and teens.
• Heart Kids NZ Heart Adult Support Support services tailored for heart adults including one-on-one support, community connections through support groups and events, and resources for managing ongoing healthcare needs.
• Heart Kids NZ Teen Transition Programme Transition services helping teenagers move from paediatric to adult healthcare, including transition evenings, checklists, and resources to support young people and their families through this process.
• Heart Kids NZ Heart Angel Support Dedicated support services for families who have lost a child to a childhood heart condition, providing professional, practical, and emotional support through grief.
• Heart Kids NZ Heart Transplant Support Group A dedicated group for heart adults 18 years and older who have had a heart transplant, meeting three times yearly via Zoom to provide mutual support and education.
• Heart Kids NZ Rheumatic Heart Disease Support Group Support group connecting members affected by rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease through a dedicated Facebook group and developing resources and education opportunities.
• Murmurs Coffee Groups Regular in-person and online coffee group gatherings (including National Murmurs) for heart families to connect with others who understand their journey.
• PULSE Events Informative events held throughout the year providing education and resources for heart families.
• Education Forum Bi-annual education forum where heart adults and families can attend workshops and training sessions covering a range of topics related to childhood heart conditions.
• Heart Kids NZ Membership Free membership for heart families, health professionals, and supporters providing access to support services, resources, and community connections.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12 children diagnosed per week receive immediate access to support services
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 360 LogisticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that has shown extreme dedication to supporting Heart Kids NZ through various fundraising initiatives.
• Supercheap Auto NZcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOver 12 years, Supercheap Auto has raised more than $1 million for Heart Kids NZ through fundraising campaigns and customer engagement.
• Uplift In KindminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable partner connecting children's charities including Heart Kids NZ to scenic flights, helicopters, military jet trainers, and private jets.
• Pete's NaturalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAward-winning soda company that supports Heart Kids NZ through their charitable initiatives.
• TRC TractorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily-owned business that has launched charity-focused promotions to support the local Heart Kids NZ community.
• Embracing HeartsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable organization that partnered with St John to donate an AED (defibrillator) to a Taranaki preschool attended by a heart child.
• Starship Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeart Kids NZ has a dedicated presence at Starship Children's Hospital where family support taituarā provide bedside support to heart families. The hospital transfer from Green Lane occurred in 2003.
• St JohnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmergency services organization partnered with Heart Kids NZ to provide AED donations and ambulance support memberships for heart families.
• BecaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering consultancy where Board Chair Samir Govind serves as Technical Director. Provides meeting facilities for AGM.
• FootprintminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNew Zealand's largest online Will provider partnering with Heart Kids NZ to offer free Will writing with optional charitable bequest options.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/heartkidsnz
• Instagraminstagram.com/heartkidsnz
• Xx.com/heartkidsnz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heart-kids-nz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Heart Kids New Zealand