Blog

Help us build a HB smoke & trigger free database!

By Julie Shaw BHB Clinical Nurse Manager & member of the Hawke’s Bay Smokefree Coalition

Breathe Better September

September, also known as Breathe Better September, was a huge month for us at Breathe Hawke’s Bay.

Promoting asthma awareness to Hawke’s Bay kids

By Respiratory Nurse Educator Debbie Scott

Aligning with the Breathe Better September initiative from the Asthma & Respiratory Foundation of NZ, BHB bought the Sailor the Puffer Fish Show to Hawke’s Bay schools.

Do you know ASTHMA first aid?

Martha holds one of the BHB Asthma first aid magnets we distribute to those we meet with, so that they learn and apply the steps if they find themselves in an asthma emergency.

There’s support out there – Times have changed

Mediaworks Hawke’s Bay Operations Manager Justin Rae was diagnosed with asthma when he was just 4-years-old. He woke one night, struggling to breathe . Blue in the face he roused his parents who rushed him to the after hours clinic, but were told it would be faster to drive him through to the hospital than wait for an ambulance. It was the fastest trip ...

Breathe Easy Support Group – What do you want to see in 2019?

From our “Ask a pharmacist” session with Hamish from Marewa Pharmacy.

Exercise makes breathing easier – Please GIVE this Balloon Day

At first glance Dave Davis (83) and Lisa Deeprose (10) may not appear to have much in common but both have a respiratory condition and they are both committed to making exercise a key part of the management of their asthma and COPD respectively. Every week they participate in sessions that build fitness and capacity for their breathing and both have received an exercise subsidy from Breathe Hawke’s Bay to encourage them to do so.

Many hands make LIGHT work

As we launch into planning for another Balloon Day we reflect on the contributions that volunteers make to our organisation. Being collectors, preparing our newsletters and delivering, representing BHB at events, medical advisors,, board members, additional administrators and so forth; all help make a difference in the lives of those that we are here to support -  people in Hawke’s Bay with respiratory conditions . Your time and skills are greatly appreciated.

A HUGE THANKS to Mitre 10 MEGA

We were so grateful to recently receive the proceeds from this year’s Tough Kid event, $5,583.00. Presented by Mitre 10 MEGA owner Graeme Ricketts to BHB Clinical Nurse Manager Julie Shaw and BHB President John Knight.

Enhancing the quality of life: palliative care

By Michelle Rodda,
BHB Trustee & Cranford Hospice Nurse Practitioner Intern

Palliative care helps to reduce the burden of symptoms, so people can make the most of their time.

Smokefree messaging to youth key to keeping HB smoking rates low

By Julie Shaw
Member of the Hawke’s Bay Smokefree Coalition

I have been part of the Hawke’s Bay Smokefree Coalition since I started with Breathe Hawke’s Bay, nearly eight years ago. Over this time the coalition has gained in strength and membership.

NEW Bronchiolitis Resource

Developed by Breathe Hawke’s Bay and produced with funding from Lottery Grants Board, a new resource on managing bronchiolitis will be available locally in the next month.

Digital breaths: The benefits of Bioengineering

By Debbie Scott
BHB Respiratory Nurse Educator

This was the topic the presentation given in June, by Professor Merryn Tawhai, Deputy Director of Auckland Bioengineering Institute, speaking at EIT as part of the 2018 New Zealand Research Series hosted by the Royal Society Te Apārangi.

Getting to know Samuel leads to best support

Breathe Hawke’s Bay (BHB), have walked alongside Samuel Diamond (8), and his Mum Leigh for the last five years. Samuel’s asthma was confirmed when he was very young and each year our respiratory nurses have visited him to review and assess his condition management.

Our year in review: What’s been going on at BHB

What does a busy year at BHB look like? We were reminded of the many and varied tasks our staff and volunteers carry out on behalf of the ‘Breathe Easy’ cause when we came together for our Annual General Meeting on October 11.

La-Or’s peak flow initiative leads to better management

La-or Lewis created and brought in her own peak flow diary for her annual asthma review with Jo at BHB.

Take control of your COPD: know your baseline

By Clinical Nurse Manager Julie Shaw

New best practice out of NZ is leading the way in COPD management. You too can help yourself by knowing your oxygen baseline measurements.

Breathe Hawke’s Bay Centre Report

Meri Kirihimete – Merry Christmas I can’t believe we are at the end of another year. So much has happened in our organisation along with a few changes. Midway through the year we said goodbye to Chris and welcomed Amber into our team. We recently saw the departure of Toni and have welcomed Sharyn to the BHB team as our permanent administrator. Even though ...

Exercise key to COPD management: Massey’s story

A smoker for almost 30 years, Matua Massey Te Ruki’s Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) diagnosis came in 2007 almost 10 years after he had quit. He used the inhalers prescribed to him and learned to recognise the times of year and situations he would feel short of breath. Smokers and ex-smokers are particularly prone to breathing conditions that fall under the COPD umbrella.

Whakakotahi Childhood Asthma Project

It is always an honour to be involved in special projects especially ones with a positive impact on our community as is the Whakakotahi Childhood Asthma Project.

AKETAUNGA’S ACHIEVEMENTS AWARDED: 2018 NZ RESPIRATORY ACHIEVER

Congratulations to our very own Aketaunga Pureau who was recognised with a 2018 New Zealand Respiratory Achievers' Award from the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ at a ceremony in Wellington on April 19.

Kids in nature, leads to less asthma

Better fitness isn’t the only health benefit to spending time outside in Aotearoa’s bush and park environments. New Zealand children who spend more time in parks and surrounded by nature are less likely to develop asthma, a Massey University study has found.

BHB spread World Asthma Day message

Every day at BHB feels like World Asthma Day, but to acknowledge the global day in May we invited Astrid from Hawke’s Bay Today to learn more about asthma statistics nationally and in our region, triggers for those with the disease and how our services support those with asthma to live the life they want to.

Breathe Hawke’s Bay Centre Report – July 2018

Tēnā koutou katoa.
I hope this newsletter finds you warm and well. With the cold weather it is important to wear plenty of layers and keep your house warm.

Breathe Easy Support Group – Keeping ourselves safe

The Breathe Easy COPD Support Group recently met at Café Divine, Summerset in the Orchard, Hastings with over 40 people in attendance including some from Central Hawke’s Bay and Napier. 

Asthma Friendly Sports Club Programme: so asthma doesn’t stop ANYONE

The aim of the Asthma Friendly Sports Club Programme (AFSC) is to provide clubs with FREE asthma education so that having asthma doesn’t stop anyone from participating in sport or physical activity.

Not such a great alternative ecigarettes

The Government is planning some big changes to the law in relation to the regulation of e-cigarettes. These changes need to go through Parliament before they take effect, this will take place during the first half of 2018.

Supporting our community

It's not just education and consultations we provide. Aside from our core services we are able to support and assist local groups and organisations in other ways too. Here are a couple of examples.

Breathe Hawke’s Bay Centre Report – March 2018

By Clinical Nurse Manager Julie Shaw.

Prepare a Healthy Home for Winter

By Chris Davidson
BHB Respiratory Nurse Educator

A Healthy Home is one that is warm and dry. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that living areas should be between 18-21C and bedrooms no less than 16C with a relative humidity around 50-60%. There are four elements to achieving a healthy home; Ventilation, heating, controlling moisture and controlling heat loss.

Volunteering keeps the community wheels going round: Sandra Welsh

After more than 20 years in administration in the horticultural industry Sandra Welsh left to pursue other interests. This move left her with some additional time up her sleeve and she decided that putting that time into a community cause, could be the ticket. 

Mitre 10 MEGA Tough Kid 2018

TOUGH (adjective) strong enough to withstand adverse conditions.

Christine tells us what she thinks!

This year, BHB has invested in producing a series of videos that support the work we do in the community.

Smoking and COPD – The link

Smoking, including passive exposure (second-hand smoke), is the main cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), with up to 85% of tobacco smokers developing COPD. Statistics show that tobacco smoke is implicated in most COPD cases, meaning COPD is largely preventable by not smoking. 

Lessening inhaler confusion

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Medications explained - By Jo Smiley, BHB Respiratory Nurse Educator

Respiratory Health and Healthy Eating

Tips from Alison Cowell, Nutritionist

Balloon Day 2017

Thank you Hawke's Bay!!!!!

Lessening inhaler confusion

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Medications explained.

Smoking and the COPD link

Smoking, including passive exposure (second-hand smoke), is the main cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

BHB brings experts together for Mini Expo

Key speaker, Professor Lutz Beckert-Head of Department of Department of Medicine of the University of Otago and Respiratory Physician at Canterbury DHB, not only presented during the expo but also delivered a professional development session to our team and our invited guest, the Clinical Nurse Specialists from the DHB.

Welcome to our new ambassador Harlem – Cruz Ihaia

Harlem-Cruz was crowed Miss Universe NZ 2017. She is excited to support causes close to her heart.

Breathe Hawke’s Bay Centre Report

A catch up with Clinical Nurse Manager, Julie Shaw

Conquering COPD – Massey Te Ruki


Breathe Hawke's Bay's new kaumātua Matua Massey Te Ruki, shares with us how regular exercise supported by a BHB exercise subsidy, helps with his COPD management.

New magnets support education

Breathe Hawke’s Bay are grateful for the support from local business Natural Insulation, who have sponsored their new “Asthma First Aid” magnets which nurses can leave with clients to reinforce education and remind them what to do in an asthma emergency.

Carol Cooper Taylor

Ex Hawke’s Bay resident and Asthma Achievers Award Winner 2014, Carol Cooper Taylor (CCT) was diagnosed with COPD in 2006. Finding it hard to cope with working full-time Carol described life then as “pretty miserable”, it had become work, eat and sleep with no energy for anything else.