Mission

SAANZ was formed in 1992 and aims:

1. to promote awareness of sleep apnoea and sleep disorders.
2. to provide accurate information to the general public and health care professionals seeking it.
3. to provide emotional support to sufferers and their families as well as financial support to sufferers for treatment/equipment.
4. to assist, organise and promote branches of the Association in regional centres in NZ.

History

SAANZ was formed in 1992 when a group of concerned sufferers with OSA decided a national support group was needed.  Meetings were held and support came from the medical profession and sleep specialists in particular.  It was recognised early on that a Newsletter was important and this appeared under several different designs until the current quarterly, full colour Sleep Times was established in December 2002.

SAANZ had always been a completely voluntary organization but it became apparent that one of the side effects of sleep apnoea is that those who suffer can suddenly deteriorate, becoming unable to carry out what they had undertaken to do - including tasks for SAANZ.  This was especially true in mid-2005 when three key volunteers suffered health problems.  It led to the appointment of a part-time Manager to ensure SAANZ’s continued development.  SAANZ does not have a National Office and values the support of the Honorary Treasurer; consequently SAANZ avoids many overheads which would otherwise need funding.

Since the 1990s, SAANZ have been sponsored by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.  Find out more by clicking here [click here]

The monthly hosting fee for this site is paid by Sleep NZ.  Find out more by clicking here [click here].

The re-design of this site was funded by Weinmann (NZ) Ltd.  Find out more by clicking here [click here].