NZAF celebrates 30 years
New Zealand Aids Foundation (NZAF) celebrated its 30th anniversary July 1 at Auckland Museum—a day that marked an important milestone for NZAF’s history. The event commemorated three decades of the AIDS epidemic in New Zealand and the foundation’s response to it. Notable attendees included the foundation's first Chair Kate Leslie, Director Neville Creighton, Executive Director Warren Lindberg, Philanthropist Sir James Wallace, early board members Alan Ivory and Bruce Kilmister and long-time staffer Tony Hughes.
The foundation has been curating 30 Project, which was central to the anniversary celebration. Archived film and video footage, photography and safe sex campaign materials were converted into accessible digital formats. The project consisted of three short digital videos, each chronicling a 10-year period, which gives a real and visceral insight into New Zealand’s response to the AIDS epidemic.
The project was not a mere memorial; it also acts as a resource for the future. It promises to reconnect new generations with the real faces and stories of New Zealanders, who have responded to the HIV/AIDS epidemic over the last three decades, and in some cases, given the ultimate contribution—their lives. 30 Project acknowledged the people, who paved the way, and helped build NZAF into one of the most effective HIV prevention organisations in the world. Shaun Robinson, Executive Director, NZAF, said, “Connecting with the past can help to re-energise the New Zealand community in the fight against HIV/AIDS today.”
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has dramatically changed over 30 years. Medication has ensured that HIV no longer progresses to AIDS, and people with the virus live a normal lifespan. However, HIV still remains incurable and it is important to prevent the spread of new infections. With the 2014 figure showing an increase in new cases of HIV, NZAF’s event signified a renewed vigour and conviction in responding to the epidemic.
Speakers at the event that included the First Executive Director of the Foundation Warren Lindberg, current Executive Director Shaun Robinson, and the Current Board Chair David Friar, chronicled the journey of the foundation, how it has evolved, and how they have conducted precautionary and awareness programmes across the country.
“Thirty years of human rights and law reform around homosexuality mean that HIV and sex can be talked about openly and safe sex can be freely promoted. As a result, 80% of gay and bisexual men use condoms for casual sex and this has kept HIV at very low levels,” said Robinson.
Today, New Zealand has one of world’s lowest prevalence of HIV, thanks to a culture of safe sex and condom use.
New Zealand Aids Foundation (NZAF) celebrated its 30th anniversary July 1 at Auckland Museum—a day that marked an important milestone for NZAF’s history. The event commemorated three decades of the AIDS epidemic in New Zealand and the foundation’s response to it. Notable attendees included the...
New Zealand Aids Foundation (NZAF) celebrated its 30th anniversary July 1 at Auckland Museum—a day that marked an important milestone for NZAF’s history. The event commemorated three decades of the AIDS epidemic in New Zealand and the foundation’s response to it. Notable attendees included the foundation's first Chair Kate Leslie, Director Neville Creighton, Executive Director Warren Lindberg, Philanthropist Sir James Wallace, early board members Alan Ivory and Bruce Kilmister and long-time staffer Tony Hughes.
The foundation has been curating 30 Project, which was central to the anniversary celebration. Archived film and video footage, photography and safe sex campaign materials were converted into accessible digital formats. The project consisted of three short digital videos, each chronicling a 10-year period, which gives a real and visceral insight into New Zealand’s response to the AIDS epidemic.
The project was not a mere memorial; it also acts as a resource for the future. It promises to reconnect new generations with the real faces and stories of New Zealanders, who have responded to the HIV/AIDS epidemic over the last three decades, and in some cases, given the ultimate contribution—their lives. 30 Project acknowledged the people, who paved the way, and helped build NZAF into one of the most effective HIV prevention organisations in the world. Shaun Robinson, Executive Director, NZAF, said, “Connecting with the past can help to re-energise the New Zealand community in the fight against HIV/AIDS today.”
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has dramatically changed over 30 years. Medication has ensured that HIV no longer progresses to AIDS, and people with the virus live a normal lifespan. However, HIV still remains incurable and it is important to prevent the spread of new infections. With the 2014 figure showing an increase in new cases of HIV, NZAF’s event signified a renewed vigour and conviction in responding to the epidemic.
Speakers at the event that included the First Executive Director of the Foundation Warren Lindberg, current Executive Director Shaun Robinson, and the Current Board Chair David Friar, chronicled the journey of the foundation, how it has evolved, and how they have conducted precautionary and awareness programmes across the country.
“Thirty years of human rights and law reform around homosexuality mean that HIV and sex can be talked about openly and safe sex can be freely promoted. As a result, 80% of gay and bisexual men use condoms for casual sex and this has kept HIV at very low levels,” said Robinson.
Today, New Zealand has one of world’s lowest prevalence of HIV, thanks to a culture of safe sex and condom use.
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