HISTORY:
The first New Zealand Ostomy Society was formed in Christchurch in 1961. There are now 23 Societies covering the country from Whangarei in the North to Invercargill at the bottom of the South Island. This later Society we believe is the southern most Ostomy group in the world. The Federation came into being in 1972. With a population of 3.8 million there are some 5,000 ostomates in New Zealand, which is one in every 760 persons. This ratio is very similar to that found in Australia. The first Ostomy nurse in NZ was Ruth Wedlake from Dunedin who did her training in 1964 in Cleveland Ohio under the World’s First Ostomy Nurse, Norma Gill, and Dr Rupert Turnbull.

The Federation’s Journal, the N. Z. OSTOMATE, was launched in 1983 and is now in its 20th year. Published thrice yearly and is distributed free to all New Zealand ostomates, mainly with their supplies. A number of copies are sent overseas to other Ostomy Associations. N.Z Ostomate just published its 75th issue The Federation also publishes a booklet, LIVING WITH YOUR OSTOMY, which is available free to all new ostomates. Travel Certificate is also available from Societies.

Each Society has its Trained Ostomy Visitors who are available on request to visit those who will require Ostomy surgery, as well as to the new ostomate. These visits can be made either in the patient’s home or in the Hospital. The use of trained Ostomy visitors has proved very beneficial in the rehabilitation of many NZ ostomates.

Our Annual Conference is held each year in August in various centres throughout the North and South Island. 2007 Conference is in Taranaki 7th 8th 9th Sept as the IOA Congress was in August. The Theme is year “Bags of Fun.”

MEMBERSHIP:
With 5,000 ostomates in NZ and only 2,500 members, we need to enroll more ostomates as members to give us that strong voice that is needed when negotiating with Government and others on behalf of ALL our ostomates.