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Arthritis New Zealand (Mateponapona Aotearoa)

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At a glance
Name
Arthritis New Zealand (Mateponapona Aotearoa)
Category
Formal groups & organisations
Address
383B Khyber Pass Road
Newmarket
Auckland 1023
Postal Address
PO Box 10020
The Terrace
Wellington 6143
Regions
Auckland, Northland, Waitemata, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Tairawhiti, Taranaki, Whanganui, Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, MidCentral, Capital & Coast, Hutt Valley, Nelson Marlborough, West Coast, Canterbury, South Canterbury, Southern (Otago), Southern (Southland)
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Email
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Web
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Start your journey living well with Arthritis

What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a term used for more than 140 conditions that affect the joints. Pain and stiffness are the most common symptoms.

Arthritis can involve almost any part of the body, most often the knee, hip, spine and other weight-bearing joints, but also smaller joints like fingers and toes. Some types of arthritis affect the skin and internal organs as well as joints.

People of all ages can get arthritis, including infants, although it is more common as we age. It is a chronic condition with no cure. It is possible to manage arthritis effectively.

In New Zealand, the most common forms are osteoarthritis, gout arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Do I have arthritis?
This question is best answered by a medical professional. There are so many conditions that involve the joints and arthritis affects each person in different ways so that diagnosis can be tricky. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about symptoms.

What are the symptoms of arthritis?
Pain is common to nearly all types of arthritis but may come and go and vary in intensity. Swelling and stiffness are other classic symptoms. Inflammatory arthritis can cause fatigue, fever, or rash.

You may experience any one or a combination of the following:
Pain
Stiffness
Swelling and tenderness
Difficulty moving the joint
Muscle aches and pains
Fatigue and feeling generally unwell.
There are many different reasons why your joints may be sore – arthritis is not always the cause of pain. Talk to your doctor if you have pain and stiffness that starts for no apparent reason, lasts for more than a few days and is associated with swelling, redness and warmth in your joints.

Painful joints can lead to other effects, such as:
Muscle weakness, e.g. lack of grip in the hands
Loss of flexibility and mobility
Decreased aerobic fitness.


It’s no wonder that arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability, and has a massive impact on people’s quality of life. Early diagnosis and management are the keys to preventing further damage to your joints.
Service Description
Service Description
Advocacy

Arthritis advocacy means we advocate for people with arthritis. Advocacy gives people with arthritis a voice on issues that affect them every day. To do this, we raise awareness about arthritis and promote your needs at every level. We engage with policy makers over issues that affect people with arthritis, and we partner with others to work together in your best interests.

Your voice is important too! Whether you have arthritis yourself or a member of your family has the condition, you can play a part in spreading the message about arthritis to those who can bring about change. If you’d like to join us as an arthritis advocate, phone 0800 663 463 or fill in the form below.

Here you will find links to pages that contain information about the issues that you have told us are important. These include accessible packaging, gout arthritis, the cost of arthritis, access to medication, rheumatology services and employment and benefits. You can also view our Reports and Submissions to government.

If you are interested in an issue that is not covered here let us know

Arthritis Assist – streamlining client support services

Arthritis Assist is an integrated client support service that provides links for people to get clinical advice, speak to a peer support volunteer, find resources on social media or request information about a form of arthritis and how to manage it. It is a new concept aimed at helping people with all types of queries and support, not only one-on-one phone clinics.

Telephone Service 0800 663 463
Call us for information, help and advice. You can also email: info@arthritis.org.nz

Monday to Friday (except public holidays) 9.00 am to 4.30 pm

Facebook
Follow our Page to get updates about arthritis in New Zealand and access to helpful advice and information for living well with arthritis.


Arthritis Information You Need
There are many ways we can help you. Fill in the form to help us understand what you need and we will get in contact. Click here.


Sign-Up!
Our e-News contains interesting and useful articles, information and advice to help you live well with Arthritis. Read More

“Thank you so much for these regular newsletters. I’m finding them very helpful!”


Camps
Each year we hold a number of camps for teens and children who have arthritis so they can meet peers on the same journey and learn more about their condition and how to manage it. Click here to find out more about camps.


Peer Support Service
Speak to someone who knows what you’re going through. This service links trained volunteers who have arthritis with people needing peer support through lived experiences. Click here for more information or phone 0800 663 463


Arthritis IQ Courses
These courses provide professional development for clinical and non-clinical staff who work at the coal face with people who have arthritis, enabling best care and therefore increased independence for clients with arthritis. Click here for more information or call 0800 663 463


Online Support Groups
We now have several online private support groups on Facebook. A place to ask questions and talk to people who understand. Click here to find a suitable group.

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Local Support Groups
See if there is a local support group in your community. These groups usually meet once or twice a month at a library or coffee shop. Click here to find a local group.
Updated: 1 Feb 2023
Languages Spoken
Languages Spoken
Language Status Details
Cook Island Maori Yes
English Yes
Updated: 27 Nov 2014