About us

MedicAlert® Foundation New Zealand

MedicAlert® Foundation is a non-profit essential service charitable organisation that provides lifesaving medical emergency information services for people with allergies, disabilities, and other life-long health conditions.

Medicalert celebrating 60 years of service emblem over a gold diamond illustration

44,000

Members actively enrolled in New Zealand

10

Lives saved by our Emergency Service Support line per month

6 mil

Members worldwide, in 25 different countries

$18.1 mil

Amount of money the Foundation has saved the Healthcare system

Our Purpose

To reduce avoidable harm and protect lives by providing quick, accurate, and up-to-date medical information, both digitally and linked via a Medical ID, and helps reduce the risk of the wrong treatments being administered to improve the quality of life for its members.

Our history

1956

Dr. Marion Collins created a Medical ID bracelet for his daughter in 1956, inspiring others to seek one. This idea led to the launch of a mission to save lives.

Our New Year’s Resolution: Find 10,000 incredible donors who are able to Pay it Forward and help a vulnerable or disabled person benefit from MedicAlert® Services for a whole year. $65 is all it costs to protect or save a life for 12 months, sadly many Kiwis have life threatening medical risks and need your support to be kept safe. If you’re able to help, give the gift of a year’s membership to someone in need.

Pay It Forward

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1962

MedicAlert® Foundation NZ was established by the Lions Club in Upper Hutt by Lion Club President W F Downs.

1964

MedicAlert® Foundation NZ gained popularity and has nearly 4500 members

1968

Established as a Non Profit Incorporated Society administered by a volunteer Medical Advisory Board, management board and seven employees. The first executive director was Seymour Young.

1974

24/7 Emergency Hotline Service was established and is maintained by Wellington Free Ambulance.

1980

Minister of Health - Hon. George Gair awards a gold MedicAlert® Bracelet to its 20,000th member.

1985

Patient Medical Records established on computer

1997

New office facilities opened by Minister of Health - Hon. Bill English

2010

MedicAlert® Foundation NZ officially opens new National Office and launches MedicAlert®’s Nationwide Patient Vitals - Electronic Health Record Service.

Present

We presently safeguard more than 44,000 members in New Zealand and remain dedicated to preventing harm and saving lives.

Member stories

Our Impact

Lesley

Taumarunui

Allergies

A life-threatening accident led me to join Medic Alert after breaking my foot and experiencing anaphylactic shock during surgery due to anesthetic allergies. Thanks to my Medic Alert, medical professionals are now aware of my allergies, potentially saving my life in case of emergencies.

Read full story

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Ken

Auckland

Health Conditions

My Medic Alert bracelet will alert medical staff to the existence of my AUS should I ever be admitted to hospital in an unconscious condition as a result of a medical event or accident.

Read full story

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All stories

News

The latest updates

We are dedicated to giving MedicAlert® Members, subscribers and friends the most recent news and information. Be sure to return often for updates.

TVNZ News Story

An important message to please be aware of the current Ninelife.nz scam. This website is using MedicAlert® Foundation NZ’s trademark and images to mislead people into purchasing overpriced, fraudulent and unlicensed products. If you've purchased a Medical ID from Ninelife.nz, please call us for assistance on 0800 840 111. Our Medical IDs can only be purchased through our official MedicAlert® Foundation NZ website or through your GP referral. We are working hard to get these fraudulent products taken down with legal action underway.

Harish Rajpal MedicAlert® Scholarship

The Foundation is pleased to award the Harish Rajpal MedicAlert® Scholarship to Gerald Naepi to assist with his PhD on Protecting the Heart from Diabetes and Hypertension: A Community-Guided Preclinical Study.

Spring has Sprung

Discover our latest news, member stories and exciting updates in our spring newsletter! From extended promotions and special offers to the launch of our new member portal, we've got plenty to share. Plus, learn how you can contribute your story. Don't miss out on all the fresh updates-read the full newsletter now!

Learn more

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MedicAlert® Foundation Worldwide

On a Worldwide mission to protect and save lives.

We are part of a global network of MedicAlert® Affiliates that use the personal emergency identification system to protect and save lives.

Our members benefit from confidence around-the-clock thanks to our internationally recognised Medical ID and a 24/7 Emergency Information Service, knowing that medical professionals are trained to look for and recognise the Medical ID and can easily retrieve a medical record when seconds count.

FAQs

Have any questions?

Enquiring minds want to know. Below you will find answers to questions that we get asked about the most. Can’t find an answer? Let us know.

0800 840 111

service@medicalert.nz

I’ve found someones lost MedicAlert® Medical ID, how do I return it?

We provide a free lost and found service. If you find a MedicAlert® Medical ID, return it to the Foundation, PO Box 40028, Upper Hutt 5140. We will locate the member and forward it onto them at no cost. For privacy protection, we cannot release members personal information.

Can I update my information that first responders see?

Members can access their information anytime, just click sign in, or call Membership Services who can review your information with you over the phone once they have completed a security verification. Just remember, health information must come from your Health Provider. Any other information, it's important you update it regularly.

What is the 24/7 Emergency Hotline Service?

The 24/7 Emergency Hotline is a service provided by MedicAlert® Foundation New Zealand. It's accessible through the Central Emergency Ambulance Communications Centre in Wellington, funded by the New Zealand Government and staffed by Wellington Free Ambulance Employees. This hotline number, engraved on every member's MedicAlert® Medical ID and printed on every member's MedicAlert® Medical ID Card, offers immediate access to live personal, emergency contact, and health practitioner identification, along with cruicial medical information. It operates both within New Zealand and overseas through direct access to the Foundation's Global Access Service.

What are the ‘terms of agreement’ of membership, between the Foundation and its members?

MedicAlert® Foundation is a member owned service organisation that acts to support its members. The Member Terms Statement is the basis of contract or agreement between the Foundation and its Medical Identification Members. A copy is provided on the enrolment form, available 24/7 on the Foundation's website, or upon request.

Which Medical IDs do you recommend for children and toddlers?

We offer a variety of products including silicone and velcro sports bands. However, our stainless steel petite emblem comes highly recommennded for babies and toddlers.

My Medical ID has been broken, how do I get a replacement or repair?

Please contact us on 0800840111 before sending a product for repairs. Alternatively, you can order new products at any time over the phone or online.

Learn more about us

Group of people putting their hands together as a team.

Get involved

By collaborating, we enhance visibility, public awareness, and safeguard more individuals.

Find out how

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Our collaborators

Through partnerships and innovation, we expand our reach to make medical data accessible in emergencies.

View partners

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Our team

The organisational governance, public accountability, and setting of strategic priorities of the Foundation are the responsibilities of a volunteer Board of Directors that oversees its operations.

View team

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Family holding each others hands with a small toy heart in the middle

Make a Donation

Small donations significantly help our non-profit Foundation. Without government funding, we rely on our members and friends to support our mission of saving lives.

Make a donation

MedicAlert® Foundation New Zealand

44,000

10

6 mil

$18.1 mil

Our Purpose

Our history

1956

1962

1964

1968

1974

1980

1985

1997

2010

Present

Our Impact

Lesley

Ken

The latest updates

TVNZ News Story

Harish Rajpal MedicAlert® Scholarship

Spring has Sprung

On a Worldwide mission to protect and save lives.

Australia

Canada

United States

Cyprus

Iceland

Malaysia

South Africa

United Kingdom

Zimbabwe

Have any questions?

General

Membership & Service

Products

I’ve found someones lost MedicAlert® Medical ID, how do I return it?

Can I update my information that first responders see?

What is the 24/7 Emergency Hotline Service?

What are the ‘terms of agreement’ of membership, between the Foundation and its members?

Which Medical IDs do you recommend for children and toddlers?

My Medical ID has been broken, how do I get a replacement or repair?

Learn more about us

Get involved

Our collaborators

Our team

Make a Donation

Sign up to our newsletter

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