Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure affect tens of thousands of New Zealanders. Māori and Pacific communities have significantly higher rates of end-stage renal disease. Treatment — dialysis or kidney transplantation — is costly and life-altering. This guide covers the key funding sources for kidney health.
Kidney Health NZ is the national kidney charity:
- Patient support: Information and resources for people with kidney disease
- Research funding: Kidney disease research grants
- Advocacy: Treatment access and equity advocacy
- Community education: CKD awareness and prevention
Health system kidney care:
- Nephrology: Medical specialist care for CKD and kidney failure
- Haemodialysis: Hospital-based dialysis — 3x per week
- Peritoneal dialysis: Home-based dialysis
- Home haemodialysis: More intensive home treatment for some patients
- Kidney transplant: NZ deceased donor and living donor transplants
Dialysis is expensive:
- Cost: $80,000–$120,000 per patient per year for haemodialysis
- Satellite dialysis: Community dialysis units in smaller centres
- Rural dialysis: Dialysis access for rural and remote patients
- Travel: Dialysis 3x/week creates significant transport burden
Pharmac funds kidney medications:
- Immunosuppressants: Post-transplant medications
- Finerenone, SGLT2 inhibitors: CKD-slowing medications
- EPO: Anaemia treatment in CKD
Gaming trusts fund kidney health community services:
- Four Winds Foundation: Community health including kidney
- Grassroots Trust: Community health
- Pub Charity: Community health events
- Lion Foundation: Community health
Gaming trust kidney health applications:
- Patient transport to dialysis
- Patient support group events
- Peritoneal dialysis training support
- Patient accommodation near dialysis centres
- Financial hardship assistance for dialysis patients
CKD and end-stage renal disease equity:
- Māori: 3-4x higher rate of end-stage renal disease
- Pacific: Very high rates of kidney failure — diabetes and hypertension drivers
- Te Puni Kōkiri: Māori kidney health equity
- Ministry for Pacific Peoples: Pacific kidney health
Kidney disease equity is one of NZ's most severe health disparities.
Preventing CKD through diabetes management:
- Diabetes NZ: Diabetes management to prevent kidney complications
- PHOs: Blood pressure and proteinuria management
- SGLT2 inhibitors: Evidence for slowing CKD — Pharmac funding
Kidney transplant pathway:
- Deceased donor: National transplant waiting list (NZ)
- Living donor: Living related and unrelated donor transplant
- Auckland City Hospital: Main transplant centre
- Immunosuppression: Lifetime medication post-transplant
Strong applications demonstrate:
- Patients supported: People with CKD and end-stage renal disease reached
- Equity: Māori and Pacific communities with highest burden
- Prevention: CKD prevention through diabetes and blood pressure management
- Dialysis access: Transport and support for dialysis patients
- Transplantation: Donor awareness and transplant pathway
- Research: Clinical research improving kidney outcomes
- Patient support: Practical help during a life-altering treatment
- Financial hardship: Dialysis patients often unable to work full-time
Tahua's grants management platform helps kidney health organisations manage grant applications across Kidney Health NZ, Te Whatu Ora, gaming trusts, and health foundations, tracking renal outcomes, dialysis support, and health equity.