The Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand
Could you have hepatitis B?
Most people have no symptoms, so you may not know you have it. 100,000 New Zealanders live with chronic hepatitis B and 60% remain undiagnosed.
Left unmonitored hepatitis B can lead to liver damage and eventually can lead to liver cancer. Ongoing damage to your liver can be prevented and we can help with ongoing monitoring.
If you can answer ‘Yes’ to any of the below:
You are over 35 years of age
You are of Māori, Pacific or Asian ethnicity
Your mother or close family member has hepatitis B
You live with someone who has hepatitis B
You were born outside New Zealand, from a high risk country
Have had unprotected sex with a person living with hepatitis
Have ever injected drugs
Have received a tattoo using unsterilised equipment
You are more at risk of having contracted hepatitis B.
Let’s get you tested today, you can call 0800 33 20 10 or ask your GP for a blood test to check. It could save your life
Register with The Hepatitis Foundation
We educate on the importance of getting tested for hepatitis B and registering for our free long-term New Zealand community monitoring programme. There are over 94,000 people in New Zealand living with chronic hepatitis and most are unaware they have it.
Are you living in New Zealand with Hepatitis B and not currently enrolled with us ? We provide free monitoring.
Patients
Find out more about hepatitis b and if you should be tested or get treatment. Self-referral form and more information.
Healthcare Professionals
Find resources, Referral forms, education and more...
THE LATEST FROM THE FOUNDATION
Critical Importance of Hepatitis B Vaccine
October 1, 2025
Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand Reaffirms Critical Importance of Hepatitis B Vaccine
Following international reports and political commentary questioning the efficacy and safety of the hepatitis B vaccine, the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand today reaffirmed its unwavering support for the country’s universal hepatitis B vaccination schedule which has been a cornerstone of New ...
If you have hepatitis B, are a New Zealand citizen and are not currently enrolled with us, we invite you to register for free monitoring.
Liver disease can be inherited or caused by damage to the liver from infection, alcohol use and obesity. Over time, this damage can cause scarring (cirrhosis), which can lead to liver failure. This can be life-threatening.
The liver is our largest organ. It sits just under the rib cage on the right side of the abdomen. It performs many important functions, such as producing bile to help break down food in the gut, breaking down harmful substances such as alcohol from the body, storing nutrients and vitamins, regulating the levels of many hormones and substances in the body such as cholesterol, and fighting infections and disease.
We regularly receive immigration-related enquiries from people, particularly around whether additional blood tests or fibroscans are needed as part of their visa applications. If you’re seeking such information, please contact your case manager directly. In some cases a visa extension may be available. Your case manager will contact us on your behalf if anything else is required or they have any questions.
If you have hepatitis B and you're expecting, we recommend telling your doctor or midwife so your baby can be protected from the virus as soon as it's born.
While the risk of transmission during pregnancy or birth is less than five percent, there is an increased chance of transmission for women in the acute (new) stage of hepatitis.
Find us
61 Alexander Avenue, Whakatāne 3120
New Zealand
Or mail: PO Box 647, Whakatāne
Tel: 0800 33 20 10
NZ Registered Charity CC21669
THINK YOU ARE AT RISK?
GET IN TOUCH WITH US AT
0800 33 20 10
You can also send us an email at: hepteam@hfnz.nz
