Shopping Cart

Continue shopping

You have no items in your shopping cart. Why not have a look at some of our products?

Cart TotalUpdate

OUR GOAL: NO CHILD WITH LEPROSY BY 2035

We will do everything we can so that by 2035, children can be born into a world without being at risk of leprosy.

Our story

We are one of New Zealand's oldest charities being in New Zealand for over 100 years. We have a dedicated staff based in Auckland and raise funds and awareness for people affected by leprosy around the world.

The Leprosy Mission was founded in 1874 by Irish missionary Wellesley Bailey. On a mission in India he met a group of people sitting under a tree. They had been banished from their village because of their leprosy.


Deeply moved, he returned home determined to make a difference. He declared, “If there was ever a Christ-like work in the world, it is to go amongst these poor sufferers and bring them the consolation of the gospel.”

Nearly forty years later he visited New Zealand with his wife Alice in 1912 and inspired local people to begin their own support chapter. The Leprosy Mission New Zealand was formed to raise awareness about leprosy and provide financial support to bring hope and healing to people affected by the disease.

UNTREATED LEPROSY CAUSES SEVERE LIFELONG DISABILITIES

Fingers and toes to claw inwards. In the eyes, it can lead to infections, cataracts and even preventable irreversible blindness. Fingers and toes may claw inwards. In the eyes, leprosy can lead to infections, cataracts, and even preventable irreversible blindness. This often occurs because the disease damages the nerves that control blinking. Without the protective reflex of blinking, ulcers and infections in the hands and feet become common. When the skin loses feeling, people may ignore normal bruises, cuts, and burns, allowing these unprotected wounds to become severely infected, which can lead to disfigurement and amputations.


A common complication is footdrop, as the nerve that controls our walking is destroyed. Without being able to automatically raise our toes as we walk, our feet get bruised and scraped, leading to infections that in turn lead to amputations or even death. That is why one of the most effective aids is a pair of protective sandals.


Better still, is to stop leprosy before it can cause this harm.

Leprosy can now be cured

Some communities retain deep fear of leprosy and the disabilities it causes, based on ancient myths, superstitions and even discriminatory laws that persist to this day. People in such a community may not believe that MDT can set someone free from leprosy.


As a result, people affected by leprosy are often rejected by families, friends, employers, and communities. Many lose jobs and struggle to find a livelihood. Others lose their homes and children are excluded from school.


Because of this stigma, many people with leprosy are afraid to come forward for treatment. They hide in shame and isolation, until the disease has caused deep damage to their lives.


When people do begin treatment, the death of the bacteria in their bodies can cause an extreme inflammation called Leprosy Reaction, with pain, sickness, swelling and fever. These people require a lengthy hospital stay to complete their treatment. They cannot afford this level of care themselves, so selfless people like you generously support their care.

Our Local Team

Andre Stuart

Board Chair

Gillian Whitley

Executive Director

Jasleen Kler

International Programmes Manager

Leanne Ryburn

Marketing & Fundraising Manager

Martin Malkaney

Finance Manager

Our Board

Andrew Stott

Blair Matheson

Graham Mills - Treasurer

Jo Burnet

Nadine Rutter

Nicholas Fagerlund

Rev Kathleen Gavin

Our Partners

The Leprosy Mission New Zealand is a vital member of the Leprosy Mission Global Fellowship. Through a robust and enduring partnership with the New Zealand Government's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, we implement sustainable programs across the Asia-Pacific region. These initiatives encompass health, disability, livelihood development, gender and inclusion, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), education, community governance, and advocacy.

Refund Policy

The Leprosy Mission New Zealand (LMNZ) accepts charitable donations in New Zealand dollars on this website. If you are donating using a credit card from another country, your account will be charged in NZD.


The Leprosy Mission New Zealand has developed a donation refund policy as part of our commitment to honouring and respecting the financial contributions to help people affected by leprosy. We recognise the importance of donations and want to ensure we establish appropriate principles of transparency and fairness regarding the management of refunds.


Any request for a refund of contributions already donated to Leprosy Mission New Zealand (LMNZ) by a supporter will be considered and determined on a case-by-case basis. Refunds will be returned to the bank account or credit card originally debited.


When a request for a refund is received, an assessment of the reason given for the refund request will be undertaken by a member of the Supporter Services team. The following reasons will usually be considered favourably:

  • An error has been made by LMNZ
  • A donor's banking details are fraudulently obtained and used
  • LMNZ has received a donor's details in error
  • A donor has previously requested that regular debits be cancelled, however, the debits have continued.  The refund will be to the maximum of the last debit amount unless a donor can provide proof of the original cancellation request


The Leprosy Mission New Zealand will fully examine all requests for refund and endeavour to ensure that genuine errors are rectified, however, we are under no obligation to give refunds and the decision on refunds will be discretion of The Leprosy Mission New Zealand.


If a supporter is not satisfied with the outcome of the decision to refund, a further request can be escalated to the Finance Manager by letter or e-mail.

If it is agreed that a refund is to be made a donor will be refunded within ten working days of the decision.


If you have any questions about this policy or wish to seek a refund of a charitable donation you have made, please contact us at supporterservices@leprosymission.org.nz or call us on 0800 862 873.