Starship Foundation

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Starship Foundation

New Zealand's critically ill and injured children need Starship, and you. Show your support at https://bit.ly/Donate2Starship

07/10/2026

For 25 years, Mercury and its customers have stood alongside Starship Foundation, helping Starship do more for tamariki and their whānau.

Thank you, Mercury, for 25 extraordinary years.

We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together and excited for everything still to come.

From little to big. 💙

03/10/2026

From little to big: meet Elliott.
At three years old, Elliott was helicoptered from Rotorua to Starship after contracting meningitis.

The infection left him with no toes on one foot, and years of sores, infections and problems with his leg followed. At eight, Elliott returned to Starship to have his leg amputated below the knee.

He doesn’t remember much about those early days, although he does remember one important detail: “I always remember eating five or six ice blocks after surgery.”
Looking back now, Elliott says Starship saved his life. And having his leg amputated ultimately made his life easier.

“It’s meant I can keep up with my brothers and everyone at school in fitness.”
Now 17 and in Year 13, Elliott is a prefect at Rotorua Boys High School, enjoys CrossFit, has competed at the CrossFit Games for the past two years, and rides motorbikes.

The challenges he’s faced have made him and his family more resilient.

“Everything else in life seems super easy and achievable.”

Next up? Elliott wants to study health science and human performance.

From a little boy being flown to Starship to the young man he is today.

This is Elliott, from little to big.

Thank you for helping Starship turn little into big for 25 years.

01/10/2026

From little to big: meet Crissy.
Crissy Briggs is 27, a Māori and Tongan mama to two beautiful children, aged six and three.

At just 18 months old, Crissy was diagnosed with a very rare lung condition. From then on, Starship became a huge part of her childhood.

“I was practically raised in Starship. My family call it my second home, I was there more than I was at home.”

Growing up, her Starship doctor taught her something she would carry with her for the rest of her life: her condition didn’t have to define who she was or what she could do.
After spending so much of her childhood in hospital, the doctors and nurses who cared for Crissy helped shape the person she is today. When she was finally discharged for the last time, she took their words with her.

She finished high school. Worked in the Viaduct. Built a life, even when breathing was difficult.

And then she became a mum to two beautiful children.

Her condition is part of her story.

But it doesn’t define her.

This is Crissy, from little to big.

Thank you Mercury for helping Starship turn little into big for 25 years.

29/09/2026

From little to big: meet David.
David Dirks is 18. And he’s spent every year of his life at least once at Starship.

Born with a heart defect, David had five surgeries before he was 13. Then, in 2021, he received a heart transplant, a life-changing moment that he says has kept him alive and kept him going.

Starship has been part of David’s life for as long as he can remember. He knows his doctors, his nurses and the people who have cared for him along the way. And those experiences have helped shape the person he is today.

These days, David is busy being 18: sim racing, playing American football, snowboarding, climbing, hanging out with friends and working up the mountain.

From countless trips through Starship’s doors to a life filled with things to look forward to.

This is David, from little to big.

Thank you Mercury for helping Starship turn little into big for 25 years.

27/09/2026

Celebrating 25 years of helping Starship Foundation turn little into big 💛✨ A partnership that’s grown stronger over the years, just like Crissy 👏

12/09/2026

No parent expects their child to need Starship.

But when a serious illness or injury changes everything, knowing specialist care is there means so much.

Families will need that care in the years ahead, just as they do today. A gift to Starship Foundation in your Will can help us build for that future, supporting the care of children from every part of New Zealand.

During Include a Charity Week, 7–13 September, we’re inviting you to consider a gift for children you may never meet, but whose lives you could help change.

Once your loved ones are provided for, remembering Starship is a way to let your compassion live on.

Your gift. Their future.

To learn more visit https://bit.ly/A-gift-in-your-will-to-Starship

09/09/2026

A newborn needing intensive care. A child facing cancer treatment. A family far from home while their child undergoes complex surgery.

Every day, children from across New Zealand arrive at Starship for specialist care.

People who remember Starship Foundation in their wills help to support that care. In the 2025 financial year, their gifts accounted for one dollar in every five of Starship Foundation’s income.

During Include a Charity Week, 7–13 September, we’re acknowledging just how much that generosity means.

After providing for your loved ones, a gift in your will can help build the Starship of tomorrow—for children and families who will one day need it.

Let your vision live on.

Visit https://bit.ly/A-gift-in-your-will-to-Starship to learn more

06/09/2026

For 35 years, Starship has cared for children from across New Zealand when they need it most. And we want to be here for children for generations to come.

By including a gift to Starship Foundation in your will, you can help ensure future generations of children continue to receive the specialist care they need.

This week – 7–13 September – is Include a Charity Week. We’re inviting you to remember Starship once your loved ones are provided for.

Visit https://bit.ly/A-gift-in-your-will-to-Starship to learn more.

19/08/2026

What a special morning at Starship! 🖤

The Black Ferns brought plenty of smiles, excitement and a little rugby magic to children in the hospital today.

Children in the Northern Health School were completely enchanted as Black Ferns props Ngano and Santo shared stories from their rugby journeys. You could have heard a pin drop as they listened.

Ngano shared how she nearly gave up rugby last year, but with encouragement to keep going, she went on to be selected for the Black Ferns — making her lifelong dream a reality.

The children spotted that the players were wearing matching shoes and heard how much they rely on their families to keep encouraging them through the tough times.

There were plenty of smiles, photos and autographs throughout the hospital — and some very happy Starship kids.

A huge thank you to the Black Ferns for taking the time to visit our children and make their day so special. Good luck for Saturday’s game against the Wallaroos! 🖤

07/07/2026

What does it take to help shape the future of children's healthcare in New Zealand?

In the latest episode of the Property Matters podcast, proudly sponsored by Barfoot & Thompson, our CEO, Joanna Simon, shares how the generosity of our supporters is helping make the extraordinary possible at Starship Hospital.

From funding life-changing equipment and groundbreaking research to supporting innovative programmes and creating better outcomes for children and their whānau, every contribution helps make a real difference.

Joanna also talks about the many ways individuals, families and businesses can support the Starship Foundation, and the vision we're working towards to ensure every child has access to the very best care, now and into the future.

A huge thank you to the Property Matters team and Barfoot & Thompson for the opportunity to share our story.

If you'd like to download the episode, it's available for the next seven days at: www.planetaudio.org.nz/propertymatters

You can also listen and share via Spotify (and soon across all major podcast platforms):
https://open.spotify.com/show/6FTqNUB9uTBRaREamua9Ov?si=3a660a28a57a4795

We'd love to hear your thoughts after listening.

Address

111 Grafton Road, Grafton
Auckland
1149

Telephone

+64800782774

Website

https://supportstarship.org.nz/

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