NZ Spinal Trust

The New Zealand Spinal Trust (NZST) are an organisation that supports people with spinal cord impairment(SCI). Through their Peer and Whānau Support service, the Vocational Rehabilitation team, and the Resource Centre they support people with SCI. NZST have been doing so for over 25 years, working with people at both Burwood Spinal Unit, Christchurch and Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit. Their admin team is based at Burwood Hospital.

Their mission is to empower people with SCI and their whānau to embrace positive futures. They provide support and information services across NZ to help people overcome challenges, create strong networks, and pursue opportunities following their spinal impairment. NZST support people to take ownership of their own rehabilitation. The medical care available in NZ to people who suffer an SCI, either through injury or illness, is world class. The hospital teams of specialists, nurses, physios, occupational therapists, etc are professional and skilled. However, they can’t completely know what it’s like to live life with an SCI as most of them have never had to live with such an impairment.