Media Release

07April 2008

The Family Planning Association is now known as Family Planning.

One of the country's oldest NGO's has refreshed its name and identity after 70 years as New Zealand's pre-eminent sexual and reproductive health organisation.

The Family Planning Association is now known as Family Planning and will use the strap line - positive sexual health.

Family Planning Chief Executive Jackie Edmond says the name change reflects the way the organisation has been publicly known for a long time - but it is the addition of the "positive sexual health" strap line that is the most significant change and best articulates what the organisation does.

"Positive sexual health reflects our commitment to ensuring all New Zealanders enjoy good sexual health with access to the information and clinical services they require - regardless of the life-stage or age they're at," Ms Edmond says. "Positive sexual health also reflects our mission statement - Family Planning works to promote a positive view of sexuality and to enable people to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health and well-being."

What does Family Planning do? Clinical - Family Planning has 32 clinics nationwide offering contraceptive advice and prescriptions for both men and women, testing and treatment of sexually transmissible infections for both men and women, pregnancy testing and advice, cervical screening, advice around fertility and menopause and, in some clinics, vasectomies for men.

Health promotion - Family Planning has health promotion teams based around New Zealand who work within schools, with community groups, on marae, with parents and caregivers providing quality sexual and reproductive health education.

Family Planning also develops and distributes a range of resources and information pamphlets on all aspects of sex and sexuality.

Research and policy advice - Family Planning makes submissions on proposed legislation or recommendations from groups which could impact on people's access to sexual and reproductive health services.

What does it cost? Contracts with the Ministry of Health allow Family Planning to keep clinic prices low to make accessing its services as easy as possible. For people under 22, a visit to a Family Planning Clinic is free. For people with a Community Services Card, a visit to a Family Planning Clinic costs just $5. For everyone else, a visit to a Family Planning Clinic costs $22.50. For more information and details of your nearest Family Planning Clinic, check out the website www.familyplanning.org.nz or contact national@familyplanning.org.nz