Family Planning recently rebranded as Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa. Read a letter below from Jackie Edmond, Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa Chief Executive, about this change and for background information on the name change.
Key details
Kia ora koutou,
I am writing to let you know that on 14 February, Family Planning will become Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa. You will see our new name rollout on our website, clinic buildings, social media, and collateral over the next few weeks.
The name change is hugely significant for us. I wanted to take a moment to let you know about this change, why we’ve decided, and to give you some background information on the name change.
The name Family Planning represented a different time. It has its roots in the Sex Hygiene and Birth Regulation Society established in 1936. As you know, we initially focused on making contraception and contraception information more widely available. Since then, our remit has expanded, covering a wide range of clinical and advocacy services related to sexual and reproductive health, relationships and education, professional training and development.
By today’s standards, Family Planning is too euphemistic. The reality is we have outgrown our own name. While we have come a long way as a country, there is still work to be done. Sexual and reproductive health is still widely seen as “taboo” and many people are unable to feel comfortable about it or even to talk about it openly. Changing our name is part of elevating that conversation. We want to live in a country where conversations around sexual health are easy and embraced.
We want to help every New Zealander have access to the services and support they need to build their sexual wellbeing. Our new name does what it says on the tin – it tells you what’s important to us and how we can help those who use our services.
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa is another step in our work to engage with a cohort of young people who don’t currently know about us or don’t think that we’re a service for them. Changing our name wasn’t a decision taken lightly but aligns with our vision to always have clients and potential clients at the centre of our work. When our research confirmed our name was a barrier, which simply meant someone might not get they help they needed, the decision to change was easy.
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa better reflects the current life and times of our organisation and the people we work with, especially young people. Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa is clearer and more direct. It says, you’re safe here with us, we care that you’re well and that you’re well informed.
I am proud to lead Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa into the future and to help deliver sexual and reproductive Health and wellbeing for all New Zealanders.
Ngā mihi
Jackie Edmond
Chief executive, Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
Annually, thousands of youth in communities across the Waikato region struggle to access health care services, restricted by barriers such as cost, lack of transport and fear of talking to a health care professional.
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View detailsFamily Planning is a specialist provider of clinical training for nurses, midwives and doctors. This is available training and not a compulsory requirement.