About NZSHS
The New Zealand Sexual Health Society (NZSHS) is a group of professionals working or interested in the field of Sexual Health.
Our Story
Membership is multidisciplinary and includes doctors, nurses, researchers, counsellors, educators, health promoters and others in Public Health working in the field of sexually transmissible infections, including HIV and AIDS, and sexual and reproductive health.
The New Zealand Sexual Health Society Inc. was formerly the New Zealand Venereological Society (NZVS). This name change occurred in 2006 to more fully express the Society's wider aims.
The Society became incorporated in April 2010.
NZSHS Executive Members 2026-2027
Elected at AGM, 26 September 2026
Brooke Hollingshead
President
Kate Allen
Secretary
Mark Fisher
Treasurer
Achyuta Nori
Annah Pickering
Benjamin Doyle
Heather Young
James Bickford-Smith
Jane Kennedy
Jeannie Oliphant (Immediate Past President)
Kate Allen
Leah Rothman
Mark Fisher
Rodrigo Olin German
Suzanne Werder
Vanessa May
Victoria Hoban
New Zealand Sexual Health History
Milestones in New Zealand Sexual Health
Dame Margaret Sparrow, one of our members, compiled this history of sexual health in New Zealand.
This history is relevant to honour those who have contributed in the past, to enhance our understanding of the present, and to provide us with insights so that we can more clearly formulate a vision for the future.
Remembrance of Ettie Rout
An update by Dame Margaret Sparrow for ANZAC Day 2025, documenting ANZAC Day events in 2023 and 2024.
A Tribute to Ettie Rout
Dame Margaret Sparrow also wrote a tribute to Ettie Rout in 2014 to celebrate her life as a sexual health pioneer. This tribute tells the story of a collection of events beginning in the First World War, where she promoted 'safe sex' with the Australian and New Zealand troops.
Gone but not forgotten
Presentation at the 32nd New Zealand Sexual Health Conference by Margaret Sparrow and Jane Tolerton in 2010. This is a photographic presentation of Ettie's life and the books she published.
Acknowledgements:
In 2012, the Society welcomed Dr Alison Green, formerly of Te Whariki Takapou (currently a Professor at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi), onto the Executive. NZSHS have benefited greatly from the knowledge and experience shared in guiding us along our journey towards progressing the aims of the Aotearoa Statement, to which the society is a signatory. NZSHS would like to acknowledge her significant contribution to the Society.
We would also like to thank Dr Kim Southey, former executive member (currently undertaking postgraduate doctoral research at Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato University of Waikato), and Vernon Waretini for his technical support on the website.
