Haakaa was founded by Shu, a mother who found herself struggling to find the support and products she needed for her beautiful special needs daughter, Courtney. After a decade of dedication and drive, Shu grew Haakaa until she was able to create The Haakaa Foundation, a tangible way to give the same support to other families that she needed and received. But over and above this goal, it has also allowed the opportunity to spread that support even further. 

As a company, Haakaa has spent a number of years supporting various causes. We have provided funding to organisations such as the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, the Life’s Little Treasures Foundation and the Special Children’s Christmas Parties amongst others. We provide community support by donating menstrual cups to high schools in an effort to help alleviate period poverty and have supplied various playcentres around NZ with products we have donated. Additionally, we are honoured to work with AUT to provide financial scholarships in the form of annual stipends to Māori and Pacific Midwifery students.

The Haakaa Foundation simplifies and centralises this support, making it easier for families in need and applicable organisations/individuals to apply for funding, and for everyone to see how the funds raised are being used.  

The Haakaa Foundation has three core purposes:

1. To provide financial support to the families of special needs children;
2. To provide financial support to maternity care students, especially those who plan to practice in rural areas/the regions, and those of Māori or Pacific Island descent; and
3. To fund continuing breastfeeding research that allows mothers to make informed decisions about breastfeeding through accurate, easily accessible, and up-to-date information.

We welcome you to our foundation, and we look forward to working with families in New Zealand and around the world for many years to come.