Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the medical term for the pattern of abnormal development associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Alcohol is a substance that causes developmental abnormalities in the fetus.

ActionPoint website - Alcohol & Pregnancy          FANNZ Updates         FASD Links      


What is FANNZ?          "Everyone is part of the solution"

Fetal Alcohol Network New Zealand (FANNZ) is a group of people and agencies with a shared interest and expertise in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) prevention and intervention. FANNZ is linked through an email information network, face-to-face meetings, and educational activities.

If you would like to be part of this network and receive up-to-date information or would like to know more about FASD contact:  Catherine Anderson at Alcohol Healthwatch  Phone. 021 023 00221 or Email. catherine@ahw.org.nz 


Factsheets:

9 Sept 2021: Factsheet - Prenatal alcohol exposure and lifelong impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder


Documents: 

2024 -  The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Diagnostic Guidelines for Aotearoa New Zealand 2024

2022 - A guide for health promoters Steps to make a positive difference in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

 2021 - Report of the Disability Rights Commissioner and Children’s Commissioner to the Prime Minister Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Call to Action

2019 - 18 Apr 2019 - FASD Action Plan Hui: “What’s in the forecast?”  Feedback (on-line June 2019)

2016 - Alcohol & Other Drugs Update - FASDay Special Edition September 2016

2016 - Productivity losses associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in New Zealand. By economist Dr Brian Easton et al

2016 - FASD Action Plan for NZ: On Tues 16 August the Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne launched a 3 year whole of Government Plan to address FASD prevention and intervention and announced an initial investment of $12 million.  FASD has been conservatively estimated to cost the country $800 million every year.  The priority areas covered in the Plan are Prevention, Early identification, Support and Evidence. 
Aug 2016 - Speech by Assoc. Health Minister Hon. Peter Dunne: Launch of Taking Action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: 2016-2019.
Read  the documents: 
Aug 2016 - The Taking Action on FASD: An Action Plan 2013-2016    
Aug 2016 - Taking Action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Analysis of Submissions 

2016 - Education Tool for FASD: As part of its Inclusive Education Guide for Schools, the Ministry of Education launched its Guide to  FASD and Learning (on website: https://www.inclusive.tki.org.nz/ )

2016, Aug - FASD costs in lost productivity: The New Zealand Medical Journal have just published a paper by economist Dr Brian Easton and colleagues estimating the cost of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder on lost productivity in the New Zealand economy as being between $49million and $200 million each year.  
The paper is free access online:  Productivity losses associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in New Zealand   

2014 - FASD in New Zealand: A Time to Act - Call to Action Consensus Statement September 2014 Consensus Statement identifies areas of priority to prevent FASD and to address the gaps in service delivery to those affected by FASD.

2013 - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Adaptive Behaviour and Children’s Development  By Andi Crawford, Msc, PgDipClinPsych 

2013 - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Confabulation Dr Valerie McGinn PhD Paediatric Neuropsychologist and FASD Specialist

2010 - Towards Multidisciplinary Diagnostic Services FASD 2010
2009 - Report Executive Summary - Primary Healthcare Survey
2009 - Full Report - Primary Healthcare Survey


Briefing Papers:

2007 -  Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in New Zealand - Activating the Awareness and Intervention Continuum ( PDF)
2007 - Executive Summary-Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in NZ Briefing Paper(PDF)
2003 - Alcohol Health and Safety Advisory Statements(Warning Labels) in New Zealand (PDF)


Media:

19 July 2020:  Sunday – BOTTLED SHAME

Every year up to 3000 Kiwi babies are born with FASD. It's permanent brain damage caused by alcohol exposure in the womb. Although FASD causes serious learning, social and emotional problems, there is no government funding to support those living with it. We meet the children and families who are in the middle of what experts call a crisis, needing urgent action.  


Newsletters:

FANNZ Updates  
FAS-CAN Network Newsletters 


 Open Letter: 


19 June 2020 - Open Letter: An effective health warning label to protect our future

On July 17, Australian and New Zealand Food Forum Ministers will meet to decide on which label will be used as the mandatory health warning label to be placed on all alcohol products sold in both countries. Add your name to the list of people calling for a best practice health warning label by endorsing the letter.  Click here for more information and the letter.


Presentations:

Sept 7,  2017:Whanau ora and the FASD Plan: Achieving success together’ Hui Video Link:
Presentation by Christine Rogan, Alcohol Healthwatch    
​Presentation by Lance Norman, Hāpai Te Hauora   

2015, May  - Auckland Law School lecture from Judge Catherine Crawford ‘How youth affected by FASD are treated in criminal jurisdictions’ (video)/or listen to the audio of her lecture.


Submissions:

25 Oct 2019 - Proposal P1050: Pregnancy warning labels on alcoholic beverages. Submission to Food Standards Australia New Zealand

27 Sept 2019 - Submission in respect of regulations to be made under sections 12 and 13 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018  (Ireland)

2012 - Submission-Preventing child Abuse & improving Children's Health ( to Health Select Committee)

2012 - Submission- The Green Paper on Vulnerable Children (by FANNZ)

 2011 - Submission for FANNZ - Alcohol Reform Bill

2009 - Submission to Law Commission "Alcohol In Our Lives", By FANNZ 


Babies & Booze: Youth Social Media Launch (Video Clips)

Alcohol Healthwatch, Well Women and Family Trust and The Rotary Club of Parnell launches the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Youth Social Media Campaign. The You-Tube campaign videos can be viewed on www.youtube.com/user/FASDNetworkNZ or by clicking the images below

 

 Picture 4 Babies + Booze: Simon Rowley - Paediatrician (4)

Picture 5 Babies + Booze: A Shout Out(5)

Picture 6 Babies + Booze: Jackie (6)

Picture 7 Babies + Booze: Shona (7)


Other Information:

FASD-CAN Network Newsletter Jul 2015
Alana Donkin writes about FASD Oct 2014
Hey Teacher 2016


International FASD Awareness Day September 9th 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall pregnant, stop drinking

A story for FASD Awareness Day 2016

On 9/9 a story from one of our storytellers was shared. Yasmine, a 19 year old from West Auckland talks about being involved in the binge drinking culture and how finding out she was pregnant she knew she had to stop drinking. Jump on the BUZZED facebook Page to in give us a like and check out our videos.
 

Importance of not drinking during pregnancy advert

Importance of not drinking during pregnancy advert

In 2015, Janet and friends from the Bay of Plenty region got together to produce an advert designed to make people think about the importance of not drinking during pregnancy. This aired in many New Zealand centres and you can now view the Advert on YouTube. Janet wishes to remind viewers - No babies were harmed in the making of this ad!


 

External FASD Links

https://mumplus.co.nz/fasd/  - At mum+ our purpose is to help Kiwi mums make better informed decisions

https://www.alcohol.org.nz/ - Fact sheets on FASD and strategies

http://www.fasworld.com/ - A website of FASD family advocates for worldwide connection and prevention

http://depts.washington.edu/fadu/ - The University of Washington Fetal Alcohol Drug Unit 

www.fasd-can.org.nz - FASD-CAN – A non-government organisation to unite and support caregivers of those with FASD 

https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder - Ministry of Health – website relating to FASD and the FASD Action Plan

https://www.inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-and-learning/ - Ministry of Education- website providing education sector with a Guide for FASD and learning

https://practice.orangatamariki.govt.nz/previous-practice-centre/knowledge-base-practice-frameworks/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder/ - Ministry for Children – an Oranga Tamariki practice centre website with resources to understand FASD-informed practice

https://www.fasdhub.org.au/ - FASD Hub- An Australian website for professionals to learn more about FASD

https://www.nofasd.org.au/ - NOFASD – An Australian non-government organisation to inform the public about FASD and unite and support caregivers

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