New Zealand AIDS Foundation – Taranaki Branch Newsletter (December 1989)
Organisation: New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF), Taranaki Branch
Date: December 1989
Location: New Plymouth / Taranaki, Aotearoa New Zealand
This newsletter documents several key moments in the early establishment of the NZ AIDS Foundation Taranaki Branch:
1️⃣ Management Group Elected
The Taranaki branch announces its first elected management group following the branch AGM on 13 November 1989. Named roles include:
Convenor
Secretary
Interim Treasurer
Additional committee members
A branch patron/matron
This marks the formal establishment of local governance for HIV/AIDS education and support in Taranaki.
2️⃣ Constitution Established
The newsletter explains that:
The branch has adopted a formal constitution in line with NZAF national policy
The constitution sets out membership, governance, branch meetings, and paid rolesThis shows the shift from informal activism to structured community health organisation in the region.
3️⃣ Public Health Messaging & Media Response
The branch responds to media claims about changes to safe sex guidelines, clarifying:
That NZAF had not altered guidance
Emphasising harm reduction and evidence-based health messagingThis reflects how misinformation around HIV was actively countered by community organisations in the late 1980s.
4️⃣ Distribution of “Men Loving Men to Live” Pamphlet
The newsletter announces the availability in Taranaki of:
“Men Loving Men to Live” – a gay-positive safer sex pamphlet for gay men
This highlights:
Early local distribution of HIV prevention resources
The importance of community-led sexual health education in regional NZ
5️⃣ Branch Meeting & Community Support
The final section advertises the December branch meeting and invites people to bring food and drink — showing how these spaces also functioned as social support networks during the height of the AIDS crisis.
