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Body Positive

Not to be confused with Body positivity.

Body Positive Inc.
AbbreviationBP
Formation1980s
TypeNonprofit
Legal statuscharity
PurposeHIV/AIDS
HeadquartersBody Positive
Location
  • Auckland, New Zealand
Coordinates36°51′24″S 174°45′34″E / 36.856779724099646°S 174.75945190325618°E / -36.856779724099646; 174.75945190325618
OriginsNew Zealand
ServicesDrop-In Centre
Free Rapid HIV Testing
HIV+ Peer Navigation
Positive Health
WINZ Support
Foodbank
Wellness Fund
Circle of Friends Memorial
Sexual Health Clinic
Massage Therapy
The Positive Speakers’ Bureau
HIV Essentials Online Course
Official language
English
Key people
Tawhanga Nopera (Chairperson)
Mark Fisher (Executive Director)
Bruce Kilmister (retired CEO)
Websitebodypositive.org.nz

Body Positive Incorporated (established in 1980s) peer support organisation providing care and support to all people living with HIV/AIDS in New Zealand, as well as advocating and combat stigma surrounding HIV.[1][2][3]

Formation and leadership

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Body Positive was formed during the 1980s, with their clinic opening in 1992 and becoming an official charity and an incorporated society in 1994.[4][5] CEO Bruce Kilmister was the first leader of Body Positive after it became incorporated.[6] In 2014, Kilmister retired as CEO and was replaced by Executive Director, Mark Fisher who been involved with the HIV sector since 1992 in multiple countries including New Zealand, Australia and Canada.[7][8][9] Bruce Kilmister would eventually return as chairperson of the board.[10] As of 2024, Tawhanga Nopera is the chairperson of the board.[11]

Early work

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In 1987, Body Positive created a document called "The Rights of People with AIDS" which includes the right to express yourself sexually.[12] At around this time Body Positive were creating guidelines for HIV positive people on their responsibilities to the community.[12]

During Bruce Kilmister's run as CEO, he did significant amount of work to make HIV medication more available including for 30 years making flights to Australia and Thailand to bring back to New Zealand HIV medication when the drugs were either not available or too expensive to obtain in New Zealand.[13]

Wellington office

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In 2013, Body Positive opened their second office in Wellington.[14] Due to lack of funding, the office in Wellington had to close in 2015.[15][16]

Services and events

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National HIV Treatment Seminar

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Body Positive hosts annual National HIV Treatment Seminars which gives an update on the latest treatments, HIV and AIDS epidemiology report, and what's happening in the HIV sector.[17][18] The Seminar is open to the public to register, as well as, having a clinical component to medical staff.[19]

Men's retreat

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Body Positive host annual men’s retreat for HIV positive people so they can develop a support network and to create a safe and supportive environment for HIV positive men.[20][21][22][23][24]

Auckland’s Puawai Festival

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In 2015, the first Auckland’s Puawai Festival festival was held over a six day period to empower people living with HIV.[25] The festival was a collaboration between Body Positive, Positive Women Inc, Borni Te Rongopai Tukiwaho and in the later events with the New Zealand Aids Foundation (now known as Burnett Foundation).[26][27] The event came about when Body Positive approached Borni Te Rongopai Tukiwaho through performance and art.[28] The festival was held annual, generally near World AIDS Day, however, the festival has not happened since the Covid Pandemic.

SING!

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In late 2019 and early 2020, Body Positive created a community led choir which was part of World AIDS Day and the Auckland Pride Festival.[29][30]

HIV and STI Peer testing

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Body Positive offer a range of services including rapid HIV and Syphilis testing and a range of STI testing.[31] This is part of their Peer-Led testing program with people who are either HIV positive or part of the rainbow community provide testing to the community.[32][33]

AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service

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Since 1983, Body Positive has been hosting annual Candlelight Memorial Service for those who died from AIDS related deaths, in both Auckland and Wellington.[34][35]

Politics and advocacy

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Mural on Body Positive called "That Magical Dance"

Politian Fran Wilde who introduced the Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986 in parliament, credited Bruce Kilmister for campaign resourcing and believed without the integral work that Kilmister did, the bill would not have passed in 1986.[36]

In 2015, Body Positive was among OUTLineNZ, the Charlotte Museum, the Gay Auckland Business Association, Auckland Pride Festival Inc and the Rainbow Tick to make 5 minute speeches to the Auckland Council’s Community Development and Safety Committee in aims to create a rainbow advisory board in Auckland Council.[37] The committee voted in favour of creating a rainbow advisory board.

Prep and PeP

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Body Positive advocates the accessibility of PreP and PeP for everyone.[38][39][40] From 2020, Body Positive offered PreP who people who quickly need it.[41] In 2022, Pharmac will expand the availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for preventing HIV, which Mark Fisher says "significant step toward the elimination of HIV transmission in Aotearoa".[42][43][44] Today, Body Positive advocates for PreP to be normalized and more available for those who need it.[45]

Poppers

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In January 2020, the New Zealand’s Medicines Classification Authority recommended to Medsafe that Alkyl nitrite only be available if prescribed by a doctor and not by wholesalers and suppliers, making it hard for people to purchase poppers.[46] In March 2020, Medsafe accepted the recommendation. Mark Fisher and Body Positive took a strong stance against the ban, as it is an important part of gay and bi mens sex life.[47][48] Fisher said "This ban has been implemented without any consideration for the people that it effects and has criminalized our communities overnight. This is not harm reduction – it is prohibition."[47] Coincidentally this comes at a time where United Kingdom legalised Poppers.[49] As of 2023, the New Zealand Ministry of Health has no plans on reinstating legal sale of poppers.[50]

COVID and HIV

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In 2021, Body Positive advocated to have HIV Positive people to be moved up on the priority list for Covid Vaccinations as People living with HIV have significant immunosuppression and are at risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.[51] Body Positive would further criticized the New Zealand Government as Australia would pirorities people livng with HIV and New Zealand does not.[52]

Positive Sperm Bank

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In 2019, Body Positive, New Zealand Aids Foundation and Positive Women Inc launched a sperm bank called Sperm Positive for HIV-positive people to donate.[53] This is the first of its kind in the world, which received significant media attention across the world.[54][55][56][57][58] On January 27, 2021, Amy was born who became the first ever baby to be born from a HIV sperm bank.[59] As part of the Campaign, a picture book was released called The Baby who Changed the world.[60] The campaign won a multiple awards at the Cannes Festival of Creativity.[61]

Other Campaigns

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In 2018, Body Positive began advocate for a Pride centre, a community hub for the rainbow community.[62] The vision of the centre would have advocacy groups, a café, a sexual health clinic, counselling rooms, a library, exhibition spaces, and meeting rooms.[63]

In 2018, Body Positive introduced the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U) campaign to New Zealand.[18] Body Positive has been a strong advocate U = U.[18]

In 2022, Body Positive released their "I’m Healthy, and I Live with HIV" campaign to highlight that people who are HIV Positive can, and should, live quality, healthy lives, as part of their battle against stigma and discrimination.[64]

In 2024, Body Positive ran a campaign on their website called "Welcome to New Zealand" to assist in HIV Positive people to move to New Zealand by providing information and facts.[65][66] This comes after the Labour government changed the rules in 2021 for HIV Positive people wanting to immigrate to New Zealand.[67]

In 2025, HIV Self testing kits were made available in Pharmacies in New Zealand. Body Positive welcomes the tests being in pharmacies and believe it is a step in the right direction.[68]

Body Positive is against the ban of gay men giving blood in New Zealand and should move toward what happening in other countries like England, Wales, Scotland, Canada and The United States where they do individualised risk assessments for every donor, making it easier for gay men to donate.[69]

Bibliography

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Picture book

See Also

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References

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  1. ^ "Body Positive Home Website". Body Positive. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  2. ^ Durutalo, Merewai. "Marching for equity for HIV-positive community". Te Ao Maori. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  3. ^ Madden-Smith, Zoe. "People living with HIV tell us how we can stop the stigma". ReNews. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  4. ^ "BODY POSITIVE - NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED". New Zeaqland Companies Office. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  5. ^ "Jonathan Grimshaw: 'I tested HIV positive in 1984'". The Guardian. 6 February 2009. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Bruce's Battles for your Positive Present". Gay Express. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Body Positive's new Mark". Gay Express. 12 December 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  8. ^ "Body Positive Appoints New CEO". Gay Express. 16 November 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  9. ^ "Fisher's Fight for a Good Cause". Gay Express. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Former Body Positive CEO Bruce Kilmister Returns as Chair of the Board". Gay Express. 22 February 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Body Positive AGM 2024" (PDF). Body Positive Inc. 7 April 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  12. ^ a b "A.I.D.S. group to set code". Press. 14 February 1987. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  13. ^ "HIV - the past and future of a modern plague". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  14. ^ "Positively Positive" (PDF). Body Positive. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Body Positive Wellington Closes Its Doors "It's a Sad Loss, It's a Sad Day"". Gay Express. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Body Positive Forced to Close Wellington Office". Gay Express. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  17. ^ "HIV in NZ Today". Gay Express. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  18. ^ a b c "Speech to Body Positive 'HIV Treatments Update Seminar 2021'". New Zealand Government. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  19. ^ "HIV Update Seminar". Body Positive. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  20. ^ "Annual HIV+ Men's Retreat". Body Positive. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  21. ^ "HIV/AIDS groups focus on care and support". Stuff NZ. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  22. ^ "Body Positive". Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  23. ^ "Auckland Seminar to Demystify HIV". Gay Express. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  24. ^ "Body Positive Men's Retreat Applications Open". Gay Express. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  25. ^ "Auckland's First Puawai Festival". Scoop NZ. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  26. ^ "Puāwai Transforms Aotearoa's Relationship to HIV". Scoop NZ. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  27. ^ "HIV in the spotlight at Puawai Festival". RNZ. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  28. ^ "Twelve Questions with Borni Te Rongopai Tukiwaho". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  29. ^ "Feel Proud for Free". Gay Express. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  30. ^ "SING! PopUp Choir". Youtube. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  31. ^ "Less Than Half of Gay and Bisexual Men Have Tested for HIV Recently". Gay Express. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  32. ^ "Body Positive Extends Peer Navigation Programme". Gay Express. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  33. ^ "Services". Body Positive. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  34. ^ "AIDS Memorial Quilt and Candlelight Service – an invitation". Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  35. ^ "Wgtn memorial was enlightening, solemn". Gay NZ. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  36. ^ "Bruce Kilmister Thanked For Decades of Service". Gay Express. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  37. ^ ""This Rainbow Panel's Time Has Come" – Advisory Board One Step Closer". Gay Express. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  38. ^ "PrEP and Undetectable – What Does It Mean?". Gay Express. 31 May 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  39. ^ "PrEP: The Facts". Gay Express. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  40. ^ "THE CHANGING WAYS OF PROTECTING YOUR SEXUAL HEALTH". Gay Express. 16 October 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  41. ^ "Body Positive Offering Immediate Access to PrEP". Gay Express. 25 September 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  42. ^ "Pharmac Increases Access to PrEP and PEP". Gay Express. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  43. ^ "Pharmac widens access to safe sex drug after 'overwhelming support'". RNZ. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  44. ^ "Safe sex drug should be made widely available - advocates". RNZ. 17 April 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  45. ^ "HIV prevention drug: 'Stigma is a thing that's still out there'". RNZ. 19 June 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  46. ^ "'Poppers' Proposed as Prescription Meds". Gay Express. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  47. ^ a b "Mark Fisher Slams Sudden 'Ban' on Poppers in NZ". Gay Express. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  48. ^ "Health officials to consult on 'draconian' poppers ban". Stuff NZ. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  49. ^ "United Kingdom on Verge of Legalising Poppers". Gay Express. 16 August 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  50. ^ "Ministry of Health Has 'no plans' to Reinstate Legal Sale of Poppers in NZ". Gay Express. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  51. ^ "Body Positive call for HIV Positive People to be Bumped Up Covid Priority List". Gay Express. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  52. ^ "HIV POSITIVE PEOPLE IN AUSTRALIA ARE ON THE COVID PRIORITY LIST, BUT NOT IN NEW ZEALAND". Gay Express. 11 April 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  53. ^ "'A wave of joy': babies born from world's first HIV positive sperm bank". The Guardian. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  54. ^ "NZAF Sperm Positive - the World first HIV Sperm Bank". Gary Steele. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  55. ^ "World-first HIV positive sperm bank launches in New Zealand". New Zealand Herald. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  56. ^ "HIV positive sperm bank launched in New Zealand". Sky News. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  57. ^ "World's first HIV-positive sperm bank opens in New Zealand". New york Post. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  58. ^ "World's first HIV-positive sperm bank opens in New Zealand". BBC. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  59. ^ "Meet Amy: The first baby born through an HIV-positive sperm bank". Renews. January 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  60. ^ a b "Sperm Positive". Sperm Positive. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  61. ^ "Top Honours at Cannes PR Lions". Media Design School. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  62. ^ "Mark Fisher Calls for Auckland Pride Centre on Mercury Lane". Gay Express. 23 September 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  63. ^ "'There's no space for us' - Auckland Pride Centre plan as K Rd gentrifies". New Zealand Herald. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  64. ^ ""I'm Healthy, And I Live With HIV" – Body Positive Announces New Campaign On World AIDS Day". Gay Express. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  65. ^ "World AIDS Day: Body Positive Welcomes HIV+ Migrants to NZ". Gay Express. 1 December 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  66. ^ "Moving to New Zealand with HIV?". Body Positive. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  67. ^ "Immigration removes HIV from list of high cost conditions". Newsroom. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  68. ^ "'It's timely now' - HIV self-tests to be available at pharmacies". RNZ. 4 April 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  69. ^ "NZ's 'discriminatory' blood donation rules are getting in the way of saving lives". RENews. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
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