The Paediatric Society of New Zealand (PSNZ) was founded in 1946 in Auckland by a group of General Practitioners and Paediatricians led by Dr S L Ludbrook, who became the inaugural President of the Society at the first AGM held 14 May 1947, attended by 32 members.
The aims and objectives of PSNZ were "to stimulate interest in and to promote the scientific study of child health and paediatrics in New Zealand, and to engage in all activities, clinical and educational, which in the opinion of the Society, may be necessary from time to time in the interest of child health".
Annual Meetings soon became a regular fixture of the PSNZ calendar and continue to be a highlight for members, with the 75th Annual Meeting celebrated in Ōtepoti Dunedin in 2024.
The PSNZ played a significant role in persuading Government and the University of Otago to establish the first Chair of Paediatrics in Aotearoa, resulting in the appointment of Professor J. W. Watt in 1967. We continue to actively promote and support undergraduate and postgraduate teaching of paediatrics.
Initially, the majority of PSNZ members were general practitioners who had a special interest in child health. In 1966, a separate list of Specialist Members - mainly paediatricians - was established. Today, the PSNZ membership comprises a wide range of professionals involved in child health, including nurses, allied health professionals, and medical practioners, as well as managers, purchasers/commissioners and public servants involved in child health policy. Our multi-disciplinary membership has enabled us to strengthen representation and diversity, and better reflect today's paediatric practices and the communities that we serve.
The PSNZ is a proud member of the Health Coalition Aotearoa and the International Paediatric Association