Paediatricians in New Zealand gave their support to the surveillance programme after the concept was discussed at several annual meetings of the PSNZ. All paediatricians practising in Aotearoa are eligible to participate in the surveillance programme.
The core activities of the NZPSU are funded through a contract with Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health) to provide active surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis. The World Health Organization, as part of the global eradication process, requires such surveillance to confirm New Zealand is free of poliomyelitis.
Opportunities have also been taken to study other uncommon high-impact conditions. Most of these studies have been undertaken by paediatricians with a particular interest.
The NZPSU is part of the Department of Women's and Children's Health, Dunedin School of Medicine.