Activate Physiotherapy

24/04/2026

Pioneering cancer rehabilitation in NZ

20 years ago, it wasn’t part of cancer care. So we built it.

It began in a physiotherapy clinic - with a belief that recovery mattered just as much as treatment.

So we started by building capability. Training physiotherapists. Creating a network. Establishing a new standard of care.

As the work grew, so did the trust - with oncology teams, with patients, with communities.

People are referred to us when they are at their lowest point; some can’t walk to the letterbox, return to work, or care for their children. Others are too fatigued, anxious, or deconditioned to begin recovery on their own.

Through access to cancer rehabilitation, we support faster recovery, greater independence, and a return to everyday life - with the benefits extending beyond the individual to their whānau, as they get back on their feet and participate in life again after treatment.

Creating change in the health system is not easy. With a small team, we’ve focused on what we can control and where we can make a real difference. Rather than waiting for change, we’ve built it. Step by step, service by service, person by person.

This has only been possible through the collective effort of our community - from thousands of volunteer hours at Board level to the individuals who give their time on the ground, supporting events, fundraising, and connection across the county.

Alongside this, we are incredibly grateful to our physio providers and the partners who have walked with us over the years.

To date, we have invested more than $5 million into funding cancer rehabilitation for people who could not otherwise afford it or were unable to work.

And while there is still more to do to ensure equitable access for all, we’ve continued to invest everything we have — at every stage — into expanding support for those who need it most.

What started small has grown into a trusted part of cancer care, helping people reclaim their lives after cancer.

If you’d like to be part of what comes next, we’d love to hear from you.
https://www.cancerrehab.org.nz/get-involved/volunteer

11/04/2026

Such an exciting development which will reduce the burden of cancer treatment for many Nelsonians.

12/03/2026

Please support our friends at Riverside Pool who are helping to Move Over Cancer and supporting our Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation to raise the funds needed to support local men and women going through cancer treatment

14TH MARCH
Join us for a WALK in PINK🍥👛🚶‍♀️‍➡️and a DONATION 💰💵🪙 💌to support MOVE OVER CANCER CAMPAIGN. 💟🩷

12/03/2026

14/12/2025

Our wonderful , longstanding receptionist Kathy is retiring and we are looking for someone fabulous to join our team.
Expressions of interest can be sent to :
reception@ activatephysiotherapy.co.nz- for attention Helen

24/08/2025

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Many people delay rehab thinking they’re not strong enough yet — but cancer rehab is designed to help you get there.

The Myth:
“You need to be strong before starting rehab.”
🚫 Not true.

The Evidence:
✅ Starting early can reduce symptoms, boost quality of life, and lower risk of long-term disability.
✅ Even years after treatment, you can still improve strength, stamina, pain, and mental wellbeing.
✅ Structured exercise can lower the risk of recurrence and help prevent heart disease & osteoporosis.

It’s never too late to start.
Cancer rehab meets you where you are — and helps you get where you want to be.

10/11/2024

Those who know rehab can vastly alter quality of life post-cancer can’t understand why NZ’s medical system failed to point them toward something so helpful.

17/04/2024

No one should miss out! Rehabilitation is a right not a luxury. It significantly reduces recovery time , improves outcomes and prevents long term disability

Please contact us for more information. Funding support is available

16/04/2024

Please read and share with anyone who might benefit from cancer rehabilitation - it can make a world of difference at a very tough time

🌑😔 Many patients and their family members remain in the dark about the availability of specialised cancer rehabilitation services in their community.

It’s easy to underestimate the long-term consequences of cancer and its treatment.
However, the absence of any residual cancer does not mean that meaningful emotional and functional recovery is complete.

Oncology Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists have the skills to effectively assess post treatment impairment. They can help optimise recovery and living well for those with a cancer diagnosis.

NO ONE SHOULD MISS OUT 🧒🏿👩🏻‍🦰🧓🏽👳🏾‍♀️🧔🏻👩🏾‍🦳

👀 Find your local PINC & STEEL Certified Oncology Rehab professional today at www.pincandsteel.com.

Available worldwide with a range of options to suit your situation.

06/02/2024

So excited to have been a small part of this mahi which we hope will improve equity and better access to physiotherapy oncology rehabilitation

We are excited to see Physiotherapy New Zealand (Oncology, Palliative Care and Lymphoedema) group’s new published document "Physiotherapy in Cancer Care" highlighting the positive effect physiotherapy can have on those affected by cancer.

🔗https://pnz.org.nz/Story?Action=View&Story_id=5204&fbclid=IwAR2vnlAG2rWhR6NVsR7reIVItLGa1fy3gntT2v2Lfvpk9_DYmfsC2aoIS9o_aem_AVQXrtyrqdI6Q4EAjuTq4I9f0E4OueI6JbWIzM6G-XIZjTSsOk6XNKZ2T4axiCCupv8 #

👏Well done Rachel Swann-Ward, Emily Searle, Joanna Clouden & Helen Nott.

C Wellness Kapiti Activate Physiotherapy Align Physiotherapy

06/11/2023

A great panel of local experts sharing up to date information for those diagnosed with breast cancer or recovering from treatment - see below

Are you a Breast Cancer Survivor? This day has been created for you. To find out more about Survivorship Day email [email protected]