New Zealand Action on Preeclampsia (NZAPEC) is a charitable trust which was set up in 1994 by Wendy Roberts, who suffered severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome in her first pregnancy, and Joyce Cowan, who was Wendy's midwife.

Pre-eclampsia  affects 3-5% of all pregnancies and threatens the health and  life of the mother and her baby. Characterised by high blood pressure and protein in the urine , pre-eclampsia is a syndrome which can affect many organs including the brain, liver, lungs and kidneys. Scientists have not yet identified the cause although there are many theories, and many women are not well informed about the condition.

NZAPEC has been set up to:

• Educate, inform and advise the public and health professionals about the prevalence, nature and risks of pre-eclampsia.

• To campaign for greater public awareness of the disease and for action to improve methods of detection and treatment.

• To provide support for women who have suffered pre-eclampsia, and their families.

• To promote research into the causes of the disease and appropriate screening techniques and treatment methods.