Invacare New Zealand have become the latest partner of Paralympics New Zealand ©Invacare

Invacare New Zealand has become the latest partner of Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ), signing up to become the Preferred Equipment Supplier. 

The American firm, who can trace its history back to 1885, is the world’s leading manufacturer of home healthcare and mobility equipment, providing innovative solutions to promote recovery and active lifestyles, it is claimed. 

Invacare has a range of specialist sporting equipment under the Top End brand, including wheelchair basketball, tennis, track and road racing chairs and handcycles.

“New Year’s Eve will mark exactly 250 days to go until the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games," said Fiona Allan, chief executive of Paralympics New Zealand. 

"We also hope that it will mark the beginning of a new era for Para-Sport in this country.

"The New Zealand Paralympic Team finished number one in the world for medals per capita at London 2012 and we’re tracking to retain this title in Rio.

"To deliver this success yet again at Tokyo 2020 means we must find innovative ways to not only invest in gold medal potential programmes and Para-Athletes but also find the future Paralympians of tomorrow through our community programmes. 

“Invacare will be the sixth company to join our Paralympic Family of Partners since we launched our awareness and fundraising initiative, Spirit of Gold, in September 2015.

"We have world-class systems within our high performance programme, however to transfer these systems across to our community programmes, we need more partners that share our vision for the future of Para-sport in New Zealand."

Paralympics New Zealand Fiona Allan presented a picture to Geoff Purtill, managing director Invacare Australia and New Zealand, after their new partnership was announced ©PNZ
Paralympics New Zealand Fiona Allan presented a picture to Geoff Purtill, managing director Invacare Australia and New Zealand, after their new partnership was announced ©PNZ

PNZ has invited Invacare to work closely with its athletes and help design equipment to make them more competitive. 

In 2012 the firm signed up as a partner of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

“Invacare’s brand promise is ‘Making Life’s Experiences Possible’," Geoff Purtill, managing director Invacare Australia and New Zealand, said.

"We seek to understand our customer needs and ensure they have the best equipment for an active lifestyle.

"There is no tougher customer than a Paralympian aiming for a gold medal.

"Our new partnership with Paralympics New Zealand will help us get right to the heart of these needs and ensure we exceed the expectations of all customers.”

Invacare joins a Paralympic Family of Partners headlined by major partners, ACC, Sanford and Cadbury.