We’ve been around awhile – since the 1970s! We have always been about supporting and empowering individuals so that they have the skills and information to make good choices for themselves and their families. To start with we focussed on parents. To be great parents they need to understand what the plans are for their child and how they can help. Parents are still really important, but so are you as you grow up. Under the stewardship of Susan Frear and her small but dedicated team of volunteers, the Cleft Lip and Palate Support Group Inc. provided a platform for parents to share their views, ideas and (at times) frustrations. In September 2005 Cleft Kids New Zealand was founded by Kenny Ardouin, a young man born with a cleft lip and palate. Kenny realised that young people need support from other young people which drove him to set up a youth website and support service. 2010 saw the coming together of the Cleft Lip and Palate Support Group Inc. and Cleft Kids New Zealand to form the new all-encompassing brand - Cleft New Zealand, led by Chief Executive Officer Susan Frear, with Kenny Ardouin overseeing the youth services. In 2011, Susan Frear stepped back from Cleft New Zealand after almost a decade of stellar service, and Kenny Ardouin left in December 2015 after over 10 years of service, supported by Louise Ayrey and assisted by a dedicated Executive Board team. Find out more about our current board at https://cleft.org.nz/about/the-team/