Help the Rongonui Family - Tane’s Critical Heart Journey

If you know the Rongonui family, you know they are the first to show up. With kindness. With heart. With humour (loads of it). With food, hugs, or help - whatever is needed.

Right now, it’s our turn to show up for them.

Just weeks ago, wonderful husband, dad, friend and all-round incredible human Tane Rongonui was rushed to hospital with severe heart failure; so severe, his cardiologist said it was the worst case he had seen in over 30 years.

At just 40, with three beautiful kids - Isabelle, Harrison and Tommy Tornado, all still in primary school, this came as a terrifying shock. One day, Tane was doing ballet pick up and camping with the boys the next, he was in a cardiac ward fighting to survive.

What’s happening

Tane has advanced heart failure. His function (ejection fraction) was at just 7%. Doctors acted fast, starting him on intensive medications and closely monitoring his responsiveness.

He remains in hospital, undergoing complex tests, and is being closely monitored by specialists. Doctors will be pushing for an ICD (implantable cardiac defibrillator), to help prevent sudden cardiac arrest. There’s a long road ahead, and a heart transplant remains a possibility depending on how his body responds.

What this means for his family

Tane won’t be able to work for the foreseeable future. And all you Tradies know what this means. With three young children, and Jess holding everything together with her usual quiet strength, the emotional, physical and financial load is intense.

They are not ones to ever ask for help. In fact, they never would; which is exactly why we are asking for them.

Why this matters

This GoFundMe has been created by friends and family who know just how much Tane and Jess need this. They need us to rally! And rally hard.

Your donation will help ease the pressure, help with the kids, managing medical and recovery costs, travel, dramatic change of circumstances that we do not even know of, and you will be giving Jess and Tane space to focus on what matters most: getting well and staying together.

If you're able, please donate. Please help. No amount is too small, truly.

If you can't give, sharing this page or sending a message of support also helps.

We believe in the power of their community, friends, family and you. We believe in medicine. We believe that if anyone can do this Tane can.

With all our hearts, for the road ahead, thank you.