Enjoy a Comfortable Summer with MS
Summer in New Zealand is a season of sunshine, beaches, and family gatherings. For those living with MS, it can also bring unique challenges, especially when the temperatures rise. Heat doesn’t cause harm, but it can make symptoms worsen, leaving you feeling drained just when you want to enjoy the festivities. With a little planning […]
MS Voice eNewsletter – November 2025
Welcome to our November 2025 Edition of MS Voice, your go-to place for the latest news, updates, and real life stories from Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand. In this edition, we bring you an update on the new subcutaneous version of ocrelizumab, details of the MS Get a Head Start exercise programme and a study that […]
Wholesome Smiles: Wellington’s First Mobile Oral Health Service
Accessing dental care can be challenging for people living with mobility limitations, chronic conditions, or fatigue. For many, the stress and physical demands of visiting a traditional clinic can lead to missed appointments and declining oral health. That’s why Wholesome Smiles is changing the game in Wellington. Meet Tia – Bringing Care to Your Door […]
Ride for MS Cambodia: A Journey of Strength and Success
The recent Ride for MS cycling fundraising event in Cambodia has been an incredible triumph, combining adventure, community spirit, and a shared commitment to making a difference for people living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Six Riders, One Mission Six passionate participants, supported by their dedicated guides, took on the challenge of cycling through the stunning […]
Defying MS in Cambodia: Roxy’s Ride for MS Journey
“MS doesn’t quit, so neither do we.” I spent most of 2025 planning, fundraising, and training for Ride for MS in Cambodia. Cambodia had been on my travel wish list for years, and when the chance came to bike through this incredible country while supporting Multiple Sclerosis NZ and MS South Canterbury, I jumped […]
Subcutaneous Ocrelizumab update.
From 1 December 2025, a new way of receiving ocrelizumab treatment will be available in Aotearoa New Zealand. Alongside the current intravenous (IV) infusion, people with MS will soon have the option of a subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection. The subcutaneous formulation contains the same medication as the IV infusion but is delivered differently. For some, this […]
Multiple Sclerosis NZ Endorses MS Get a Head Start: A Game-Changer for People Living with Multiple Sclerosis
Change in exercise prescription for people with MS is overdue and Multiple Sclerosis NZ is proud to lead the way by endorsing the MS Get a Head Start (MS GHS) programmes. Why This Matters Research has made it clear: exercise isn’t just beneficial for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), it’s disease-modifying. Yet 80% of people […]
Are All Kiwis Getting Fair Access to MS Treatments?
A new NZ study using the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), a secure national database linking health and census data, looked at real-world treatment patterns for over 5,300 people with MS. While some people do not qualify for disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), the research found evidence of ethnic and socioeconomic inequities in access among those who do. […]
Nick Allen’s Journey to Diagnosis, Rediscovering Strength and a Decade of Mastering Mountains
When Nick Allen first began experiencing symptoms at just 18, he never imagined the path he was about to walk. What started as weakness in his legs, bladder issues, and unusual sensations quickly escalated into debilitating fatigue, cognitive problems, pain, balance issues, and visual processing difficulties. Yet despite years of symptoms, multiple medical appointments, MRI […]
Subcutaneous Ocrelizumab
Following Pharmac’s announcement that it will fund subcutaneous ocrelizumab for people with multiple sclerosis, MSNZ Vice-President and MS Taranaki President Graham Walker appeared on Breakfast TV to discuss what this decision means for him and the MS community. During the segment, the Medical Director of Roche New Zealand highlighted a key system benefit of the […]