Return of flexible use of disability funding
(12 September 2025) Multiple Sclerosis NZ welcomes the recent announcement from the Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston’s that disabled people and family whānau will once again have choices about how to use disability support funding. This is a momentous moment, following what has been a challenging 18 months for many in our community, struggling within […]
MSNZ Submission on the Online Casino Gambling Bill
Multiple Sclerosis NZ has made a submission on the proposed new Online Casino Gambling Bill which puts the sustainability of many MS community services and organisations at risk. We have grave concerns that granting 15 licenses to online gambling operators, including overseas companies, will simply take profits offshore. For over 50 years, profits from Class […]
MSNZ Submission on the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill
The government have proposed changed to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill 2022. While the intentions promote streamlining, efficiency improvement and equitable access, there are many areas within the Amendment Bill that are of critical concern to MSNZ. We raised in our submission: We are supportive of the implementation of a mental health and wellbeing […]
MS Diagnosis Jumps 67% in NZ, Exposing Māori Care Gaps
Neil Woodhams, President of Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand, joined Dale Husband on Waatea News to discuss the recent study which showed a 67% surge of MS diagnoses in New Zealand since 2006 and the Māori disparities that highlight the urgent need for Neurological care investment. Listen to their interview below: Alongside discussing the prevalence of […]
1News Report – Medsafe Approves 10 Minute Ocrevus Injection
Watch Graham Walker, person with MS, President of MS Taranaki and Co-Vice President of MSNZ discuss the life-changing news that Medsafe has approved the 10 minute Ocrevus injection, accompanied with comments from Amanda Rose, MSNZ National Manager on 1News, 29th April 2025. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YQitPAsR5A We encourage those with lived experience to provide their stories […]
Ocrelizumab Subcut Receives Medsafe Registration as Pressure Mounts to Fund Wider Range of MS Treatment Options
Photo by Kristine Wook, Unsplash. Medsafe have approved the registration of Ocrevus ® Subcutaneous (SC) (ocrelizumab and hyaluronidase) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS) and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). The announcement on 24th April is welcomed by Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand. “The registration of Ocrevus SC is […]
MSNZ President Calls for Pharmac to Fund 4 New Drugs on TVNZ Breakfast
Watch MSNZ President, Neil Woodhams, on TVNZ Breakfast today where he calls for Pharmac to fund 4 new drugs for MS treatment. Neil Woodhams attended this interview ahead of us appearing at Parliament later this morning, with the Bangers to Bluff Car Rally. After meeting on the steps of Parliament to raise awareness of the event […]
Press Release: Pharmac Funding Stalemate for “Life-Changing” Multiple Sclerosis Drugs
There are calls for Pharmac to “quit stalling” and fund four affordable treatments to significantly improve quality of life for patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in New Zealand – treatments which would also significantly reduce demand on New Zealand’s stretched health system. Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand (MSNZ) is drawing attention to its fight to have […]
Our Submission to Disability Support Services Consultation
Following our two open platform sessions on 12th March where we gathered your comments, insights and feedback into the review of Disability Support Services (DSS), we are pleased to share with you our submission and recommendations. During our sessions, we heard your comments: “It is extremely dis-empowering. Unless you know your rights and entitlements.” “It […]
MS Voice Newsletter – February 2025
Welcome to the February edition of MS Voice—your trusted source for the latest news, updates, and real-life stories from Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand and the MS community. This year promises to be a dynamic one as we continue our commitment to educating, campaigning, and advocating for all those impacted by Multiple Sclerosis. Our focus is clear: […]