Welcome to our February 2026 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’re revving up for the 2026 Bangers to Bluff Car Rally, kicking off on 16 March and we’d love your support for our team, Keep S’myelin! We also shine a light on a newly released report highlighting the urgent need to grow New Zealand’s neurological workforce, and explore why people living with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) often have fewer treatment options and what researchers are doing about it. We invite you to share your views on proposed changes to Total Mobility and the Government’s draft Carers Strategy Action Plan through two upcoming MSNZ webinars, and share details on improvements to how disability support needs are assessed and funded from mid-February. We also introduce Czech open water swimmer Jakub Kačerovský, who is taking on the Cook Strait to raise awareness for people living with MS.
For those looking for information and wellbeing support, we share details of a clinical trial open to people living with progressive MS in Christchurch and Auckland, a free online course on Ageing Well with MS, and a gentle seated stretching and strengthening session with yoga teacher Jana Fenske. We also have the latest Neurology Research Review for those wanting to stay across recent developments in the field.
We celebrate the power of everyday advocacy through the story of Rachel, whose bright orange MSNZ tee sparked a meaningful conversation at the gym – a lovely reminder that looking after yourself can create space to support others too. As always, we have our fabulous competition courtesy of Allied Medical, this month featuring a Nipper Reacher.
We close this edition with a heartfelt thank you to Hannah from SauceIt, who chose to donate to MSNZ in lieu of client Christmas gifts – a wonderfully generous and thoughtful gesture that means so much to our community.
Click to view an online version of MS Voice February 2026 Click to view a PDF version of MS Voice February 2026.
We hope you enjoy this edition, and we thank you for being part of our community. If you would like to share your story in a future edition of MS Voice, or have other news you’d like to share, please contact us at info@msnz.org.nz
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