Advocacy in Action: Disability Support Services Bill
On 17 May 2026, the Minister for Disability Issues introduced the Disability Support Services Bill under urgency with no warning and no consultation with disabled people, carers, whānau or advocates like us. The Bill exists because the Supreme Court ruled last year, in the cases of Fleming and Humphreys v Attorney-General, that family carers of […]
Why Your Voice Matters in MS Advocacy
More than 5,000 people in New Zealand are living with multiple sclerosis (MS). In a country of five million, that can feel like a small number, easy to overlook, easy to deprioritise. But those 5,000 people don’t stand alone. Behind each diagnosis are families, whānau, friends, employers, and communities. When those voices speak together on a common […]
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 […]
Are you on an Infusion Treatment?
At MSNZ we would like to understand more about patient experiences with infusion treatments. The first line Disease Modifying Treatment (DMT) options we have been successful in advocating for in NZ are considered some of the best in the world. Due to the availability of these treatments and adopting healthy lifestyle recommendations, people are reportedly […]
Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand Wins Major International Award
Media release: Tuesday May 30th 2023 The health charity advocating for the more than 4100 New Zealanders living with multiple sclerosis (MS) has won a prestigious international award recognising its tireless eight year battle to have Pharmac widen access to vital drug treatments – with people now able to start their treatments earlier, stay on […]
MSNZ 2022 – A year in review
As we wind down for the holidays, at Multiple Sclerosis NZ, we have taken a moment to review what a year 2022 has been and celebrate our achievements. We continue to strive for our vision of ‘A world without MS’, breaking down barriers to treatments and access that exist for people with MS across the […]
President talks with RNZ on revised Pharmac criteria to give earlier access to medication.
Listen to MSNZ President, Neil Woodhams talk with RNZ presenters on the afternoon show ‘The Panel’. Hear him discuss the impacts Pharmac’s revised criteria for people with MS accessing medication earlier than ever before will have on people with MS when it comes into effect on 1st July 2022. The recording is available here. You […]
Proposal to fund treatment earlier for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis
We are excited to announce that following 7 years of relentless advocacy by Multiple Sclerosis NZ (MSNZ), Pharmac have opened the consultation process to increase earlier access to treatments for relapsing remitting MS. We now need YOUR HELP to get this over the line! In 2014 Pharmac approved the funding of Tysabri and Gilenya and […]
The Good Service Project
“Is it reasonable to wait four months for my neurology referral or MRI?” It’s a surprisingly common question, and that worries us. We regularly receive calls from distressed people experiencing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms for the first time or in the throes of relapse. These people often feel helpless to speed up the medical attention […]