Louise Blockley 
For many people, motor neurone disease (MND) begins in confusion. Early symptoms are often missed or misunderstood, sending people on a frustrating circuit of appointments, tests and misdiagnoses. For Judith Jones (81), it was eight years from her first symptoms to her recent diagnosis, and she is shocked by the lack of awareness of the … Read more
Loren Hope (44) is a passionate advocate for te taiao* (the natural world) and the power of community connection. She is the founder of Northland’s Ngunguru Pumpkin Festival and was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) as a young mum-of-two at 34-years-old. In response to the progression of her incurable disease, Loren left her teaching … Read more
One year on from when our community shared their experiences and stories for the Insight Research Study, MND NZ CE Mark Leggett reflects on how this research has made an impact. It has been a busy year since our Research Advisor and Best Practice Advocate, Dr Natalie Gauld led the data-gathering stage of the Insight … Read more
Three Auckland sisters are on a mission to make time count for people living with MND in memory of Carl Cavanagh (pictured left) who died of the disease in August 2025, aged 56. Fundraising for research and support of people living with motor neurone disease (MND) is a family affair for Carl’s wife Lisa Cavanagh … Read more
Changes to the Disability Support System (DSS), restoring flexibility and control to disabled people and carers are now in effect. These updates mark a significant shift towards recognising the wellbeing of carers and ensuring fairer access to support across Aotearoa. What’s changing Why this matters for the MND community Motor neurone disease brings intense and ongoing care … Read more
Motor Neurone Disease NZ has launched a community survey to identify what our community wants and needs from our organisation, what you think we’re doing well and what you think we could do better. Please have your say Your voice is important to us, so we hope you will share your unique experiences. The results … Read more
Home-made afternoon teas, house tours and doll collections are a regular feature at John and Jenny Brunton’s house in St Albans, Christchurch. The long-time supporters of MND NZ welcome guests to their beautiful heritage home ‘Uraidla’. They bake or make all the food for the afternoon or morning teas and invest significant time and energy … Read more
The MND Insight Research confirms what our support advisors see throughout Aotearoa every day – unpaid family carers of people with MND experience a high level of carer burden. The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is keen to hear your thoughts on a new draft Carers’ Strategy Action Plan. This plan is intended to support … Read more
MND NZ CE Mark Leggett and MND NZ Research Advisor Dr Natalie Gauld met with the Minister of Health Simeon Brown at the end of January. The focus of the meeting was ‘Making time count in healthcare for people with MND’. Discussion was centred around changes our MND community tells us are needed to make … Read more
MND Regional Support Advisor Waikato, Taranaki, and Whanganui (North) Cat Taylor joined the MND NZ Team in late 2025. She is ‘happily un-married’ to her partner of 25 years, with a 22-year-old son and a 20-year-old daughter. Their son lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Beyond her part-time role for MND NZ, Cat’s a gym instructor … Read more
Regional Support Advisor Northland and Waitematā Jenny Paine counts herself lucky to have escaped full time retirement by joining MND NZ as a support advisor covering Rodney and Northland late in 2025. She spent her working life, prior to her retirement and un-retirement, in the health sector. Initially, she worked as an occupational therapist, and … Read more
In September 2016, Shauntelle Schreuder (L), a 40-year-old mother-of-two, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). Shauntelle’s sister, Silvia Hodel (R), says she felt “utterly helpless” when she heard about her sibling’s diagnosis. “I decided to find a way to support Motor Neurone Disease New Zealand (MND NZ) by fundraising for both support and research. … Read more