Buckets were tipped. Brews were poured. But MND Action Month 2025 was more than just fundraising — it was a nationwide effort to raise awareness, start conversations, and support people living with motor neurone disease. Together, we helped make time count. From heartfelt Cuppa Tea parties to exhilarating Ice Bucket Challenges, people all over Aotearoa … Read more
The Hurricanes Alumni Foundation Trust recently came together for a special fundraising dinner — a night of connection, reflection, and heartfelt giving. Held on 31 May, the event brought together past and present Hurricanes and Hurricanes Poua players, supporters, and community leaders, raising an incredible $8,000 for Motor Neurone Disease NZ. “For us, this cause is … Read more
Thanks to the support of Bunnings, our amazing volunteers, and communities across Aotearoa, MND Action Month sizzled its way to a $50,000 milestone — helping make time count for people living with motor neurone disease. On Saturday, 28 June, something special happened across Aotearoa. From Whangārei to Invercargill, 42 Bunnings stores opened their doors and … Read more
Motor neurone disease (MND) is a devastating, incurable illness that slowly robs people of their ability to move, speak, eat—and eventually, breathe. Every week, at least two New Zealanders are diagnosed, and two more lose their lives to MND. This June, you can help make time count for those affected. Motor Neurone Disease NZ is proud to … Read more
It began with a holiday pottery class — a young girl at the wheel, her mum by her side, both falling quietly in love with clay. Over time, that spark became JMT Ceramics: a mother–daughter studio grounded in patience, creativity, and connection. When Michelle’s partner lost his father to motor neurone disease (MND), the grief … Read more
Behind a set of double doors on a quiet West Auckland street sits a place that hums with quiet energy. From the outside, it’s a shed. But to Kevin Norton, it’s home. A sanctuary. A life lived among machines. Now living with motor neurone disease (MND), Kevin has adapted his world around what he loves … Read more
When Isaiah Masters lost his uncle Scott Bowman to motor neurone disease (MND), he didn’t want to sit with the sadness — he wanted to move with it. So, during MND Action Month, he’s turning grief into grit through Scotty’s MND400 — a challenge that’s raw, physical, and deeply personal. Between 16 and 29 June, … Read more
This MND Action Month, we’re proud to share some beautiful new additions to the MND NZ merchandise range — created to raise awareness, honour loved ones, and support the vital work we do alongside people living with motor neurone disease and their whānau. Held every June, MND Action Month is a time to raise awareness, … Read more
Michael Brown—known to most as Mike or “Browno”—has always met life head-on. Sporty by nature and community-minded at heart, he’s spent years in the surf and on the diamond. As Event Water Safety Manager with Surf Lifesaving New Zealand, Mike shares how he adapted to life with MND, modified his car to retain mobility and … Read more
June is MND Action Month — a time to take action, raise awareness, and make time count for New Zealanders living with motor neurone disease (MND). MND is a rapidly progressing, incurable disease that robs people of their ability to move, talk, eat, and eventually breathe. On average, a person diagnosed with MND in Aotearoa … Read more
From diagnosis to determination When Phillipa MacDonald was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) on her 55th birthday, her world changed overnight. Once a practice nurse and competitive bodybuilder, she suddenly faced the challenges of progressive bulbar palsy (PBP), a form of MND that affects speech and mobility. Determined to raise awareness and support for … Read more
Motor neurone disease (MND) research is advancing at pace, with new discoveries bringing hope to those affected. The team at the University of Auckland’s MND Research Lab is working to uncover the genetic causes of MND in New Zealanders, develop targeted therapies, and improve support for families. Thanks to the generosity of MND NZ and … Read more