Update: Dr Natalie Gauld, ONZM
Community, Research
18 June 2026
The end of June marks the completion of our Research Advisor and Best Practice Advocate, Dr Natalie Gauld's contract with Motor Neurone Disease NZ.
Natalie began with us prior to my start as Chief Executive. With a strong background in research, health development projects and of course her lived experience, she immediately made an impact.
One of the first major projects was of course, research. Natalie is the Principal Investigator for the MND Insight Research (funded by MND NZ, Health Research Council, and Natalie Gauld) that is now the main focus of Natalie's efforts. As I reported recently, the evidence coming out of this extensive research is a core element in our advocacy work to deliver better services and support for people affected by MND.
That study is proving to be a landmark piece of research and Natalie is continuing with analysis, review, writing and publication tasks associated with ensuring that it delivers the understanding and progress that this community requires, both here in New Zealand and internationally.
Natalie also finalised the review of our Research Strategy, has been a key participant with me in advocacy meetings with service, health sector and political leaders, up to and including the Minister of Health, supported the NZ MND Registry and played a significant role in attracting and enabling clinical trial delivery in New Zealand.
Alongside these rather more technical aspects of the position, Natalie has also represented the lived experience challenges of MND as we have looked at our service development, supported by a strong best practice lens.
Thank you, Natalie, for the impacts you have made across the spectrum with the MND and clinical communities. We wish you all the very best with your continuing work.
Motor Neurone Disease NZ remains committed to funding and supporting research in line with our MND Research Strategy. We will recruit for this position in due course to ensure this work continues.
Mark Leggett
Chief Executive, Motor Neurone Disease NZ