Motor Neurone Disease NZ

28/05/2026

🍵Pour a Cuppa Tea for MND this June like Michelle and her family! Support 400+ Kiwis living with this fatal disease 💙

Diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2025 aged 56, Michelle Williamson gathered her community for a light-hearted and jovial afternoon of fun which was peppered with many poignant moments.

Michelle’s Cuppa Tea for MND was held in a room filled with friends, family, aroha, handmade items, silent raffle goodies and fine bone China cups -
with her daughter braving an ice bucket challenge outside.

“The fun, the squeals, the poem, the tears and the love that was so evident that afternoon acknowledged that Michelle and her whānau are on a very challenging journey of their own, but they are certainly not alone,” says MND NZ Regional Support Advisor Rachel Woodworth.

Pictured: Michelle's niece and sister at her Cuppa Tea for MND

☕Every cuppa poured makes a difference

🧁Join the Cuppa Tea for MND: mndactionmonth.org.nz
👉 Read Michelle's Cuppa Tea story: mnd.org.nz/news/cups-and-buckets-overflow-with-aroha-to-support-mnd-nz

26/05/2026

Get a kick start on your fundraising and sign up for MND Action Month! 💥 It’s time to grab the bucket out of the garage or grab that new teapot you’ve been waiting to use.

We’ve got ten special prize packs to give away – all you have to do is…
🧊Sign up to the Ice Bucket Challenge or Cuppa Tea for MND
🫖Raise $100 or more
❄️Do the above by June 5th!

Everyone who ticks the boxes will go in the draw to win a prize pack, valued at $60!

Fundraise your way and together, we can make time count. 💙

Follow the link here to sign up: https://www.mndactionmonth.org.nz/

25/05/2026

💙We pay tribute to the former AFL footballer, Australian of the Year and Fight MND founder and campaigner Neale Daniher, who died at the age of 65 on Monday 25 May. Our heartfelt condolences and aroha go to Neale’s family, friends and colleagues on both sides of the Tasman and around the globe.💙

“His wish was simple but powerful - to help create a world where no one has to face this disease. But beyond that he wanted to leave a legacy that says this “No matter the odds, no matter the diagnosis, we all have the power to fight, to smile, and to do. Because the mark of a person isn’t what they say, "it’s what they do”.
We will forever remember him for the lasting impact that he has made on us all. He has inspired, he has loved, he has lived and it would only be fitting to finish with his words - Play On.” – Daniher Family

May you forever play on peacefully, Neale.

Read more about Neale’s legacy: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-25/ex-essendon-afl-player-coach-neale-daniher-dies/104227390

25/05/2026

We are sending our thoughts and aroha across the Tasman to NRL and Queensland State of Origin Player Jai Arrow (30) and his family in the wake of his MND diagnosis last week. 💙And to every person across Australasia who is living with MND.

MND Australia CEO Clare Sullivan recently spoke with A Current Affair about Jai’s diagnosis and the challenges of fragmented MND data across Australia.

In New Zealand, Motor Neurone Disease NZ has funded the New Zealand MND Registry since 2017, led by Dr Sarah Buchanan from the Neurology Department at Dunedin Hospital, and the University of Otago. We encourage every person living with MND in New Zealand to sign up. The Registry supports vital research and helps shape the future of care and support services.

The MND Registry, alongside the MND Lab led by Dr Emma Scotter at the Centre for Brain Research, firmly links Kiwi’s with MND to the international effort to discover more effective treatments for this terminal disease.

Clare also reflected on the powerful outpouring of support from the MND community in Australia and beyond. Watch the full interview below ⬇️

Find out more about the New Zealand MND Registry: https://mnd.org.nz/research/mnd-registry/

"Nothing is going to take me out easy." That is the heartbreaking but defiant vow from NRL star Jai Arrow, following his shock diagnosis with Motor Neurone D...

22/05/2026

We’ve been overwhelmed by the number of supporters who are locked in to sizzle sausages on 06 June at 42 Bunnings stores across the motu! 💥

We couldn’t do it without you, but…..we still need a few more volunteers. Can you volunteer two hours of your time for MND NZ?

We still need volunteers for the following locations and time slots :
• Bunnings Blenheim: 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Feilding: 9am-11am, 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Gisborne: 9am-11am, 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Glenfield: 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Hawera: 9am-11am, 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Lyall Bay: 9am-11am, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Mangawhai: 9am-11am, 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Manukau: 9am-11am, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Mt Roskill: 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Mt Wellington: 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Nelson: 9am-11am, 11am-1pm
• Bunnings New Lynn: 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings New Plymouth: 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings North Shore: 11am-1pm
• Bunnings Petone: 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Porirua: 9am-11am
• Bunnings Queenstown: 9am-11am, 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Shirley: 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Takanini: 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Taupō: 9am-11am, 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Tauranga: 9am-11am
• Bunnings Te Rapa, Hamilton: 9am-11am
• Bunnings Timaru: 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Tokoroa: 9am-11am, 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Whanganui: 9am-11am, 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Waipapa: 9am-11am, 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Wellington Central: 9am-11am, 11am-1pm
• Bunnings Westgate: 9am-11am, 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Whakatāne: 9am-11am, 11am-1pm, 1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Whangamatā: 9am-11am, 11-1pm,1pm-3pm
• Bunnings Whangārei: 9am-11am, 11-1pm,1pm-3pm

Keen to help out?

💙 Just flick us an email at [email protected] with your preferred store and shift, along with your name and phone number. We will email you a confirmation to lock in your spot.

And if you can’t volunteer, that’s okay too – you can visit your nearest participating Bunnings and buy a sausage or a drink to support MND NZ. 🫶
Learn more at https://www.mndactionmonth.org.nz/bunnings

20/05/2026

💙Today is big reveal day! The GORGEOUS 2026 design, limited-edition ‘Cuppa Tea for MND’ cup, saucer and snack plate have landed… we’re so excited!! 💃🏼

Handmade by a mother-daughter duo of , and inspired by the MND NZ logo, each piece is uniquely crafted to celebrate the individuality and resilience within each one of us.

Michelle and Jacqueline created these pieces in honour of a close family member who lived with motor neurone disease. By purchasing this set, you're helping provide vital support for the MND community in New Zealand.

The 2025 limited-edition ceramics were so popular – they sold out and we know you’ve been waiting for this year’s release.

Don’t miss out this year! Purchase your cup and saucer, snack plate, or all three items today — or share the aroha and host your own Cuppa Tea for MND this June.

Shop https://merch.mnd.org.nz/ (link in bio)
Sign up www.mndactionmonth.org.nz
Read Michelle and Jacqueline’s story : https://mnd.org.nz/news/handmade-with-aroha-ceramics-for-mnd-nz/

Photography by Michelle Ip

19/05/2026

For many people, motor neurone disease doesn’t begin with a diagnosis. It begins with uncertainty.

For Judith Jones, early symptoms were explained away as “just ageing”.

When her legs tired easily, then gave way beneath her, she was told it was an ageing spine. Then ageing legs. One specialist even suggested seeing a neurologist would be a waste of time and money.

But Judith knew something wasn’t right.

It took persistence — and the insight of an osteopath — before she was finally referred to a neurologist and diagnosed with a rare, slower progressing form of MND.

Judith’s experience highlights a wider issue.

Because MND is uncommon and often poorly understood, people can spend years navigating appointments, referrals, and assumptions before they get answers.

For a disease where time matters, understanding matters too.

That’s why MND Action Month is so important — so MND symptoms are recognised earlier, pathways are clearer, and fewer people are left in limbo.

Judith and her husband Allen are sharing their story in the hope it helps make time count for others.

👉 Read Judith’s story
https://mnd.org.nz/news/lost-in-limbo-the-long-and-frustrating-road-to-an-mnd-diagnosis/

👉 Sign up to MND Action Month
www.mndmonth.org.nz

18/05/2026

A common misconception about MND is that it is 'an older person's disease'. This story in the ODT about 28-year-old Thomas Cockburn's recent diagnosis reminds us that anyone can be impacted by MND. While it is most common between the ages of 50 and 70, MND often affects people much younger.

When Thomas Cockburn saw a neurologist in September, he thought it was just another step in his recovery from lingering calf and back injuries.

The 28-year-old had been kept out of the rugby season, where he played lock for Springston, and had seen physios and specialists before embarking on a European holiday with his partner Eilish Robinson-Kelly from June to August.
Over two visits to the neurologist and tests on his muscles and nerves, the source of the problem was revealed. Cockburn had motor neurone disease.
“It was pretty devastating,” he said.
“I didn’t really know what to think, it just kind of changes everything.”

When Thomas Cockburn saw a neurologist in September he thought it was just another step in his recovery from lingering calf and back injuries.

17/05/2026

💙 Grateful thanks for your generous funding towards the salary and car lease of Jasmine Chua, our Upper South Island (including South Canterbury) Regional Support Advisor:

🙏 Aoraki Foundation (South Canterbury)
🙏 Redwood Trust (Marlborough)
🙏 Kiwi Gaming Foundation (Christchurch)
🙏 Belfast Community Trust (Christchurch).

Jasmine couldn't do her vital work to support people living with MND and their families across communities in the south island without this funding.

MND NZ Support Advisors like Jasmine build caring and supportive relationships through face-to-face meetings, phone calls, text messages, email, and video calls throughout New Zealand.

They help link their clients with the appropriate health care professionals from multi-disciplinary teams of physiotherapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, speech language therapists, and community nurses across New Zealand. Our support team can also act on their client’s behalf to navigate government agencies and specialist equipment services.

Together, we are making time count for people impacted by MND.

15/05/2026

Sometimes, making a difference starts with a cuppa ☕

This June, host a Cuppa Tea for MND — at work, at home, or with friends and whānau. It’s about connection, kōrero, and showing support for people living with MND.

☕ Simple to host
💙 Powerful impact

🎁 As our way of saying thank you:
Everyone who signs up and raises $100 by 05 June will go in the draw to win one of ten MND NZ thank you packs, featuring exclusive MND Action Month items.

👉 Sign up for MND Action Month
www.mndactionmonth.org.nz

Prize details and dates available on the website.