Tourettes Association of NZ

29/09/2026

✨ Camp Twitch is officially getting GLOWING reviews… ✨

Quite literally. 😂

Last night’s activity: Glow in the Dark Dodgeball 🔦☄️

Camp Twitch 2026 is in full swing at El Rancho and honestly, it’s pretty bloody awesome. 💚

Tics, laughs, new friendships, old friendships, a little friendly competition… and dodgeball in the dark? 😂

This is what Camp Twitch is all about. A place where nobody has to explain themselves, nobody has to hold their tics in, and everyone gets to just get stuck in and have fun.

And yep… we’re absolutely glowing. ✨

15/09/2026

💥 YOU’RE CRASHING THE WEBSITE! 💥

Following tonight’s Paddy Gower Has Issues, so many people are trying to access the petition signing website that the website is struggling with the traffic.

While we know that’s frustrating, what an incredible sign of support for our Tourette’s community. 💚

Please don’t give up. If the page won’t load, come back and try again a little later.

Every signature matters.

Tonight, New Zealand got to hear directly from people with Tourette’s about what it is really like to live with this condition, and why the current exclusion from Disability Support Services needs to change.

If you watched the story and thought this doesn’t make sense, please add your name.

And if you’ve already signed, share the petition and encourage someone else to do the same.

Let’s keep this momentum going. 💚

The website might be down, but our community isn’t.

https://petitions.parliament.nz/1f10c734-0815-4699-b710-08dec0efef41?lang=en&fbclid=IwdGRleAUV4xtwZG9mBWZkaWQWUOfl9dDWKjO-sC_ZywxZBqiCxNTcqWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5RJCKlL8hJNjtxopBvGxqxZIioEZYsLuBcBD_crc6QKtEZugZQ2PBjawZ2Rw_aem_XnY6mOc4B5efnbrHY7WWqg

Petitions are addressed to the House of Representatives and ask that the House do something about a policy or law, or put right a local or private concern.

14/09/2026

LISTEN UP! Wait, WATCH UP!

Tonight at 7.30pm on THREE, our Tourette’s community will be sharing its story on Paddy Gower Has Issues

Hannah and Oliver, who live with Tourette’s, and Jodi, mum to Brock, speak honestly about their first hand experiences. We are incredibly proud of them. Sharing something so personal takes courage, and voices like theirs help New Zealand understand the real impact of Tourette’s and why change is so desperately needed.

We also want to acknowledge Leighton and Felix, who are leading the petition calling for people with Tourette’s to have access to government funded disability support services.

Every person featured in this story continues to give back to our community, and we are so proud that Hanah, Oliver and Brock will be joining us at Camp Twitch as mentors. Our community is incredibly fortunate to have advocates like these speaking up, creating change, and supporting others coming behind them.

Sincerest thanks to the Paddy Gower Has Issues Team, the respect, care and true desire to understand our story and community was overwhelmingly strong. Thank you.

Please watch tonight, then help us keep the momentum going:

📺 Watch *Paddy Gower Has Issues* tonight at 7.30pm on THREE
✍️ Sign and share the petition: https://petitions.parliament.nz/1f10c734-0815-4699-b710-08dec0efef41?fbclid=IwY2xjawUVTARwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUZyS1ZER3kyRWwybWpJOUpzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeN3bLqy8-tKvw_fPcVyTQbbGIHxhjxjB5l0alxnaqBeQm3fdCr8ysfzSz9o4_aem_r9RKWdnophpvsoiR91tTUA&lang=en
💚 Donate to support the work of the Tourette’s Association of New Zealand: https://tourettes-awareness-month-please-ignore-it.raiselysite.com/

TANZ is New Zealand’s only national organisation dedicated to supporting people with Tourette’s and tic disorders. Your support helps us provide education, advocacy, resources, community connection, and opportunities like Camp Twitch.

Please watch. Please share. Please stand with our community.

09/09/2026

💚 **Could you help bring your local Tourette’s community together?**

A TANZ Community Ambassador is not expected to arrive with a network already established or a calendar full of events.

They are simply the person who helps connection begin.

That might mean:

💚 Welcoming a newly diagnosed family
💚 Organising a relaxed coffee catch up
💚 Connecting people who understand one another
💚 Sharing trusted TANZ information and resources
💚 Helping us understand what their local community needs

Every region is different, so we want our ambassadors to **start small and grow their local network in a way that works for their community**.

TANZ will provide the induction, resources, guidance and ongoing support. You do not need to be an expert or do everything yourself. We are looking for warm, reliable people who care about helping others feel understood, included and less alone.

Applications for our first Community Ambassador Programme close at **11.59 pm on Monday 14 September**.

Learn more and apply:
https://www.tourettes.org.nz/ambassadorprogram

Could you be the person who helps bring your local Tourette’s community together? 💚

08/09/2026

💚 **Camp Twitch mentors**

This year, we are incredibly fortunate to have an amazing group of mentors joining us at Camp Twitch.

Over the coming weeks, we will introduce you to these wonderful mentors and share a little about the people who will be helping make Camp Twitch so special.

TANZ has committed to covering the cost of bringing our mentors to camp because we recognise the enormous value of having them there. This includes helping with expenses such as travel, accommodation and meals.

If you are in a position to help us offset some of these costs, we would warmly welcome a donation of any amount. Every contribution will help us bring this important layer of connection, guidance and hope to camp.

Donate here: https://form.jotform.com/gmEmma/support-camp-twitch-

Throughout camp, they will assist our organisers, welcome families and help everyone settle in. They will talk with parents, share their experiences and provide the kind of understanding that can only come from someone who has walked a similar path.

Most importantly, they will be there for our young people.

For a child or teenager with Tourette’s, meeting an older person who understands their experiences can be incredibly powerful. Our mentors are living proof that Tourette’s does not limit the possibility of a happy, meaningful and successful future. They will listen, encourage, guide and help our young people see that their future is bright.

Thank you for helping us create a place where young people with Tourette’s can feel understood, supported and excited about the future. 💚

01/09/2026

A slightly different day in the “office” yesterday… 👀🎥

We love any opportunity to welcome amazing journalists and their just as amazing crew into our world (or in this case, my kitchen!) and talk about our incredible Tourette’s community and what life with Tourette’s looks like here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

So grateful for the opportunity to keep these conversations happening, raise awareness and give our community a voice.

More to come… 💚

30/08/2026

💚 **Why are we creating the TANZ Community Ambassador Programme?**

Many people with Tourette’s have never met another person who tics.

Many parents and caregivers have never spoken with another family who truly understands the challenges, humour, uncertainty and strength that can come with Tourette’s.

Our Community Ambassadors will help change that by creating trusted local connections across Aotearoa.

We are looking for six to eight warm, reliable and inclusive people who can welcome new families, help organise informal catch ups, share TANZ information and resources, support awareness activities and help us understand their regional community’s needs.

You might have Tourette’s or a tic disorder yourself, or be a parent, caregiver or adult whānau member. You don’t need to be an expert or a confident public speaker. Sometimes the person who makes the greatest difference is simply the one who listens, welcomes people and brings them together.

Applications close at **11.59 pm on Monday 14 September 2026**.

Learn more and apply:
https://www.tourettes.org.nz/ambassadorprogram

Please share this with someone who could help people affected by Tourette’s feel understood, included and less alone. 💚

24/08/2026

📣 **Applications are now open for our first TANZ Community Ambassadors!**

Our new Community Ambassador Programme will help create trusted local connections for people and whānau affected by Tourette’s and tic disorders across Aotearoa.

We are looking for six to eight warm, reliable and inclusive people aged 18 or over. You might have Tourette’s or a tic disorder yourself, or be a parent, caregiver or adult whānau member.

Community Ambassadors may welcome new families, help organise informal local catch ups, share TANZ information and resources, support awareness activities and help us understand what their regional community needs.

You don’t need to be an expert, an experienced volunteer or a confident public speaker. A quieter community connector can be just as valuable as someone who enjoys presenting or organising events.

This is a supported volunteer role requiring approximately two to four hours each month. Induction, resources and ongoing support will be provided by TANZ.

Applications close at **11.59 pm on Monday 14 September 2026**.

Learn more and apply:
https://www.tourettes.org.nz/ambassadorprogram
(role profile and expectation are included in this webpage)
email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Please share this with someone who might make a wonderful TANZ Community Ambassador 💚

19/08/2026

🌟 CAMP TWITCH UPDATE 🌟

The excitement is building and information is now starting to make its way to the families already registered for Camp Twitch 2026!

We still have very limited accommodation available in the Elm Halls and Pinewood bunks, so if your family is still looking for something unforgettable to do during the school holidays, come and join us at El Rancho in Waikanae from 28 September to 2 October. 💚

For just $250 per person, your accommodation, meals and activities are all covered.

And there is plenty to look forward to:

🛶 Kayaking
🏹 Forest Range, including archery and axe throwing
🎯 Slingshot paintball
🧗 Kauri Climb, including rock climbing and crate climbing
🤝 Team challenges and activities
🌿 Time to relax, connect and have fun together

But Camp Twitch is about so much more than the activities.

It is about meeting other people who understand. Building friendships. Sharing lived experiences. Laughing together. Watching our young people feel accepted exactly as they are, and reminding every person and whānau that they are not alone.

Camp Twitch is a fully catered family camp for people with Tourette’s and tic disorders, their parents, caregivers and siblings.

Spaces really are limited, so if you have been thinking about joining us, now is the time!

Find out more or register here: https://form.jotform.com/gmEmma/camp-twitch-2026-registration
or email [email protected] and ask anything - lots of information is on our website as well

31/07/2026

This is a big step for awareness. 💙

I Swear is now available to stream on NEON, and on PRIME.

Every time stories like this become more accessible, more people have the chance to better understand Tourette Syndrome. That’s how awareness grows, conversations start, and stigma begins to fade.

With a cold weekend ahead, it’s the perfect excuse to put your feet up and give it a watch.