Tourettes Association of NZ

11/06/2026

“I’m proud of still being here and not letting Tourette’s define who I am.”

Those words from Hannah Keen say so much.

We are incredibly grateful to Hannah for sharing her story so openly. Behind every diagnosis is a person with dreams, strengths, challenges, and a life far bigger than their Tourette’s.

Stories like Hannah’s help challenge stigma, create understanding, and remind others in our community that they are not alone.

Thank you, Hannah, for helping people see the person behind the tics. 💙

Please take a few minutes to read and share her story.

I was officially diagnosed with Tourette’s at the end of last year, when it exploded.

09/06/2026

Awareness comes in all sorts of ways.

After seeing the discussion around Tourette’s following the BAFTAs earlier this year, Dylan wanted to learn more. What started as curiosity quickly turned into a university assignment and a podcast project focused on the truth behind Tourette’s Syndrome.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of sitting down with Dylan to record a five part podcast series exploring what Tourette’s really is, the myths, the realities, and the experiences of those living with it every day.

One conversation leads to another. One question leads to understanding. One person learning more can create a ripple effect that reaches many others.

That is how awareness grows.

We are incredibly grateful whenever someone wants to listen, learn, and help share accurate information about Tourette’s. Every conversation helps challenge misconceptions and creates a little more understanding for our community.

We’ll be sharing the podcast series once Dylan has finished the project and, fingers crossed, earned himself an A grade! 😄

Thank you, Dylan, for taking the time to learn, ask questions, and help tell the story.

💙 Awareness grows every time we talk about it.
💙 Understanding starts with a conversation.
💙 The truth matters.

Who knew a university assignment could help change perceptions of Tourette’s? 😄

03/06/2026

💚 AWARENESS MONTH MYTHBUSTER 💚

❌ MYTH: Ignoring tics means ignoring the person.
✅ FACT: Often the opposite is true.

When someone is experiencing tics, our natural instinct is often to comment, ask if they're okay, remind them to stop, or draw attention to what's happening.

But for many people with Tourette's, this can actually increase self consciousness, stress, and anxiety, which may make tics more noticeable or difficult to manage.

Ignoring a tic does not mean ignoring the person.

It means continuing the conversation.
It means continuing the lesson.
It means continuing the game.
It means responding to the person, rather than reacting to the tic.

Of course, every individual is different. Some people are happy to talk about their tics and answer questions. Others may prefer that their tics simply aren't made into a big deal. When in doubt, ask the person or follow their lead.

One of the most supportive things we can do is create environments where people with Tourette's feel accepted and included, whether they are ticcing or not.

Because people with Tourette's don't want to be known only for their tics.

They want to be known for who they are.

💚 Tourette's Awareness Month

If this surprised you, please share this post. Greater understanding creates more supportive schools, workplaces, sports clubs, and communities for people living with Tourette's.

For information, resources, or to arrange a presentation for your school, workplace, community group, or organisation, contact us at [email protected]

You can also support our work by making a donation at tourettes.org.nz.

02/06/2026

💙 Curious about Camp Twitch 2026? Join us tonight!

Camp Twitch is more than just a camp. It is a place where people with Tourette's meet others who truly understand, parents connect with supportive families, siblings feel included, and lifelong friendships are formed.

If you have been wondering whether Camp Twitch might be right for your family, join our free online information session tonight.

We'll share what camp is all about, what to expect, accommodation options, activities, costs, and answer any questions you may have.

There is NO obligation to register for camp. Come along, meet the team, and find out more.

📅 Tonight (Wed 3rd)
🕖 7:30pm
💻 Join here: https://zoom.us/meetings/96823473038/invitations?signature=spEPJbIPQ3OrhFTrrWHD4-YBNT1jAsyeXi0Sj0gbyUQ

We would love to see you there. 💙

30/05/2026

**YOU ASKED. WE ANSWERED. 💙**

❓ Is Tourette's linked to other conditions?

Yes. Many people with Tourette's also experience other conditions alongside their tics. These are known as co-occurring conditions and can include ADHD, OCD, anxiety, autism, sensory processing differences, sleep challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, and learning difficulties.

Tourette's rarely exists in a neat little box on its own. It is often part of a broader neurological picture, which means every person's experience can look quite different. Two people with Tourette's may have completely different challenges, strengths, and support needs.

For example, one child may struggle to sit still and focus because of ADHD. Another may experience intrusive thoughts and compulsions related to OCD. Someone else may find sensory overload, anxiety, or difficulties with sleep are their biggest challenges. While these experiences may be linked to the same underlying neurological differences, they can affect people in very different ways.

In fact, for many people, these co-occurring conditions can have the same or even more of an impact on daily life than the tics themselves.

Understanding these connections is important because support needs to look at the whole person, not just the tics. When families, schools, workplaces, and health professionals recognise the broader picture, they are often better able to provide meaningful support and understanding.

Most importantly, having Tourette's does not define a person. People with Tourette's are as unique as anyone else, with their own personalities, interests, talents, and goals.

If this helped you better understand Tourette’s, please share this post to help spread awareness and reduce misunderstanding 💙

TANZ also offers tailored online presentations for schools, workplaces, community groups, and professionals to help build awareness, understanding, and practical knowledge. To find out more, contact us at [email protected].

And if you would like to support TANZ in continuing to educate, advocate, and support Kiwi families living with Tourette’s, please consider making a donation at tourettes.org.nz 💙

27/05/2026

Awareness does not happen in isolation.

As we celebrate Tourette’s Awareness Month, we want to acknowledge that campaigns like *Please Ignore It* only reach the public because of the incredible support of partners who generously lend their expertise, time, and passion to our cause.

A huge thank you to Calibre + Candor, whose hands on expertise has helped amplify our message far beyond what would otherwise be possible.

From radio spots and online coverage to billboards and broader media placements, so much of the visibility our community sees is thanks to the hard work happening behind the scenes.

As a small charity, partnerships like this make an enormous difference.

Awareness is not just about having an important message.
It is about making sure that message is seen, heard, and understood.

Thank you to the Calibre + Candor team for helping us get Tourette’s into conversations across Aotearoa and helping challenge stigma through visibility, education, and awareness.

We are incredibly grateful to have you in our corner 💙

100% recommend, A++.
If you need a hands-on media, digital, and creative agency that works like part of your team, with over 15 years’ experience across some of New Zealand’s biggest brands contact them. www.calibrecandor.co.nz

26/05/2026

**YOU ASKED. WE ANSWERED. 💙**

One of the biggest misconceptions about Tourette’s is that people can simply “stop” their tics if they try hard enough.

The reality is much more complicated.

Some people with Tourette’s *can* suppress their tics for short periods, but this often takes an enormous amount of concentration and effort. It can be mentally exhausting, uncomfortable, and sometimes even physically distressing.

A helpful way to think about it is like trying not to blink, suppress a sneeze, or ignore an itch. You might manage it for a little while… but eventually the urge builds, and it has to come out.

For many children, this is why tics may seem minimal at school, only to explode at home where they finally feel safe enough to release that pressure.

So yes, some people can suppress tics temporarily. But that does **not** mean tics are voluntary, or that someone should be expected to “just stop.”

If this helped you better understand Tourette’s, please share this post to help spread awareness and reduce misunderstanding 💙

TANZ also offers tailored online presentations for schools, workplaces, community groups, and professionals to help build awareness, understanding, and practical knowledge. To find out more, contact us at [email protected].

And if you would like to support TANZ in continuing to educate, advocate, and support Kiwi families living with Tourette’s, please consider making a donation at tourettes.org.nz 💙

25/05/2026

🎉 WOOP WOOP… CAMP TWITCH 2026 IS HAPPENING! 🎉

We are SO excited to officially announce that Camp Twitch is back for 2026 💙

📍 El Rancho, Waikanae
📅 28 September to 2 October 2026

Camp Twitch is our much loved national camp for young people with Tourette’s and tic disorders, offering connection, friendship, confidence building, fun, and the magic of being surrounded by people who just *get it*.

✨ Different accommodation options available
✨ Heavily subsidised to keep it as affordable as possible
✨ Open to anyone aged 18 and under
✨ Limited 18+ mentor spaces also available for those keen to support and give back

📧 Registration emails and sign up information will be going out THIS WEDNESDAY.

If you think you may not be on our newsletter list (or sometimes miss our emails), send us a message or email now so we can make sure you get the registration details. ([email protected])

⚠️ Spaces will be first in, first served, however camp will only proceed if minimum numbers are reached.

This is always one of the most special events on our calendar and we cannot wait to bring our community together again 💙

Who’s excited?! 🙌