Anzmes

04/10/2026

October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month.

This is the month to dive deep into the world of dysautonomia, a group of conditions caused by the malfunction of the autonomic nervous system.
Take a look at this interesting and informative video released by ANZMES. This episode features Dr. Sarah Dalziel discussing Dysautonomia and research findings. This presentation with slides was recorded for an ANZMES event in September 2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o36qJr-aiJI

Know M.E. the podcast where guest speakers talk about pressing issu...

29/09/2026

NEW DANISH ME SHORT FILM 'BEST PRACTICE" WILL BE SCREENING IN NEW ZEALAND SOON!
*Trigger Warning. Some content in the movie trailer below may be upsetting*

Best Practice is a new Danish, fictional short film about a locksmith's dilemma at a forced removal of a severe ME patient.

The film will be screening at the Oscar qualifying "Show Me Shorts Film Festival" in New Zealand, in the program "Heartstrings", at venues in Wellington Oct. 9, Auckland-Balmoral Oct. 10, Thames Oct. 16, Auckland-Takapuna Oct. 17, Christchurch Oct. 17 2026, and Stewart Island Jan. 20, 2027. All films have English subtitles.

Best Practice (15 min.) is a short film from 2026, directed by Oscar-winner Martin Strange-Hansen, Denmark, who has also won an Italian price for Best Director of this film. The idea for the film came from the brother of a severe ME-patient, Hjalte Ilsøe Gustavussen, who also plays the leading role as the locksmith.

Story: A young locksmith is called to aid the authorities on a forced removal of a severe ME patient. His job is solely to open the door, but as the situation unfolds, he is faced with a dilemma. By doing his job, is he enabling a harmful situation forced upon an innocent family?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581674730584
Trailer : https://vimeo.com/1129923232

Find out more and order your tickets here:
https://www.showmeshorts.co.nz/attend/2026-programme/sessions/heartstrings?fbclid=IwY2xjawUoFcVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMXI4NDNzN1BMUVNEVmlKdXhzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEepwQpMJXdyQipoKfM44IbQXOcmxlvUt_9JVJM7umybv2Y7Y1cfXE94JF5k1M_aem_zQ7JRXwtY-WGCe7F3WtMoQ



Text credit to:
Millionsmissingdenmark

What is love? Placed into a variety of pressured situations, the characters in these short films still manage to find their humanity, their heart, and their compassion—exposing their bravery. If only we all had their courage! Drama, romance, coming-of-age, and of course musical romance can be foun...

22/09/2026

Introducing Gut Guide by gastroenterologist and hepatologist Dr Hannah Giles, New Zealand's leading expert on Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS).

This web-based application includes MCAS diagnostic screening, nutrition guidance, medication information, and built-in safety protocols. Key information is available free of charge, with full access from $30 per year for patients and $100 per year for health professionals. Subscription fees support the development of a future mobile app version.
Please seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to nutritional or medication protocols.

Disclaimer: ANZMES has not tried this product nor endorsing it but providing this as information so you can make an informed decision about whether it is right for you.

www.gut-guide.com

Clinically curated histamine intolerance food guide and symptom tracker by Dr Hannah Giles.

16/09/2026

Anzmes celebrates Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) this week
- Monday, September 14 to Sunday, September 20 2026.

Māori Language Week, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, is a time for all New Zealanders to celebrate and encourage the use of te reo Māori in the classroom, home, workplace, community and beyond.

With over 900,000 Māori living in New Zealand and thousands more living in nearby islands and countries, te reo Māori is highly important and valued. Māori Language Week is celebrated through speaking, song, dance, cultural displays and community events.

www.reomaori.co.nz has heaps of resources and ideas to get started, so kōrero mai - kia kaha te reo Māori!

̄ori

13/09/2026

New Zealand has one of the lowest levels of publicly funded access to medicines among comparable countries.

With the election fast approaching, this is our opportunity to send a clear message to the next Government that New Zealanders expect better access to the medicines they need.

We’ve joined with 16 patient organisations to write an open letter to the future government calling for change, and thousands of New Zealanders have already added their names.

We need your help to reach 10,000+ signatures before the letter is presented to the main political parties on the steps of Parliament.

If you’ve already signed, please share the letter with your friends, whānau and networks and encourage them to add their names, too.

13/09/2026

Anzmes celebrates Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) this week
- Monday, September 14 to Sunday, September 20 2026.

This year, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) is heading to your town!
Under the theme Ake, Ake, Ake – A Forever Language, the 2026 focus is Te Reo Towns - a celebration of the communities who have kept te reo Māori alive, and an invitation for all of Aotearoa to help it flourish into the future.
From homes where Māori has always been spoken, to communities beginning their reo journey, every town, street, workplace and marae has a role to play in the future of te reo Māori. Big city or small town, te reo Māori is for everyone.

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission) and Te Mātāwai are inviting towns and cities across the motu to boost te reo Māori so it is heard, seen and lived during Te Wiki and beyond.

̄ori

10/09/2026

Voters can make informed decisions based on your voice. Which MP have you spoken to? What did they say their party would commit to, for people living with long-term conditions? Does the party’s manifesto include our three pillars?

Find out other ways your voice matters and how you can help on our website:
https://anzmes.org.nz/healthy-futures-for-new-zealand-two-lives-two-futures-one-choice-this-election/



This image is AI-generated on Canva.

08/09/2026

The Solution.
The Three Pillars for Long-Term Conditions
The incidence of ME and Long COVID is rising. Time for action. Not lip service.

Pillar 1: Prevention and Early Recognition: This pillar focuses on reducing harm through earlier diagnosis, better health literacy, and consistent clinical standards.
Pillar 2: Long-Term Investment in Community Care: This pillar addresses the need for sustainable, equitable services for people living with long‑term conditions.
Pillar 3: A 10‑Year Cross‑Party Plan for Long‑Term Conditions: Because health is an investment that must outlast political cycles, this pillar calls for long‑term planning and accountability.

When the government partners with NGOs who are at the forefront of community care, it’s a win-win. ANZMES welcomes the opportunity to kōrero with MPs to implement tangible change today.

Find out more about how you can make a difference: https://anzmes.org.nz/healthy-futures-for-new-zealand-two-lives-two-futures-one-choice-this-election/

07/09/2026

Two Lives. Two Futures. One Choice this Election.
Why does it matter now?

The increasing prevalence of post‑viral conditions makes it clear that current gaps can no longer be sustained. Conditions with far lower prevalence already receive dedicated services, research funding, and government commitment. People with ME and Long COVID deserve equitable access to the same level of coordinated care.

Early recognition and intervention reduce diagnostic delays, prevent deterioration, enable people to maintain employment and independence, support people when they need it most, and lower hospitalisation rates. The cost of doing nothing is increased pressure on primary care, reduced labour force participation, lower household income and consumer spending, heightened carer burden shouldering clinical responsibilities they were never trained for, and avoidable hospitalisation — all of which carry significant economic, social, health, and moral consequences.

This is the difference between the couple with support on the right versus our current system on the left.

Learn more about our election trail campaign and how you can make a difference here: https://anzmes.org.nz/healthy-futures-for-new-zealand-two-lives-two-futures-one-choice-this-election/



This image is AI-generated on Canva.

07/09/2026

Wiremu* also became unwell after a viral illness. But his GP, *Dr Jones, didn’t recognise the signs.
Wiremu was told to push through, exercise more, try CBT, stay positive. He followed the advice — because he trusted the system.
Every time he pushed, he crashed. Every crash made him worse.
Within a year, Wiremu was in a darkened room, unable to stand, unable to tolerate sound or light.
His whānau were exhausted, unsupported, and invisible to the system.

Wiremu represents what happens when the system fails.

*Dr Hana Ngata, Dr Jones, Aroha, and Wiremu are fictional, representative characters. However, they reflect the real experiences of doctors and patients across Aotearoa and are used to illustrate what early recognition and intervention for ME and Long COVID can — and should — look like in practice and the consequences and harm caused when this does not occur.

Learn more about our election trail campaign and how you can make a difference here: https://anzmes.org.nz/healthy-futures-for-new-zealand-two-lives-two-futures-one-choice-this-election/