Parkinson's New Zealand has a National Office in Wellington and Divisions throughout New Zealand. For more information on local divisions and for contact details , go to the “In your area” link on the left hand side of this page or click here

Get Going for Parkinson's

Throughout the year thousands of New Zealanders of all ages, shapes and sizes push themselves to meet the challenge of events such as the Round the Bays, 5kms, Triathlons, Ironmans and even skipathons.  Some enter as individuals, others as teams and for others it is a school or corporate event.

If you're interested in taking part in an event and supporting people living with Parkinson's at the same time click here to find out more.

Education Grant for Health Professionals

Parkinson's New Zealand celebrates 25 years

2008 marks the 25^th anniversary of Parkinson's New Zealand as a National Society.

As part of the celebrations the Society held a special dinner on 11 April, World Parkinson's Day, and presented recognition awards to members who provide inspiration to others or make special contributions.

More than 40 people were nominated from around New Zealand and seven were presented with recognition awards in five categories at the dinner (see a full list of the award categories below).  In addition to the overall recipients, several members were awarded special commendations by the judging panel.

• The Ron Greenwood Community Spirit Award - For a person with Parkinson's who contributes to the community.

• The Peter Snell Keep Moving, Keep Fit Award - An award for a Person with Parkinson's who endeavours to remain active and take part in exercise to the best of their ability.

• The Gus and Irene Fisher Carpe Diem Award - an award for a Person with Parkinson's who seizes the day through their passion for work, creativity or a hobby.

• The David Levene Volunteer Award - An award recognising a volunteer who gives outstanding service to the Society.

• The Andrew Dunn Volunteer Award - An award recognising a volunteer who gives outstanding service to the Society.

 CLICK HERE for more information about the awards and anniversary.

Get it on Time

During Parkinson's Awareness Week 2007 (1-7 November) we launched our Get it on Time campaign which focuses on the importance of getting the right medication at the right time.

It is vital that people with Parkinson’s receive the right medication at the right time but many people with Parkinson's often report that this does not happen when they spend time in hospital or a rest home.

Incorrect timing of medication can slow down the recovery of people with Parkinson’s when they spend time in hospital for other reasons and it can lengthen their stays. 

We have produced a wallet sized card for people with Parkinson’s highlighting the importance of correct medication management. They can use the card to remind staff in hospitals and rest homes about the importance of medication timing and space is provided for recording their individual medication regime. 

The campaign will continue through 2008 and we have commissioned a research team to conduct a qualitative study into the issues. The results of this study will be available later in the year.

To find out more about Parkinson's Awareness Week or the Get it on Time campaign, contact your local division or email helen@Parkinson's.org.nz.
 

Playing with FIRE               
Anne Barry was the first woman in Australasia to become a profession firefighter. She had to fight for the right and her case went all the way to the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Human Rights Commission and Members of Parliament before she was accepted in 1981. In this book, Playing with Fire, she describes her time in the Service and the incredible life that her career has given her in a candid, pulling-n0-punches style, laced with a wonderful sense of humour.

Annie has generously decided that a portion of the royalties from the sale of this book will go to Parkinson's New Zealand

The book is available through Nationwide Distributor phone 03 3669559 or info@nationwidebooks.co.nz

A great read or gift and you can support Parkinson's NZ at the same time!!

Tulip Tales
Book Launch 1st November for Awareness Week
Ranging from the complex and cleverly observed to simple yet inspiring the 36 short stories of Tulip Tales will prove a welcome addition to any bookshelf.
Copies are available for $10.00 - Call 04 9044240 or visit our our online shop to order.

Sponsor a Bike Ride for Parkinson's

Help support Parkinson's New Zealand by sponsoring Teresa Amner as she challenges herself to complete a 160km bike ride around Lake Taupo at the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge 07 on 24 November! You can make donations to show support for Teresa and Parkinson's by visiting her fundraising site using the link - http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/TeresaAmner/

Thank you for supporting Parkinson's New Zealand

If you are one of the many Xtra customers who voted for Parkinson's New Zealand in their charity vote - thank you. Whatever the results we are very grateful for your support.

Compulsive Behaviours

A recent story on TVNZ's Close Up programme profiled the issue of compulsive behaviours such as gambling caused by dopamine agonist drugs including Pergolide used to treat Parkinson's.

Close Up's story stated that between 5 and 8 percent of people taking dopamine agonists, can experience compulsive behaviours. Parkinson's New Zealand urges anyone who is concerned to contact their doctor as soon as possible.

Click here for an article from the most recent Parkinsonian magazine by Neurologist Dr. Barry Snow "Pathological Gambling, Impulse Control Disorder and dopamine agonists."

Participate in Web Adapt Software Trial

IBM has kindly donated some internet software to Parkinson's New Zealand for our members to use for free!  

IBM has demonstrated the benefits of WAT (Web Adaptation Technology) software and it is designed to make the Web easier to use.  This is accomplished by making transformations and adaptations during your Web browsing according to your personal preferences, for example, enhancing text legibility, reduce visual clutter, enlarge text and other content, make your mouse and keyboard easier to use, or have your text read aloud to you.  You can apply transformations in combination.  Thus, for example, you might want to have text read aloud and also reformat the visual presentation of the page to reduce clutter. 

Your preferences for pate transformations and adaptations are applied by logging on to the project’s server.  This login procedure allows you to have the same adaptations applied to different computers that you may use. 

Parkinson's New Zealand is trialling the software and the trial is open to all our members.  In order to use the software you will require access to the internet from a pc (dial up or broad band).  Contact us  if you would like to participate in the trial.  

Simpleware - special offer
Simpleware is an easy to use software package that incorporates a word processor, email and the internet.  The directors of Simpleware have agreed to donate $10 from each copy sold to Parkinson's New Zealand.  The package was reviewed in the August 2006 edition of The Parkinsonian and costs $95.00 .  To order a copy click here http://www.simpleware.co.nz please remember to mention Parkinson's New Zealand when you order your copy.

The Tulip

The tulip is the international symbol for Parkinson’s. Tulip bulbs are currently available through Parkinson's New Zealand to raise funds.  Click here to order online to ensure you have a beautiful spring garden and to support people with Parkinson’s.  Tulips are also available by mail order - click here for a mail order form

The story of the Parkinson tulip began in 1980 in the Netherlands when JWS Van der Wereld, a Dutch horticulturalist who had Parkinson’s, gave the name ‘Dr James Parkinson’ to the red and white tulip he had developed.

In 1981 he registered his prize cultivar, the ‘Dr James Parkinson’ bulb.  The name was chosen to honour Dr James Parkinson, the English doctor who described the condition in his 1817 “Essay on the Shaking Palsy” and to honour the International Year of the Disabled.

Whilst the Dr James Parkinson bulb is not currently available in New Zealand click here to buy online (or postal order form here) other colours and to show your support for Parkinson’s.