King's Birthday Honours 2025: 12 Northlanders recognised
This year the King's Birthday Honours List contains 188 recipients, who have been recognised for their contributions to various areas including community, sport, Māori language education, breast cancer treatment and research, Māori, and the Pasifika community.
Of this year's recipients, 12 are from Northland. The Northern Advocate caught up with
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Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence On The Sharp Increase: Study
Press Release – University of Auckland The number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in New Zealand increased by a third between 2006 and 2022, according to research from the University of Auckland. The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in New Zealand has sharply risen since 2006, especially in some communities, according to a University of Auckland study. Lead author Dr Natalia Boven, a postdoctoral fellow from the University's COMPASS Research Centre, says the study found the MS prevalence rate had climbed to 96.6 per 100,000 people as of June 2022, an increase from 72.4 per 100,000 in 2006. 'And notably, while European New Zealanders are being diagnosed with MS at a higher rate (132.4 per 100,000), we found MS increased substantially for Māori, Pacific peoples and Asian ethnic groups over the same period,' she says. Boven says Māori rates rose from 15.0 per 100,000 to 33.1 per 100,000 in 2022, the Pacific rate rose to 9.2 per 100,000 and the Asian ethnic group rate increased to 16.0 per 100,000. 'And of concern is the data shows people living in more deprived areas were less likely to be diagnosed with MS,' says Boven. 'This pattern was more pronounced for Māori and Pacific peoples, which suggests they may face barriers accessing services to receive a MS diagnosis.' As a social scientist, she says more research is needed to find out whether this is the case, and what the barriers might be, as an early diagnosis can make all the difference in terms of delaying disease progression and therefore improving quality of life. Experts agree that multiple sclerosis is a manageable and treatable condition in most cases, especially with early diagnosis. Recently published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, the study was backed by Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand (MSNZ). National manager Amanda Rose says patients regularly report the biggest barriers to diagnosis are a lack of MS awareness in the community, and critical shortages of specialistservices which can delay diagnosis from a couple of weeks to as long as several years in some instances. 'Too many New Zealanders face delays in being diagnosed with MS due to limited access to specialist neurologist appointments and MRI scans,' says Rose. 'The longstanding shortage of neurologists in Aotearoa has created long waiting lists for many people with neurological conditions, including MS. We've been advocating for over ten years to increase our number of neurologists, with little to no progress.' The study used the Stats NZ Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) and included anonymous data from hospitalisations, disability support, pharmaceutical dispensing of MS treatments and needs assessments. To build on the study's findings and support targeted advocacy for those with the condition, Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand has now contracted University researchers at COMPASS to expand their scope. They will again be using IDI data to explore the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of people living with MS in Aotearoa; including geographic distribution, education, income, and employment history, access to disability support, allied healthcare, and income support. Identifying multiple sclerosis in linked administrative health data in Aotearoa New Zealand New Zealand Medical Journal.
Scoop
a day ago
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Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence On The Sharp Increase: Study
Press Release – University of Auckland The study found the MS prevalence rate had climbed to 96.6 per 100,000 people as of June 2022, an increase from 72.4 per 100,000 in 2006., Lead author Dr Natalia Boven, a postdoctoral fellow from the Universitys COMPASS Research Centre, says. The number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in New Zealand increased by a third between 2006 and 2022, according to research from the University of Auckland. The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in New Zealand has sharply risen since 2006, especially in some communities, according to a University of Auckland study. Lead author Dr Natalia Boven, a postdoctoral fellow from the University's COMPASS Research Centre, says the study found the MS prevalence rate had climbed to 96.6 per 100,000 people as of June 2022, an increase from 72.4 per 100,000 in 2006. 'And notably, while European New Zealanders are being diagnosed with MS at a higher rate (132.4 per 100,000), we found MS increased substantially for Māori, Pacific peoples and Asian ethnic groups over the same period,' she says. Boven says Māori rates rose from 15.0 per 100,000 to 33.1 per 100,000 in 2022, the Pacific rate rose to 9.2 per 100,000 and the Asian ethnic group rate increased to 16.0 per 100,000. 'And of concern is the data shows people living in more deprived areas were less likely to be diagnosed with MS,' says Boven. 'This pattern was more pronounced for Māori and Pacific peoples, which suggests they may face barriers accessing services to receive a MS diagnosis.' As a social scientist, she says more research is needed to find out whether this is the case, and what the barriers might be, as an early diagnosis can make all the difference in terms of delaying disease progression and therefore improving quality of life. Experts agree that multiple sclerosis is a manageable and treatable condition in most cases, especially with early diagnosis. Recently published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, the study was backed by Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand (MSNZ). National manager Amanda Rose says patients regularly report the biggest barriers to diagnosis are a lack of MS awareness in the community, and critical shortages of specialistservices which can delay diagnosis from a couple of weeks to as long as several years in some instances. 'Too many New Zealanders face delays in being diagnosed with MS due to limited access to specialist neurologist appointments and MRI scans,' says Rose. 'The longstanding shortage of neurologists in Aotearoa has created long waiting lists for many people with neurological conditions, including MS. We've been advocating for over ten years to increase our number of neurologists, with little to no progress.' The study used the Stats NZ Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) and included anonymous data from hospitalisations, disability support, pharmaceutical dispensing of MS treatments and needs assessments. To build on the study's findings and support targeted advocacy for those with the condition, Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand has now contracted University researchers at COMPASS to expand their scope. They will again be using IDI data to explore the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of people living with MS in Aotearoa; including geographic distribution, education, income, and employment history, access to disability support, allied healthcare, and income support.
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a day ago
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Healthline Celebrates Its 25-Year Anniversary Of Trusted Service And Impact – And Launches a GP Booking Initiative
Press Release – Whakarongorau Aotearoa An estimated 3.45 million people have contacted Healthline since it launched 25 years ago. The Healthline service has grown from an initial 16 nurses managing 20,000 calls in its first year, to over 150 nurses and paramedics managing 400,000 contacts annually … Whether it is for a 2am check on their baby's continuous crying, a rash on an arm, or information about where to get more help, the people of Aotearoa know they can rely on the free, 24/7, trusted support from Healthline clinicians. They have relied on that for 25 years – a milestone that is being acknowledged this month. There are thousands of people across Aotearoa who have a Healthline magnet on their fridge, who have the 0800 611 116 number in their phone, and who rely on unseen Healthline nurses and paramedics. Healthline plays a critical role in improving access to care. Hannah Sleeman, lives in a remote area of the Waikato and has used Healthline several times including when her sore ear symptom was quickly identified by a Healthcare clinician as shingles, and she was advised to see a doctor. She was given the costs and locations of local clinics and was able to get the care she needed quickly. The Healthline service has grown from an initial 16 nurses managing 20,000 calls in its first year, to over 150 nurses and paramedics managing 400,000 contacts annually – that's 1,000 every day. What started as a phone service in May 2000 has expanded to include online services, with callers able to share videos and photos to help Healthline clinicians provide the most accurate advice. In addition to calling the trusted 0800 611116 number, people now access Healthline's website for reliable health information, and can request a call back from a clinician, if their query isn't urgent. The service also now includes the option for people to speak with a Māori clinician. Healthline is funded by Health New Zealand and since 2015 has been run by Whakarongorau Aotearoa / New Zealand Telehealth Services. Whakarongorau CEO Glynis Sandland said 'Healthline is a virtual first responder for health queries, across multiple digital channels. It also plays a critical role in health sector – with 84% of Healthline callers managed through self-care at home or directed to community care, significantly reducing strain on our hospital emergency departments. We know that Healthline is considered by many as a taonga / treasure for the people of New Zealand.' Elle Edwards is a mother who was unsure what to do when she accidentally took a double dose of medication late in the night. She called Healthline to ask if she could breastfeed her baby. 'They were so helpful and patient and reassuring,' said Elle. 'Our clinicians are all experienced and specifically tele-triage trained experts and are seriously good at what they do. That's why 98% of people who contact Healthline follow the advice they are given,' said Sandland. 'Over the last 25 years Healthline clinicians have seen it all and they have supported people through major events including the Canterbury earthquakes, measles outbreaks, and the COVID pandemic. 'Healthline has a proud and impactful past, and a very important future. That is definitely something to celebrate.' Helen Parry was one of the first nurses on the Healthline team in 2000 and her family were surprised when she said she was going to be providing health triage over the phone. 'I was really pleased to be part of such an innovative new way to care and a wonderful service,' said Parry. The Healthline 25th anniversary was celebrated at an event at parliament 4 June 2025 hosted by Associate Minister of Health Matt Doocey. At the event Whakarongorau – who run Healthline – announced a new booking initiative From next month, when a Healthline nurse or paramedic recommends a caller sees a GP, they will be able to book that appointment for them – improving access to timely healthcare, improving health outcomes, and reducing pressure on our emergency departments. The new capability will give callers access to available GP appointments across the country without having to make multiple calls themselves, helping make their journey from triage to treatment easier. The Whakarongorau Healthline GP booking initiative is for people who call Healthline, who are advised by a nurse or paramedic that they need GP-level care but who can't access their regular doctor quickly or easily enough, or who don't have one. The Healthline clinician will be able to book that GP appointment for them, or they can book it themselves. Initially this will be a telehealth appointment and soon after, in-person appointments. Healthline support and advice is free, people will have to pay for their GP appointment. Around a third of people who call Healthline are referred to their GP or another health service (a third have their issue resolved on the call with appropriate self-care advice, and a third are advised to attend urgent care, afterhours, or an emergency department). The GP booking system has been developed through a strategic alliance between Valentia Technologies and Whakarongorau who run Healthline. Whakarongorau Chief Executive Officer Glynis Sandland says 'this is the first example of a Whakarongorau-led initiative to create a hub for connected care, using a digital platform. When they contact with one of our services, we can get people faster access to health support, and in the future to wellness and other services too. This booking capability for Healthline is just the start.' 'This first example will be a gamechanger for Healthline clinicians and callers and provides continuity of care. We are proud of the Whakarongorau commitment to enhance access to health and wellness for everyone in Aotearoa and we are excited at the potential this solution has to integrate across other services over time.' 'Knowing what appointments are available across the country and sharing the load throughout the entirety of our health system will ensure guidance to the right care with no booking delays and no guesswork.' Dr Ahmed Javad from Valentia Technologies says, 'we developed the platform in collaboration with Whakarongorau as a sector-strengthening initiative, backed by significant investment to give back to the health and social care ecosystem. 'The platform will enable people to navigate services more easily, helping them discover and access the right services through multiple channels including webchat, voice, video-enabled support, and guided digital pathways.' The GP booking capability will be available through Healthline from next month. About the 4 June event sponsors The Healthline anniversary event was sponsored by long-term Whakarongorau tech and innovation partners, Spark Health and Valentia Technologies. Spark have been instrumental in providing the underlying connectivity that enables the voice platform, allowing Whakarongorau remote workers to securely deliver services. Their support has been crucial during significant events, including the COVID pandemic, facilitating smooth communication and collaboration across Aotearoa. Looking ahead, Spark and Whakarongorau plan to explore further technological advancements to ensure Whakarongorau virtual healthcare services continue to evolve and innovate to meet the growing and changing needs of the people of Aotearoa. Whakarongorau also acknowledges Valentia Technologies, who have been the telehealth system provider since Whakarongorau launched the national telehealth platform and services in 2015. Valentia support through COVID, and more recently in the successful migration of the Spectrum telehealth system to the Microsoft Azure North environment, establishing Whakarongorau as an anchor tenant, mark significant milestones in the Whakarongorau digital transformation journey, ensuring systems are robust, scalable, and ready to meet the future needs of our services. Whakarongorau extends its gratitude for these partnerships which enable Whakarongorau and Healthline to deliver exceptional care to the country. About Healthline – funded by Health New Zealand, run by Whakarongorau Aotearoa / New Zealand Telehealth Services Healthline provides 24/7 free accessible and inclusive health advice and information for everyone in New Zealand. – Key features: Multiple contact channels – phone, digital hub at and callback options Free service – no cost to any New Zealander, regardless of location or circumstances. Accessible – interpreter services, relay services and accessibility features. – Daily impact: 1,000 people have their health needs met through Healthline every day. 84% of callers stay safely at home or get care in the community. 264 chest pain calls weekly – providing critical early assessment for serious conditions. – Clinical excellence: Independent Clinical Governance Committee ensuring clinical safety and quality. Independent Clinical Governance Committee ensuring clinical safety and quality. ISO 9001 accredited – the only telehealth service in New Zealand assessed as meeting international quality standards. About Whakarongorau Aotearoa / New Zealand Telehealth Services Whakarongorau Aotearoa is New Zealand's national telehealth service provider, operating Healthline and other essential health and wellbeing support services. We connect the people of New Zealand with healthcare professionals 24/7, providing clinical advice, support, and information when and where it's needed most. About Valentia Technologies Valentia Technologies maintains a strong New Zealand presence with local experts, has invested millions into digital infrastructure, and powers over 80% of the country's telehealth services with stable, secure platforms. They offer expertise in emergency care, primary care, and aged care services across New Zealand's healthcare sector. In partnership with Whakarongorau, they jointly developed the platform, integrating with Whakarongorau systems, to drive digital health innovation. About the platform running the booking system A cloud-based digital platform that enables seamless integration across multiple health providers, developed in partnership with Whakarongorau Aotearoa, and Valentia Technologies. Key capabilities: – AI-powered engine guiding users to appropriate services – Cross-system integration connecting different health provider platforms – Real-time availability showing GP appointments nationwide.
