About us

We are the only national charitable trust specifically for people living with Parkinson’s in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Origin Story

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co founder

Back in 1983...

there was scarce information about Parkinson’s and people were left to manage the condition alone.  When our co-founder, Andrew Dunn’s dad was diagnosed in the 80's Andrew set out to get him information, education and support to help him live with the progressive condition.

Knowing many others were in the same situation Andrew begun what we know of today as Parkinson's New Zealand; a journey that become a lifetime of ensuring people diagnosed with Parkinson's receive the right information, education and support.

1983

1983

Back in 1983 there was scarce information about Parkinson’s and people were left to manage the condition alone.  When our co-founder, Andrew Dunn’s dad was diagnosed he set out to get much needed information to help his dad and others have the support needed to live with this progressive condition. Societies were created in regions in both the North and South Islands to help people learn how to self-manage Parkinson's.

This began our vision of ensuring anyone diagnosed with Parkinson’s can have access high quality information, education and support at the right time.

Today

Today

In 2018 we decided to amalgamate our regional societies into one national charitable trust, to enable 'one voice' for all people living with Parkinson's. We became what is known today as the Parkinson’s New Zealand Charitable Trust.

We have been providing information, education and support since 1983 and will continue to be here to support families living with Parkinson’s until a cure is found.

Kaupapa

Our vision – Living positively with Parkinson’s.
Our purpose – To provide support, high-quality information and education for all people with Parkinson’s and Parkinsonism conditions.
Our values – Our values guide how we work. They are: Positively, working together, with care and integrity. Our values underpin how we work within the organisation, with our volunteers and with people living with Parkinson's, their whānau and carers.

  • Mahitahi / Collaboration
  • E hara taku toa / My strength is not
  • i te toa takitahi / as an individual
  • he toa takitini / but as a collective

Meet the board

Christine Mercer
Christine Mercer

Christine Mercer is the Chairperson of the Parkinson's New Zealand Charitable Trust Board.

Stephen Goodman
Stephen Goodman

Stephen has over ten years of Senior Management experience in Finance, Management and Information Technology.

Deborah Marshall
Deborah Marshall

Deborah is a registered nurse and has extensive nursing and management experience.

Tony Lawson
Tony Lawson

Tony is a Nurse Practitioner working in the area of Parkinson’s and other movement-related conditions.

Jo Van Kan
Jo Van Kan

Jo has been involved in various organisations and owned a number of businesses.

Adell Morton
Adell Morton

Adell was previously a Parkinson's Educator and has been active over many years in several community groups.

Kevin Ramshaw
Kevin Ramshaw

Kevin is a former journalist and public relations practitioner.

Meet the team

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Medical Advisors

Parkinson's New Zealand works with health professionals working in a range of fields. The Trust consults the medical advisors on all new publications and updates to existing publications as well as the relevant sections of The Parkinsonian newsletter.

Professor Tim Anderson

Professor Tim Anderson

Dr. Stephen Chalcroft

Dr. Stephen Chalcroft

Dr. Alison Charleston

Dr. Alison Charleston

Dr. Matthew Croucher

Dr. Matthew Croucher

Penney Kemp

Penney Kemp

Lorraine Macdonald

Lorraine Macdonald

Dr. Gail Riccitelli

Dr. Gail Riccitelli

Dr. Barry Snow

Dr. Barry Snow