Our Recipient Charities

Parkinson's New Zealand

Parkinson’s New Zealand is a charitable trust which supports families living with Parkinson’s. It is the only national trust in New Zealand providing information, education and support for the person diagnosed, their carer, whānau and health professionals.

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. There are nearly 12,000 New Zealanders who have Parkinson’s with numbers expected to increase significantly. The average age of onset is only 59. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative condition which impacts each individual differently. Well-known symptoms of Parkinson's are slowness of movement, tremors, and stiffness, but symptoms can also include pain, problems with sleep, depression, anxiety or apathy. Although there is no cure, treatment is available as well as education on how to live well with Parkinson’s.

They are grateful for the Acorn Foundation grant which ensures families in the Western Bay of Plenty living with Parkinson’s can have the support and information they need to live with this incurable condition; including receiving personalised care from a Parkinson’s Nurse or Community Educator.

The funding allows them to provide people with the tools they need to continue to be involved in their community while they live each day with Parkinson’s.