Rethinking the future of MS care – Event 28 April 2026 Todd Stephenson MP

On Tuesday 28th April at Parliament Buildings in Wellington, Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand, alongside partners the Wellington MS Society and the NZ MS Research Trust, brought together people living with MS, clinicians, researchers, advocates, and decision-makers for an event that was as timely as it was necessary. Rethinking the Future of MS Care made the case, grounded in evidence, that New Zealand's response to MS must become faster, fairer, and more comprehensive. The Neurology Workforce Crisis: The Data Can No longer Be Ignored. Todd Stephenson MP Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand, alongside our partners Wellington MS and the NZ MS Research Trust, attended a special evening at Parliament, kindly hosted by Todd Stephenson MP. This was a moment to reflect on a decade of meaningful progress in MS care, and to look boldly at what comes next. We shared a compelling vision for the future: one centred on equitable treatment access, a strengthened specialist workforce, and an unwavering commitment to protecting brain health for all New Zealanders living with MS. Alongside sharing our vision for the future, we welcomed two distinguished speakers who are helping shape this future: Professor Hanneke Hulst & Professor Anna Ranta. Since 1 December 2025, Hanneke Hulst is the Professor of Brain Research and Director of the Centre for Brain Research at the University of Auckland. Prior to this, she held senior academic and leadership roles at Leiden University and the MS Centre Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Her research focuses on cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis and its impact on everyday functioning.