Supporting people with migraine disease in Aotearoa New Zealand
Migraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand
Migraine disease is a debilitating neurological condition. An estimated 753,000 people live with migraine in New Zealand. It’s more prevalent than diabetes, epilepsy and stroke combined, however migraine is misunderstood, under-diagnosed, under-treated and under-researched.
People with migraine living in Aotearoa have limited access to migraine support, specialised care and treatment and migraine-specific medications. Migraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand provides a collective voice for people in New Zealand living with this invisible and disabling condition.
What’s New
Research Variations in neurology referrals around the country
Information Summary of preventive medications for migraine in NZ
Information Serotonin toxicity (syndrome) and triptans
Migraine in New Zealand
Globally, treatment and knowledge about migraine have improved in recent years. In New Zealand, we still face many challenges.
The number and variety of treatments for migraine have expanded greatly in past years. People with migraine no longer have to take medications that were developed for other diseases; there are now treatments specifically targeted at migraine. But what are some of the challenges facing people in Aotearoa New Zealand living with migraine? And what data have we captured from our Migraine in Aotearoa New Zealand 2022 survey?
Migraine Stories
Living with migraine disease can be challenging. Those of us with migraine know that it’s more than just a headache. Migraine is a whole body disease that affects everyone differently. Members of the Migraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand community share their stories about living with migraine and how there’s hope, even when some days it can feel like a struggle.
Mart, Porirua
How long have you had migraine and what type of migraine do you have? For 52 years, I get aura migraines. How does migraine disease impact your life? It means I often can’t do my job to the best of my ability, which is massively frustrating as I set myself
Jackie, Nelson
How long have you had migraine and what type of migraine do you have? I can’t really remember when my migraine attacks first started, maybe around age 14 when I first got my period. I have episodic migraine without aura. How does migraine disease impact your life? Migraine is usually
Ella, Wellington
How long have you had migraine and what type of migraine do you have? I started getting episodic migraine when I was 9 years old but managed them quite well throughout school and university. I would have a handful a month and be able to manage them with sleep and
Seamus, Wellington
How long have you had migraine and what type of migraine do you have? I started getting vestibular migraines in my teenage years, however, I managed them well with sleep, exercise and paracetamol. They are chronic, happening most days, and I often get an aura with them How does migraine
Our supporters and partners
