Supporting Kiwis to live better with migraine
Join our 2026 advocacy campaign
New Zealanders with migraine are being denied public access to medications that are fully funded, standard of care treatments overseas. Your action during 2026 helps give Kiwis with migraine a better future.
What’s New
Significant data gaps for a comprehensive migraine cost-of-illness study
Updated article on migraine for primary care health professionals
Pharmac consultation on possible brand changes
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 Voices
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.

Amanda K, Auckland
How long have you had migraine and what type of migraine do you have? I don’t think I ever had a migraine in my life before I turned 30. So I suspect it was a hormonal issue. That first major migraine came on quickly, and was massive – vomiting, nausea,

Sarah, Auckland
How long have you had migraine and what type of migraine do you have? I’ve had migraine attacks for around 21 years. I suffer from cluster headaches which usually turn into a migraine. Typically pain behind my left eye, with nausea and without aura. They can last for hours to

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

Amanda K, Auckland
How long have you had migraine and what type of migraine do you have? I don’t think I ever had a migraine in my life before I turned 30. So I suspect it was a hormonal issue. That first major migraine came on quickly, and was massive – vomiting, nausea,
Making an impact for New Zealanders
How do we make a difference for the 733,000 women, men and children living with migraine in New Zealand?
- We connect and support people with migraine.
- We increase awareness of migraine disease and advocate for positive change.
- We create and disseminate robust, evidence-based information about migraine.
- We support and undertake New Zealand-focused research and collaborate with researchers in planning, recruiting and dissemination of findings.
Our supporters and partners





