Diabetes Wellness Autumn 2025 by Diabetes New Zealand

wellness DIABETES

AUTUMN 2025 $8.00 INC. GST

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COORDINATING THE LOWER SOUTH • KIKI FROM KERIKERI • DANCING QUEENS AND KINGS HYPNOTISING AWAY THE FEAR • MEET THE NEW BOARD • OUR KIDS AT CAMP

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Contents AUTUMN 2025 VOLUME 37 | NO 1

4 EDITORIAL

24 MOVE: Let's dance!

5 DIABETES ACTION MONTH: Wrapping it up

28 MOVE: Judi Clements focuses on the here and now

COVER: DUNKEN FROM BOOM! BOOM! DELUXE © TONEZ PHOTOGRAPHY

8 LIFE WITH TYPE 1: Teenage juvenile delinquent

21 24

11 DNZ YOUTH: Live Brave! at Summer camps 14 DNZ YOUTH: The power in the South – Diabetes NZ Youth Coordinators 17 DNZ YOUTH: Winter camps

32 CARE: Hypnosis for better health

18 MY IDENTITY: Kiki Shimozono-Reid – the boss of her type 1

35 YOUR DNZ: Our new board

20 COMMUNITY: CGMs – five months on

37 YOUR DNZ: Annual Review 2024

23 COMMUNITY: CGMs – the stats

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Editorial

ia ora whānau. I hope you have all had a wonderful summer and have recharged and refuelled for another year. I have been appointed to Chair Diabetes New Zealand and asked to write this editorial. To start, Catherine Taylor, my predecessor, brought many parts of our organisation together. Her work has given Diabetes NZ a stronger voice for advocacy and made it a financially viable organisation with a growing workforce that will ensure that the mahi continues. It is our responsibility to take this forward, and we owe it to Catherine for her eight years of determination, energy, and ‘never give up’ mindset. Thank you Catherine, from all at Diabetes NZ. My background is clinical. I trained as a dietitian, but that was many years ago when I worked in both hospital and community settings. During that time, I supported many camps for children and teenagers with type 1 diabetes. Living in Nelson, the camps were in very special places – Totāranui Beach, Charleston, Bridge Valley. Many were for local children and their families, but we also ran national camps where people came from all over the motu. These events were fabulous, with lots of fun, sun, and education in subtle ways. I think I learnt as much as anyone about living with diabetes at these camps and remain grateful to all those teaching the youngsters. My first taste of governance was as an elected DHB member in 2007. Little did I know that that would become a 17-year (and counting) career change. I find this work incredibly rewarding. Having always been part of a team, I enjoy the successes that come when people move forward on a piece of work. Yes, there are many challenges along the way, but conquering those is part of the success. Diabetes NZ has given me another opportunity to continue this mahi. I look forward to reading of all the things that are happening in the diabetes community, learning how we can help plan the future and continue to support a viable business. No matter whether you are a person with diabetes, a sponsor, a benefactor, a Diabetes NZ Kaimahi, or a governor – you are all important to the health of this fabulous organisation. We can do great things together, and I thank you for all that you do. In this first issue of Diabetes Wellness for 2025, we dance towards the upcoming autumn, where we meet an array of people who swear by dance to help both their physical and mental health. If dance doesn’t do it for you, then perhaps read about a Titirangi jeweller who finds both rest and recreation within her regular yoga practice. We also catch up on how the family summer camps have been going, as well as the semi-regular winter camp at Coronet Peak. Noho ora mai ra. Stay well. JENNY BLACK

Chair, Diabetes NZ

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

Diabetes New Zealand is a national charity that provides trusted leadership, information, advocacy, and support to people with diabetes, their families, and those at risk. Our mission is to ensure every person living in Aotearoa New Zealand with diabetes or at risk of diabetes has equitable access to affordable, quality diabetes care and education. Across the country, Diabetes NZ has staff and volunteers who help people live well with diabetes. Join us today at www.diabetes.org.nz

DIABETES NEW ZEALAND Patron Professor Sir Jim Mann Board Chair Jenny Black Chief Executive Heather Verry Diabetes New Zealand National Office Level 10, 15 Murphy Street, Thorndon, Wellington 6011 Postal address PO Box 12441, Wellington 6144 Telephone 04 499 7145 Freephone 0800 342 238 Email info@diabetes.org.nz Web diabetes.org.nz Facebook facebook.com/diabetesnz Instagram instagram.com/diabetes_nz

DIABETES WELLNESS MAGAZINE Editor Rowena Fry editor@diabetes.org.nz Publisher Diabetes New Zealand Design Rose Miller, Kraftwork Print Blue Star Magazine delivery address changes Freepost Diabetes NZ, PO Box 12 441, Wellington 6144 Telephone 0800 342 238 Email info@diabetes.org.nz Back issues issuu.com/diabetesnewzealand ISSN 2537-7094 (Print) ISSN 2538-0885 (Online)

ADVERTISING & SPONSORSHIP Head of Business Development Jo Chapman Email jo@diabetes.org.nz Telephone 021 852 054 Download the Diabetes Wellness media kit: http://bit.ly/2uOYJ3p Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure accuracy, but Diabetes NZ accepts no liability for errors of fact or opinion. Information in this publication is not intended to replace advice by your health professional. Editorial and advertising material do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or Diabetes NZ. Advertising in Diabetes Wellness does not constitute endorsement of any product. Diabetes NZ holds the copyright of all editorial. No article, in whole or in part, should be reprinted without permission of the Editor.

DIABETES ACTION MONTH

WRAP-UP We made it to the end of another successful Diabetes Action Month and what an awesome November it was.

iabetes Action Month 2024 is Diabetes New Zealand’s annual campaign. Held each November, it focuses on raising awareness, education, and advocacy for all individuals living with diabetes in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our most recent theme, ‘Don’t Sugar Coat Diabetes’, aimed to promote a greater understanding of diabetes by busting common myths to reduce stigma and improve the lives of those living with the condition. Throughout November, the campaign encouraged Kiwis to learn the facts, get tested, and show more aroha/love to those living with diabetes. We introduced several new initiatives to bust misinformation about diabetes. These included a myth-busting video series, posters, and a dedicated Don’t Sugar Coat Diabetes website. We also created digital billboards in malls nationwide, recorded a podcast, and shared news stories. Our campaign was focused on educating Kiwis about the symptoms of type 2 diabetes and finding out their own risk of developing it by taking the Know Your Risk quiz. This was based on the knowledge that early detection leads to better outcomes.

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

MYTH-BUSTING During November, we chose to shine a light on the stigma surrounding diabetes, aiming to build a more understanding community. We reached out to the diabetes community, asking for people to participate in a myth-busting survey. Unsurprisingly, nearly three-quarters of the survey respondents replied that they have faced inaccurate comments about their diabetes, leading many to feel judged and offended. In an interview with the NZ Herald, Diabetes NZ Head of Clinical Services, Liz Dutton discussed the survey results and debunked each and every one of these myths. The top three myths from the survey: • Eating too much sugar causes diabetes. • People with diabetes can’t eat sugar. • Only overweight lazy people get diabetes. The three most offensive comments from the survey were: • It’s your own fault you have diabetes. • Only overweight lazy people get diabetes. • Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

How do I lea rn the truth abo ut diabetes? Get the facts !

NEW VIDEO SERIES As part of the Don’t Sugar Coat Diabetes campaign, we challenged New Zealanders to rethink their perceptions of diabetes. Many people with diabetes face unnecessary blame and shame due to the many misunderstandings of the condition. We produced a new video series for the month that busted the most common myths about diabetes. The videos featured on the NZ Herald website throughout the month and were shared across Diabetes NZ’s social media platforms.

NEW PODCAST A podcast with Island Roots, Auckland Ways was created for those living with diabetes or supporting someone who has the condition. In one episode, Aucklander Milan Moala shared his journey with type 1 diabetes, while Iliana Fusitua, Health Promoter from Diabetes NZ, addressed common myths surrounding the condition. This is an engaging and insightful podcast and can be downloaded from Island Roots, Auckland Ways (it’s episode 47) or visit bit.ly/3W9DUy0.

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

MAKING HEADLINES A high-profile publicity campaign saw diabetes in the news headlines throughout Diabetes Action Month, with stories appearing on 1 News, RNZ, Newstalk ZB, Radio Samoa, Whakaata Māori, Pacific Media Network, and more. Much of the news coverage addressed the increase in the incidence of diabetes based on the latest figures from the Virtual Diabetes Register (VDR).* Some media commented on Diabetes NZ’s concern with the lack of clarity with the data, as the register does not recognise the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Other coverage shared important information about the stigma associated with diabetes, busted myths, and increased awareness of symptoms, linking back to the theme Don’t Sugar Coat Diabetes.

MY DIABETES JOURNEY… A FRIEND IN YOUR POCKET!

*The VDR uses an algorithm to identify those with diabetes in data extracted from hospital inpatient and outpatient, laboratory test type, and pharmaceutical dispensing data collections.

We know that managing diabetes is a journey and we all need a little extra support sometimes. With helpful tips, information, and inspiration, the new My Diabetes Journey app truly is like a friend in your pocket! It’s totally free, so download it today.

SNEAKER FRIDAY SUCCESS Sneaker Friday, held on November 15, once again helped raise funds to support those living with diabetes. Many Kiwis nationwide chose to step up and step out in their favourite kicks. Diabetes NZ is grateful to everyone who participated and donated.

• Food diary • Space to record and track movement goals and emotional wellbeing • Diabetes resources • Recipes • Nutrition tips DOWNLOAD IT TODAY

Life with type 1

TEENAGE JUVENILE DELINQUENT Dunken Francis shares ‘…a story ’bout a murky past, hot an’ hard an’ livin’ fast! Well I used to think life was a gas, ’till I was let down by my pancreas.’

Top: Dunken's band Boom! Boom! Deluxe, with Dunken centre.

unken Francis loves both of his careers but says they are very badly paid. One job is corunning a dojo in Silverdale, Auckland, where he teaches AikiJutsu, and this year will be his 50th year in the art. The other underpaid job is as a musician in a four-piece retro rockabilly band called Boom! Boom! Deluxe, which he jokes is the biggest unknown band in New Zealand. Born and bred in London, Dunken was a couple of months away from immigrating to Aotearoa New Zealand when he starting feeling ‘pretty grotty’. He’d gone away for a week for an Aikido training camp but within a

month of his return had lost six kg and noticed his eyesight starting to blur. He went to his doctor, who told him that she suspected either diabetes or thyroid and to prepare himself for something unpleasant as he’d probably be on medication for the rest of his life. A finger prick confirmed diabetes when Dunken’s blood sugar read 28. The doctor wondered out loud how he managed to still be conscious. ‘I was so lucky that Hillingdon Hospital, where I lived in west London, the person in charge of the diabetes aspect of the hospital was Dr Rowan Hillson, who is one of the world experts on diabetes,

*Dr Hillson was awarded an MBE in 2006 and is the author of several books on diabetes and endocrinology.

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

OVERCOMING PHOBIA

This sudden diagnosis landed on Dunken just six weeks before he was about to pack up all his belongings and relocate to the other side of the world. In that short timeframe, he needed to learn as much as he could about his new condition, as well as tackle his longstanding phobia of needles. ‘I had to tell her the story about me in Bulgaria when I was a kid. I got serious bacterial pneumonia, which nearly killed me, so I ended up in a military hospital.’ There, Dunken was faced with glass reusable syringes. ‘For a nine-yearold kid, it was horrendous. I would panic and tense up every time they gave me an injection.’ It would be fair to say that Dunken had a problem with needles, and this would flare up each time he had to have vaccinations before going on holidays. ‘Suddenly realising I was going to have to inject every time I ate something was weird. An emotional rollercoaster, for sure.’ Due to having next to no body fat, Dunken was started on a small 6mm needle. ‘I remember back in London sitting on the toilet in the bathroom, with the syringe in front

of my stomach,’ he explains. ‘Just do it. And it took me 40 minutes to pluck up the courage to do my first jab. In the end, I looked down and it was already in. And the next one took me 20 minutes, and over the course of about two days I gradually got used to it.’ WRITING A SONG ABOUT A SUBJECT THAT NEVER GETS TALKED ABOUT

Last year, Boom! Boom! Deluxe recorded a song about a condition close to readers’ hearts but which no 1950s rock’n’roll song had ever tackled. When writing it, Dunken wasn’t sure how on-the-nose to make it. Should he cover the subject with a metaphor or just be absolutely blatant because, in his view, not many people listen to lyrics anyway. Veering away from the usual themes of love, teenagers, and cars, Dunken says he wanted to instead concentrate on presenting the challenge of living with diabetes. How it is something that doesn’t make you that much different from everyone else when you still have to still deal with difficult days and

difficult people. ‘The whole point of the song was a tongue in cheek, ’50s rock’n’roll, “I ain’t gettin’ no lovin’” kind of thing. But the rest of the song is genuinely based on my experience of type 1,’ he says. Dunken’s encounters with lows have been channelled both into the music and the accompanying video. He was keen on doing something psychedelic because he believes that people who don’t have diabetes can’t understand how surreal a low blood sugar event is. ‘It’s just like someone spiking your drink. I’ve had aural hallucinations, I’ve had tactile hallucinations, I’ve had displacement where I thought I was somewhere else.’ The song’s video is designed around 1960s psychedelia, and references things that have happened to Dunken, either in his head or in situations he was in. ‘The animal head stuff – I’ve actually caught sight of myself in the mirror when I was low and thought I had a rat head. Just because it was late at night and odd lighting, and I was so out of it, didn’t know what it was. The

and she was wonderful.’ Dunken expected to have to wait three months to see her but good luck had him in her clinic the very next day, where she was very excited to meet this atypical patient: a 40-year-old super fit black belt with seven percent body fat. Thinking it was type 2 diabetes, and on Dr Hillson’s advice, Dunken tried a low GI diet, carb restrictions, intermittent fasting, and two different types of tablets, but nothing made any difference. After a month, Dunken was informed he was type 1. ‘In the UK, it’s about one in 800,000 to be a 40-year-old type 1. I thought, lucky me. She told me I should buy a lottery ticket.’

Dunken co-runs a dojo in Silverdale, Auckland, where he teaches AikiJutsu.

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

Nacho Libre wrestling thing … well, it’s a long story,’ he laughs. In the few months since the song was released, it has done well, and the video has gone on to be nominated for awards, winning the band devoted audiences in Japan and Indonesia when they toured there last year. Boom! Boom! Deluxe regularly plays Auckland as well as the large retro festivals around Aotearoa. But, while the band is experiencing success in many other countries, Dunken says they are the biggest unknown band in New Zealand. ‘We’ve got some gigs in Australia and America coming up, but, to try and get a gig in somewhere like the Power Station or something like that, it probably wouldn’t be worth us doing it because I doubt we could fill it.’ GIGGING WITH TYPE 1

Being a musician with type 1 diabetes means Dunken has had to teach himself how to adjust routines and put in coping systems in order to deal with the inconsistencies of living with the condition. On the day of a gig, he has to enforce strict rest time on a body and brain that would rather not be kept still. This can be a challenge when being hit by the ‘dawn phenomenon’, a natural rise in blood glucose in the early hours, as it has him ‘jumping out of bed like a lunatic at six and ready to kind of kill people’. This energy, boosted by ADHD, lasts long enough for him to do his daily business, whether it be band or Aikido, until he burns out around 4pm. So, when he has a gig, Dunken says he’ll make himself relax most of the day in order to save energy and make it through the upcoming night’s high-energy performance. ‘We do a three-hour show,’ he says, ‘and the following day my metabolism is through the roof so I burn off more sugar. But

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

SUGAR Now here’s a story ‘bout a murky past, hot an’ hard an’ livin’ fast! Well I used to think life was a gas, ‘till I was let down by my pancreas Well it’s Saturday night an’ I just got paid, but I’m doin’ chores aint got no maid Jab myself five times a day, don’t mean I don’t need a roll in the hay. Under 4, over 8, I barely make it out the gate Don’t matter I’m diabetic, don’t get no sugar from you! Aches an’ pains, failing sight, don’t mean I aint still got some fight, Chocolate bourbon (that aint no typo), it’s a damn fine way to kill a hypo! Now my HbA, is AOK, we can play the night away, Don’t matter I’m diabetic, don’t get no sugar from you! What don’t kill us surely grows us? Though I take more tablets than ol’ Moses, Highs and lows freeze the brain, or is it just me talkin’ sh*t again? Now my HbA, is AOK, we can play the night away, Don’t matter I’m diabetic, don’t get no sugar from you!

then I might get a day where I’m just doing video editing for our YouTube channel or something, and I’m sitting down and my metabolism is going the other way.’ Dunken says it’s all about coping with the inconsistencies of living with type 1, which he sings about in ‘Sugar’, which you can find on

Youtube or the band’s website: Under 4, over 8, I barely make it out the gate Don’t matter I’m diabetic, don’t get no sugar from you! boomboomdeluxe.com aikidoauckland.co.nz

LIVE LIVE BRAVE! BRAVE!

DNZ Youth

It’s camping season once again, and Youth Coordinators from around the motu report back on just how much fun their region’s camp was.

DIABETES NZ AUCKLAND YOUTH LIVE BRAVE MANA ORA SUMMER CAMP

tamariki step out of their comfort zone and build self-confidence, which of course in turn affects a more positive outlook on each

kid’s diabetes. Among all this, our team challenges created the ideal setting to form friendships. This

SHANTELLE BLISS ‘I realised that I am not so different.’ ‘I am safe with people that have the same condition as me.’ ‘I am not nervous anymore.’ These are three separate statements from children that bring home how uplifting January’s Live Brave Mana Ora summer camp was for children with diabetes. We had a fabulous time, with great weather, a great location at Shakespear Regional Park, and ‘doing really fun activities’ like archery, rock climbing, mountain boarding, low ropes, and ‘coasteering’ (an outdoor adventure activity where you make your way around a section of coast on foot and by water – think, coast meets mountaineering). And, as if that wasn’t enough, we also built rafts and learnt how to use air rifles and UHF radios. All these activities were designed with the intent of helping our

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

is where we’d hear murmurs of ‘here I feel the same as others’ and ‘I have friends that have diabetes, and I feel normal.’ Music to our ears, and I am sure comforting for parents to hear too. Speaking of music, we had an outside disco with impromptu breakdancing from one of our nurses! In this camp, we made sure there was enough downtime offered,

WAIKATO LIVE BRAVE MANA ORA CAMP DR JO McCLINTOCK The Waikato Live Brave Mana Ora Camp was a galactic success, where our theme for this summer was ‘Space is the Place’. We were back at the Ngamuwahine Lodge in the Lower Kaimai Ranges, where the weather was great, and the little bit of rain only encouraged more people to get into the pool for fun with the inflatables. As usual, the kids had fun. We were on high ropes, in team competitions, and busy in sports games. Arts and crafts allowed some quality downtime, and by the end of the week we had a bunch of exhausted but happy campers and staff. The silent dress-up dinner is always a lot of fun, and the whole group lasted a massive 75 minutes – we think this is a record! The highlights of our time at camp were the contributions of our wonderful youth leaders, who continually proved that diabetes doesn’t stop you from doing anything – including the dishes! This year, we had 11 (out of 33) campers graduate from kids’ camp, and we are looking forward to seeing them as youth leaders in the future. Overall, a great week to start off 2025!

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

balancing structured activities with casual, including time at the beach, which was steered by our youth leaders. As well as the youth leaders, we had a fantastic team environment of over 40 volunteers, with Diabetes Nurse Specialists, doctors, day and night nurses, dietitians, medical reps, and a Starship diabetes psychologist who ran an enjoyable

educational psychology session by way of crafts and discussion. We would like to thank all the staff and helpers who contributed and supported children to have a successful camp and to have, as one kid put it, ‘more control over my diabetes’. We leave you with this child’s new perspective on diabetes: ‘I feel like it’s a part of me, and I don’t have to hide it.’

TOP OF THE SOUTH FAMILY CAMP, NELSON AMANDA DEANS Diabetes NZ Nelson Youth was excited to host this year’s camp at Bridge Valley Adventure Centre in mid-February. This much-anticipated annual event brought together more than 20 families from Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough, and the West Coast for a weekend of connection, inspiration, and learning. Families had the opportunity to engage in a range of exciting activities, including kayaking, laser tag, luge, and team-building exercises, alongside water activities that delivered fun and adventure for all. Each camp is a chance to not only enjoy the great outdoors but to also learn valuable skills for living with diabetes, and this year’s camp was no exception. A special education session for parents was held, providing insights and support to help families manage diabetes with confidence. This was also a time to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and, most importantly, ensure that kids living with diabetes don’t feel alone in

their journey. We love seeing the smiles of the kids at camp as they build lasting memories, connect with and empower the young ones, and embrace their independence.

LIVE BRAVE MANA ORA FAMILY CAMP, CANTERBURY VICTORIA WYNN-THOMAS In mid-February, Diabetes NZ Canterbury Youth hosted their summer camp at Waipara Adventure Centre, just north of Ōtautahi Christchurch. The kids were well occupied within the many activities on offer, keeping everyone busy. Much fun was had on the waterslide, flying fox, giant swing, archery, faulty towers, and in the fabulously named GaGa Dodgeball pit. Family camp is always a great way for families to connect and bond over shared experiences, so on the Sunday morning parents and caregivers were invited to attend a group Q&A session with a Clinical Psychologist and a Diabetes Nurse.

Leave a lasting legacy.

Leaving a gift in your Will is the most powerful way to leave a lasting positive impact on future generations affected by diabetes. Your gift will help to transform people’s lives by providing them with the help they need to live full and healthy lives.

Call today on 0800 342 238 or email us at legacy@diabetes.org.nz to find out how you can leave a gift in your will, or to request our legacy brochure.

DIABETES OTAGO SUMMER CAMP PAULA FRYER Berwick Lodge, set among exotic forest and native bush, welcomed 21 excited campers in mid-January. The four days were jam-packed with exciting adventure-based activities, including kayaking and water slides. When not on the water, kids were enjoying the flying fox, the massive confidence course, and abseiling. The fun continued into the night with games of spotlight, bingo, and quizzes. Our camps are fully staffed by the amazing paediatric diabetes team from Te Whatu Ora Southern and we couldn’t do it without them. Every year, children leave our camps having made new friends, eager for the next camp, while parents have enjoyed a four-day break from the day-to-day diabetes management. FIND OUT MORE

Looking for camps in your area? Head to: www.diabetes.org.nz/camps

Youth

In this issue, we meet the three Diabetes NZ Youth Coordinators of the mid-lower South Island: Victoria Wynn Thomas, Paula Fryer, and Melissa Kelly.

THE POWER IN THE SOUTH VICTORIA WYNN THOMAS

WAITAHA/CANTERBURY

Victoria’s turf runs from the West Coast to Kaikōura, then down to Timaru – a not insignificant amount of geography for one person to cover. As with both Paula and Melissa, Victoria is both Youth and Type 1 Coordinator for her region. (The West Coast has its own volunteer Youth Coordinator, and families from the Coast can choose to attend the Canterbury Youth Family Camp or the Nelson/Top of the South Family Camp.) Before Diabetes NZ: With a Master’s degree in Journalism and Communication, Victoria worked in local broadcasting and was a freelance writer. Victoria says that, when she saw the role for Youth Coordinator advertised, she knew that, as the mother of a teen living with type 1, she had the lived experience, empathy, and understanding that would help her connect with and serve her community. An average week: A Youth Coordinator’s role is always varied, so her working week can involve everything from paperwork to connecting with families. Victoria enjoys building the Diabetes NZ Canterbury Youth community by supporting and bringing people together. Her mahi enables tamariki and whānau to connect with others.

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

Victoria and her rescue greyhound, Hone (left), and Scottish deerhound, Arabella.

Highlights of 2024: These include organising and running the Diabetes NZ Canterbury Live Brave Mana Ora Family Camp. This highlight of the summer brings families together for a weekend of fun. Victoria says it is important that events such as this are provided to engage and support whānau as a whole and camp does this, offering the chance for everyone to bond over shared experiences and support one another. She regularly receives feedback saying the camps are literally life-changing for tamariki, as they create a sense of belonging through the friendships that are forged. As well as making the annual camp happen, Victoria is the brains behind last year’s outings to local Christchurch fun places, such as Imagination Station, Uprising Bouldering, Inflatable World, Galaxy Arcade, Adrenalin Forest, Dice and Slice, and Jellie Park Hydro-slide and Pool. Victoria is also responsible for running the region’s preschool, young adult, and parent support groups.

PAULA FRYER

ŌTĀKOU/OTAGO

Paula covers the wider Central Otago area, from Ōamaru down to Balclutha, and has her office in Dunedin. Before Diabetes NZ: Paula spent 12 years working in local government in senior administration roles. In the times between having her family, she ran a children’s clothing import business. Paula is the parent of a child with type 1. An average week: Paula has a busy week with lots of admin work. She fields emails, phone calls, and drop-ins from families and individuals, as well as from the region’s diabetes team. Having been through a similar experience to the families receiving a new diagnosis, Paula says she enjoys connecting with the parents and

Paula was thrilled that Diabetes NZ Otago was chosen by her local community to receive Good in the Hood funds in 2023.

walking them through what to expect on their rollercoaster journey. Highlights of 2024: Paula organises two camps a year – one in summer for the 8-to-12 year olds and the other in winter for the teens who go skiing or boarding. Putting the work in for camp is rewarding, as it’s great seeing how much enjoyment the kids and teens get out of the time away with people who are on the same bandwidth. One of the events Paula made happen in 2024 was when Branch

Dwellers hosted the kids and their families at Chingford Park, in Dunedin. The recreational tree climbing company set up harnesses on a huge 100-year-old tree, with safe access to tree top hammocks for anyone to climb up and hang out in for a while. While up the tree, one of the teens had a hypo. Conveniently, the owner of Branch Dwellers is also a type 1, so he swiftly organised for a juice box to be jimmied up to the teen, where they had a great time, swinging away while they recovered.

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

Melissa and her whānau, from left: husband DJ and kids Wyatt, Emmett, and Jethro.

MELISSA KELLY

MURIHIKU/SOUTHLAND Melissa takes care of the vast Southland region. Like both Victoria and Paula, Melissa is the parent of a child with type 1 diabetes. Before Diabetes NZ: Mother of three, Melissa’s early career was as an on-farm sales rep and driver for VetSouth Winton, where she delivered animal products and drugs to farms. In the time between working in the farming industry and joining Diabetes NZ, Melissa took time out to have her three sons, Jethro, Emmett, and Wyatt. An average week: Like Victoria and Paula, Melissa’s focus is supporting two diabetes communities (Type 1 and Youth), so there are always large amounts of emails to reply to and send – whether it’s planning events for the kids with type 1

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

or coming up with new ways to fundraise. Then there’s all the budgeting that goes with the role, making funds stretch as far as they possibly can, with the aim being that no child or teen misses out on opportunities offered by Diabetes NZ Southland. Highlights of 2024: Melissa says the greatest joy of her role is seeing the smiles on faces during events she’s organised, both for youngster and parent, and especially when she hears the banter of everyone coming together, talking about diabetes and sharing their experiences. Having a son with type 1 means Melissa and her husband have shared experiences within the community she works with. She credits her husband DJ with weighing in to help with events when need be.

In the short term, Melissa says she is always striving to build the wonderful Southland type 1 community and hopes to eventually raise a team of volunteers who will enable Diabetes NZ Southland to do bigger and better things, such as a regional camp, since she knows a lot of cool spots the kids would absolutely love. WE’D LOVE YOUR HELP

If you have a few hours to spare each month, your region’s Coordinator would love to hear from you. Follow the link to our youth coordinators webpage, where you can see what’s coming up soon in your region: www.diabetes.org.nz/ youth-teams

Youth

WINTER WONDERLAND Nearing the end of each winter, Diabetes NZ Otago Youth bundle up a pack of excited teens and head to the snow for their annual winter camp.

or over 20 years, Diabetes NZ Otago, in conjunction with Te Whatu Ora Southern, has run a winter ski and snowboard camp for youth aged 13–18 years who are living with type 1 diabetes. The camp is held over three days at Coronet Peak, with accommodation provided at the Southland Ski Club lodge. As with the annual summer camp, no parents ever attend. This gives families a much-needed break from the day-to-day care of their young adult living with diabetes. The youth are well-looked after by a full paediatric diabetes medical team from Otago, along with a diabetes nurse from Southland. The camp starts on a Friday morning with a loaded minivan and car leaving Dunedin, transporting the excited rangatahi to Queenstown. The drive to Coronet Peak is broken up with lots of fun, including stopping in at Alexandra to have a go at curling at the ice rink, or mini golfing in Cromwell, and of course finding somewhere interesting to stop and have some kai. Once in Queenstown, the group meets up with more camp-bound teens coming from Southland and they all head to the ice rink for skating and bumper cars. Then, it’s time to drive up the mountain to the ski lodge for dinner. The next morning, it’s an early start to get skis, boards, and gear fitted so everyone can be on the slopes by 9am. With lessons ready

booked, it’s not long before the crew is let loose on the slopes. Lunch is provided back at the lodge for the hungry youth, and pockets are restocked with jellybeans or dextro tablets just in case anyone gets hit by a hypo while out and about. After a full-on day on the slopes, everyone heads back to the lodge for a yummy dinner and night-time entertainment, such as night walks to check out the amazing stars, or laughter-filled quizzes. Sunday morning has folks chasing further fun in Queenstown which is less than half an hour’s drive away. Here, the day is spent either on the Skyline Gondola and Luge rides, or activities such as ten pin bowling, escape rooms, and walks around the lakefront and gardens. After lunch, it’s time to start making their way back home. CONNECTIONS MADE AND SECURED

Otago Type 1 and Youth Coordinator, Paula Fryer says the best part of these camps is seeing the connections the youth make with one another. Often, someone climbs in the van at the beginning of the trip not knowing anyone, but it’s never long before they’ve connected with another rangatahi and start chatting.

Because these camps have been running for two decades, lasting friendships have been built between our youth and the medical staff who normally only see each other in a clinical setting. On camp, the staff get to witness first-hand what day-to-day life is really like for youth living with diabetes as they are the ones who must get up throughout the night for checks and to deal with any hypos. Most families are eligible for Carer Support hours through Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora which, along with a family contribution, helps fund their teen to attend camp. Fundraising by Diabetes NZ Otago Youth is also done throughout the year to help keep the costs down for families as Paula says she understands that financially, camps can be expensive for families. As always, she welcomes any sponsorship, donations, or assistance from the public to help fundraise. Paula adds that the highlight of her year is organising not only the winter camp but also the summer camp which is held for children aged 8–12 years. She says she only needs to see the excitement on the kids’ faces when they reconnect with past camp friends for her to agree that her job is utterly rewarding. DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

My Identity

THE BOSS OF MY TYPE 1 T

welve-year-old Kiki has a hectic but fun-filled weekly itinerary. When the Kerikeri local isn’t at school, she’s busy at various dance classes at her dance school, Dance Vibes NZ, learning jazz, hip hop, and acrobatics. Add to that regular jazz competitions and, in summer, swimming and paddle boarding – which she competes in. Last year, she came first when she represented her school in the Northland Secondary Schools Paddle Boarding Competition. Kiki was diagnosed with type 1 when she was 10, and in that time Kiki has chosen to own her condition. Seiko, her mum, says she doesn’t even know how to change her daughter’s insulin

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

pump sites. That’s because, right from the get-go, Kiki hasn’t let her do that. As soon as she learnt the ins and outs of pumps and CGMs, Kiki told her mum, ‘I’m going to do it.’ Seiko calls her daughter ‘the boss of her type 1’. Kiki says it was a weird way for her to find out she had type 1 diabetes. Right from when she was very young, she and her mum would travel to Japan each year and spend three months in Hiroshima. In that time, Kiki would join the local primary school and immerse herself in her mum’s language and culture. Each April, before children start their school year in Japan, they have a comprehensive health

check, which includes physical, dental, vision, and hearing tests. Even a mobile x-ray bus comes to the school for chest x-rays. As part of the health check, a urine test is also taken, and this is when Kiki got the news. ‘I wasn’t sick or anything. It kinda popped up out of nowhere.’ Kiki’s immediate response was excitement. ‘Am I the same as Stacey?’ she asked her mum. The Babysitter’s Club was Kiki’s favourite tv show at the time, and in it is Stacey, a character with type 1. Kiki explains, ‘She had an insulin pump and she used to decorate it, and I was like, I’m going to be like this movie star because I’ve got diabetes! But then a few months

Kiki Shimozono-Reid shares what it’s like being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when you’ve gone to live in Hiroshima, Japan, for three months.

My Identity

is proud to nominate

‘Let me introduce you to my robotic pancreas/insulin pump, “Patricia”. I love her so much, and I named her Patricia as soon as I got her. She is with me 24/7 delivering insulin and keeping me going…’ – from Kiki's speech in a Rotary competition, where she won joint first place. later I found that wasn’t the case. It’s not just drinking juice boxes and decorating insulin pumps.’ SPEAKING OF DIABETES

In her first year after being diagnosed, Kiki decided to take on what is usually seen as a mildly terrifying challenge for your average 11-year-old – she would write a speech for her Year 7 English class. The previous year, she had done this, but it hadn’t worked out. ‘I was really rushed, and I didn’t know how to write a speech. The teachers did help me, but it wasn’t a good speech. I wasn’t prepared.’ But the following year, Kiki had an experience that suggested to her that an educational speech was in order. Some kids at school had made fun of her. ‘We were in a PE game, and someone said, “Move, you stupid diabetic.” I didn’t answer back because I’m not going to waste my time on this silly person. And then we ended up winning. So I was, ‘I might be a diabetic, but at least I’m a winning diabetic!’ This experience inspired Kiki to have another go at writing a speech and use it to teach kids a thing or two. ‘Why not educate people through the speech? I wrote it for people who don’t have diabetes and who don’t really understand what it is. It’s also about resilience.’ Kiki competed against all the other year 7 kids at her school and came out on top. Then her speech was selected to compete in the Jock Hodgson Rotary Speech competition, where she was up against not just her year but all

the year groups from Kerikeri High School. The feedback from judges was that the calibre of speakers was so high that joint winners had to be selected: Kiki and another student who was three years older. ‘They said, it’s super rare for a Year 7 to win. They said it was a personal and very brave speech.’ Since then, and while on a Diabetes NZ Summer Camp, Kiki has gone on to speak on a radio show about type 1 with her friend, Wynand, who also has type 1. ‘I said, it’s just a little bump in the road. We can live a normal life. It’s just one more thing to take care of. Also, it’s given me so many opportunities. In Social Studies, we’re doing inventing stuff, and I’ve invented so many things for diabetes. Some of them are unrealistic, but some are really cool. I’ve made a Carbo Counter. It’s a little machine that you hold over food and it counts the carbs. I’ve made new sensors and insulin pumps, and it’s so much fun.’ Seiko says that, since the diagnosis, her daughter is better than ever. ‘Kiki definitely has ups and downs, but she is on her new journey and rolls with it,’ she says. Kiki is quick to add that she now has a major life goal – to enjoy the present. ‘I used to think ahead. After diagnosis, I realised I want to treasure every day. I just want to take every day step by step and remember everything. I’ve accomplished so much this year. Speeches, exams for dance. I got in the highest mark! And paddle boarding. Lots of things I’ve tried.’

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Community

Five months after Pharmac signed off on funding Continuous Glucose Monitors for those with type 1 diabetes, we asked the community how the last few months have been.

CGMS

FIVE MONTHS ON 20

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AN IDF YOUNG LEADER

Twenty-seven-year-old Laura Snowden says, when she first heard that that CGMs were finally being funded, it didn’t feel real to her. Even though people had been talking about it for years, she says she couldn’t imagine it becoming a reality. ‘When I heard the news, I was at work. I cried happy tears, I was so overwhelmed.’ Laura says her chat group of fellow youth leader volunteers suddenly lit up once the news was out. ‘They were all suddenly on the chat, sending screenshots and going omg they’re funded! Everyone was really excited.’ Laura is an International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Young Leader in Diabetes and represented Aotearoa New Zealand at the Training Summit for Young Leaders during the most recent IDF biennial forum in Portugal. Laura has been invited back to be a speaker at the next one, which is in Bangkok in April. Having an expensive lifeenhancing device funded now means Laura has the ability to save money, but for her it offers more than that. ‘It has a hundred percent improved my mental health. I don’t feel so constantly anxious about my readings or having to monitor my diabetes more closely as I now have tech that I know can help me out, especially overnight.’ Laura admits that, before she went on funded sensors, she was extending them, which is advised against due to the real possibility of infection. ‘I was reusing the same sensors. But now I don’t have to worry about that. I just put on a new one when I’m meant to.’ Another relief of having her CGMs funded is when it doesn’t read properly, she doesn’t panic. ‘I used to worry, thinking I can’t

afford another one and then having to wait for the next one. Now I have a drawer full of them which is just crazy.’ Laura remembers picking up her first funded prescription from her pharmacy and feeling like a millionaire as she carried a thousand dollars’ worth of the life-improving medication out the door. While she is being funded to travel to the next IDF in Bangkok, Laura is excited to now be able to save for other travel that she has long wanted. Spending an average of $400 a month before CGMs were funded, Laura now has the ability to contribute to her savings account. ‘Before, I was making the decision, do I travel without sensors? Or not travel and have sensors? Now I can travel and know I have stuff to carry me through, which is great.’ After graduating and working in pharmacy, Laura has returned to study and is half way through a Masters in Professional Accounting, with less than a year to go. She studies part time while working in administration. Considering and planning how to afford her CGMs used to be always front of her mind. ‘When I careerchanged, I considered how am I going to go from working fulltime to being a student again, part-time? And how am I going to afford my sensors? So this is one less stress,’ she says. ‘I don’t have to work so many crazy hours while also studying. ‘We’re a very forgotten age group. Half of us get our CGMs paid for by parents, but a lot of us don’t. So, we’re trying to study and fund ourselves. But not anymore!’

‘I would say that, prior to them being funded, I actually wasn’t using them fulltime for long. My HbA1c is finally down to 43 due to sensors, when it used to be in the 70s, so I would say that’s a significant health improvement for sure since I can now afford them 24/7.’ – Laura

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

A PARENT

Before CGMs were funded for seven-year-old Freya, her mum, Claire Campbell would ‘measure’ everyday things and experiences in ‘CGMs’. (She used the brand name, but for clarity and fairness we’ll just call them CGMs.) Claire explains: ‘I would compare the cost of everything to a CGM. Our friends would complain about the cost of things like their car loan payment or childcare cost, and I would think to myself, well it’s cheaper than a CGM! Our fridge broke, and the cost of a new fridge was three months of CGM. I wouldn’t want to buy myself anything because the thought of how many CGMs I could buy for the same price.’ When Claire picked up her first package of funded sensors, she says she cried with happiness. ‘I think I cried because I realised I was so relieved of the financial strain. The constant hustle to afford CGMs was finally over, and no-one else, other than type 1s, actually knew how financially draining funding CGMs was.’

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

A RETIRED FARM MANAGER

For 66-year-old Phil McKinnon, the announcement that they would be funded couldn’t come soon enough for the Hamiltonian. Eighteen months ago, he was offered a month’s trial, and he thought, why not? ‘Of course, that’s a fatal mistake. Once I’d used it, I didn’t want to give them up,’ he says. ‘But I couldn’t believe the difference it made. It was like a fog had been lifted from my brain. Totally unbelievable. I was not aware what that higher glucose was doing to me. I still have lows, but I don’t have those extremes.’ Lately retired, Phil was a farm operations manager, working in the artificial breeding industry. ‘So I was getting to the stage in my head where I had to decide that if I hadn’t been funded whether I’d continue with them or not because it was so much money each month. But I didn’t want to stop using them either.’ Phil was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after he contracted pancreatitis 13 years ago. About three years ago, his diabetes doctor started classing him as type 1 as he wasn’t producing any insulin at all. Phil says no-one knew what caused his pancreatitis until they removed his gall bladder. ‘You know how you get gall stones? Well, mine was filled with sand and they couldn’t see it with scans, and that’s what caused it.’ Phil celebrated when he heard CGMs were being funded and that day went out and bought a bottle of bubbles. Phil is enjoying not having to fork out a lot of money for a sensor that helps keep his blood sugars stable. ‘You become so reliant on it that I don’t know if I would’ve been able to stop buying it because it’s made a massive difference to me. Not having to pay for it has been brilliant.’ Although his career was rurally centred, Phil has been a townie

Now retired, Phil spends many hours in his shed creating scrap metal art. Due to the noise when he’s welding and cutting, he relies on his CGM having an audible alarm so he can deal with a low in a timely manner.

for quite some time, living in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. A year after officially retiring, he still picks up some seasonal work when needed. On one occasion, Phil was at a job when his CGM alarm went off. He was sucking back a gel pack when another seasonal worker came up to him and asked him if this was breakfast? ‘I said, “no”. She said, “do you have diabetes?” And I said, “yeah”. So her granddaughter has diabetes. And obviously it’s made a huge difference to them too, to not have to pay for the bloody things anymore.’ Phil adds that he is very thankful to all those who made the funding possible and throws in a shout-out to the wonderful diabetes team at Waitematā District Health Board. ‘They’re simply the best.’

THE STATS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES It’s obvious – the benefits of funding CGMs are massive. The gains of these devices cannot be anything but significant in terms of both health and economic outcomes.

s expected, the initial roll out has been hugely successful. In the first four months of funding, 16,500 have benefited from funded access to CGMs. According to data and modelling provided by Dexcon, they report that the first four months of funding has collectively saved the health system over $3.1 million, allowing hospital resources and paramedic call-outs to be freed up and allocated elsewhere. Stretching that out over an average life time shows the use of CGMs will save millions of tax payer dollars, as well as make a gain of 24,552 quality-adjusted life years for the more than 16,500 people using CGMs over their lifetime. Thanks to the funding by Pharmac, we will have significantly fewer hospitalisations for serious hypoglycaemia and diabetic ketoacidosis, as well as major complications such as amputations.

Estimates based on data and modelling by Dexcom.

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

Move

LET’S DANCE! CEROC® MODERN JIVE AND POLE

‘I think people get really hung up about exercise for weight loss. That hasn’t happened for me. I am not small, but I am really strong and really fit. I’ve dropped two to three dress sizes and gained a lot of muscle since I started dancing, but my weight on the scales is exactly the same.’ — Erica Waters

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

Hamiltonian Erica Waters has been doing Ceroc® and pole dancing for two years. She rediscovered her love of dance in her 40s, first with Ceroc then pole followed once she started meeting other dancers. ‘I met an advanced dancer who also runs a pole studio. We got to know each other, and she said, “I think you would love doing flow,” which is dancing with a pole and floorwork, rather than the aerial tricks some do. “You should come try it out,” she said. And I did and was hooked on that too.’ Coined from the French, ‘c’est le roc’, Ceroc® is a brand of modern jive and hails from London. It is a social partner dance and is generally done to chart toppers and old favourites. Erica dances three days a week, goes to Ceroc dance parties every month, and competes in modern

jive competitions every couple of months. ‘A class is three hours of non-stop dancing. I find that I’m all hyped up when I get home and it takes me ages to calm down. But dancing as an exercise has got rid of my insulin resistance. When I first started dancing, I was taking Metformin as I was becoming insulin resistant, but after three months of dancing I stopped taking it and felt much better for it. Erica enjoys Ceroc modern jive for the cardio and social aspect, and pole dancing for strength training. ‘I think there are massive benefits of finding an exercise you love. And something you can consistently do definitely far outweighs the troubleshooting you have to do with your insulin, exercise, and eating.’

We meet some folks from around the motu who swear by dance classes to keep their hearts, minds, fitness, coordination – and don’t forget diabetes – in balance.

Deborah Shuker has been a Scottish Country Dancer for 13 years. Eleven years after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Deborah had a heart attack, and it was then that she knew she needed to find a fun way to exercise regularly. She didn’t want to join a gym as she saw that as a solo endeavour and knew she wouldn’t stick to it. She tried ballroom too but found it wasn’t her thing either. A newspaper ad for a beginner’s course in Scottish Country Dancing caught her eye and she’s never looked back. ‘It’s perfect for me. It’s promoted as fun, fitness, and friendly, and it is all of that. It exercises your body and exercises your mind. And you don’t have to come with a partner. And it’s ridiculously cheap!’ Scottish Country Dancing is a fun social activity, usually done in groups of six. A tutor gives out instructions at the beginning, the music starts,

and you all follow the sequences, which inevitably become easier as you gain experience. There are different levels of difficulty, and you can choose to join in or sit out and watch. At the annual Ball, Deborah says there are always a couple of dances for the most experienced. That is when she enjoys sitting back and watching the mastery. ‘They’re beautiful to watch, and live music gives a great atmosphere.’ Deborah says dancing is good for one’s mental health. One attraction for is the warm community, and another is for the regular memory exercise. ‘In some pieces, there are 46 bars of music and you have to remember what you’re meant to be doing in those 46 bars. You need to remember where you’re dancing, where you need to be, who you’re dancing with, and what’s going to happen next. It’s a lot of memory stuff, but it’s not necessarily Einstein material.’

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING

Deborah Shuker, left, dancing The Kingston Flyer, an easy dance for beginners.

KAPA HAKA

From the outside looking in, Atama says, it might just look like just a performance, but there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. ‘Especially if you don’t understand te reo Māori, it looks just like a performing group. But if you are involved and you’ve got understanding of different items within this big bracket, you can see it’s a deep, deep thing.’

Waitaha local Atama Moore (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Te Ata o Waiohua) grew up doing kapa haka, loving it so much that he chose to study it at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, earning a degree in it after three years. ‘Kapa haka is the best – everyone should do it. Not just Māori, everyone, because it teaches you absolutely everything you need to know about life. It teaches you social skills, because you have to fight for your place. (There’s a team of 40, and 70 people might audition for those places.) It teaches you physicality, it keeps you fit, and there’s hand–eye coordination, especially with some of the implements that are used – the rākau, taiaha, patu, poi for our wāhine and even for some of our tāne who are using the poi now. There’s the spiritual element.

Literature, even. There’s writing songs based on events that you want to sing about. And there’s haka. There’s so much to it that really benefits almost every single aspect of one’s life.’ Atama feels his regular practice of kapa haka has been healing in respect to his type 1 diabetes. ‘Not healing in that it makes your blood sugars stable – if anything, it does the opposite. When you’ve got all this adrenaline rushing, it launches blood sugars skyrocketing. But for me, it gives me that release, so for that brief moment I’m no longer someone with diabetes. Instead, I am a proud Māori man who is practicing his culture, and among his people, his iwi, his whānau, and among his peers who I absolutely adore and love.’

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

HIP HOP Velcro. Within a month of her diagnosis, she was willing to go on sleepovers. I think all of the nervous tension that previously had nowhere to go has gone into managing her diabetes. And that has given her an outlet, and she’s not as anxious in general. It’s definitely not gone. There’s some hiccups, but it’s a complete world of difference from where we were a year ago.’ Hip hop is a vibrant form of dance that combines a variety of freestyle movements to create a cultural piece of art. Through its three main styles of popping, locking, and breaking, hip hop has evolved into one of the most popular and influential styles of dance. Honor always looks forward to her dance school’s end of year show. The 2024 show was held in Dunedin Town Hall to an excited audience.

Our youngest dancer, Honor Van Rij, is set on being a dancer when she grows up. For the last two and a half years, the 10-year-old has been busy with hip hop classes in her hometown, Ōtepoti, Dunedin. ‘Honor moves with poise and assurance,’ her mum Carrie proudly says. She firmly believes dance has given her daughter the body confidence she lacked previously. Honor battles an anxiety disorder, but dance, movement, activities, and friendships have given her a confidence that overrides some of the anxiety, she says. ‘Diabetes has improved her anxiety as well, which is bizarre.’ Honor was diagnosed with type 1 last year, and her mum says it has been the making of her daughter. ‘Before the diagnosis, she never went on playdates, she was very

LINE DANCING AND BALLROOM

With dances happening at least two times a week and practices to attend, Colin and Daphne are two very busy people, and they believe the routines keep them young.

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

Aucklanders Daphne and Colin Hoy Fong were introduced to ballroom dancing through their daughter. She already had a history of dance under her belt and wanted to give ballroom a go. But not wanting to try her first class alone, she asked her parents if they would like to come along as well, which they did, quickly becoming regulars, and that was 24 years ago. The same year that they started ballroom dancing, Colin was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He credits both his upbringing and his regular dancing with keeping it under control. The couple does a mix of dance classes. On Sunday nights, they go to line dancing, held at the Auckland Chinese Community Centre at Māngere Bridge. Colin points out that a good thing about line dancing is that you don’t need

a partner, you can just do it on your own. On Tuesdays, at the same venue, Colin and Daphne go to a smaller class for ballroom and dance solidly for an hour and a half. Colin is 78 years young and Daphne is 74, but they’re quick to add that there’s plenty of dancers who are older than them. ‘We’re not young dancers. Most of our crowd is 6080 years old.’ ‘We’ve always done it as a form of exercise, because with dance you’re exercising, yet you don’t feel like you’re exercising. It’s a fun way of doing it.’ Colin adds, ‘It keeps your mind alert too, doing line dancing, because we learn new dances all the time. It makes our brain work. I hate to think what we would be like if we didn’t.’

SHUT UP AND DANCE If formal and ‘proper’ dance classes aren’t your thing, and you want to completely let your hair down and get a bit goofy, then perhaps learning simplified versions of the kind of dancing you see in music videos might float your boat. Wellingtonian Rewa Murphy started dancing when she was three where she says she tried all the dance styles on offer. She has been involved with Shut up and Dance for eight years, first as a punter, and then teaching for the last five. Rewa is one of a handful of their teachers who guide dancers through unpacking cheesy dance moves and the classes attract a steady and devoted following. ‘I love being able to teach people who maybe have never been to a dance class in their whole life. They come in looking super nervous but

leave being Beyoncé. It makes me so happy. ‘Any measure of fitness that a newbie has when walking into a class for the first time is enough’, says Rewa. ‘If they can walk, they can do the class. I think that our target market is a wide variety. We have people come to the class who are absolute professionals who want to have fun. And then those who have never exercised in many years. And that’s great. You’re here. You walked in the door. You get some exercise.’ Among many other benefits, Rewa says that dance helps her headspace. Recovering from ‘making a person’ a year ago, Rewa also works in mental health for her day job so dancing is what helps her get through work, life, and the frustrating parts of diabetes.

‘We are there for the absolute awkward pop vibes. I like Florence + the Machine, Jason Derulo, Madonna, Spice Girls. Those ones make me feel really happy. Absolute top of the list is Kylie Minogue.’ – Rewa Murphy

She hopes that the fun dance she teaches serves as an excellent example of not taking oneself too seriously. ‘We’re practicing being awkward and silly, and enjoying things that make other people cringe.’

ZUMBA GOLD® Wellingtonian Robyn Cotton has been going to Zumba Gold® for just over six years. When she first started, she did the classes sitting down. Having been involved in a serious car accident 11 years ago, Robyn is living with a brain injury and type 2 diabetes, and has a CRT-D (Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy with Defibrillator – similar to a pace maker). She credits going out to Zumba classes three times a week (and one online) with not only helping her heart, eye health, and diabetes but also allowing her brain to ‘think straight’. ‘After I had the brain injury and medical things took over, I started a new life in Wellington. The best thing to do was to go the gym and start rewiring my brain because dance does that. When I first

‘When I go somewhere now, I find the place. Before, I’d get a mental block of where to go. I had to retrace steps. It took some time. Doing Zumba and activities rewires the brain, but it takes time.’ – Robyn Cotton (pictured right).

started, it took probably a year to learn anything. But now I’m able to get up and dance and remember. I’ve come a long way. It’s changed my life completely.’ Zumba Gold is a lower-intensity

version of the typical Zumba class, which was born in the 90s. It is promoted as being designed to meet the anatomical, physiological, and psychological needs of seniors.

Find out more: linedance.nz | ceroc.co.nz | dancescottish.org.nz | shutupanddance.co DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

Move

FOCUSING ON THE HERE AND NOW 28

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

With nearly a quarter of a century of yoga practice under her belt, Titirangi’s Judi Clements shares why she loves yoga so much and how it has come to help her diabetes.

udi Clements discovered yoga intermittently or not.’ when living in east London 24 Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes years ago. Good fortune had her at 23 years old, Judi says she has living not far from a Buddhist experienced a lot of different centre, where she says she was able forms of medical treatment and to experience both meditation and improvements over that time. ‘But, yoga within a traditional setting. the one thing that I’ve noticed to be Starting with the centre’s beginners’ constant is that your wellbeing and classes, Judi found herself falling your care as a person with diabetes in love with the centuries-old form is largely down to yourself. Exercise as she began learning about the and diet and lifestyle are critically physical and psychological benefits important, and yoga seems to of yoga. particularly help me. Maybe because Years later, Judi moved to I cycle to the yoga studio as well.’ Aotearoa New Zealand to take up Judi practices yoga most days, both the role of Chief Executive of the in a local studio with others and, Mental Health Foundation. ‘I did on occasion, within the privacy of that for 11 years and then had my her own home, following an online bucket list of things to do when tutor. ‘But I quite like the collegiality not in full-time work. Learning the of doing it in a group, and I think techniques and creating jewellery there are rich experiences in those with different sorts of metals was settings. That, and we also all get to top of the list, and yoga was second have a chat afterwards.’ on the list.’ One of things Judi enjoys about Judi says she has always done some doing yoga with others is being form of exercise. But it wasn’t until around people who are all moving she stepped back from the daily grind with focus and in a completely nonof work and took on subcontracting, competitive and non-comparative coaching, and consultancy that she way. ‘It’s not like I’m training to was able to find the time for more do a marathon or training to play yoga. ‘I think the benefits are always competitive sport. It’s a very different there though, whether you do it sort of mindset to learn about your

own body, what works for you, and what makes you feel good.’ At 71, Judi is probably the oldest person in the classes she goes to. She freely admits to occasionally taking a sneaky look at the young people around her. ‘I’m thinking, my God, they’re so beautiful. I know that I will not be able to get anywhere near that level of ability and flexibility because at 71 I just haven’t got that level of flexibility. But it doesn’t stop me trying. I just keep thinking this is my body and this is what I can do.’ ‘IT’S GROUNDING, IT’S AFFIRMING, IT CAN BE CHALLENGING, BUT IT CAN BE SO SATISFYING’

Yoga isn’t just about stretching and breathing. Primarily, yoga is structured movements which move the body into held poses or ‘asanas’. Getting into and then holding these poses is what offers not just flexibility but strength as well, and breathing is sequenced alongside the movements to help the body and mind ease into what it’s being asked to do. Judi finds that her practice,

Judi’s jewellery is inspired by the power and magic of nature, the circles of life, the beauty of bone, the mystery of feathers, the treasure of the sea. You can find Judi's jewellery on Instagram – search for crone.jewellery.

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

SIMPLE SET UP Beginning and practicing yoga requires very little equipment. A thin mat that allows you to not slip on the floor is useful, and loose or stretchy clothing makes it easier to move for one pose to another.

Beginners classes are recommended if you’ve never done yoga before as this is where students learn the correct alignment, which in turn teaches you how to avoid injury. Every city and most towns have someone teaching yoga. Check out your local community centres. You can find yoga in studios, churches, and gyms. Some classes are offered seasonally in parks or on the beach or even at a native bird sanctuary, such as Wellington’s Zealandia.

Yoga is where Judi goes to experience a clear mind. as well as being an exercise that gently and gradually strengthens and stretches the muscles, also has an emotional and psychological benefit. ‘I feel better after being at a yoga session, even if I’m tired and I’m thinking, do I really want to do this. Yesterday I went, and I was not in a great mood. I was feeling a bit scratchy and fractious, but by the time I’d done an hour’s yoga I felt like the world was a better place. It really is blissful.’ STYLE WISE

Judi has done a number of different yoga styles over the last 25 years. Her first classes that she did with the Buddhist Centre were in Iyengar, a style which focuses on aligning the body. Locally, she does Vinyasa classes, which are designed around salutes to the sun – gentle

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

repetitive full body exercises designed to wake up the body. Sometimes, Judi goes to Yin. ‘It can be described as merely holding a gentle posture for 5–6 minutes. But actually it’s pretty challenging as the mind wants to take over and get you to get up and get jobs done. At Yin, you learn to calm.’ But possibly where Judi finds most enjoyment is experiencing a clear mind. Thinking about anything else is not something Judi says she can do while in a yoga class. Whereas with other activities it’s often possible to fit in shopping list additions and concerns, everyday worries have to take a break for an hour or so. ‘I find yoga is great for just focusing on the here and now and being in the present.’

Costs can vary from koha (donation) to $20+. There are a few different styles of yoga out there: Iyengar, Vinyasa, Hatha, Anusara, Kundalini, Bikram, Ashtanga, Yin, and more. Yoga can be designed for those who are pregnant, adapted for those who have injuries, and adjusted to suit people who are more confined to a chair. Youtube and social media platforms host many practitioners who offer free classes and advice on yoga. ‘Yoga with Adriene’ is popular. For those with limited mobility, ‘scotteeisfat’ is an inspiring teacher whose posts guide and explain how any shape of body can still do and benefit from yoga. You can find him on Instagram, X, and Threads.

Here are three starter poses to get you going. Adapt the poses to suit your body and use a chair if you need the support. STRENGTH Chair pose/ Utkatasana/ Nohoanga From standing (feet facing forward, two fists distance apart), inhale then exhale as you bend your knees and move your hips backward, as if sitting down on a chair. Raise your arms in front of you as high as they will go. Hold for five smooth breaths.

(Strengthens legs, back muscles, core, and concentration.)

POWER Warrior 2/ Virabhadrasana 2/ Toa Tuarua From standing (feet two fists distance apart), inhale then exhale as you take a big step directly back with your left leg. Turn your body and your right foot to be in line with the long edge of your mat. Raise your arms parallel to the floor, bend your front leg, and turn your head to face forward. Hold for five smooth breaths. Change sides.

(Strengthens legs and arms, and gives a sense of power.) Progress to: Reverse Warrior – lift left arm to the sky while the right arm lowers down your leg. Hold for three smooth breaths. (Strengthens core.)

RECOVER AND STRETCH

Make a difference today

A diabetes diagnosis can be scary, overwhelming, and confusing. It’s a steep learning curve whatever kind of diabetes you have. Your donation will help someone just starting their diabetes journey and ensure they can access the resources, support and advice they need to live well. Your donation will remind them they are not alone.

Easy cross-legs/ Sukhasana/ Whiringa Waewae Hold for five smooth breaths. Extend the time gradually. Progress to: gradually walking the hands out away from the body.

(Gradually relaxes and stretches hips and lower back.)

Donate today at www.diabetes.org.nz/donate or call 0800 342 238. Thank you.

Care

HYPNOSIS TO INCREASE THE FOCUS

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

Andrew Hardwick shares how the power of gentle suggestion can lead to a healthier body and mind.

hirty-one years ago, and on the other side of the world, Andrew was in his first ever hospital placement as a pupil nurse. ‘Completely green’, is how he describes himself as he learned the ins and outs of his local Accident and Emergency Department, having only been learning nursing for about four months. During one particular shift, a nine-year-old girl came in with her mum. She had fallen and fractured her wrist, so her arm needed to be cleaned of debris, the bone straightened and set, and a tetanus shot given to top it all off. ‘She was terrified. She was screaming, spitting, biting, and throwing anything she could get her hands on. She was hysterical, and her mum was close to being the same.’ Over the road from the hospital was a phobia clinic which also doubled as the UK headquarters for what was then called the Association of Qualified Curative Hypnotherapists (now called the British Hypnotherapy Society). Conveniently, a trial was being conducted there on the use of hypnosis within the emergency department. With the mum’s agreement, the staff called on one of the doctors from over the road, and Andrew got to watch the process of medical hypnosis for the first time. ‘It was fascinating because I watched the girl listen and become

really calm and still. She closed her eyes and then something was said to her, and she opened her eyes and watched as her wrist was manipulated back into place, cleaned, and put in a splint. Then she giggled when the tetanus needle went in because she was told it would tickle. ‘Then the hypnosis doctor said, “look at me – sleep”, and down she went.’ He gave her suggestions – that she would have a positive memory of going to the hospital, that it would be fun and interesting, and that she would heal quickly and easily. Then he woke her up.’ Andrew was impressed. ‘I went, “wow! I want to learn how to do that.”’ After this experience, Andrew says he knew he wanted to learn more, so he asked if he could come on board for his final month of nurse training in a couple of years. ‘I was only allowed to observe, but it was amazing the stuff I learned, and this peaked my interest in behaviour change.’ FURTHER EDUCATION

In the following years, Andrew says, he continued looking out for where he could see hypnosis used in a clinical setting. He kept up to date with trials, all while building his nursing career and getting further qualifications at night school, including in mental health – a prime area to work within behaviour modification.

Hypnotherapy is a type of psychotherapy that uses hypnosis to help people relax and focus, making them more open to suggestions. During hypnosis, a trained hypnotherapist guides the patient into a trance-like state through mental imagery and verbal repetition. Once in this state, the patient can be more open to making changes to their thoughts, emotions, memories, and behaviours. ‘I saw a lot of hypnosis,’ he says. ‘They were called “relaxation techniques”, but I’ve since learned that they are actually long hypnosis inductions.’ These skills were employed frequently within mental health, and Andrew went on to use them within a behaviour modification unit he later worked on. ‘That’s how I got interested in hypnotherapy, through work as a nurse.’ THE DIABETES LINK

Andrew immigrated to Aotearoa New Zealand 20 years ago and has run a clinic in Upper Hutt, just north of Wellington, for the past 15 years. This is where he offers hypnotherapy to clients who come to him for a variety of reasons. Some seek out his expertise in order to learn to work around or

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

By the time Andrew meets many clients, they are tired. They’ve tried all the ‘free’ therapies and have worked with their diabetes nurse and GP. Andrew joins the mind and body when doing his work. ‘I’m a hypnotherapist, a life coach, Neuro Linguistic Programming, I do the tapping, and I also do tai chi. It’s a whole mind and body thing, with hypnotherapy for mindset and tai chi for movement. We put the two together.’

shift an array of health issues, including mental health, physical ailments, phobias, and more. He finds when maximising what the mind and body can do folks can sometimes then lessen the amount of medications that they need. In time, this can lead to minimising the amount of surgery someone needs because, once a body is treated better, it can have a lesser need for medications. Andrew often meets people who have type 2 diabetes or have just received a diagnosis of prediabetes, and this health scare prompts them into wanting to make lifestyle changes. Generally, they have already put effort into making changes, but for whatever reason they’re unable to make these changes stick, and this is where Andrew comes in. ‘My bit is to give them suggestions that will help them stick to what’s been recommended. So we use hypnosis to increase the focus.’ He helps people embrace and stick to the diets recommended by their doctors, dietitian, or diabetes nurse. He helps them to change their lifestyle habits, to want to exercise more, and to change their attitude and mindset so they can focus on what they can do, rather than what they think they cannot achieve. ‘I’m often working with people with a very negative mindset. And attitude is the most disabling thing in the world.’

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

FEAR FACTOR

In giving an example of how hypnosis can work, Andrew holds up a chocolate bar. ‘If this was my temptation and it’s in front of me, I might take it. But with hypnosis, I might not.’ Andrew says he treats temptation very differently to how a dietitian would. A dietitian or diabetes nurse would likely advise a patient to remove temptation from the house. ‘That’s not always possible,’ says Andrew, ‘especially if you have children and others sharing the house. Also, this common advice also tells you nothing about an individual’s ability to change.’ A hypnotherapist’s approach is to create a suggestion so strong that, even if someone is seeing a chocolate bar every day, their treatment (and practice at home) has given them the skills where they simply choose not to take it. The skills they have learnt gives the individual the power, rather than the chocolate bar. Another aspect where Andrew has helped people with prediabetes and others is for those with a needle phobia. He explains how he had a client whose doctor had told them that, if they didn’t change their eating habits and get it under control within the next three months, then they would have to be put on insulin.

Motivation can be seen as a positive or a negative. Some want to work towards something, while others seek to escape from something. Andrew’s client clearly wanted to get away from the possibility of having to inject insulin as they had a needle phobia. He explains, ‘So, instead of preparing them for the inevitability of having insulin, we built on that and said, let’s use this and build impetus, and this led to behaviour change. The fear of needles was one aspect, but they really wanted to be able to change the habits that they’d got stuck with over time.’ Fear was the negative push that had caused the client to reach out for help. Using the power of suggestion, the client and Andrew hit one food habit after another then got started on overhauling their existing exercise habits. After (time frame?) months/ appointments – and, importantly, time invested in practicing their newly learned techniques at home – their blood tests showed they were getting better control. ‘After about three months, their doctor told them their blood sugar was so under control that they’d gone back to a prediabetes state.’

Your DNZ

OUR NEW BOARD Diabetes NZ is pleased to introduce the new faces on the Board of Diabetes New Zealand.

JENNY BLACK BOARD CHAIR AND INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER Jenny qualified as a dietitian 40 years ago and began her working life in health. Her first 20 years involved many people of all ages with diabetes, and she says this hands-on experience taught her more than any lecture or textbook. The last 15 years of Jenny’s career have been in governance, chairing Te Hiringa Hauora/Health Promotion Agency and being a Director and Trustee on several other health entities. Jenny says it is a privilege working with people in health and believes that together we can make a difference.

DEE LODHIA INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER Dee’s dedication stems from personal experiences, spanning three generations – supporting her own whānau through their journeys with type 2. Dee is deeply committed to empowering ethnic and Pacific communities in managing type 2 diabetes more effectively. Dee currently holds positions on the Board of two not-forprofit organisations – Mangere Budgeting Services Trust and SAFE. She is a Chartered Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, and a member of the Institute of Directors (NZ). Dee specialises in riskmanagement, Assurance, and Compliance within the Finance sector,

bringing a wealth of expertise to her advocacy and service roles. Having been on the Diabetes NZ Board for about six months, Dee has found the role rewarding and insightful. A highlight has been witnessing Diabetes NZ’s support of the roll-out of CGMs, insulin pumps, and insulin pump consumables, and Dee is hopeful that, in the future, these resources can be made available to individuals with type 2 diabetes as well.

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

HETTY VAN HALE INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER Hetty was appointed to the Board as a Trustee in April 2024. She has a background in corporate communications and marketing, and brings with her 25 years of governance experience covering a broad industry range, including experience on audit and risk committees. She also has a strong history of volunteering for community organisations and events. Since starting on the Board of Diabetes NZ, Hetty has been humbled by the knowledge and passion of both Board members and staff for the cause of reducing the incidence of diabetes in NZ. She looks forward to the challenges ahead and to adding her governance experience to the pool for better health outcomes for New Zealanders. Hetty is a current Board member of High-Performance Sport New Zealand, a Trustee of Central Lakes Trust, a Trustee of Northland Events Centre (2021) Trust, and a member of the Sport New Zealand finance, audit, and risk committee.

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

EPARAMA TUIBENAU INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER Born in Fiji to a Fijian father and a Niuean mother, Eparama (Eps) moved to New Zealand at the age of six. His Pacific Island heritage gives him a unique perspective on the effects of diabetes within diverse communities. With three children aged 8 to 15, Eps prioritises health and wellness in his family, having seen the stark contrasts between island diets of unprocessed foods and the highly processed diets prevalent in New Zealand. These experiences, combined with six years living in Japan, have shaped his appreciation for cultural diversity and its impact on health and society with associations with genetics. Eps’s journey to joining Diabetes NZ is deeply personal. A close friend lives with type 1 diabetes, and Eps’s mother, who has type 2 diabetes, suffered a stroke in 2021 – a moment that became a pivotal wake-up call. These experiences inspired him to contribute to the diabetes community.

Eps brings a wealth of experience in developing innovative software and web solutions across New Zealand, Australia, and Japan. His expertise in information security and compliance aligns with Diabetes NZ’s need to navigate the increasingly digital world. Eps serves on the board of his children’s school, Good Shepherd, and is an Executive Director at HealthSafe, a health and safety software company. His goal is to use his skills to empower Diabetes NZ’s leadership and operations.

Your DNZ

We bring you the report from the outgoing Board Chair, Catherine Taylor and Chief Executive Officer, Heather Verry.

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

ast year was significant for people with diabetes in New Zealand. After nearly seven years of advocacy, Pharmac announced in April that it was proposing to fully fund continuous glucose monitors (CGM), insulin pumps, and insulin consumables for people living with type 1 diabetes. This announcement was greeted with joy and relief by those who have been struggling to fund their devices, and those who have not been able to afford them. Free access to these devices is not only life changing for thousands of New Zealanders living with type 1 diabetes, but it is also lifesaving. This is more than just vital technology – it’s a lifeline to better health and greater freedom. Quite simply, it’s a game-changer. As we know, type 1 diabetes affects different people in different ways so it was great to see that Pharmac recognised this by providing a choice of funded devices given there is no one CGM device or insulin pump technology that works for everyone. Despite these choices, some people were disappointed that not all devices currently being used by the diabetes community will be funded. We acknowledge the power and support of the whole diabetes community in advocating for this funding over many years –

clinicians, educators and health care professionals. We are indebted to the strong advocacy that’s also came from our diabetes community who shared their experiences and made a strong case for funding – we couldn’t have done it without them. Although a time of celebration for the majority of type 1s, Diabetes NZ is committed to its campaign that was run this year – ‘CGM for all’ – which includes all people with diabetes on insulin. We are pleased to report on some of our achievements through the Statement of Service Performance which forms the basis of the Annual Review. However, there are achievements which cannot be measured year on year but should form part of the Report. We strengthened our partnerships with: • the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) – the clinical team supporting people with diabetes across the country. Joint initiatives included political advocacy and working with Pharmac during the roll out of the CGMs and pumps. • NZ Child & Youth Clinical Network and Paediatric Society of NZ – who are represented on the Diabetes NZ Youth Forum, and in turn Diabetes NZ, is a member of the network representing people with lived experience.

• the Diabetes New Zealand Research Foundation (DNZRF) has a website with information about its objectives and the summer studentship programme that it supported over the summer period last year. Check out the website at www.dnzrf.org.nz. While DNZRF is still in start-up mode, it has plans to grow its capital base to have more grant funding available for diabetes research relevant to New Zealand conditions and our context. • primary and community health providers, including Māori and Pacific providers, to strengthen and grow our Diabetes Community Coordinator roles. We now have a presence in eight regions of New Zealand working alongside primary health care workers to support people with diabetes to access health services and better manage their diabetes. Our Coordinators have also delivered Diabetes Self-Management Education Programmes with the support of local health professionals. The Coordinators working in the different regions pivot their support to align with local needs. The majority of our Coordinators are either Māori or Pacific peoples. • AvSec (Aviation Security Service) to produce guidance on what to expect at airport security for

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

‘There is always more we could be doing, and we are only limited by the resources available to us, so we are incredibly grateful for the support we receive from our donors, grant funders, sponsors, and the contracts we have with Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora.’

Diabetes New Zealand Annual Review – Arotake ā-tau 2024

THE ANNUAL REVIEW CAN BE FOUND ON THE DIABETES NZ WEBSITE

• Developing a position statement that reflected the urgent need for funding of CGMs for all people in Aotearoa on insulin, and the benefit in doing so. This was supported by NZSSD, Edgar Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre, and the Healthier Lives He Oranga Hauora National Science Challenge, and given to all political parties in the lead up to the election. • Diabetes Action Month was themed ‘Eyes on Diabetes’ to raise awareness that diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in New Zealand. The campaign successfully created new resources to provide a legacy for the eye health topic including an Eyes on Diabetes digital and print resource,

people living with diabetes. The online brochure aims to educate and prepare people living with diabetes before arriving at the airport. It includes relevant tips, explanations of the screening process, and helpful information. We strengthened our advocacy by: • Staging a political forum hosted at the Auckland offices of PwC New Zealand, and invited spokespeople from all major political parties to participate in a panel discussion on their proposed policies for diabetes prevention and management. The panel was moderated and facilitated by Guyon Espiner. Three parties accepted the challenge and attended – National, Labour, and the Green Party.

CATHERINE TAYLOR

Outgoing Board Chair Diabetes NZ

DIABETES WELLNESS | Autumn 2025

a new Eyes & Diabetes brochure, an Eyes on Diabetes e-book, brand new video content, and two new recorded Facebook Live events. These resources were developed and shared widely throughout the month in many high-profile locations and channels. There is always more we could be doing, and we are only limited by the resources available to us, so we are incredibly grateful for the support we receive from our donors, grant funders, sponsors, and the contracts we have with Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora. We look forward to the year ahead and delivering on our purpose – to reduce the impact of type 1 diabetes, and incidence of other types of diabetes in Aotearoa New Zealand.

HEATHER VERRY

Chief Executive Diabetes NZ

HELPING TO MANAGE YOUR DIABETES

FreeStyle Libre 2 Glucose Monitoring System NOW WITH OPTIONAL ALARMS! The FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System is a glucose monitoring device indicated for detecting trends and tracking pattern in persons aged 4 and older with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, without the use of lancets. Diabetes Care

FreeStyle Optium Blood Glucose and Blood Ketones Testing

Not Just A Patch™

• FreeStyle Optium Neo Meter Kit • FreeStyle Optium Blood Glucose Test Strips 100’s • FreeStyle Optium Blood Ketones Test Strips 10’s

• Waterproof adhesive patches for your FreeStyle Libre sensor • Designed to suit activity, sport or fashion choice • Assorted colours available • Pack of 20

ESENTA™ Sting-Free Adhesive Remover Sprays and Wipes

Skin Glu™ Barrier Wipes • Barrier wipe used pre-CGM application • Gives the skin extra protection and helps your CGM stick better • Pack of 40

The new ESENTA Sting-Free Adhesive Remover is a fast, painless way to remove adhesive residue that is frequently left behind while changing an ostomy pouch.

™

Diabetes Care

™

Frio Cooling Wallets • Keeps Insulin cool and safe • Refrigeration not required • Simply activate with cold water • Reusable, light and compact • Available in five sizes and six colours

Hypo-Fit Glucose Gel • Two flavours – Orange and Tropical • 18gram sachets, 13.4grams Carbohydrates HYPO-FIT • Gluten-Free D I R E C T- E N E R G Y

MedActive Carry Cases Diabete-Ezy Accessories • Ezy-Fit Carry Case (Blue, Pink & Green) • Multi-Fit Carry Cases (Black & Red) • Test Wipes Starter Pack • Test Wipes Refills • Comfy Pump Belts

A selection of convenient carry cases for medical supplies. • Easy Bag Single • Easy Bag Classic • iCool Weekender • iCool Prestige transforming lives • iCool MediCube

medactiv

Dextro Energy Glucose Tablets • 24 sticks per carton (12 tablets per stick) • Available in four flavours Orange, Blackcurrent, Lemon, Tropical • All with added Vitamin C

Order Online: www.mediray.co.nz Freephone: 0800 106 100 Address for Correspondence: PO Box 303205, North Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand

Dexcom ONE+ continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) AN EASY CGM WITH ESSENTIAL ALERTS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DIABETES Easy self-start CGM which seamlessly integrates into your daily routine. With zero fingerpicks*, the all-in-one wearable has a 30-minute sensor warmup, the fastest of any CGM on the market.† Superior accuracy‡,1 giving you the confidence to make informed diabetes decisions. Better health outcomes1-5 Dexcom CGMs are shown to improve quality of life, reduce highs and lows, lower HbA1c and improve time in range.1-7

SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE

Smart devices sold separately§

0800 500 226 dexcom@nzms.co.nz dexcom.com/en-nz *If your glucose alerts and readings from the device do not match symptoms or expectations, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Read the warnings available on dexcom.com/downloadsandguides before purchasing. Consult your healthcare professional to see which product is right for you. Dexcom ONE+ is a continuous glucose monitoring system indicated for the management of (type 1, type 2, gestational) diabetes in people age 2 years and older where self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is indicated. †Dexcom ONE+ can complete warmup within 30 minutes, whereas other CGM brands require up to an hour or longer. ‡Compared to Dexcom G6. §Smart devices sold separately. To view a list of compatible devices, visit dexcom. com/compatibility. References: 1 Welsh JB, et al. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2024;18(1):143-7. 2 Beck RW, et al. JAMA. 2017;317(4):371-378. 3 Beck RW, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2017;167(6):365-374. 4 Martens T, et al. JAMA. 2021;325(22):2262-2272. 5 Laffel LM, et al. JAMA. 2020;323(23):2388-2396. 6 Polonsky WH, et al. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2021;23(3):195-202. 7 Gilbert TR, et al. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2021;23(S1):S35-S39. Dexcom, Dexcom ONE+, and any related logos and design marks are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Dexcom, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. © 2024 Dexcom, Inc. All rights reserved. New Zealand Medical & Scientific Limited is a Dexcom company. 2A Fisher Crescent, Mount Wellington, Auckland 1060. MAT-6739 Rev001 November 2024

Diabetes Wellness Autumn 2025

Articles inside

ANNUAL REVIEW 2024

OUR NEW BOARD

HYPNOSIS TO INCREASE THE FOCUS

Let's Dance!

FOCUSING ON THE HERE AND NOW

CGMs Five months on

THE BOSS OF MY TYPE 1

WINTER WONDERLAND

THE POWER IN THE SOUTH

Live Brave!

TEENAGE JUVENILE DELINQUENT

Diabetes Action Month Wrap-Up

Editorial