Editorial Spring 2024

Kia ora koutou. When my husband, who has type 1 diabetes, and I embarked on some holiday travel recently, I was reminded quite abruptly that not only does a change in routine affect blood glucose levels but so do different foods and temperatures, amounts of exercise, sleep, and stress.

I’m very pleased that we included the cost of a Continuous Glucose Monitor in our travel budget. The alarm function proved its worth several times over.

Fortunately, we were in a position to be able to cover the cost of the CGM. I’m extremely grateful to all those who have, and continue to, advocate for funded access to CGMs for all. Your financial circumstances should not dictate the levels of health care you receive, and I congratulate Diabetes NZ, its partners, and the community advocates in their pursuit of equity and accessibility. I look forward to Pharmac’s announcement eagerly.

Our travels also reminded me that our wider diabetes community provides valuable support, knowledge, understanding, and education. Whether it be online groups, local support networks, family camps, whānau, workplace education, or simply a listening ear, our personal ‘villages’ can make a difference for New Zealanders affected by diabetes. By continuing to ask about others or share our own stories, experiences, and knowledge, Diabetes NZ – and each one of us – might just make the difference.

I hope you enjoy the contents of this edition and are able to share it with someone in your community. In this issue, we meet Milan Moala, an awesome rangatahi from Tāmaki Makaurau who has won an award for his slam poetry. We chat with a man who has walked 30 Rotorua marathons and plans to make it up to 50 finishes. We find out the important work the Diabetes NZ crew does when out in the mobile van, testing, educating, and advocating. Spring is just around the corner and is the perfect time of year to meet up with like-minded people and head out for a stroll together. Walking with a group is one of the cheapest forms of exercise, with surprising health benefits. We talk to a number of people who are thriving after joining local walking groups. Happy hīkoi!

Lyndall Ludlow, Advisory Chair, Diabetes NZ