http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz en-us Sun, 28 Jun 2026 21:23:51 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/post/166515/waitemata-local-board-supporting-community-gardening/ Shout out to Waitematā Local Board who in a recent article titled "five ways your voices have helped us deliver for Waitematā" talk about community gardens alongside other important community projects and actions.   This Local Board has been one of a number across Tāmaki Makaurau who recognise the importance of food gardening for the city.   In this article they rightly point our the "high cost of living and rising costs of fresh and nutritious groceries, giving peopl... Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:25:50 +1200 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/#post166515 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/post/166238/diabetes-christchurch-70-years/ Sometimes something really amazing comes along that really gives pause for thought.    In this case, the latest quarterly newsletter - here - from Diabetes Christchurch has come across our desk, packed with so much incredible history that it just has to be shared and enjoyed.  SEVENTY years in the community, and so much has been achieved, so many people worked with, so much support and guidance given and so many hard efforts made to make things better for peopl... Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:12:41 +1200 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/#post166238 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/post/166193/sugary-drink-action-in-schools--policy-briefing-from-nzbgp/ Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa is proud to get behind this important initiative from the NZ Beverage Guidance Panel. We're particularly pleased to see a pragmatic approach being taken, with a range of healthier options being suggested and a definition of what low sugar might look like, ie, any drink with ≥5grams of sugar per 100ml.  Plus of course, not to forget the needs of students with type 1 diabetes who need to have appropriate drinks available to treat hypoglycaemia.   ... Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:43:36 +1200 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/#post166193 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/post/165422/in-the-news-nine-to-noon-interview-with-dr-baker--no-logic/ "No logic in it" is one of the comments from our Board Chair, Dr John Baker, who was interviewed on nine to noon - interview here.   He's referring to changes to prescribing that has got the diabetes community very concerned, more here https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/health/595851/pharmac-proposes-removing-priority-access-of-type-2-diabetes-meds-for-maori-pacific.     ... Tue, 26 May 2026 10:27:21 +1200 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/#post165422 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/post/165346/in-the-news-john-baker-on-the-retrograde-changes-to-prescribing-of-key-type-2-diabetes-medications/ A hard hitting article by Jody Hopikinson of Pharmacy Today talks about the proposed changes to the prescribing criteria for key medications for type 2 diabetes (empagliflozin (Jardiance), empagliflozin with metformin (Jardiamet), dulaglutide (Trulicity) and liraglutide (Victoza)).   In the article she interviews Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa Board Chair, Dr John Baker and others who are extremely disappointed in what Dr Baker describes as "a great leap backwards" from Ph... Mon, 25 May 2026 14:01:08 +1200 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/#post165346 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/post/165062/in-the-news-graham-king-on-the-major-step-back-for-diabetes-medication-access/ Strong advocacy from our Board member, Graham King.   Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa is about improving the care for people with diabetes and Graham has a personal story which gives added power to his voice. In his interview for this article for RNZ by Māori Issues reporter Pokere Paewai, Graham talks about why it is such a significant step backwards with proposed removal of criteria that allow reduced barriers access for those most at risk of complications.      Other vo... Thu, 21 May 2026 08:51:55 +1200 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/#post165062 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/post/165442/collaborative-workplaces-pilot-study-poster-nzssd/ For World Diabetes Day 2025, four community based organisations (Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa, MHT Diabetes Trust, Diabetes Christchurch and Diabetes Wellington) collaborated with a range of initiatives, including a workplace toolkit with basic information helpful to workplaces, and an online survey supporting the theme “know more and do more for diabetes at work”.   Marie Torr and Karen Pickering were fortunate enough to attend the NZSSD conference in Napier on beha... Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/#post165442 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/post/164485/thank-you-to-elite-business-systems/ Being a small community organisation has a lot of benefits, not least the ability to work right in the heart of the community and be nimble and responsive to do things that other, bigger entities may struggle with.   But there are also a few downsides, like the money we bring in goes as much as possible into delivering actual services that make a difference, which means keeping costs way down for the 'roof over our heads' stuff.    Sometimes you run across a business who goes... Tue, 12 May 2026 14:27:10 +1200 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/#post164485 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/post/165428/congratulations-professor-rinki-murphy-on-your-bob-smith-lecture/ The NZSSD (New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes) Bob Smith lecture is a real achievement, being awarded to someone at the annual conference who has done extraordinary things in diabetes in Aotearoa.   This year, as it was the 50th anniversary meeting, Bob Smith himself was present, along with some other familiar faces.   There have been some very well known names who gave the Bob Smith lecture over the years, and this year is no exception.    Professor Rink... Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/#post165428 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/post/163615/gardens4health-a-getting-ready-for-winter-garden-party/ Well done and thanks to everyone who was part of a fun gardening morning at Sarah Selwyn Retirement home. Much enjoyment had by all, and a great contribution to the prospect of healthy, homegrown food onsite later in the year.   The ladies and one gent wore their fancy hats for a garden party, Gardens4Health style while they were served tea and coffee outdoors.In the garden, new soil and sheep pellets were added to provide the best possible growing conditions and Kylie demonstrated pla... Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:07:21 +1200 http://www.diabetesfoundationaotearoa.nz/blog/#post163615