This year, MS Auckland proudly celebrates 60 years of supporting people living with multiple sclerosis in the Auckland community.
Over the decades, we’ve had many successes, learned valuable lessons, advocated for change, and been inspired by the incredible people we’ve met along the way.
It’s hard to say where we’d be today without our founder, Alice Cole. Her remarkable dedication to the MS community was recognised with a British Empire Medal from the Queen. You can read more about Alice’s inspiring story here.
Reflecting on six decades of history is no small task—there are many memorable moments and community milestones we’d love to share. To keep it simple, we’ve highlighted key events from the past 60 years in the timeline below.
Want to read more?Our special March 2025 edition of Multiple News here, takes a closer look at our 60-year journey.
We hope you enjoy this look back—and thank you for being part of our story.
Alice and Bill Cole founded MS Auckland as an Incorporated Society, laying the foundation for decades of dedicated support for people affected by MS. North Shore MP, George Gair became Patron and Evelyn Knight became the first Field Worker on a voluntary basis. Alice Cole was called The Angel of Hope and in 1974 received the British Empire Medal for services to people with MS.
The MS National Society is incorporated and includes member societies in the Waikato, Manawātu, Wellington Canterbury, South Canterbury, Otago, Southland, and Auckland. The International Federation of MS Societies is established in England, representing 35 national societies around the world.
Recognising the need for localised support, Hilda Brown (newly elected President) and Ken Wadham established a separate branch for North Auckland, initially called Multiple Sclerosis Auckland North Inc.., The Mayfield group, which is still running today, was established for support network.
The first CT Scan is available at Auckland Hospital, in which Alice Cole contributed money for its purchase.
MS North Shore receives a Honda Civic car, with funds raised from Northcote Lions club. 1981 was the UN’s Year of Disabled Persons, in which TVNZ held a Telethon where both MS Auckland and MS North Shore were recipient charities. First Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) show damage caused by MS.
With the help of fundraising from Pupuke Golf Club and the Lions Club, MS North Society employs first Field Worker, Pam Hogg (Evelyn Knight’s daughter). Pam establishes an office in Takapuna, in which members could call and visit.
MS Auckland Society moves into their office in Royal Oak, with Field Workers to cover West, South and Central Auckland. Around and About newsletter is created for the region.
MRI scans are introduced for the first time at Auckland Hospital, and made available to people with MS.
MS North Shore establishes the Wishing Well Fund to help members purchase mobility equipment. Internationally, Interferon beta, Ib was approved as the first drug to alter the course of relapsing/remitting MS.
David Ashton and others from the MS North Shore Society establish a social group for men with MS, Boys R Us, our mens group continue to this day. The Papakura Ladies Group creates a recipe fundraising book for MS Auckland.
Pharmac began funding new MS treatments imported into NZ, and the first website for MS Auckland is established.
MS Auckland introduced the DREAMS – Delightful Recreation and Enjoyable Activities for people with Multiple Sclerosis programme. Tall Blacks coach Tab Baldwin also established a fitness and recreation programme for members. MSNZ conducted a national MS Prevalence Study, jointly funded by MSNZ and the Health Research Council.
MS North Shore launched the first MS art exhibition featuring works by people living with MS. MS Auckland has been at the forefront of changing perceptions of MS – Six decades of changing perceptions of MS
Neil Woodhams is elected as President of the MS Auckland Society, in which he held for 13 years. MS North Shore Society celebrates 30 years history.
MS North Shore and MS Auckland societies merge, continuing under the MS Auckland name and logo. The Auckland Regional MS Trust was established to manage funds, and an informative Directory of Services, Around MS people thriving, was launched with support from the Caversham Foundation.
MS Auckland became a charity partner for the first-ever approved cycle ride, Bike the Bridge, across the Auckland Harbour Bridge, raising funds and awareness. The event ran annually until 2018.
With the support of newly appointed Ambassadors, John and Lorraine Street, MS Auckland held its first fundraising luncheon, Life Buoy, becoming, and still to today, MS Auckland’s largest fundraising event. Dr Jennifer Pereira joins Dr Ernie Willoughby as Patron of MS Auckland. Pharmac expanded its list of funded MS treatments, introducing two new options across New Zealand.
MS Auckland celebrates its 50th anniversary. The New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Research Trust is established, aiming to stimulate and support MS research in New Zealand. Pharmac makes available two new Disease Modifying Treatments (Tecfidera and Aubagio).
Lady Raewyn Henry becomes MS Auckland’s Ambassador, and still is to date. Sam Smith launches comedy night, Laughter is the Best Medicine, which is a hit, and still running during Awareness Week. MS Auckland starts in-person group counselling sessions across Auckland.
Comedian Sam Smith, who lives with MS, joined Lady Raewyn Henry as our MS Auckland Ambassador. The traditional Street Appeal was replaced with a Txt to Give campaign due to the rise of cashless society. After 50 years, the title Field Worker was changed to MS Community Advisor. More on our Community Advisors here.
A year of the lockdowns sees changes within the society, Neil Woodhams steps down as President, Fran Watts after 17 years, and Joan Thomson after 24 years, step down from the Board. Volunteer Peer Support programme starts. Despite pandemic challenges, MS Auckland successfully implemented a new contact management system, Infoodle, improving communications and streamlining services.
MS Auckland responds to the need for information and introduced monthly Informational Webinars. Exercise Support Fund was established to help members access MS-specific group exercises. Criteria for accessing Disease Modifying Treatments (DMTs) for Progressive MS were adjusted, allowing more individuals to start treatment.
A significant advancement occurred as aHSCT, a stem cell treatment used internationally for two decades, was administered for the first time in New Zealand for a person with MS. MS Bay of Plenty and MS Rotorua and Lakes began contributing to the Multiple News publication.
MS Auckland partnered with Rotary Kaipātiki to support their annual Charity Book Fair and relaunched the MS Auckland website. AUT students produced a virtual interactive fundraiser, Butterfly Dedication Garden to mark World MS Day.
MS Auckland marks its 60th anniversary, celebrating six decades of service and support for the multiple sclerosis Auckland community —while continuing to adapt, learn, and grow in an ever-evolving future.
