YOUR VOICE. YOUR ACTION. YOUR FUTURE.

Help create life-changing outcomes for people living with epilepsy.

Thousands of New Zealanders living with epilepsy face unnecessary barriers to accessing the healthcare, support and services they need to live well. Too many people continue to struggle to access timely diagnosis, effective treatment, specialist care, education, employment opportunities, and full participation in their communities.

Everyone affected by epilepsy deserves equitable access to quality healthcare and support, regardless of where they live or their personal circumstances.

This is an election year. Political parties are shaping the policies and priorities that will influence New Zealand’s health and social systems for years to come. Now is the time to ensure the voices of people living with epilepsy are heard.

Your actions can make a real difference. By supporting our advocacy campaigns in 2026, you can help raise awareness, influence decision-makers, and create meaningful change for the approximately 50,000 New Zealanders living with epilepsy and the many whānau who support them.

Take action. Speak up.

To help us continue advocating in the future

DONATE TODAY

Together, we can build a future where everyone affected by epilepsy has the opportunity to live well.

What are we advocating for during 2026?

In 2026, Epilepsy New Zealand is actively involved in two national advocacy campaigns aimed at improving the lives of people living with epilepsy and other neurological conditions.

Forbidden Pharmacy

Through the Forbidden Pharmacy campaign, alongside 16 other organisations, Epilepsy New Zealand is highlighting the urgent need for improved access to epilepsy medicines, with a particular focus on the funding of Perampanel. The campaign calls on the Government and Pharmac to ensure New Zealanders living with epilepsy have access to the medicines they need to achieve the best possible health outcomes.

Specifically, we are advocating for:

• Public funding of Perampanel for eligible New Zealanders living with epilepsy.
• Access to a broader range of treatment options for people with hard-to-control seizures when existing funded medicines have not been effective.
• A reduction in the physical, emotional, and financial burden that uncontrolled seizures place on individuals, families, whānau, and the healthcare system.
• Equitable access to epilepsy medicines, regardless of where someone lives or their financial circumstances.

For many people living with epilepsy, Perampanel represents an important treatment option. However, because it is not publicly funded in New Zealand, eligible patients who wish to access it must currently pay significant out-of-pocket costs. For many individuals and families, this places an effective treatment beyond their financial reach.

By highlighting Perampanel through the Forbidden Pharmacy campaign, Epilepsy New Zealand aims to raise awareness of the real-life impact that limited access to funded medicines has on people living with epilepsy. Public funding would ensure that access to Perampanel is determined by clinical need rather than a person’s ability to pay.

For people whose seizures remain uncontrolled despite trying other medicines, Perampanel can provide a vital additional treatment option. Improved access has the potential to reduce seizure frequency, improve safety and independence, enhance quality of life, and enable greater participation in education, employment, and community life.

Train Five, Keep Five

In partnership with the Neurological Alliance, we are supporting the Train Five, Keep Five campaign, which calls for greater investment in New Zealand’s neurological workforce. The campaign aims to raise awareness of neurological conditions across all political parties while encouraging meaningful action to address workforce shortages.

The campaign objectives are to:

• Raise awareness of neurological conditions and their impact.
• Engage political parties and decision-makers ahead of the election.
• Mobilise our communities to support the campaign.
• Inspire action through a clear and memorable call to action: Train Five, Keep Five.

Get involved and help improve access to epilepsy treatments

One of the most powerful ways you can make a difference is by sharing your story and helping raise awareness of epilepsy. Talk to your local Member of Parliament, engage with political candidates, and help others understand the challenges faced by people living with epilepsy and their whānau. Share our campaign with your family, friends, colleagues, and community. Greater awareness leads to greater understanding which drives change.