Head & Neck Cancer Support Network Trust Community News October 2025
Spring has arrived — a time of renewal, growth, and new beginnings. Just as the tui’s song grows stronger in the mornings, so too does the voice of our community. We’re delighted to share stories, updates, and inspiration in this month’s newsletter that celebrate the resilience and generosity of our members and supporters.
Here’s what’s blooming this October:
🌿 Community Spirit in Action – We share our Te Tai Tokerau community support project, and allow our community members to contribute.
🌼 Campaigns and Consultation – Learn about The Health Voice in Aotearoa New Zealand and its increasing activity in seeking better resources and services for those in need of health and disability support.
🌺 Advancements in Head and Neck Cancer Treatment – read the latest published research into treating head and neck cancer.
As always, thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we are building a kinder, more connected future for everyone affected by head and neck cancer.
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October marks the commencement of our Te Tai Tokerau Community Support project, dedicated to supporting individuals affected by head and neck cancer in Northland.
Te Tai Tokerau Northland Community Support Project
Why community support for Te Tai Tokerau Northland?
People living with head and neck cancer in Te Tai Tokerau Northland face unique challenges that can make their journey harder than it needs to be.
🚗 Distance and isolation:
Specialist cancer treatment is mostly provided in Auckland. Many patients must travel long distances for surgery, radiotherapy, and follow-up care — often at great personal and financial cost.
🏥 Limited local services:
While Northland has dedicated clinicians and nurses, there are few locally based specialists, and post-treatment support can be patchy or hard to access. This leaves many patients and whānau feeling disconnected once they return home.
💬 Lack of coordinated peer support:
Head and neck cancer can affect speech, appearance, and confidence. People often feel isolated — but connecting with others who truly understand can make a huge difference to recovery and wellbeing.
🌺 Equity and Māori health:
Māori experience higher rates of head and neck cancer and often face additional barriers to care. A community-led, co-designed approach — built on kaupapa Māori principles — ensures that support is culturally safe, accessible, and meaningful for everyone.
💛 Local solutions for local people:
The Te Tai Tokerau Community Support Project aims to bring together patients, whānau, health professionals, and community groups to co-design the support they need — creating a model that could improve outcomes across Aotearoa.
What are we doing to better support those living in Northland?
We’re launching the Te Tai Tokerau Community Support Project – a pilot designed to bring more connection, culturally relevant resources, and peer-based support to people living with head and neck cancer in Northland.
This initiative is about more than local impact. By co-designing with the community, training peer supporters, and strengthening outreach to marae, hauora providers, and isolated whānau, we are creating a model that can be scaled across Aotearoa.
Why get involved?
✨ You’ll help shape a first-of-its-kind project tailored to rural and regional communities.
✨ You’ll ensure patients and whānau have access to the support they need, when and where they need it.
✨ You’ll be part of a movement that not only improves well-being but also has the power to reduce health system costs and save lives.
Ways you can contribute: (you don’t need to live in Northland to help out)
Become a peer supporter online, by phone or in person.
Share your lived experience
Offer skills, time, or connections
Donate to help provide resources and support packs
Join in co-designing culturally relevant services
➡️ Together, we can create change that reaches far beyond Northland.
👉 Register your interest here: REGISTER
Campaigns and Consultations
The Health Voice in Aotearoa New Zealand is increasingly active in seeking better resources and services for those in need of health and disability support. Here are the current campaigns where you might like to participate.
Good oral health is an important foundation for wellbeing and should be valued as part of our public health system. Currently, oral health is treated differently from the rest of our health, and 40% of adults can’t afford the care that they need. Free and universal oral healthcare would mean everyone in Aotearoa could afford the regular check-ups and care they need, unlocking pathways for better oral health for everyone. https://www.dentalforall.nz/
Patient Voice Aotearoa
The Buller Declaration was officially launched in Westport on Saturday, 28 September (hence the reference to Buller) after 2000 people took part in a silent march to the clock tower over the state of healthcare in Buller.
To start the Declaration, the Mayor of Buller signed, as did representatives of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, the Rural Health Network, and the New Zealand Royal College of General Practitioners. After they had signed, we then invited the public to do likewise. You can sign the petition or be there to present it at Parliament in November 2025.
Sign the petition here
Rare Disorders New Zealand
In July 2024, the Ministry of Health released New Zealand's first Rare Disorders Strategy, outlining the Government's intentions to improve health outcomes for people living with a rare disorder.
While this was a huge milestone for the rare disorders community, there has been no action since to begin implementing the intentions in the Strategy. Without action, the Strategy is not worth the paper it is written on.
Rare Disorders NZ has launched a petition calling for Te Whatu Ora - Health NZ to urgently begin planning and implementing the Rare Disorders Strategy.
Sign the petition here.
The annual Rare Disorders survey is open. 2025 Rare Disorders Survey
Seeking Volunteers for The Explorers Facebook group
The Head and Neck Cancer Support Network Trust is seeking a volunteer to join our welcoming admin team (Gaynor, Sean, and Diana).
What’s involved?
Helping us keep things organised behind the scenes
Supporting our online community and groups
Assisting with communications, newsletters, and events
Bringing fresh ideas and energy to our projects
Why volunteer with us?
Make a positive impact on the lives of patients and whānau
Gain experience in social media, communications, and community-building
Flexible role – work from anywhere, when it suits you
Be part of a welcoming, supportive team
This is a great role if you or someone in your whānau are a student, early-career professional, or someone wanting to build experience while giving back. Please email us if you are interested. We are keen to hear from you. headandnecknetwork@gmail.com
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https://www.headandneck.org.nz/donations
Thank you for your continued support.
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If you are new to head and neck cancer, or back in treatment, we have a support pack for you. You can find all the details here. https://www.headandneck.org.nz/patient-planner
If you would like some brochures to introduce the Head and Neck Cancer Support Network Trust to your family and friends, please feel free to contact us headandnecknetwork@gmail.comThe New Zealand Cancer Society has a booklet Understanding Head and Neck Cancer you can access it here. Understanding Head and Neck Cancer
We have a toolkit designed specifically for those who stand beside us through the head and neck cancer journey. You can access it here https://www.headandneck.org.nz/light-keepers
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Check out our latest articles. Curated articles related to the treatment, care and support of those affected by Head and Neck Cancer. https://www.headandneck.org.nz/advancements
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We welcome contact from our head and neck cancer community, including whānau and friends. Please feel welcome at any of these contact points. https://www.headandneck.org.nz/contact-us
🌟 From the Chair
Kia ora friends,
Kia ora koutou,
As we move through this month, I’ve been reflecting on what makes our Head and Neck Cancer community special — the care, compassion, and understanding we share. But I’ve also been thinking about how much more we can achieve when we all pitch in.
Our Network relies on the strength and generosity of its members. Many of you have lived through or supported someone through this journey — your experiences and voices are powerful. We need that energy now more than ever. There are so many small but meaningful ways to help — from sharing posts online, welcoming new members, helping with events, or joining a working group.
If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, please consider stepping forward. Together, we can make the load lighter and the impact greater.
I know everyone has their own challenges and limits, but even a little contribution goes a long way toward building a stronger, more connected community.
Let’s make this season one of renewed collaboration and shared purpose — for each other and for those who will walk this path after us.
Ngā mihi nui,
Diana Ayling
Chair, Head and Neck Cancer Support Network Trust
