Introduction

The Neurological Foundation is a registered charity formed in 1971 to reduce the level of suffering and premature death from diseases of the brain and nervous system through research, education and information.

The primary focus of the Foundation is scientific and medical research and twice each year the Foundation makes grants to doctors and scientists involved in the neurological field. The Foundation is almost totally funded by individual New Zealanders, with about 98% of its funds coming from donations and bequests. The national office is in Auckland and there are 14 divisions serving communities throughout New Zealand. Our supporters number approximately 35,000 people.

The  Foundation's quarterly newsletter Headlines is sent to supporters free of charge.

MISSION STATEMENT: The Neurological Foundation of New Zealand

• "To alleviate suffering from diseases and disorders of the brain and nervous system through research and education".

Origins of the Foundation

A group of parents and health professionals established the Foundation in 1971. They wanted to set up a research organisation that specialised in neurological disorders.

During its establishment the founders, joined by the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Epilepsy Association, concluded that the only way to improve the outlook for people with neurological disorders was by finding out the cause of problems and then how best to treat or, even better, prevent them. This meant research. That was the principal focus of the Foundation on its formation and remains so today.

History of the Foundation
(based on "Notes on the Formation and Original Aims of the Neurological Foundation" by Philip Wrightson MBE, FRCS, FRACS)

With the development of neurological and neurosurgical services at Auckland Hospital in the 1960s, it became desirable to have some encouragement for development and research; this was strengthened by the establishment of the Medical School in the early 1970s. Colleagues at the University of Otago and other neurological and neurosurgical treatment centres throughout New Zealand were also enthusiastic about the concept - the demands of neurological research including high cost and a lengthy time- frame necessitated a centralised, national funding and evaluation system.

In l970, Professor Val Chapman of the University of Auckland's Botany Department started the process to form a neurological research organisation. He was joined by Mr John Seabrook of the long-established Auckland car importer Seabrook Fowldes Motors, the Mayor of Auckland Sir Dove-Meyer Robinson, Wellington surgeon Roland O'Regan and others.

A scientific steering committee was set up in 1971 comprising Professor Chapman, Professor John Carman of the University of Auckland's Anatomy Department, neurologists Dr Barry Cant and Dr Gavin Glasgow and neurosurgeon Philip Wrightson. It was decided that the proposed organisation would focus on research into neurological areas, leaving patient support and advocacy to others (the Epilepsy Association and the MS Society were involved in the formation process) and that assessment of research applications would be rigorous.

The founders decided that the Neurological Foundation would be a true foundation - all invested and projects would be funded from the interest. The Bryant Trust of Hamilton initiated the Foundation's funds with a donation of $45,000 (perhaps $350,000 in today's money). It is a tribute to the forethought of those pioneers and the unstinting generosity of thousands of New Zealanders who want to see improved treatment for neurological disorders, or even better, prevention, that 35 years later the Foundation's Council was able to announce the commitment of $.5 million a year to this essential component of the "knowledge society".


The Foundation's Research Policy

A review undertaken by Professor John Gavin in 2002  forms the basis for the Foundation's research policy. Prof Gavin largely confirmed the broad direction for the Foundation to follow. The review covered all aspects of neurological research and affirmed that the Foundation's policies over the years have, in general, been meeting the objectives of the Foundation.