Windows on dementia

Emeritus Distinguished Professor Cliff Abraham and Alzheimers NZ Chief Executive Catherine Hall reflect on the last 40 years or so in neurological research, as he retires. From unintentionally building a life in Aotearoa New Zealand to being at the forefront of local breakthroughs – this podcast is a fascinating insight into the collaborations and advancements Cliff has been part of.

Alzheimers Taranaki Manager Helen Frank is joined by a very special guest – Corey Barrett, a high school student whose dad, Tim, was diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia in 2021. Corey is just finishing high school and wrote some heartwarming poems about their jouney, which you can find online. While we know there will be others in his situation, it must be especially tough living with this diagnos...

Alzheimers NZ Chief Executive Catherine Hall interviews our Patron Distinguished Professor Sir Richard Faull (Ngāti Rāhiri, Te Ātiawa), in this special Brain Awareness Month episode.  Richard has more than 40 years’ experience researching the human brain and a long list of accolades. From medial advancements to his current work alongside iwi, there is one constant throughout his journey – the impo...

Te Whatu Ora Southern InterRAI Liaison and Educator Amy Pettigrew-Porter joins our Principal Advisor Services and Standards Lyneta Russell to talk about Needs Assessment and Service Coordination – otherwise known as NASC.  NASC helps people living with dementia mate wareware and other health conditions access support. This could be somebody to help with personal or health needs such as help with s...

Our Chief Executive Catherine Hall and our very good friend and partner Aged Care Association Chief Executive Hon. Tracey Martin join our Media Advisor Daniel Paul for a conversation around advocating for the sector in the second part of this podcast.  In this podcast, Catherine and Tracey explore what practical changes can be implemented and how to get the attention of policy makers as we continu...

Our Chief Executive Catherine Hall and our very good friend and partner Aged Care Association Chief Executive Hon. Tracey Martin join our Media Advisor Daniel Paul for a conversation around advocating for the sector in part one of this podcast.  In this podcast, we’ll articulate what the challenge is for the ageing population in Aotearoa New Zealand. This podcast was recorded on 13 November 2025.

Alzheimers Northland Manager Trudi Bridges and Alzheimers Whanganui Manager Renee Clark share their insights on dementia support for World Alzheimers Month, hosted by Alzheimers NZ Senior Communications Advisor Amie Hickland. This is timely  before the launch of the World Alzheimer Report 2025 on dementia rehabilitation. While the concept of rehabilitation can have certain connotations, for people...

We’ve recently announced a new partnership between our Dementia Learning Centre and the Centre for Co-Created Ageing Research (CCREATE-AGE) at the University of Auckland to develop the first dementia design training and toolkits for Aotearoa New Zealand. Our friend and partner Co-Director CCREATE-AGE and Joyce Cook Chair Professor Ngaire Kerse, and our very own Dementia Learning Centre’s Director...

Alister Robertson – who lives with dementia mate wareware – and Rosie Chambers, Manager of Alzheimers South Canterbury, recently joined our Parliamentary Friends of Dementia group to share their lived experience. From diagnosis to the hard realities facing organisations in terms of funding, here’s what Alister and Rosie shared with MPs at Parliament recently. Useful links: My Life’s Journey app Jo...

Chief Executive Catherine Hall interviews 2024 Alzheimers NZ Fellow Dr Campbell Le Heron in our latest podcast about his research and other breakthroughs around the globe. Campbell’s research has a focus on neurodegenerative diseases with two big pillars – the first being cognitive neuroscience mechanisms (the problems people experience in the setting of things like like Alzheimers). The second pi...

In this final episode of the series, Dementia Learning Centre Director and Ellen Bragger delve into the transformative potential of digital technology in dementia education.   From virtual reality experiences to gamification and artificial intelligence, they investigate how the Dementia Learning Centre at Alzheimers New Zealand is embracing innovation to enhance learning while maintaining human co...

In this insightful episode, Dementia Learning Centre Director Caroline Bartle discusses her ambitious vision for dementia mate wareware education in Aotearoa New Zealand for 2025.   From innovative training programmes to cutting-edge technology, she outlines how the Centre will support and transform dementia mate wareware care while prioritising people at the core of their work.   This third episo...

In this illuminating discussion, Dementia Learning Centre Director Caroline Bartle shares her insights into delivering impactful dementia education, drawing from her experience running a social enterprise in the UK and her academic research.   She and Ellen Bragger examine how combining emotional engagement with practical experience fosters lasting change in dementia care.   Together, they explore...

In this initial episode of a four-part series, Dementia Learning Centre Director Caroline Bartle joins Ellen Bragger to discuss the challenges facing dementia mate wareware education in Aotearoa New Zealand.   They address the complexities of delivering effective training across diverse healthcare settings, the impact of high staff turnover, and the necessity for standardised approaches.   This th...

It seems there’s news about breakthroughs for dementia mate wareware every week! Professor Lynette Tippett and Dr Etu Ma’u – of the University of Auckland – join Chief Executive Catherine Hall to kōrero (talk) about what’s new. Lynette is Director of the Dementia Prevention Research Clinics where they are researchingfactors and biomarkers that influence progression of memory difficulties and that...

Local Alzheimers and Dementia organisations provide vital support to people and their whānau living with dementia mate wareware. Alzheimers NZ Principal Advisor Services and Standards Lyneta Russell is joined by Managers Heather Lackner ( Nelson/Tasman ) and Helen Frank ( Taranaki ) for an insight into what’s happening at the coalface of local services. They discuss the ins and outs of the service...

Alzheimers Disease International (ADI) Deputy CEO and Director of Policy, Communications and Publications Chris Lynch joins Alzheimers New Zealand Chief Executive Catherine Hall to talk about tackling stigma this World Alzheimers Month. ADI will release the 2024 World Alzheimer Report on stigma on the eve of World Alzheimers Day, following a worldwide survey into global attitudes to dementia mate...

Australian aged-care specialist and educator Rose Capp joins Principal Advisor Services and Standards Lyneta Russell to bust some of the myths around dementia mate wareware. Rose has recently released her new book which explores some of the common myths around dementia mate wareware. She teaches in ageing studies and dementia mate wareware care at Flinders University and is a policy advisor for De...

Dr Kathy Peri reflects on her time at Alzheimers NZ as Director of the Dementia Learning Centre – from its inception four years ago to how it’s grown today. The Dementia Learning Centre is our hub of excellence for dementia mate wareware education. The kaupapa of the centre is based around people, and the right we all have to feel supported, valued and loved. Follow Kathy’s journey getting the cen...

The link between hearing loss and dementia mate wareware is significant. Audika’s Ben de Farias joins our podcast to delve deeper into why looking after your hearing is another important piece of the puzzle for ageing well. Audika is the only hearing provider in Aotearoa New Zealand which is currently Dementia Friendly Accredited – well done! We also explore what this means for people in real life...

Dementia Mate Wareware Leadership and Advisory Group Co-Chairs Dr Makarena Dudley and Teresa Wall join Alzheimers NZ Chief Executive Catherine Hall to discuss the group’s important role in the Dementia Mate Wareware Governance Ecosystem .   The group was established in 2022 to provide strategic advice to guide government on how Aotearoa New Zealand should move forward to achieve the vision of the...

A new initiative to support Chinese New Zealanders living with dementia mate wareware and their care partners by raising awareness and providing education specific to the community is now up and running. The University of Auckland’s Associate Professor Gary Cheung shares more about his latest project in collaboration with Dementia Auckland and others – Caring for People with Dementia Together – to...

There are 12 proven lifestyle factors that, if modified, can reduce the risk of a person developing dementia mate wareware.  University of Auckland’s Dr Etu Ma’u and Professor Lynette Tippett share more about risk reduction, following the release of the World Alzheimer Report 2023 in September. 

Continence can be one of those subjects no one wants to talk about, and there are many reasons why someone with dementia mate wareware can become incontinent.  Principal Advisor Services and Standards Lyneta Russell is joined by Dr Anna Lawrence and Liz Childs, of Continence NZ, in our latest podcast. They discuss different strategies which can be put in place to support people living with inconti...

Let’s chat about... is our podcast series which gives experts working in dementia mate wareware across Aotearoa New Zealand an opportunity to chat about a topic and share some of the evidence available. We’re joined by Summerset’s Programme Lead – Therapeutic Recreation Orquidea Tamoyo Mortera in this episode, to chat about how engaging people in recreation and doing activities, can create a sense...