About Thyroid NZ

The aim of Thyroid New Zealand is to support thyroid patients, as well as their families and friends.

The thyroid movement in New Zealand started in Southland in June 2008 and soon became nationwide after a formulation change of the (then) only subsidised brand of levothyroxine, Eltroxin, caused serious side effects in hundreds of New Zealand thyroid patients. We organised our first local thyroid support group meeting in Wellington in September 2008 and many more followed. Thyroid Support New Zealand (TSNZ) was founded soon after and became the first organisation for thyroid patients to be registered in New Zealand on 11 August 2009.

Since the thyroid movement's first successful campaign to get more than one brand of levothyroxine funded in 2008, TSNZ submitted a widely-supported petition to parliament, published a website, sent out newsletters and organised patient support group meetings. The first busy years were gradually followed by some quieter years with fewer activities. Eventually, TSNZ was de-registered in February 2018 and dissolved a year later.

Recognising the continued need for reliable information and support among thyroid patients and their loved ones, Thyroid NZ was set up in 2019.