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2 | InTouch SUMMER 2024 The past few months have been especially busy at MDANZ with yet another Annual Appeal, Miles for Muscles, complete. Together with members, staff, whanau, and communities, we raised more than $17,000. This was a HUGE effort from everyone involved and I want to thank our sponsors One Technology, Datam, and Rothbury Insurance for backing our campaign. We have lots of Miles for Muscles coverage in this issue to share with you on page 18 . Our staff organised and attended various Miles for Muscles events around the country and it was great to see so many members engaged. I get so much joy seeing our members together, and I know the members themselves, and their whanau, do too. That’s why the funds raised from this years’ annual appeal will ensure our members benefit from essential services that MDANZ provides, to ensure their unique needs are met. Whether it’s a member who is newly diagnosed or someone affected by the progressive nature of their neuromuscular condition, everyone needs support at different stages. That’s why the condition-specific support FROM THE DESK Trevor Jenkin National Executive Chairperson Signing off on another busy year! Kōrero with Trevor and coffee groups offered by MDANZ are so beneficial. Led by our local Fieldworkers, they have become a vital support system for individuals and their whanau. Check out our news section for more info on these gatherings! As we reach the end of 2024, I want to thank our hard- working team of staff, National board members, branch committees, and volunteers throughout New Zealand who have worked so hard this year to continue our services for you, our members. I am really proud of what we have managed to achieve this year in such trying times. On behalf of the National Board and staff, I wish you and your whānau a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy the break and hopefully you get a chance to enjoy the warmer days summer brings. Independent Review: Recommendations Five and Six The Taskforce was formally set up in September following the Minister for Disability Issues announcement in August of the Independent Review to respond to and action the Review’s recommendations. The DSS Taskforce is focused on policy work to put DSS on a sustainable basis longer-term, better managing cost pressures and improving consistency, fairness and transparency. Policy work is centred on three recommendations of the Independent Review: • reviewing contract and pricing models for residential care; • updating the assessment and allocation settings for individuals based on level of need; • and establishing criteria for access to flexible funding and reviewing the flexible funding guidelines to improve clarity and consistency. We’re underway with our first round of engagement and consultation for Recommendations Five and Six. This is only the first round of input on this work. A summary of feedback and submissions will be published on our website in December and will inform advice to Cabinet on policy options. Further community engagement and consultation will be held in early 2025 on these recommendations. Please complete this survey so you have an opportunity to contribute to this important work: https:// consultations.msd.govt.nz/ The survey is open until Friday 22 November. A summary of feedback and submissions will be published on our website in December and will inform advice to Cabinet on policy options.