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Subscribe to our Newsletter Sign up to become a member to receive our bi-monthly newsletter. The newsletter includes information about managing and living with ME/CFS, latest research, our activities, plus more. BECOME A MEMBER VIEW OUR NEWSLETTERS Latest News We plan to share key updates about ME/CFS, Long COVID, and our organisation here. If you remember seeing a notice about new guidance or initiative in our newsletter or social media and want to revisit the details, it will be worth checking the updates listed below. 6 May 2026 World ME Day - Press Statement from ANZMES As we approach World ME Day on 12th May, ANZMES have released a powerful national press statement Read More 26 Apr 2026 Check out our display at Tūranga Library for World ME Day A big thank you to the librarians at Tūranga, the central Christchurch City Libraries Library, for helping us to profile ME/CFS for this World ME Day. Read More 22 Apr 2026 Registered Nurse Vacancy We are looking for another part time Registered Nurse Read More 22 Apr 2026 Work and Income Advocate Vacancy We are looking for another part time Work and Income Advocate to join our team. Read More 20 Apr 2026 ME/CFS Awareness Mugs for Blue Sunday 2026 Support a Cause with Every Cup Read More 20 Apr 2026 Recording for Energy Management presentation now available Nurse Wendy Dragt shares guidelines for managing our energy when we live with a broken energy system Read More 19 Apr 2026 New Primary Health Care Resource for adults with Long COVID The School of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, has published a new Long COVID resource for GPs. Epidemiologist, Dr Mona Jeffreys, talked to us about how the resource was developed and how GPs can access it. Read More 15 Apr 2026 Our April 2026 newsletter is now available! Theme for this issue is Long COVID. We highlight recent articles in the media and a new Long COVID Primary Care Resource Read More 12 Apr 2026 Blue Sunday - The Tea Party for ME Blue Sunday, created by Anna Redshaw, is a special day where people come together over a cuppa and some cake to raise awareness and funds for those living with ME/CFS. Read More 10 Apr 2026 The 2026 Crash Wear Design Competition Feeling creative and got some extra spoons? Turn them into something that speaks for our community with our Crash Wear Design Competition. We’re looking for ME/CFS or Long Covid themed designs for our Crash Wear merch, something that captures the lived experience of ME/CFS and Long Covid. Read More 29 Mar 2026 Wanting to try out seated Tai Chi? Recording of a seated Tai Chi session for people with ME/CFS is now available Read More 16 Feb 2026 Dysautonomia New Zealand Today we want to congratulate the team involved in the establishment of Dysautonomia New Zealand and their progress in becoming a registered charity. Read More 19 Jan 2026 ME/CFS a Brief Introduction A brief introduction to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Read More 18 Jan 2026 Associated New Zealand ME Society (ANZMES) Survey 2026 Share your voice Read More 19 Nov 2025 Give-a-little Day 2nd December 2025 Radical Rest Challenge - Nominate a friend or two (or yourself) Read More 11 Nov 2025 ME CFS Canterbury Registered Nurses attend RID2025 The 4th International Conference on ME/CFS, Long Covid and Gulf War Illness Read More 31 Oct 2025 It’s our 40th Ruby Anniversary! Thank you to the individuals and funders who have supported our journey since we became a charity in 1985. Read More 8 Oct 2025 October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month Dysautonomia often appears invisible, but it has a significant impact on daily life. Read More 5 Oct 2025 Mental Health Awareness Week 5-12 October 2025 When living with chronic illness it is natural to grieve the losses and find it difficult to cope with at times. Read More 3 Oct 2025 New West Coast Peer Support Group Join our new facebook group for people affected my ME/CFS and Long Covid living on the West Coast Read More

We are delighted to announce that physiotherapists who have access to the Allied Healthways website provided by the CDHB now have appropriate advice available in the PhysioFITT guidance for ME/CFS. < Back New guidance from CDHB for physiotherapists 25 Jun 2021 We are delighted to announce that physiotherapists who have access to the Allied Healthways website provided by the CDHB now have appropriate advice available in the PhysioFITT guidance for ME/CFS. We are grateful to the clinical editors from the Canterbury District Health Board who have worked with us recently to provide up-to-date guidance about ME/CFS for physiotherapists working with the PhysioFITT programme. This new guidance is available on the CDHB's Allied Healthways online platform, and will help health professionals to be aware of current understanding of this debilitating illness, and the need to move away from prior advice that is no longer recommended. Under the PhysioFITT program, physiotherapists assess the clinical context of the patient and deliver a tailored assessment and activity plan appropriate to their health condition(s). Key points made for ME/CFS clients: Avoid exercise tests that may trigger post-exertional malaise (PEM). Check for Orthostatic Intolerance. Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) is not recommended for ME/CFS. Exercise should be used for physical maintenance (core strength, bone density and enjoyment) and be at a level to avoid post-exertional malaise (PEM). If PEM is experienced frequently, consider reducing rather than increasing activity in order to improve overall wellbeing. It may be more helpful to focus on daily activities than formal exercise. Make #movementforlife safe for #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #ChronicFatigueSyndrome Previous Next

The Mayo Clinic Proceedings publication has recently published a consensus recommendation article for ME/CFS written by the ME/CFS Clinician Coalition. It is exciting that another leading health care publication is sharing up-to-date evidence based information about ME/CFS. < Back Mayo Clinic releases new consensus clinical guidance for ME/CFS 4 Sept 2021 The Mayo Clinic Proceedings publication has recently published a consensus recommendation article for ME/CFS written by the ME/CFS Clinician Coalition. It is exciting that another leading health care publication is sharing up-to-date evidence based information about ME/CFS. The Mayo Clinic Proceedings publication is a premier peer-reviewed clinical journal for general and internal medicine, and is among the most widely read and highly cited scientific publications for physicians. The journal has recently published a consensus recommendation article "Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Essentials of Diagnosis and Management" by Lucinda Bateman et al (US ME/CFS Clinician Coalition). The lengthy article (14 pages + references) discusses diagnosis and management, and highlights: key biological impairments in ME/CFS. the need to identify/treat co-morbidities. why GET (Graded Exercise Therapy) is not recommended. the link to Long COVID. It is exciting that another leading health care publication is sharing up-to-date evidence based information about ME. Of note, this article cites research from exercise physiologist, Dr Lynette Hodges, Massey University, NZ. Author Dr. Lucinda Bateman notes, “There are many steps clinicians can take now to improve the health, function, and quality of life of people with ME/CFS, including those newly ill with ME/CFS following COVID-19. This guidance may also help Long COVID patients, even if they do not fully meet criteria for ME/CFS.” Please note that the medication section is based on the US environment, which has a large range of medications available and where clinicians are able to be more experimental with off-label prescriptions than in other countries such as NZ. For local guidance for NZ medical professionals, we recommend the NZ Doctor How to Treat: ME/CFS article. (Available https://m.e.awareness.nz/how-to-treat-mecfs .) Link: https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(21)00513-9/fulltext Previous Next

Radical Rest Challenge - Nominate a friend or two (or yourself) < Back Give-a-little Day 2nd December 2025 19 Nov 2025 Radical Rest Challenge - Nominate a friend or two (or yourself) This Give-a-Little day, we’re inviting our extended community to slow down... Radically! People living with ME/CFS and Long Covid don’t get to choose to rest. It’s not self care... it’s survival. For many people with ME/CFS, especially the approximately 25% living with Severe ME/CFS, even seemingly small activities cause debilitating symptoms. With a broken energy system at a cellular level, it is critical to #StopRestPace and #PlanPacePrioritise to stabilise symptoms and avoid reducing functionality further. So here’s our #RadicalRestChallenge challenge: ✦ Nominate a friend or two (or yourself) ✦ Radically Rest for 25 minutes – This means no screens, no distractions, just full rest with eyes closed. ✦ Donate $10 to support people in our community living with ME/CFS and Long Covid. If you try the #RadicalRestChallenge but can’t make it through the full 25 minutes that’s ok, It’s harder than it sounds! For every minute you can’t complete, add $1 per minute to your give-a-little donation total. It’s a lighthearted challenge with a serious message: for people with ME/CFS, rest is not optional... it’s essential! Let’s show up for those who can’t - by resting with them or donating for them. ✦ Date: Tuesday 2 nd December 2025 ✦ Where: Visit our give-a-little page https://givealittle.co.nz/org/mecfs-group-canterbury-inc ✦ Challenge: #RadicalRestChallenge #GiveALittleDay Every dollar and every moment of awareness makes a difference. Haven't heard the term before? What is Radical Rest? It means complete, uninterrupted rest. No screens, no conversations, no stimulation. People often opt for earplugs and an eye mask. It's a level of stillness that people with ME/CFS rely on to prevent worsening symptoms and to allow their bodies to try and maintain baseline. Download our Radical Rest Challenge poster to share with others. Previous Next

We exist to improve the wellbeing of people and whānau affected by ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and Long Covid in Canterbury and the West Coast. MECFS Canterbury provides free information, validation, clinical support, connection, practical support and advocacy. Welcome to ME CFS CANTERBURY Support, advocacy and education for people affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long Covid in Canterbury and West Coast What's happening? Upcoming Events We host a range of different events around our region, both online and in-person. Sometimes we invite expert speakers, other times we may have a topic for discussion. Every meeting is an opportunity to share information and to connect with other people who understand life with a chronic illness. READ MORE How we help Our services are available to people living with ME/CFS and Long Covid who live in Canterbury and the West Coast, and also to their whānau. We operate a Registered Nurse Service to provide support with diagnosis and management, a Volunteer Outreach Service to provide limited practical help, plus more. READ MORE Updates We share news relevant to our ME/CFS community and the people who support them. This may include latest research and management guidance, updates about our organisation, and news about other services and aids that may help to improve quality of life. READ MORE Who are we? We are a community health and clinical service organisation for people affected by the debilitating illness ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and Long Covid. We exist to improve the wellbeing of people and whānau affected by ME/CFS in Canterbury and the West Coast by providing information, validation, clinical support, connection, practical support and advocacy. We also provide education and support to health professionals and the wider community to improve the quality of care available for those affected by ME/CFS. LEARN MORE ABOUT US 1985 2791 139 ~ 0.4% Year Established People with ME in Canterbury (*estimate) People with ME in West Coast (*estimate) *Conservative estimate of 4 people in 1000 have ME/CFS pre Covid-19 A slide introduction to ME/CFS 1/11 DISCLAIMER: MECFS Canterbury does not provide recommendations for any treatments for your particular situation on this website. Any advice, either explicit or implied, is not intended to replace the qualified medical advice that is necessary for each individual. Please discuss any lifestyle and treatment changes with your doctor first. MECFS Canterbury does not accept any responsibility for any treatment undertaken by readers of any content or for any error or omission in connection with an article or content published on this website.

Share your voice < Back Associated New Zealand ME Society (ANZMES) Survey 2026 18 Jan 2026 Share your voice ANZMES Survey 2026. “ANZMES is changing. As we transition to a Charitable Trust and look toward the future, we want to ensure our goals align with the reality of what you expect. We are asking for your help to rank our priorities. We would greatly appreciate if you could please take 5–10 minutes to fill out this survey. Your input is important in shaping the future of ANZMES. Responses are due Monday 2nd February 2026 .” ___________________________ This survey includes 10 tick box questions, 2 short answer questions, and space for you to give other feedback. We encourage you to add your voice and provide descriptive feedback in Q.12 to help ANZMES reflect and formulate future planning as the national advisory for ME/CFS. e.g. ✦ What have you been grateful for? ✦ Did you know that ANZMES has developed material for GPs? ✦ How has your GP responded to any ANZMES material that you may have shared? ✦ Are there any improvements that you would like to see to their website? ✦ Have you had any interactions with ANZMES, and if so, how have these been? Find the survey online here Previous Next

Tom Harris, a member of MECFS Canterbury, writes for The Spinoff and asks ‘If you get long Covid, who’s going to help?’ < Back Article in The Spinoff discussing support needed for people with long Covid 24 Oct 2021 Tom Harris, a member of MECFS Canterbury, writes for The Spinoff and asks ‘If you get long Covid, who’s going to help?’ Tom Harris, a member of MECFS Canterbury, writes for The Spinoff and asks who will provide funding and care for people with long Covid. Tom shares his experience at being a longhauler – he has ME/CFS, a multi-system neuroimmune disease that is similar to long Covid. He notes that he recently used the MECFS Canterbury nurse service and says it was "the first time in eight years of post-viral illness that I spoke with a medical professional fluent in its [ME/CFS] management." Tom continues "While I have had several very good GPs, the quirks of these illnesses benefit immensely from familiarity and expertise." He suggests that the support he has found may well be the best model for people with long Covid. But that support needs to be funded." Read Tom's article on The Spinoff: https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/25-10-2022/if-you-get-long-covid-whos-going-to-help Previous Next

Announcing updated guidance for clinicians in Canterbury and West Coast from Health NZ. We encourage health professionals who have access to HealthPathways to become familiar with the extended guidance for diagnosis, treatment and management of this debilitating condition. < Back New clinical guidance for ME/CFS on HealthPathways 12 May 2025 Announcing updated guidance for clinicians in Canterbury and West Coast from Health NZ. We encourage health professionals who have access to HealthPathways to become familiar with the extended guidance for diagnosis, treatment and management of this debilitating condition. 'HealthPathways' is an online system from Health NZ that GPs log into to view best-practice clinical advice for assessing and managing a wide range of health conditions and concerns. There is often standardised national content for a topic, with each region then providing local information to reflect local supports and services on the regions own view of the HealthPathways. We are excited to announce that the HealthPathways team published updated guidance for #MECFS (#MyalgicEncephalomyelitis / #ChronicFatigueSyndrome ) on the Canterbury Community HealthPathways website on 12th March 2025. This information is also available to GPs on the West Coast of NZ. The pathway includes current evidence-based best-practice clinical advice for health professionals. The update includes: • More information on criteria to help with diagnosis. • More information about assessing and supporting patients with severe ME/CFS. • Extended management guidance for specific symptoms. We encourage health professionals who have access to HealthPathways to become familiar with the extended guidance for diagnosis, treatment and management of this debilitating condition. Link: https://canterbury.communityhealthpathways.org/44978.htm Please reach out to MECFS Canterbury to access the latest research summaries and other guidance, or to assist you in other ways. ____________________________ We have prepared a letter about this new information for you to take to your GP, next time you visit. We want GPs to know about the new HealthPathway so that they can support you better. Click on this link to view and download the letter in our google drive... https://drive.google.com/file/d/19hkC_DkT4-7C0y2ALhgFFauTf9LZ6DR-/view?usp=drive_link ___________________________ FURTHER READING: To find out more, we recommend: ✦ For patients: www.healthinfo.org.nz/Chronic-fatigue-syndrome-CFS.htm ✦ Guidance from us: https://www.mecfscanterbury.nz/living-with-me-cfs ✦ CDC (USA): https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/symptoms-diagnosis/symptoms.html ✦ NICE (UK): https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng206 ✦ Mayo Clinic (USA): https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/s0025-6196(23)00402-0/fulltext ___________________________ DISCLAIMER: Please note that MECFS Canterbury does not recommend any treatments. Any advice, either explicit or implied, is not intended to replace qualified medical advice. We do not accept any responsibility for any treatment undertaken by readers of any articles or other content, or for any error or omission in connection with any content published on our social media. MECFS Canterbury is not responsible for the accuracy of content that we link to. The inclusion of such links does not imply endorsement by MECFS Canterbury. Previous Next

Volunteer Our volunteer team makes a huge difference to the support and services that we can offer people impacted by ME/CFS. We have volunteers who visit clients to provide practical supports such as housework and gardening tasks, walking dogs, assisting with filling forms and IT issues. Other people write articles for our newsletter or assist with our events and services in other ways. To sign up as a volunteer: We often have specific vacancies listed on the Volunteer Canterbury website for you to browse through. VIEW OUR VOLUNTEER VACANCIES ON VOLCAN Alternatively, please fill out our ‘Volunteer Expression of Interest’ form. We will be able to match you with people in need based on your location and the tasks you are willing to help with. FILL OUT OUR VOLUNTEER FORM For existing volunteers: After each client visit, please use the Outreach Event Form linked to below, to let us know what support was provided and when. There is also space to indicate future plans and to provide feedback. Remember to bookmark the website address so it can be found easily after each visit. Thank you for being involved in such a practical way with our community! COMPLETE OUTREACH EVENT FORM

Getting Diagnosed At this stage, there are no specific diagnostic tests available that can be done in a clinical setting to confirm ME/CFS. However, healthcare professionals can make a diagnosis by using the diagnostic criteria, excluding other possible conditions, and ensuring that post-exertional malaise (PEM) is present. VIEW THE DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA Your doctor is likely to refer to the clinical advice for ME/CFS on the Health Pathways website provided by Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand and may: Ask about you and your family’s health history. Ask about anything you have tried that makes the symptoms better or worse. Suggest that you keep a diary of symptoms and activity. Do a physical exam or take blood tests to rule out any illnesses that may cause similar symptoms. We have a lett e r that you can take to your GP to let them know about the new clinical guidelines for ME/CFS on the Health Pathways website. DOWNLOAD A LETTER FOR CANTERBURY GPS DOWNLOAD A LETTER FOR WEST COAST GPS Our Registered Nurse Service is available to support you when you are wondering if you have ME/CFS and are seeking a diagnosis. Our nurses work through the assessment process against the diagnostic criteria with you, and then, with your permission, can share the result with your GP. How we help For a comprehensive list of clinical primers and other resources for health professionals refer to: Link https://m.e.awareness.nz/resources-health-professionals/ PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE

Testimonials Feedback received from a member in our 2023 Annual Survey “I just feel amazed that the organisation exists. I know that if I have an issue related to CFS that I cannot resolve myself, there is someone I can ask who will understand, and who may know how to get me the help. I also appreciate the kind and social nature of much of the communication; this is a health condition but it affects every domain of our lives, and so the efforts to connect and facilitate care and fun and connection even beyond the healthcare domain feel especially profound. You’d only set up your organisation that way if you understood what weird and indirect impacts this illness can have on your life, so to me the whole thing communicates understanding and an approach of 'you are welcome here'. What a beautiful thing to have when you are dealing with such a complex and overwhelming illness."

Help a friend with ME/CFS If you know someone who lives with ME/CFS, your help and support can make an important difference to their lives. Ask them what would make things easier for them, and what support they would like. Perhaps prepare a meal, provide quiet company, help with housework or maintenance, or pay a bill. If you invite them to an event, consider how to reduce the energy required of them, provide a quiet space to rest, and be aware that they may need to cancel on the day if they are too unwell. Believe them. Learn about their experience and the illness. Remember to manage the support you give around your own needs. Possible next steps: Support your friend to join us so that they can receive our services. FILL OUT OUR MEMBERSHIP FORM Have any questions? Please reach out to us. CONTACT US Guidance for hosting and gifts: