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Sick and Tired Aotearoa
Sick and Tired Aotearoa
Author: MPR - Manawatu People's Radio
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© (C)Manawatu Peoples Radio
Description
I'm Renee and in 2022, I caught Covid 19. It flipped my world upside down. I went from being a City Councillor for Palmerston North, to being bedbound and in a powerchair. I've now been diagnosed with Long Covid, Fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. I'm still waiting on hospital departments so will probably end up with more diagnoses. I would say I'm now 3% of what I used to be.
I started this radio show/podcast to remind the world that there are loads of people in Aotearoa New Zealand who are struggling, and they need our support.
Each episode features:
- a special interest interview from an organisation, medical professional, politician or advocate
- a breathing exercise
- relaxing instrumental music
- an interview from someone with lived experience of chronic illness
- a Call to Action
To get in touch email: sickandtiredaotearoa@gmail.com
I started this radio show/podcast to remind the world that there are loads of people in Aotearoa New Zealand who are struggling, and they need our support.
Each episode features:
- a special interest interview from an organisation, medical professional, politician or advocate
- a breathing exercise
- relaxing instrumental music
- an interview from someone with lived experience of chronic illness
- a Call to Action
To get in touch email: sickandtiredaotearoa@gmail.com
12 Episodes
Reverse
We are back in the studio, and our first episode for 2026 is all about chronic illness and relationships.
Special Interest Interview:
We catch up with NZ Author Laura Wolf and discuss the challenges of having chronic illness and dating.
Read more Laura Wolf here:
www.laurawolfbookclub.wordpress.com
Lived Experience Interview:
We then put Renee’s husband Hugh in the hot seat - talking about how their relationship has changed since she developed chronic illness.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Hugh briefly takes over the show to announce the end of year hiatus and new episodes in 2026.
A radio show/podcast produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
This week we move away from our usual format to bring you half an hour of discussion on the issues I am currently having with capacity. It's a bit of a rant, but hopefully entertaining and perhaps even informative. Normal service will resume as soon as feasible.
Special Interest Interview:
Catherine Appleby introduces us to the concept of "Rest as a Warrior Pursuit". We look at some reasons why Rest is so important and why we sometimes struggle with it.
Lived Experience Interview:
We then chat with Britney Cheng, a young person with lived experience of fibromyalgia. She shares the struggles she faces and the impact this has had on her life.
Special Interest Interview:
We chat with NZ Author Laura Wolf about her book "Working Through Chronic Pain and Fatigue". Have a listen, then check out this book or her collection of romance novels.
www.laurawolfbookclub.wordpress.com
Lived Experience Interview:
We then meet Kyle, who has lived experience of fibromyalgia. He shares his journey of balancing his pain with being a parent and working full time.
Special Interest Interview:
Our first interview discusses modalities to calm the nervous system, with Lauren Turner from Hokonui Physio.
Have a listen, then visit their website here:
www.hokonuiphysio.com
Lived Experience Interview:
We then hear from Sarah Hoefhamer, who has had lived experience of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since infancy. We talk about how she has coped with life and parenting.
Note: Throughout the interview I use the term "chronic fatigue". I understand that some people prefer the full term "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". I do endeavour to use correct terminology, but I also suffer from brain fog.
Special Interest Interview:
Today, we meet Larisa Hockey, one of the leaders of Long Covid Support Aotearoa. We talk about what Long Covid is, symptoms, and the challenges that people with Long Covid can face. We also talk about the Long Covid Support Aotearoa Facebook group. Have a listen, then visit their website here:
www.longcovidsupport.co.nz
Lived Experience Interview:
We chat with Thomas Goss, who has lived experience of Long Covid. We talk about what his life was like before he developed Long Covid, and how he copes with this chronic illness.
Special Interest Interview:
We talk to Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith about the different ways that Council supports people with chronic illness or disabilities.
Local elections are happening now throughout the country. Have a listen to these examples, and make sure that your local candidates value this type of community spending. You can find more info at www.policy.nz
Lived Experience Interview:
We meet Áine Kelly-Costello, a young disabled person with lived experience of Long Covid, and chat about their journey of becoming unwell whilst overseas.
Special Interest Interview:
We chat with Jane from Kiwi CRPS Charitable Trust about Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and how their organisation can help.
Listen in, and check out their website:
www.kiwicrps.co.nz
Lived Experience Interview:
We also meet Adele Evans, who has lived experience of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and talk about the challenges she faces living with the illness.
Special Interest Interview:
This week we talk to Raewyn Burrough, a senior physiotherapist from RNB Physio. We chat about her experience of working in neuro rehabilitation and about muscle wastage.
Listen in, and check out their website: www.rnbphysio.co.nz
Lived Experience Interview:
We also hear from Monica Brooks, a young person with lived experience of Long Covid.
Special Interest Interview:
We meet Dr Fiona Imlach, co-founder of Migraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand. We chat about how debilitating migraine can be, and the support they can provide for people living with migraine disease.
Listen in, and check out their website: www.migrainefoundation.org.nz
Lived Experience Interview:
This week, we chat with Katie Barden about her lived experience of migraine.
Special Interest Interview:
We meet Annabelle O Cinnseala, who is a Health and Wellness Facilitator for the Bay of Plenty Region, at Complex Chronic Illness Support. She talks about the organisation and the services they provide for people living with complex chronic illnesses.
Listen in, and check out their website: www.ccisupport.org.nz
Lived Experience Interview:
For the very first episode, host Renee Dingwall ropes in her husband Hugh to chat about Renee's journey of Long Covid - from being a City Councillor of Palmerston North, to being disabled and bedbound for 3 years (and counting).
A radio show/podcast produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.




