NANZ COMMITTEE
Dr James Cleland (President)
NEUROLOGIST, TAURANGA HOSPITAL
James is a neurologist and neurophysiologist with expertise in neuromuscular disorders and EMG. He completed advanced fellowship training in clinical neurophysiology and neuromuscular disease at the University of Rochester, New York, before returning to New Zealand in 2006. He has worked extensively in both public and private practice and has particular interests in nerve and muscle disorders and motor neurone disease. As NANZ President, James is committed to improving the care of neurological conditions across New Zealand.
NEUROLOGIST, TAURANGA HOSPITAL
James is a neurologist and neurophysiologist with expertise in neuromuscular disorders and EMG. He completed advanced fellowship training in clinical neurophysiology and neuromuscular disease at the University of Rochester, New York, before returning to New Zealand in 2006. He has worked extensively in both public and private practice and has particular interests in nerve and muscle disorders and motor neurone disease. As NANZ President, James is committed to improving the care of neurological conditions across New Zealand.
Dr Duncan Smyth (Secretary/Treasurer)
NEUROLOGIST, WELLINGTON HOSPITAL
Duncan is a neurologist and neurophysiologist at Wellington Hospital. Following neurology training in Wellington, he completed a clinical and research fellowship in peripheral nerve disorders at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK. He runs a neuromuscular clinic at Wellington Hospital and oversees the electromyography (EMG) teaching programme for neurology registrars in Wellington. Outside work and family life, he is most likely to be found on a squash court.
NEUROLOGIST, WELLINGTON HOSPITAL
Duncan is a neurologist and neurophysiologist at Wellington Hospital. Following neurology training in Wellington, he completed a clinical and research fellowship in peripheral nerve disorders at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK. He runs a neuromuscular clinic at Wellington Hospital and oversees the electromyography (EMG) teaching programme for neurology registrars in Wellington. Outside work and family life, he is most likely to be found on a squash court.
Dr John Mottershead (Immediate Past President)
NEUROLOGIST, DUNEDIN HOSPITAL
NEUROLOGIST, DUNEDIN HOSPITAL
Dr Sarah Buchanan
NEUROLOGIST, DUNEDIN HOSPITAL
Sarah is a Consultant Neurologist at Dunedin and Southland Hospitals and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago. She trained in New Zealand and completed a fellowship in London. Her research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases and sleep.
NEUROLOGIST, DUNEDIN HOSPITAL
Sarah is a Consultant Neurologist at Dunedin and Southland Hospitals and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago. She trained in New Zealand and completed a fellowship in London. Her research focuses on neurodegenerative diseases and sleep.
Dr Nick Child
NEUROLOGIST, AUCKLAND HOSPITAL
NEUROLOGIST, AUCKLAND HOSPITAL
Dr John Fink
NEUROLOGIST, CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL
NEUROLOGIST, CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL
Dr Evan Jolliffe
NEUROLOGIST, WELLINGTON HOSPITAL
Evan has an interest in multiple sclerosis, neuroimmunology, and neurophysiology. He completed physician and neurology training in Wellington. He undertook further neurology training at the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota, USA, completing a clinical fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology. Evan is passionate about teaching and has a leading role in the training of neurology registrars in New Zealand.
NEUROLOGIST, WELLINGTON HOSPITAL
Evan has an interest in multiple sclerosis, neuroimmunology, and neurophysiology. He completed physician and neurology training in Wellington. He undertook further neurology training at the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota, USA, completing a clinical fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology. Evan is passionate about teaching and has a leading role in the training of neurology registrars in New Zealand.
Dr Dong Hyun Kim (Advanced Trainee Member)
NEUROLOGY REGISTRAR, CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL
Dong is a neurology advanced training registrar. He moved to New Zealand at age 5. He grew up in Auckland and Hamilton and commenced neurology training in 2025 at Christchurch Hospital.
NEUROLOGY REGISTRAR, CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL
Dong is a neurology advanced training registrar. He moved to New Zealand at age 5. He grew up in Auckland and Hamilton and commenced neurology training in 2025 at Christchurch Hospital.
Dr Chris Lynch
NEUROLOGIST, PRIVATE PRACTICE
NEUROLOGIST, PRIVATE PRACTICE
Dr Deborah Mason
NEUROLOGIST, CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL
Deborah has a subspecialty interest in neuroinflammatory disorders and multiple sclerosis. She completed a two year fellowship in multiple sclerosis at the London Health Sciences University Hospital in London, Canada. She is a clinical senior lecturer of the Christchurch Campus, University of Otago Medical School and has been involved in a number of academic studies including being a lead investigator in the New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence Study. She leads the MS Research Group whose principal focus is clinical research into the disease multiple sclerosis, and has research collaborations with a number of international groups. She has been the principal investigator for over 15 clinical trials in MS, neuromyelitis optica and other neurological conditions.
NEUROLOGIST, CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL
Deborah has a subspecialty interest in neuroinflammatory disorders and multiple sclerosis. She completed a two year fellowship in multiple sclerosis at the London Health Sciences University Hospital in London, Canada. She is a clinical senior lecturer of the Christchurch Campus, University of Otago Medical School and has been involved in a number of academic studies including being a lead investigator in the New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence Study. She leads the MS Research Group whose principal focus is clinical research into the disease multiple sclerosis, and has research collaborations with a number of international groups. She has been the principal investigator for over 15 clinical trials in MS, neuromyelitis optica and other neurological conditions.
Prof Anna Ranta
NEUROLOGIST, WELLINGTON HOSPITAL
Anna is a Wellington-based academic neurologist and stroke researcher with extensive leadership and governance experience. Her research focuses on improving the quality and accessibility of stroke and neurological care, particularly for underserved populations. She is Co-Clinical Lead for the Stroke National Clinical Network and leads the New Zealand Stroke Registry. She is President-Elect of the Australian and New Zealand Stroke Organisation, Past President of NANZ, and serves on the editorial board of a number of major stroke and neurology journals. Anna has been widely recognised for her contributions to neuroscience research and was recently awarded the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists Mervyn Eadie Award.
NEUROLOGIST, WELLINGTON HOSPITAL
Anna is a Wellington-based academic neurologist and stroke researcher with extensive leadership and governance experience. Her research focuses on improving the quality and accessibility of stroke and neurological care, particularly for underserved populations. She is Co-Clinical Lead for the Stroke National Clinical Network and leads the New Zealand Stroke Registry. She is President-Elect of the Australian and New Zealand Stroke Organisation, Past President of NANZ, and serves on the editorial board of a number of major stroke and neurology journals. Anna has been widely recognised for her contributions to neuroscience research and was recently awarded the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists Mervyn Eadie Award.
Ms Miriam Rodrigues
NEUROGENETIC RESEARCH LEAD, AUCKLAND HOSPITAL
Miriam is a genetic counsellor and the Neurogenetic Research Lead in the Neurology Department at Auckland City Hospital. She represents non-neurologists on the NANZ committee.
NEUROGENETIC RESEARCH LEAD, AUCKLAND HOSPITAL
Miriam is a genetic counsellor and the Neurogenetic Research Lead in the Neurology Department at Auckland City Hospital. She represents non-neurologists on the NANZ committee.