New Zealand Pain Society

The New Zealand Pain Society (NZPS) is a professional and scientific society that serves as the New Zealand chapter of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). Its stated purpose is to promote pain research and management to improve outcomes for people with pain and their whānau (extended family). The Society brings together basic scientists, health professionals and others with an interest in pain research and management, and its purposes are exclusively educational, scientific and charitable in nature. The NZPS pursues its mission through several core activities. It fosters and encourages research into pain mechanisms and pain syndromes, promotes education and training in the field of pain, and facilitates the dissemination of new information. It also organises an annual New Zealand Scientific Meeting and other meetings to advance its objectives, and encourages the formation of regional associations for the study and treatment of pain. The Society maintains special interest groups, including a Paediatric Pain Special Interest Group, and publishes member resources such as the Ngau Mamae newsletter and book reviews. The Society is governed by a Council. For the 2026–2027 term, the Council includes President Dr Karen Joseph, President Elect Angie Henderson, Treasurer David Williams, Secretary/Membership Secretary Cassie Cordwell, and Councillors Dr Louise Lynch, Tim McVicar (Ngau Mamae Editor-in-Chief), Sally Fitzgerald, Arliah Davis, Dr Elspeth Shipton and Claire Drummond. The NZPS is active in advocacy and public communication; for example, in June 2026 it issued a media release calling for urgent action as a binational outcomes programme ended. It also runs a webinar series and maintains a resource titled 'Navigating Pain' to help people find the right path for their pain management journey. The Society's annual scientific meetings are a key fixture; the NZPS27 Annual Scientific Meeting is scheduled for Tainui Hamilton on 12–13 March 2027, with abstract submissions opening in July 2026 and registration opening in September 2026.

The New Zealand Pain Society (NZPS) is the New Zealand chapter of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). The IASP was founded in 1973 and is the world's largest multidisciplinary organisation focused specifically on pain research and treatment, bringing together scientists, clinicians, healthcare providers and policy makers to stimulate and support the study of pain and translate that knowledge into improved pain relief worldwide. The IASP has more than 6,500 members worldwide, and the NZPS serves as its New Zealand chapter. The Society's purposes are exclusively educational, scientific and charitable. They include improving the management of patients with acute and persistent pain; bringing together basic scientists, health professionals and others interested in pain research and management; fostering and encouraging research into pain mechanisms and pain syndromes; promoting education and training in the field of pain; promoting and facilitating the dissemination of new information in the field of pain; promoting and sponsoring an annual New Zealand Scientific Meeting and other useful meetings; and encouraging the formation of regional associations for the study and treatment of pain. Over the years the NZPS has developed a programme of activities including an annual scientific meeting, a webinar series, special interest groups, member resources and advocacy. The Society maintains a Paediatric Pain Special Interest Group and publishes member resources such as the Ngau Mamae newsletter, book reviews and webinar recordings. It also engages in public advocacy; in June 2026 it issued a media release calling for urgent action as a binational outcomes programme ended. The NZPS27 Annual Scientific Meeting is scheduled for Tainui Hamilton on 12–13 March 2027, with a call for abstracts opening on 6 July 2026 and registration opening on 21 September 2026. The Society also promotes the IASP 2026 Global Year for Neuropathic Pain.

• International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) founded; NZPS later becomes its New Zealand chapter.

• Webinar 18: The National Female Pelvic Mesh Service made available.

• NZPS media release: Pain Sector Calls for Urgent Action as Binational Outcomes Program Ends.

• Call for abstracts opens for NZPS27 Annual Scientific Meeting.

• Webinar 19: Some Recent Articles on Pain - Dr John Alchin made available.

• Webinar 20: Supporting equitable access to paediatric palliative care education - Vicki Chennells made available.

• Registration opens for NZPS27 Annual Scientific Meeting.

• NZPS27 Annual Scientific Meeting begins in Tainui Hamilton (12–13 March 2027).

Professional and scientific society; New Zealand chapter of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP).

1. 1New Zealand Pain Societynzps.org.nz
2. 2Our story - New Zealand Pain Societynzps.org.nz
3. 3NZPS Council - New Zealand Pain Societynzps.org.nz
4. 4New Zealand Pain Societywikidata.org