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Waipuna Conference Centre, Auckland.

Our first conference has concluded and was regarded by all attending as a great success. More than 90 people attended, including 18 children and young adults who are affected by one of the lysosomal diseases. A very successful activity programme was run for them.

Excellent presentations were given by our speakers:

• Prof. John Hopwood - A leader in Lysosomal disease research - Australia
• Dr. Ed Wraith - A leader in Lysosomal disease clinical care - England
• Dr. Callum Wilson, Dr. Dianne Webster, and Specialist Nurse Christine McMahon

all from the Specialist Metabolic Service, Auckland

• Dr. Lochie Teague - Haematologist and Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist, Auckland
• Prof. Bob Jolly - New Zealand's foremost Lysosomal disease researcher
• David Sillence, Professor of Medical Genetics, Australia
• Paul Atkinson - Science General Manager, AgResearch
• Jenny Noble, Philip McKinstry and John Forman - family members

Additional addresses were given by:

• Lesley Middleton, Acting Chief Scientific Advisor at the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, representing Technology Minister Pete Hodgson,
• Rotorua M.P. Steve Chadwick who is Chair of Parliament's Health Select Committee, representing Health Minister, Annette King,
• Dr Peter Moodie, Medical Director of Pharmac, the Pharmaceutical Management Agency.

New Zealand families are affected by the following Lysosomal diseases:

Hurler, Hunter, Scheie, Sanfilippo, Morquio, Maroteaux-Lamy, Mucolipidosis, Mannosidosis, Batten, Kuffs, Gaucher (types 1 and 2), GM1-Ganglisoidosis, I-cell, Pompe, Tay-Sachs, Sandhoff, Fabry and Metachromatic Leukodystrophy. The programme included a mix of items suitable for families, affected people, and those with an interest in research, diagnosis, clinical care and disability support for Lysosomal diseases.

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