In New Zealand the field of rheumatology owes much to Moore Tweed. He was the second trained rheumatologist in the specialty, some three years after Professor Tom Highton. He was born in Carterton, son of Martin Tweed, medical practitioner and Marjorie Elvery. He qualified MB, ChB in 1945 with postgraduate experience including house officer posts in Wellington Hospital (1945-1946), after which he travelled to London for similar training at the Hammersmith Hospital with subsequent research fellowships at the West London and Hammersmith Hospitals (1951-52). He was appointed visiting physician and rheumatologist at Wellington Hospitals (1954-87). He gained MRCP (London), followed by MRACP(1955), FRACP(1962), and FRCP(1971). He was awarded the MBE for services to rheumatology. In addition to his hospital responsibilities he was involved in general practice in central Wellington where he was particularly active amongst the large Greek community. He was fond of regaling subsequent colleagues with his experiences of that time. He retained an affection for many of his Greek patients in general practice.
He married Margaret Helen Watson in 1946. There is one son. They were together for seventeen years when Margaret tragically died. He showed the fortitude which was a permanent feature of his character in keeping his life and home together, caring for his son and maintaining his working responsibilities. In 1967 he married Margie Whyte and they proved inseparable. Amongst his innumerable anecdotes he told us about their honeymoon when the plane on which they were flying to Damascus and then to Petra largely emptied at Athens. They arrived in the midst of the 6-day war and took refuge in the British embassy. Eventually they escaped separately, hidden in trucks to Lebanon. They never reached Petra. He was a good and low handicap golfer, playing regularly at the Wellington Golf Club. His back however caused increasing problems. Despite the pain and inconvenience it caused, he would tell numerous and hilarious stories about it, including the necessity to lie down at every second hole. His partners objected.


Moore was, however, concerned with the inauguration of a rheumatology service in the region, a discipline which had only recently been established post war in a few centres overseas but not in New Zealand apart from Professor Highton's efforts in Rotorua. Moore was instrumental in breaking away from the use of spa treatment of rheumatic disorders, with a reliance on more scientific knowledge of disease and its treatment. He enthusiastically assisted with the development of the Wellington rheumatology service which was eventually established as a regional entity in 1969, initially in Wellington Hospital with the help of local consultants, notably Dr lan Prior. However,appropriate facilities were not available there but were at Hutt Hospital where twenty beds, with the enthusiastic support for radiology, pathology, and orthopaedic surgery was provided. Gradually other consultants joined an expanding Unit so that on his retirement he was encouraged by the large and active service which had developed from his initial efforts in 1954.


He served the Royal Australasian College of Physicians for many years. He was a member ofthe N.Z. Committee (1966-80), Hon. Treasurer (1966-72), Chairman (1972-76), Councillor (1976-78), N.Z. Vice President (1978-80), Hon. Archivist (1983-2008). He was a recipient of the College Medal.
He served in the N.Z. Medical Corps, Home Services (1941-44), the Territorial Service (Major 1953-61),
President N.Z. Rheumatism Association (now N.Z. Rheumatology Association), Vice President Arthritis Foundation of N.Z., Vice President Benevolent Society.
His publications include: "Observations on Prolonged Cortisone Administration In Rheumatoid
Arthritis" (BMJ 1952), Fibrinolysis (Ciin.Sci.1952).

Margie died when he was 75. He stoically carried on but eventually gave up medicine at the age of 84. Apart from his back, he suffered from other health problems which forced him into hospital on several occasions. Despite the disability Moore always maintained his great sense of humour. He was always a stimulating friend and colleague. Despite his increasing physical difficulties he never failed to be welcoming and amusing. He always remained totally alert and involved.