Recent Notices in the Community
2025
Parent2Parent, Altogether Autism and Your Way Kia Roha – A Guide to Autism in Childhood: Complied with input from Autistic people, parents and professionals, this guidebook published by Parent2Parent is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about autism. Click here for a copy of this amazing resource.
Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi: The Early Years Kete: The team at the Cerebral Palsy Society is delighted to share with you a toolkit they created. The Early Years Kete includes information about Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi, the services available in Aotearoa New Zealand, and examples of different organisations to connect with. It also covers early interventions, education and looking after the wellbeing of parents and wider whānau. Click here for the toolkit.
My Business Starter Course: The next My Business Starter course begins on 29 April. If you’re a disabled person looking to build your very own business, this programme will give you the knowledge and support you need to achieve your goals. Spaces are limited so make sure you register your interest ASAP. You can find out more and how to get in touch here
Money Smarts Made Easy: Free course for 18year olds plus who have a learning/intellectual disability. The course is about where people’s money comes from, budgeting, planning money goals and preventing financial abuse. Sessions available in Otahuhu and Glenfield:
- Otahuhu
- Dates: Fridays – May 2, 9, 16 and 23
- Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm
- Venue: Otahuhu Library
- Click here for a copy of the flyer.
- To register, email Kaysey: kayseymanuel@peoplefirst.org.nz
- Glenfield
- Dates: Tuesdays – April 22, 29, May 6, 13
- Time: 3 – 5pm
- Venue: Room 3, Glenfield Community Centre
- Click here for a copy of the flyer.
- To register, email Sarah: sarahsharp@peoplefirst.org.nz
Introducing Individualised Funding: Free session where you can learn how to employ a Support Worker that you know. Limited spaces only. For more information, email: admin@bans.org.nz
- Date: Thursday, 1 May
- Time: 6:45 – 8:30pm
- Venue: New Lynn Community Hall (Room1)
Announcing Kaikaranga: From 26 March, Taikura Trust will have a new name: Kaikaranga. Kaikaranga is focused on delivering effective navigation and connection within the disability support system and assisting other government systems that have a role to play in enabling disabled people to live their best lives. Click here for the social story.
Our Journey of A Young Adult with Autism and Beyond: Dr. Saad Al-Harran shares the story of his son who was severely bullied in one of the high schools in Palmerston North and the decision taken to create the business of Green House. Click here to read a summary of the book. It is available on Amazon. Dr. Saad Al-Harran is keen to connect with Arabic & Muslim Group families and their young adults with special needs. Email admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz if you would like to connect with him.
A New E-Learning Course on Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction: CBM Global, an international member of the World Blind Union, has partnered with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) to offer a new e-learning course on Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DiDRR). This course is designed to help organisations and individuals ensure that persons with disabilities are included in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. This free course is available to anyone interested in improving their approach to disability-inclusive disaster planning. To enrol and learn more, visit the UNDRR website.
Accessible AI Training by My Life My Voice: Our training provides a solid foundation in using accessible AI tools to enhance your independence, work smarter, and take control of everyday tasks. Learn how AI can support navigation, communication, and daily routines—helping you manage life on your terms while reducing reliance on paid support. Our workshops are designed for disabled people and those supporting them, ensuring accessibility at every step. Training sessions are run regularly via Zoom and can be booked for groups at a time that suits you.
For a limited time, use the discount code MLMV25 for a 25% discount. You might also be able to use your disability support funding to pay for our AI training. Check out our website for more information. Email: ai-training@mylifemyvoice.org.nz / Phone or text: 021 240 5427
Auckland Council’s Disability Advisory Panel Meeting: Auckland Council’s Disability Advisory Panel agreed to make their first meeting of 2025 open. This means:
- The meeting will be recorded and published on the Auckland Council website; and
- Members of the public are able to attend to observe (online or in person).
If you are keen to observe, please email: Disability.AdvisoryPanel@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz and an Auckland Council staff member will be able to advise and assist.
Kōnae: Citizens Advice Bureau NZ has launched Kōnae. The website is a guide to help you find and access records created about you (or your whānau) by government agencies, faith-based organisations, or other organisations involved in decisions about your guardianship or care. Visit the Kōnae website here.
Homestay / Boarding Opportunity Needed: A kind, polite, neurodivergent high school student is looking for a welcoming homestay/boarding situation in central Auckland for her final year of school. Due to an exciting opportunity for her family, she needs a place to stay where she can continue to thrive. She’s Māori & Pasifika, connected to her church, and full of enthusiasm for life. We’re looking for a patient, respectful, and encouraging household where she’ll have some adult oversight, a warm environment, and the space to keep flourishing. She will stay closely connected with her extended whānau, but having someone in the home who can provide guidance and support will make all the difference.
For more information please email jobs@flyingkites.org.nz or visit Job Vacancy : A Supportive Homestay for a High School Student
ASID Aotearoa NZ conference: Data, Design and Delivery: Research to support people with a learning (intellectual) disability.
Participate in interactive sessions on wellbeing, safeguarding, digital citizenship and more, with hands-on learning in co-research, communication access and decision making. This conference offers a unique opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities, researchers, service providers, and advocates to collaborate and drive positive change.
Date: Monday, 17 March 2025
Time: 9am – 4:40pm
Location: Harbourside Function Venue (Shed 22), Wellington
Cost: Disabled people / whanau $25, professionals $100/$150
Click here for a copy of the conference flyer. Visit the website for more information and to register.
Access to Banking Services: Our own Denise and Mike were on 1News last week to talk about how tough it is to access banking services in New Zealand. We’ve been advocating on behalf of disabled people, their parents and whānau to the industry. We’re glad to see some progress in Westpac’s Disability and Inclusion in Banking Report, and their call on other banks to start making improvements too. Watch or read the story here: https://www.1news.co.nz/…/calls-to-make-banking-more…/ Click here to access the Westpac NZ Disability and Inclusion in Banking Report.
Colour Dash: An event for all – accessible and inclusive! Participants, known as Dashers, begin the race in white attire and get covered in a spectrum of colours throughout their dash. By the end, everyone is a moving canvas of bright hues. After the dash, there will be the Colour Carnival featuring music, dancing, fun activities, photo ops and a sausage sizzle.
When: Sunday, 9 March
Where: Ngataringa Sports Fields, Devonport
Click here for more details and to purchase your tickets.
Show Your Ability – New Zealand’s Premier Annual Disability Equipment Show: Free entry to all visitors. On display are all kinds of equipment for disabled people and older persons care equipment.
When: Monday, 10 March
Time: 9am – 3pm
Where: Eventfinda Stadium, 17 Silverfield, Wairau Valley, Auckland
Click here for a copy of the event flyer.
Dance Classes for People with Disabilities: A 1.5-hour interactive and specialised Dance Class for people with disabilities. The purpose of this class is to create a community where students with disabilities can thrive and learn from Georgia (a dance teacher and teacher aide) and also one another. You will celebrate wins and overcome challenges together. Georgia is passionate about creating a safe place for everyone to feel like a star. Classes will operate at the same time as the 2025 term dates.
The first class will be on Wednesday, 5 February 2025 at Empire Studios, 2 Bond Street, Grey Lynn.
Click here for more information or to register for this class. You can also email: Georgiakendelle@gmail.com
10-week Brain Injury Peer Support Programme: Making Headway is a 10-week Facilitated Peer Support Programme where individuals with brain injuries share lived experiences, connect, and grow together.
The programme will enable participants to:
- Build meaningful, supportive relationships.
- Develop skills to navigate life with a brain injury.
- Discover ways to engage in community opportunities.
The programme is delivered at various locations across Auckland during the 2025 year. Click here for the flyer, or visit the website for more information.
What would you do if Auckland elects you? Local elections are taking place in 2025 to elect Auckland’s next mayor, ward councillors and local board members. Have you ever thought about taking on something more meaningful to benefit your community? Now’s the time.
From 4 July 2025, Aucklanders are invited to nominate themselves and represent their communities to help make decisions and lead the city. Find out everything there is to know about Auckland’s elections, how to be a candidate and what’s involved if you’re elected here. And whether you intend to be a candidate, to vote you’ll need to be enrolled before voting season starts. Make sure you’re enrolled here.
