Recent Notices in the Community

2025

Notices:

2025-2028 Auckland Council Advisory Panel Recruitment – Tāmaki Makaurau Mayor Wayne Brown has endorsed Auckland Council’s demographic advisory panels for another three-year term, validating an important aspect of the council’s governance structure through to September 2028.  The search now begins to find new panel members from across Tāmaki Makaurau who can provide a range of varied views to the council.

Click here for a copy of the flyer for the Disability Advisory Panel recruitment.

See below for the seven recruitment links direct to the Auckland Council Careers website listings, one general and six panel-specific:


Release of the Disability and Cancer Reports 2025 – Ahead of World Disability Day, which will be observed on Wednesday 3 December, Te Aho o Te Kahu – Cancer Control Agency have released two significant reports. These reports highlight the experiences of disabled people with cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand:

Both reports are available in a range of formats on their website.

Community Meeting about Measles – Disability Hui – Friday 14 November 2025

You may be aware that there are measles cases in New Zealand, in both the North and the South Island. It’s possible there will be more cases.

On Friday 14 November, National Public Health Service is hosting an online hui for Deaf and disabled people, their whānau, carers and support services, to inform the disability
community of the current situation, to provide information and to answer any questions. NZSL interpreters will be provided.

Please join us:

What: Information hui about the measles outbreak for the disability community
When: Friday 14 November 2025
Time: 10 am to 11.30 am
Where: Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now:
Meeting ID: 462 465 909 043 9
Passcode: 9AL6cT6L

Contact: Please contact Vanessa Creamer at Vanessa.Creamer@tewhatuora.govt.nz if you have any questions about the hui, or have any accessibility requirements.
You can find information about measles, including in alternate formats and NZSL, at www.info.health.nz/measles.

Auckland Council supports an accessible Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland Council has refreshed its action plan to create a more accessible Tāmaki Makaurau. With oversight from the council’s Disability Advisory Panel, Mahere Mahi mō te Hauā – the council’s Disability Action Plan – is being relaunched with a fresh focus and new actions to drive change.

Click here for the media release.

Changes to Disability Supports: On 3 September, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston announced changes to Disability Supports.  Click here to view details of her announcement. Nothing will change right away – changes will take effect from February 2026 for new DSS users, and from April 2026 for people already receiving DSS-funded supports. These changes will apply to people who get their supports through a Needs Assessment Service Coordination organisation (NASC).

The main changes are:

  • People will get more choice and control in their use of flexible funding.
  • From next year the purchasing guidelines will be removed.
  • People who get flexible funding will be provided with a budget for them to manage within.
  • People will get guidance to help manage their budget. This will make flexible funding easier to use.
  • All NASCs around the country will do their assessments the same way. This is so their decisions on support are fairer and more consistent.
  • Families and carers will be included in assessments, where that’s relevant.

For more information on the changes – please check out the MSD Facebook post or the DSS website

Home: A Place Where You Can Be Yourself: In early 2024, the Flourishing Together research project team asked disabled people living in Aotearoa New Zealand about their housing experiences. The results have been summarised and the report highlights the voices of 134 people who responded to the survey, including disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau families.  Click here to access the summary report.  This report, alongside policy and practice recommendations, is being shared with policy advisors, housing networks, and advocacy groups. Specifically, the research findings have already been shared with the NZ Disability Strategy – Housing working group.

Atoatoali’o National Pacific Disability Approach: Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People has introduced Atoatoali’o – National Pacific Disability Approach to improve disability services and support for the Pacific disability community.  Atoatoali’o is a Samoan word referring to a setting where everyone fits in or sits perfectly (atoatoa) in a circle (li’o). This concept reflects the central values of inclusivity, connectedness, and balance that are foundational of Pacific cultures. Atoatoali’o has been co-developed with Pacific communities and the wider Pacific disability sector. Click here to find out more.

Learn New Zealand Sign Language: Chelsea Thomas; a passionate deaf tutor is offering online sessions or in person sessions in West Auckland.  Whether you are a beginner or looking to build on your skills, Chelsea can personalise your sessions. For more information, click here for the flyer or email Chelsea at: chelseathom00@gmail.com

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

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

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.

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.

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.