Message from Kaikaranga

Working Together to Inform the Community

At our request, Kaikaranga is commencing to share updates and messages direct to Disability Connect members from time to time through our popular fortnightly e-newsletter.

Reminder to keep your contact details current:

Kaikaranga need your up-to-date contact details so they can stay in touch and check that your supports are still working for you. This confirmation is a requirement from the Ministry of Social Development.

If Kaikaranga can’t reach you to confirm your supports, there’s a risk the supports may be discontinued. However, rest assured that Kaikaranga will always do their best to contact you. The easiest way to avoid disappointment is to update your contact details now. You can update your information quickly by completing this form https://kaikaranga.org.nz/contact-us/change-contact-details/

More information can be found here: https://kaikaranga.org.nz/news/do-we-have-your-latest-contact-details/

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

Housing Navigation Service

We are offering a new Disability Housing Navigation Service, first of its kind, here in Auckland. Led and staffed by disabled people and their parents, our free service provides an advisor to support disabled people and their families to research, broker and find a suitable place to live.

Do start early.  If you need help finding a home, email us at: admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz with the word "housing" in the subject line or call 09 636 0351.

Using Your Voice

In October, we will be running a series of advocacy seminars: "Using Your Voice".  These seminars will be offered in person and via zoom.  Details below:  

• Thursday, 2 October at 6:30pm: Understanding Rights and Self Advocacy
• Thursday, 9 October at 6:30pm: Finding and Using Professional Advocacy Services
• Wednesday, 29 October at 6:30pm: Safeguarding, Supported Decision Making & Legal Options

Click here for more information.  To register, email admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz

Understanding Disability Supports in the Community

Learn more about Disability and Financial Supports available to you and your whānau in home and in community.  This is a presentation by Work and Income Health and Disability Coordinators and Kaikaranga (Formerly Taikura Trust).

📅 Tuesday, 7 October
🕙 10am – 12:30pm
📍148 Sycamore Drive, Sunnynook, North Shore

Click here for more information.  To register, email admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz

“Our Journey to a Good Life: Family, Inclusion, and Advocacy in Action” – Ed Collett – Air New Zealand

Save the Date: 7pm Wednesday 15th October 2025 @ Disability Connect

All are welcome to this free presentation by Ed Collett, Senior Aircraft Programme Manager at Air New Zealand. Ed also leads Air New Zealand’s Enable Network which supports the airline’s journey to inclusion, part of which is providing a space for employees with disabilities, caregivers, and allies to connect, share experiences, and drive change.

Evening concludes with “The Good Life in Numbers” presentation of our Impact Report and AGM. Refreshments will be served.

Supported Decision-Making Workshop

Citizen Advocacy Auckland and Volition are co-hosting a free, full-day workshop focused on Supported Decision-Making: Principles, Tools, and Strategies.

📅 Date: Wednesday 10 September 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm
📍 Location: Yarnton House, 14 Erson Avenue, Royal Oak, Auckland
💵 Cost: Free to attend – registrations are essential

🔗 Register via Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/workshop-supported-decision-making-principles-strategies-and-tools

Click here for a copy of the flyer.

The Great Kiwi Circus - Free Tickets

We have a limited number of complimentary tickets for special needs children and their families to attend this event.

Three sessions available:

Date: Saturday, 4 October 2025
Time: 2:00pm / 6:00pm
Location: Birkenhead College - BGT Theatre, 140 Birkdale Road

Date: Sunday, 5 October 2025
Time: 2:00pm
Location: Otahuhu College - School Hall, 74-78 Mangere Road

To request tickets, please complete the online form here.

You will be notified by email if you have been allocated a ticket.

Tickets must be picked up from 3b Olive Rd, Penrose during office hours. We do not post tickets out to families.

Dance & Movement for Differently Abled Individuals 8+

Join the first Auckland FAM™JAM sessions which take place every Wednesday from 5:30-6:30pm at the YMCA

Led by coach Brianna, these fun, inclusive workshops blend movement, music, and dance, and are designed especially for our diverse and disabled community members.

Register for the sessions here.

For more information, see flyer or visit their website: www.functionaladaptivemovement.com or email: info@functionaladaptivemovement.com

BOOST PASIFIKA – Monthly Meetups for Young Pacific People

Presented by Vaka Tautua

Are you a Pacific young person (under 35) living with a disability?  Join BOOST PASIFIKA — fun, monthly meetups for connection, workshops & activities!

🗓 Fridays (Monthly) 
🕓 4:00 PM
📍 Learn, connect & have fun in a safe, cultural space.

Contact details for more information:
📞 0800 825 282
📧 enquiries@vakatautua.co.nz
📱 Facebook / Instagram

International FASD Awareness Day

9 September

The Sky Tower and the Auckland Harbour Bridge will light up in red for the evening of the 9th in recognition of International FASD Awareness Day.

FASD-CAB will be hosting a FASD Awareness Day Online Get-Together:

🗓 9 September
🕛9AM and again at 7:30PM
📍Zoom.  Click here to register.

There will also be a sausage sizzle at Silo Park at 5:30pm.  Click here for more details.

Blossom Social Skills Holiday Programme

Looking for a fun, supportive school holiday programme for your child aged 6–14?

The Blossom Social Skills Holiday Programme offers a welcoming environment for children to build confidence and social skills through play-based learning and activities.

📍Beach Haven Community House
🗓️ See flyer for dates and times
💲$540 (families may use IF funding)

📝 Register by: 11th September – Spaces are limited!

Contact: admin@blossompsychology.co.nz or 021 286 3165

🎉 We The Young – Auckland’s First Youth Arts Festival!

16–28 September 2025 | Auckland CBD

Auckland Live presents We The Young, a new festival and celebration of art, imagination and adventure for tamariki and rangatahi (6 months–16 years), featuring 19+ shows, workshops, and experiences — many free!

Explore theatre, dance, art, and sensory play across venues like Aotea Centre, The Civic, and Aotea Square.

Click here for more information.

2025 Para Table Tennis Festival – Coming to Auckland

📅 26 September – 4 October 2025
📍 Rosehill College Gymnasium, Auckland (5 Edinburgh Ave, Rosehill)

Table Tennis New Zealand (TTNZ) proudly presents a 9-day celebration of Para table tennis, uniting elite and grassroots athletes from across Oceania.

Festival Highlights:

• 🌍 ITTF Oceania Para Table Tennis Championships (26–28 Sept)
  First time hosted in Aotearoa – featuring 15 Paralympians!

• 🏋️‍♂️ National Para Training Camp (29 Sept–1 Oct)
  Open to all skill levels – develop, connect, grow.

• 🏆 NZ Para Open Championships (2–4 Oct)
  National titles for Classes 1–11 (physical & intellectual disabilities)

🌟 48 athletes | 8 countries | Pathway to the 2026 World Para Champs!

Come along to support, celebrate inclusion, and witness world-class Para sport!

For more detailed information—including schedules, athlete highlights, and volunteer opportunities—please visit:
https://tabletennis.org.nz/tournaments/ttnz-national-tournament-calendar-2025/para-table-tennis-festival

The Auckland LEGO® User Group presents The AUCKLAND BRICK SHOW 2025!

Get ready for a LEGO®‑filled adventure that’s perfect for all ages! The Auckland Brick Show is happening soon—and it's bound to be a highlight of your school holidays.

Disability Connect is thrilled and honoured to be the chosen charity of this amazing event!  

Grab your tickets and bring the whole whānau along for a fun family day!

🗓 27–28 September 2025
🕛9 AM–5 PM
📍 Auckland Netball Centre, St Johns
🎟 From $10 | Family Pass: $30 | Under 3s: Free

Click here for more information or you can purchase your tickets here.

HĀ ORA – Have a Go Marae Day 2025

You are invited to a vibrant day of connection, movement, and wellbeing! All are welcome, carers, disabled whānau, and supporters.

✅ Free lunch, prizes & goody bags
✅ Local healers – MiriMiri, Matekite, pain therapy
✅ Free health checks
✅ Activities like Walking Football, Netball, Pickleball, Sit Down Yoga & more!

📅 Friday, 3 October 2025
📍 Ōtara Pool & Leisure Centre

Register here. For more information, email: enquiries@tekotahiatamaki.nz or visit tekotahiatamaki.nz

Expressions of Interest Now Open – InterAct Disability Arts Festival 2025!

Expressions of interest are open for the InterAct Disability Arts Festival 2025.

🎨 Theme: Free Spirit – a celebration of life, independence, creativity, and diversity.

Are you interested in getting involved? InterAct are looking for people who want to:

• Perform on stage

• Exhibit their artwork

• Share short movies made by the disabled community

• Run workshops for disabled people

• Sell goods, food, or crafts made by disabled people

• Volunteer at the event

Te Hoenga Waka Kapa Haka Festival

The Northern Region (Auckland and Northland) will be bringing their Kapa Haka Festival to the Orewa Arts and Events Centre.

This event will show case the 5 areas Kapa Haka groups in addition to any other disability groups that may wish to join.

It is a free event and is open to the community to come watch, enjoy and celebrate a day of Kapa Haka and entertainment.

📅 Date: Saturday, 8 November 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Orewa Arts & Events Centre
💸 Cost: Free!
📧 Contact: northern@idea.org.nz

Clothed.

A New Accessible and Adaptive Clothing Company

Clothed is a New Zealand accessible and adaptive clothing company.

There is currently a small range of women’s clothes, but they will be expanding their range and market in the future so keep checking back.  Summer tops should be available from November 2025.

For more information, visit their website or email: rebecca@weareclothed.co.nz

Accessible Family Home for Rent – $730/week (Negotiable)

This recently redecorated home could be suitable for a family needing an accessible, comfortable living space:

• 3 bedrooms all with built-in wardrobes
• Full wet-floor bathroom
• Open plan living and dining - through kitchen and laundry area
• Plenty of storage
• Heat pump
• Dishwasher
• Attached garage and parking space

Convenient location close to Pak'n'Save supermarket, public transport and in a safe neighbourhood.

Click here for photos.  For more information, please contact Brendan Kell on Ph 021 166 1075 or email brendankell28@gmail.com

Job Opportunity: Kaiārahi / Peer Worker - Counties Manukau

People for Us is live and looking for a Kaiārihi (peer worker) to work alongside Kaiāhina (helper) to support those with disability in resident spaces in South Auckland.

🕒 Part-time role – 10 to 15 hours per week
💬 Seeking someone with a learning disability

Click for the Seek advertisement.

Ministry of Education Post Grad Diploma Learning Support Study Award Applications Open Now

The Ministry of Education offer annual awards for teachers to study specialist teaching qualification programmes at Massey University:

• Blind & Low Vision
• Complex Educational Needs
  
• Advisors on Deaf Children
• Gifted Study Award
• Early Intervention
• Resource Teachers Learning & Behaviour
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Applications close 12 September.  Click here for more information.

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.

Accessible Voting Support for Auckland’s Local Elections

Everyone has the right to participate in Auckland’s Local Elections. To help make that possible, Auckland Council is providing a range of services and resources to support disabled communities across the region.

Click here to find out more about Accessible Voting Support.