Spirit of Adventure - Inspiration Voyage - February 2026

For Young Kiwis Who Live With A Disability

Disability Connect has secured 6 spaces on the Spirit of Adventure February 2026 voyage.  Please register your interest directly with Disability Connect not via Spirit of Adventure, as we will be putting the group together.

The annual Spirit Inspiration voyage is an incredible opportunity for young New Zealanders who live with a disability to take part in an adventure of a lifetime. Thirty young people from across the country, aged 16-30 years, come together to face challenges outside of their usual boundaries, gaining confidence and achieving tasks that previously might have looked impossible. 

For more information about the 2026 voyage, participant criteria and support person information, visit their website here: https://www.spiritofadventure.org.nz/voyages/inspiration-voyage-2026

If you have a young adult who might be keen, please register your interest with us by emailing admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz by 6 November.  Please include the young adults name, age, location, brief summary of condition and whether you have a support worker who may be available.

Using Your Voice - Session 3

Our Using Your Voice workshop series has now come to a close.
For session 3, we were joined by speakers from Aotearoa Disability Law, Citizen Advocacy, PASAT, and VisAble, who shared their insights on Safeguarding, Supported Decision-Making, and Legal Options.

Thank you to everyone who attended. We hope the series has been valuable and provided new perspectives and knowledge to support your advocacy journey.

National Māori Housing Conference

Insights from Masina

I had the privilege of attending the Māori Housing Conference in Waitangi, where iwi leaders, housing advocates, policymakers, and community members gathered to explore transformative housing solutions rooted in tikanga Māori.

The conference underscored that housing is not just about shelter, it is about restoring dignity, connection, and wellbeing. For whānau living with disability, this means homes that are accessible, culturally affirming, and designed around real-life needs.

Key themes included:

• Whānau-centered design, including papakāinga models that support intergenerational living, accessibility, and mana-enhancing environments

• Cross-sector collaboration, with calls for government, iwi, and disability advocates to co-design housing strategies that reflect lived experience and uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi

• Data and equity, highlighting the lack of disability-specific data in Māori housing policy and the need for targeted investment to address systemic barriers

• Innovation and sustainability, showcasing eco-friendly builds, modular housing, and kaupapa Māori frameworks that prioritise autonomy, connection to whenua, and long-term wellbeing

Importantly, these ideas are not exclusive to Māori communities. The principles of whānau-centered design, collective wellbeing, and culturally responsive housing can be adapted across many cultures in Aotearoa. Whether Pasifika, refugee, migrant, or Pākehā communities, the emphasis on dignity, inclusion, and lived experience offers a blueprint for equitable housing nationwide.

As a caregiver and a member of the Disability Connect team, I was especially moved by kōrero around the right to live well, not just survive. The conference reinforced that housing is a foundation for hauora, identity, and justice, and that inclusive design benefits us all.

We're On Instagram!

Follow us at @DisabilityConnectNZ to stay connected, see what we’re up to, and support our work in the disability community.

Let’s grow together — give us a follow and say hi! 💙 #DisabilityConnectNZ #FollowUs

Strengthening Disability Leadership

Join Paula Tesoriero, Chief Executive of Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People, along with other Whaikaha disability leaders as they provide their lived experience responses to disability issues.

Paula will share insights from her leadership journey in sport, public service, and the disability community, highlighting key challenges and opportunities for strengthening disability leadership.

The session will explore how to drive meaningful change with disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, and their whānau. Includes time for Q&A.

📅 Thursday, 6 November
🕛 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
📍 Online

Click here for more information or to register.

📣 Complex Care Group – Free Information Event

Complex Care Group Trust invites professionals, disabled people, and families to a free event focused on navigating the high and complex needs disability sector.

📅 Tuesday 18th November
📍 Kiwi Room, Jet Park Hotel, 63 Westney Rd, Māngere (Free parking)

Session Times:

• 8:30–10:00am – For professionals (tea/coffee provided)

• 10:30am–3:00pm – For disabled people, whānau, and aiga (tea/coffee and lunch provided)

Click here for a copy of the flyer / for more information about the event.

🎟 RSVP by Monday 10th November
Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r... or contact Lisa:
📞 027 266 7690 | 0800 852 693
📧 complexcaregroup@xtra.co.nz

Catering provided — registration essential.

Study Te Reo Māori at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa offers Māori language courses designed for New Zealanders of all ability levels. These courses provide an opportunity to learn Te Reo Māori, our chiefly language, and to deepen understanding of Aotearoa’s indigenous culture.

Whether learners are just beginning or looking to strengthen their existing knowledge, these programmes provide a welcoming and supportive environment.

👉 Visit their website for more information about courses or to apply: Te Reo Māori Courses – Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

Auckland Special Children's Christmas Party - Ticket Request

The annual Auckland Special Children's Christmas Party is taking place on Saturday, 13th of December at The ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane, and runs from 11.30am until 2pm.

The party is for children with challenges, (e.g. disability) and is an invitation only event.  One invitation entitles one child plus parent / caregiver to attend the day (the accompanying adult does not require an invitation).

Invitations are issued only to children meeting the criteria (not siblings).

To request tickets, please complete the online form here.  Registration cut off is Friday, 7 November.

You will be notified by email if your ticket request has been processed.

Expressions Of Interest For A New Accessibility Advisory Group - Whaikaha

Are you a creative and strategic thinker with an interest in driving solutions to address accessibility barriers? Whaikaha needs 10 people from the disability community, tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau and families with a deep understanding of accessibility to form an Accessibility Advisory Group.  They will bring their lived experience and ideas to help find ways to make New Zealand more accessible.

Expressions of Interest are now open.  Applications close on 3 November 2025.  Click here for more information and how to apply.

Together We Move

Ride Your Trike is teaming up with Fit IQ to get people moving with the Together We Move initiative! 🚴‍♂️💪

Their "MOVE"mber Challenge kicked off on Saturday.  Together We Move will share a new inclusive movement everyday - walking, cycling, stretching, dancing, triking and more.  It's FREE, it's FUN and it's for EVERYONE!  

Sign up and check out the challenges here

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

Outward Bound Adapted Courses - Spaces Available

Do you know a young person or adult with a physical disability ready for a new challenge?

Outward Bound has limited spots available on the following courses:

🧭 Activate (Ages 18+)
📅 14–21 November 2025 
Learn more here: Activate | Outward Bound

🧭 Youth Activate (Ages 16–18, still at school)
📅 5–12 January 2026
Learn more here: Youth Activate | Outward Bound

If you are interested, please contact Andrea: asmart@outwardbound.co.nz

DGym Adult Group Class – Give Gymnastics a Go!

Looking for a fun and supportive way to stay active? Join the Tristar Gymastics DGym Adult Group Class, a 4-week block course designed for adults in the disability community.

Details:

📅Friday, 14, 21, 28 November & 5 December
🕙11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍Tristar Gymnastics

To register, email: Catherine.takle@tristar.org.nz

Come and experience gymnastics in a welcoming environment— jump into it and have fun!

Adaptive Arts Open Day

The Adaptive Arts Programme offers fun activities for special needs adults (16+), including art, crafts, music, dance, games, and social sessions.

The 2026 programme begins 11 February, running Wednesdays and Fridays, 9am–3pm.  Cost: $25 per session (morning or afternoon).

🎨 FREE Open Day: Friday, 21 November 2025, 9am–3pm

An Adaptive Arts Open Day will be held to introduce the 2026 programme. Visitors are invited to come along, meet the team, and see the activities designed especially for special needs adults aged 16 years and over.

📍 Henderson Baptist Church, Rata House, 319 Great North Rd
For more information, email: admin@bans.org.nz

Kaleidocare Open Day

North Shore

Kaleidocare is hosting relaxed and friendly Open Days, inviting the community to explore their space, meet the team, and learn more about their programmes.

📅 Friday 28th & Saturday 29th November
🕙 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 122 Wairau Road, Wairau Valley

All are welcome to drop in and connect!

Blind and Low Vision Artland Experience – Auckland Art Gallery

The Auckland Art Gallery invites visitors to a special Blind and Low Vision experience of Artland, a hands-on creative installation by Korean artist Do Ho Suh and his daughters.

Participants will have the opportunity to create imaginary creatures from modelling clay to add to the evolving Artland sculptures.

The experience will begin with an introduction from Learning Specialist Norah Wilson, followed by audio description from Nicola Owen of Audio Described Aotearoa.

🗓 Monday, 8 December
🕛 Meet at 11:45am in the main foyer for a 12pm start
📍 Auckland Art Gallery, corner Kitchener St & Wellesley St East, Auckland CBD
💰 Free, bookings essential
📧 To book, email ellie.lim@aucklandartgallery.com (maximum of 30 participants)

Find out more: Auckland Art Gallery – Artland Experience

Measles In The Community

Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora confirms the community spread of measles.

Measles symptoms include:  

• an illness that begins with high fever (over 38 C), cough, runny nose, and sore red eyes (conjunctivitis)  
• a rash, beginning on the face and gradually spreading down the body to the arms and legs. The rash lasts a week or more.  

More information:

1. For more information about Measles, including Alternate Formats: Measles
2. Measles: Locations of interest in Aotearoa New Zealand  
3. To check if you are protected against measles: Measles immunity
4. To book a vaccine anywhere in New Zealand: info.health.nz/bookavaccine 
5. If you have any queries, call your health provider or Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.

Māngere Bridge Neurodiverse Playgroup

For tamariki aged 0–5 years and their parents/caregivers.

Fridays 10am–12pm (school term only)
📍 Māngere Bridge Plunket Building, 5 Taylor Road
💰 Gold coin donation per family

A welcoming space for neurodiverse families with educational toys and sensory-friendly activities.  

There is no need to book/RSVP and no requirement to commit to whole sessions or every session. Just turn up to sessions whenever it suits!

For more information, contact: Alana Smythe
📧 alana.smythe@plunket.org.nz | 📞 027 246 4985

Future Visions Art Competition

Join the St Heliers ArtFest community-wide art competition!

Theme: Future Thinkers – St Heliers 2040
Imagine our community in 2040, 200 years after Te Tiriti o Waitangi. How will we honour the past while shaping the future?

Details:

• $2000 in prizes
• Special guest judges
• Art displayed in public spaces
• 8 categories: preschool to adult

📍 sthelierscentre.org.nz | 📞 09 575 6098
Find out more about the judges here.  Scan the QR code on the poster to enter!

Bike Hubs Auckland

Bike hubs are community spaces that help you get on your bike.  Auckland Transport partners with community organisations to operate 14 bike hubs across Tāmaki Makaurau.

At bike hubs you can:

• get your bike repaired for free if they don't use any new parts
• get advice on routes, maintenance, gear and how to connect with the cycling community
• buy a low-cost, high-quality, second-hand bike
• donate your bike if it's in reasonable condition
• volunteer to meet like-minded people, upskill your bike repair skills and help others get riding.

Election Access Fund - Applications Open

The Election Access Fund is now open for applications for the 2026 General Election.

This fund, administered by the Electoral Commission, supports disabled people who wish to stand as candidates by covering disability-related costs.

Find out more and apply:
👉 Election Access Fund | Elections

If you are interested, you can contact the Electoral Commission for assistance: 
📧 electionaccessfund@elections.govt.nz
📞 0800 36 76 56