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| Disability Connect Annual Survey |
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We would love to hear from you so we can serve you better.
Complete our survey and go in the draw to win a $200 Prezzy Card.
Survey closes 19 November 2025.
All professionals, support people, whānau, family members and disabled people are welcome to take part.
Survey takes 5 minutes: Click Here
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Spirit of Adventure - Inspiration Voyage - February 2026
Application results
Thank you for sending in your applications to join the Spirit of Adventure as part of the Disability Connect group. We have received a high volume of requests and now have to make a selection. We anticipate getting back to everyone by the end of next week.
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Measles Outbreak Online Hui
Meeting with the National Public Health Service
Mike welcomed Vanessa Creamer from the National Public Health Service, Te Whatu Ora, and her assistant Balti Cavalier to Disability Connect to discuss public health. The focus? Empowering disabled people, their families and whānau to get fast, clear, accurate info for the best health choices and health outcomes. Measles spreads faster than COVID-19. Just two vaccinations give lifelong protection. Let’s keep our communities informed and safe! The online hui was held on 14 November. Find more information here.
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NZDSN - Navigating Uncertainty
Mike and Denise attended the New Zealand Disability Support Network conference in Wellington. They heard from Minister Upston, Whaikaha and Disability Support Services and other members of NZDSN. Of note was talk about perserving through what has been uncertain times. Both, Mike and Denise raised issues relevant to parents, families and disabled people.
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- Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand offers a National Mobility Scooter Fund for stroke survivors. This fund offers an opportunity to enhance freedom, wellbeing and confidence by providing reliable mobility. Check it out.
- Westfield is proud to offer New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Santa, a program offering children who use sign language as their primary form of communication, the chance to share their Christmas wish list directly with an NZSL-fluent Santa. These sessions are longer and have helpers and an interpreter on hand to facilitate. Visit their website for more information or to book a NZSL Santa photography session: Find a Sign Language Santa near you
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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.
Household Management and Community Services Card (CSC)
Kaikaranga (formerly Taikura Trust) have noticed that sometimes when a CSC has expired it can affect the continuation of household management support.
Only people with Community Service Cards (CSC) are eligible for Household Management support. To get a CSC, you need to contact Work and Income, which is a service under Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
For more information, check out the Kaikaranga news post here.
By giving Kaikaranga your CSC number, you'll help Kaikaranga keep your household management support running smoothly without interruption.
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Disability Connect Seminars and Workshops |
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| Kāinga Kōrero – Understanding Social Housing with MSD & Kāinga Ora |
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Join us online to hear from Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Kāinga Ora about the social housing system.
📅 Tuesday, 18 November 2025
🕚 11:00am – 12:30pm
📍 Online via Zoom
💰 Free event (registration essential)
Click here for more information. To register, email admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz |
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Please note some seminars do have a fee. Please let us know if this is a barrier to being able to attend. |
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Disability Connect Support Groups
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| Zoom Parents Support Group |
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Zoom Parents Support Group - Every Monday, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Open to anyone seeking advice or support for parenting, upcoming Needs Assessments or anything in-between the Zoom Support Group is for you! Robyn would love to meet and chat about anything that is important to you.
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| Parent Support Group |
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Parent Support Group
Our Parent Support Group sessions have wrapped up for the year.
Our Parent Support Group will recommence in February 2026.
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| Chinese Support Group |
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Chinese Support Group
Our Chinese Support Group sessions have now finished for the year.
The Chinese Support Group will resume in February 2026.
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Learn About Your Rights
Did you know Nationwide Health & Disability Advocacy Service offer free sessions about the Consumer Code of Health and Disability Rights and their advocacy service.
Get in touch if you would like to find out more. They are happy to tailor a session for you or your group, and they can be in person or online. More details here.
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Autism NZ Education Programmes
Autism New Zealand has a dedicated education team that delivers education and training nationwide.
Upcoming courses in Auckland:
- Tilting the Seesaw for Teams: This 2-day workshop works through strengths-based, practical strategies to support the everyday inclusion of autistic children across their full primary school and home settings - 19 to 20 November
- Way to Play: A fun one-day introduction to playing joyously with a child on the autism spectrum - 24 November
Click here for more information about courses offered by Autism New Zealand.
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Success in School: For Children Who Learn Differently
Hosted by Auckland Down Syndrome Association
The Success in School 2-day workshop is run twice a year in March and July/August.
Providing detailed information, practical guidance, and strategies for educating students with Down syndrome and other special learning needs.
Next Workshop:
📅2 & 3 March 2026
🕘 8:45 AM – 2:30 PM each day
📍 Via Zoom
Click here for the flyer, or visit their website for more information about pricing and registration.
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FunFest VIP Day 2026 - Ticket Request
The Annual FunFest VIP Day for children and adults with special and disability needs returns in January 2026.
📅 Wednesday, 14 January 2026
🕙 10.00am to 4.00pm
📍Due Drop Events Centre, 770 Great South Road, Manukau City, Auckland
The Funfest VIP Day includes free parking, free entry and free rides for the VIP and up to 5 of their own immediate family members and/or caregivers (total of 6 people).
To request tickets, please complete the online form here. Ticket request cut off date is Friday, 5 December.
Tickets must be collected from 3b Olive Road, Penrose before our Christmas closure. We do not post tickets out to families.
See here for more details
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Sense Rugby - South Auckland Community Programme
Sense Rugby is currently running a fantastic community programme in South Auckland, designed to help children build confidence, develop key motor skills, and have fun through inclusive rugby-based activities.
📅 15 November – 6 December (Saturdays)
🕙 9:30-10:30am
📍 Weymouth Primary School
To register, contact: info@senserugby.co.nz
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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) or $50 for the whole day.
🎨 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
Click here for a copy of the flyer.
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Disability Sport Auckland
Disability Sport Auckland offers a wide range of sport programmes — including athletics, boccia, rock climbing, stunt school, swimming, and more — along with regular monthly events.
Be sure to visit their website to learn more or to register for any of their fantastic programmes.
Upcoming monthly events include:
- November: Women & Girls Wheelchair Basketball Camp (22 - 23 November)
- December: Youth Awards & Water Day (7 November, 9:30am-2pm)
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The Village of Twelve Nights by Glass Ceiling Arts Collective
Come and support an incredible group of disabled adult performers who have spent the past 18 months creating their own original show, The Village of Twelve Nights.
This production has been fully devised by the cast, giving adults with disabilities the chance to be creative, build community and shine on stage.
📅 27 to 29 November
📍 Freemans Bay Community Hall
🎟️ Tickets and info: https://events.humanitix.com/the-village-of-12-nights
Click here for a copy of the flyer.
Follow their journey on Instagram: @thevillageof12nights or Facebook
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World Record Attempt
Tuesday 3 December, Eden Park
On Tuesday, 3 December 2025, aligned with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, i.Lead and YES Disability, in collaboration with Permobil and Eden Park, will attempt to break the World Record for the Longest Moving Line of Wheelchairs at Eden Park.
This event will celebrate resilience, solidarity, and the strength of community. Our goal is to gather 600 wheelchairs to create the longest moving line ever recorded. It will be a powerful display of inclusion, unity, and possibility in motion.
Event details:
📅 Wednesday, 3 December 2025
🕙 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
📍 Eden Park, 42 Reimers Avenue, Kingsland, Auckland
💰 $5 per participant (support people enter free)
🔗 Learn more and register: Eventbrite
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Enable Network
Social Enterprise Christmas Market
This is your chance to get that Christmas shopping done, all whilst supporting some fantastic social enterprises from around Auckland. Put it in your calendar now.
📅 Thursday 4 December
🕙 11:00am -1:30pm
📍Airport Operations Campus, 5 Geoffrey Roberts Road, Auckland Airport.
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January Holiday Programme
Orewa & Takapuna - 19th-30th January 2026
Phab are running two holiday programmes in January.
Orewa and Takapuna options - activities vary. More information here.
Fun Social Outings in the local area with one outing per day.
Time: 8 am-3 pm.
Payment: One Carer support day per session or IF funding ($92). Contact: Aucklandnorth@phab.org.nz for Orewa and events@phab.org.nz for Takapuna.
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Surfers Healing Day
Waipu Cove - Saturday 21st February 2026
Surfers Healing is a free surf camp for children
on the autism spectrum, offering tamariki and their whānau an unforgettable day
in the ocean. It’s a day of pure joy, giving autistic children the chance to
experience the thrill of catching waves in a safe, inclusive, and supportive
environment. With the help of our experienced volunteer surfers and caring
crew, we create a space that celebrates every child for who they are and brings
families together through the magic of the ocean.
Participation is free! To register, please email: surfershealingnz@gmail.com with the following details:
- Participants full name
- Which event you wish to register for ( Waipu Cove )
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Team Building Activities
Ride Your Trike NZ - Hamilton
Ride Your Trike, offer Bike/Trike hire and have a Hamilton CBD Tour available for $30 per person. Guided from their shop, through Hamilton CBD, down our Awa, into Hamilton Gardens, and back through what was Hamilton CBD, Hamilton East. To Book please register here. Note: Get 15% off activities if you book before the 20th of November.
More information contact Liam at Ride Your Trike: 15 Woodstock Road, Hamilton. Phone: 0220255122.
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*New* Special Olympics HUB!
Special Olympics have created an exciting new online hub of information in collaboration with Firstport. If you have ever been curious about what Special Olympics is, check it out here. Or find you local Special Olympics club here.
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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
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Job Vacancies In Our Community |
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People for Us - People First NZ is a new peer visiting service for disabled people and tāngata whāikaha Māori living in residential homes throughout Aotearoa New Zealand funded by Disability Support Services – Ministry of Social Development. This service is being delivered and run by People First NZ.
They are currently looking for 12 people to work with them across the country. You can find more information here about the roles.
Two Auckland based vacancies are currently advertised on SEEK:
Job Title: Kaiāwhina / Assistant
- Location: Auckland
- Work type: Permanent Part-time
- Hours - 20 hours per week
Job Title: Kaiārahi / Peer Worker
- Location: Auckland
- Work type: Permanent Part-time
- Hours - 15 hours per week
If you need assistance, please contact: info@peopleforus.org.nz
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Your voice matters!
Make your voices count - participate in important research and surveys:
To have your say, you can also write to your local MP or email us at admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz
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Great information on our website!
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Disability Connect can now receive online donations via credit card. We appreciate any donation from you! |
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