Your Way l Kia Roha

02/09/2026

📢 The Disability Support Services Bill passed its third reading in Parliament last night - a big step toward giving DSS a proper legal foundation.

The Bill won't change your current supports, funding or eligibility, and it doesn't create new obligations for families or carers. What it does is set clear principles for decision-making (like safety, dignity, choice and preference) and requires consultation before future changes are made to support programmes.

The Minister's statement is available in Easy Read, NZSL, Braille, large print and audio.

To find out more visit our website:

The Disability Support Services Bill passed its third reading in Parliament last night (1 September 2026). It will now go through the final stages of the parliamentary process before becoming law.

20/08/2026

Planning for the future starts with a conversation 🌱

Care Matters NZ is hosting a free two-part online workshop for parents, carers, and whānau of disabled young people (early teens to late 20s) who want to start planning ahead for adult life.

Care Matters Online Workshop: The Journey to Adulthood and Life After School

🗓️ Part 1: Tuesday 8 September, 7–9pm
🗓️ Part 2: Wednesday 9 September, 7–9pm
💻 Online via Teams | Free to attend

Facilitated by people with lived experience as family members, the workshop covers:

✅ What a full, meaningful adult life can look like - learning, work, hobbies, living arrangements, and community
✅ Starting early and mapping out pathways and supports
✅ How parenting roles evolve over time
✅ Practical tools for planning ahead

Check out how to register in the comments 👇

15/08/2026

Mālō e lelei and welcome to Tonga Language Week! 🌺

This week marks Uike Kātoanga'i 'o e Lea Faka-Tonga - Tonga Language Week as part of the 2026 Pacific Language Weeks.

📅 16 – 23 'Aokosi (August) 2026

The 2026 theme is:

"Ko 'etau hiva, ko e fe'unu mahu'inga ia ki he mo'ui 'a e Tonga"

"Our music is a vital strand of our Tongan culture."

This year's theme celebrates the vital role music plays in Tongan life- from church hymns to guitar and drums- as a living thread connecting generations and keeping lea faka-Tonga strong for the future.

Tonga Language Week is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the language and culture of Tongan communities across Aotearoa.

🔗 To learn more and explore resources, visit the Ministry for Pacific Peoples. https://www.mpp.govt.nz/.../tonga-language-week/...

10/08/2026

We're looking for a new Board Trustee 🤝

Do you have governance experience and want to put it to good use supporting disabled people to live the lives they choose?

Your Way | Kia Roha is recruiting a Trustee to join our Board. We're a charitable trust with over 45 years' experience walking alongside disabled people and their whānau across Aotearoa New Zealand, guided by the Enabling Good Lives approach.

We'd love to hear from people with financial, risk, legal/compliance, or strategic governance experience, and we especially welcome applicants with lived experience of disability. We're also keen to hear from people based in the Lower North Island or South Island.

This is a remunerated role, and applications are open now until 28 August.

If you know someone who might be a great fit, please share this with your networks.

To apply, please click here to apply now (Full details in the position description)

Are you interested in using your governance expertise to support a disability-led organisation focused on disabled people living the lives they choose? Your Way | Kia Roha is looking for a new Trustee to bring strong governance experience, sound judgement, and a genuine commitment to disability lead...

06/08/2026

Disability assist dogs have a legal right to go anywhere the public can go, including shops, public transport, hospitality, health services and more. But disabled people with assist dogs can still face unnecessary questioning or be refused entry.

The new National Service Dog ID Card, launched today by Whaikaha-Ministry of Disabled People, makes it easier to recognise trained and certified disability assist dogs.

It doesn't create new rights, it simply makes existing rights easier to identify.

🐾 Look for a jacket or harness, plus an ID card
🐾 Handlers and their dogs can't be refused entry or asked to leave
🐾 Speak to the person, not the dog, and give the team space

Link in the comments to find out more 👇

03/08/2026

Today we attended the Tai Ora Huihuinga (Symposium) 2026, hosted by our friends at Te Puna Waananga o Wairere.

It was a great opportunity to connect with educators, rangatahi, and community leaders, and to share what Your Way | Kia Roha has to offer schools and kura.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by for a kōrero!

01/08/2026

🌊 Kia Orāna and welcome to Cook Islands Māori Language Week! 🌊
This week marks ‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani – Cook Islands Māori Language Week as part of the 2026 Pacific Language Weeks.

📅 2 – 8 August 2026

The 2026 theme is:

"Me kite koe i te tuatua i to'ou reo tupuna, e turanga rangatira tena nō'ou no te uki amuri atu"

"With our language as our foundation, we will embrace the future."
This year's theme highlights the importance of language as the foundation Cook Islands communities stand on as they look ahead, keeping te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani strong for generations to come.
Cook Islands Māori Language Week is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the language and culture of Cook Islands communities across Aotearoa.

🔗 To learn more and explore resources, visit the Ministry for Pacific Peoples. https://www.mpp.govt.nz/programmes-and-funding/pacific-languages/pacific-language-weeks/cook-islands-maori-language-week/

30/07/2026

Kia ora Nelson!

We're excited to share that Your Way | Kia Roha will be at the Te Tauihu Accessibility Expo.

One of our Hearing Therapists will be there, so come along to say hello, learn more about our hearing therapy services, and pick up some info to take home.

📅 Sunday 13th September, 10am–3pm
📍 Trafalgar Centre, Nelson

We'd love to see you there!

For more info, check the link in the comments 👇

29/07/2026

Are you or your whānau thinking about life after school for a disabled young person? This free Zoom session, run by Real World Living, is worth putting in the calendar.

The Disability Journey into Adulthood 2026 is an informative online conversation covering the things families ask about most when leaving school approaches:

❓ What do people do with their days?
❓ Living options and thinking about the future
❓ Transition services and how they work
❓ What kind of funding exists after school?
❓ WINZ, transport and guardianship

Sessions:
📅 11 August or 20 October, 10am–12pm
📅 20 August or 29 October, 6.30pm–8.30pm

Via Zoom. RSVP: [email protected]

For updates, follow the page Disability Journey into Adulthood (NZ) link in the comments 👇

25/07/2026

🌊 Halo and welcome to Vanuatu Bislama Language Week! 🌊

This week marks Vanuatu Bislama Lanwis Wik – Vanuatu Bislama Language Week as part of the 2026 Pacific Language Weeks.

📅 26 July – 1 August 2026

The 2026 theme is:
"Tokbaot klaemet jenis – Hemi tru samting mo yumi mas lukaotem gud laef"

"Talk about climate change – it is real, and we must look after life."

This year's theme highlights the urgent connection between climate change and the wellbeing of Ni-Vanuatu communities, both across the islands of Vanuatu and here in Aotearoa.

Vanuatu Bislama Language Week is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the language and culture of Vanuatu communities across Aotearoa. 2026 also marks the second time Bislama has been included in the official Pacific Language Weeks series.

🔗 To learn more and explore resources, visit the Ministry for Pacific Peoples. https://www.mpp.govt.nz/programmes-and-funding/pacific-languages/pacific-language-weeks/vanuatu-bislama-language-week/