Blind Low Vision NZ

Blind Low Vision NZ We provide emotional and practical support, so that people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision can keep working and living independently.

Blind Low Vision NZ Community Guidelines

At Blind Low Vision NZ, we’re proud to foster a supportive, respectful, and inclusive community, both online and offline. We encourage open discussion and value your thoughts, experiences, and feedback. To ensure our spaces remain welcoming and safe for everyone, we ask that all participants follow our community guidelines. Respectful and Inclusive Conduct


We believe in treating everyone with kindness and respect. Please avoid making comments or posts that are:

• Abusive, bullying, or threatening
• Use ablest language
• Racist, sexist, homophobic, or discriminatory in any way
• False, defamatory, or misleading
• Containing profanity or hate speech
• Off-topic, irrelevant, or spam
• Sharing confidential, personal, or sensitive information
Our Online Platforms

We want our online platforms to be safe and enjoyable for everyone. While we encourage discussion, any comments containing profanity, hate speech, bullying, or other inappropriate content will be hidden or removed. If an individual repeatedly posts comments that breach these guidelines, we reserve the right to remove or block that person from our page. We also follow the principles of the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 (New Zealand) and the policies of each platform we use. Posts that violate these standards will be reported and removed. Privacy and Security
To protect your privacy, please avoid sharing any personal or sensitive information in public comments or messages. For any personal matters or feedback, please contact us directly through our official channels. Representation and Feedback

We welcome constructive feedback and diverse perspectives. However, posts and comments made by members of the public do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Blind Low Vision NZ. If you see content on any of our platforms that you believe violates these guidelines, please report it to us so we can take appropriate action. Thank you for being part of our community and for helping us maintain a safe and respectful environment for everyone.

Jeddah and Jesse want to say a massive thank you to everyone in our community who pawticipated in PAWGUST 2026! 💛 We are...
03/09/2026

Jeddah and Jesse want to say a massive thank you to everyone in our community who pawticipated in PAWGUST 2026! 💛

We are so excited to share that together, we raised over $150,000 this month! That is a whole lot of treats, training, and life-changing support for future Guide Dogs across Aotearoa.

To everyone who walked, fundraised, or just cheered us on from the couch, thank you from the bottom of our paws! ✨

Image description: Two very happy yellow Labrador retrievers relax on the grass after a very active PAWGUST.

Ever noticed tiny specks, squiggly lines or cobweb like shapes drifting across your vision? Those are eye floaters, and ...
02/09/2026

Ever noticed tiny specks, squiggly lines or cobweb like shapes drifting across your vision? Those are eye floaters, and you're not alone.

Eye floaters are common and usually harmless, but sometimes a sudden change in floaters can be a sign that something more serious is happening with your eyes.
So, what causes floaters? When should you get them checked? And, do they ever go away?

Our latest eye health article takes a closer look at those strange little shapes that seem to float across your vision, including the warning signs you shouldn’t ignore.
Link in comments.

Image description: A beautiful outdoor park scene on a clear day. In the middle of the image is a recreation of three eye floaters.

TGIFF - Thank gosh it's Friday Floof! 💛It's been another big week at Guide Dogs with some beautiful weather coming throu...
28/08/2026

TGIFF - Thank gosh it's Friday Floof! 💛

It's been another big week at Guide Dogs with some beautiful weather coming through. Our lovely daystay pups Patrick, Pixie, and Odora had an absolute ball visiting the Centre and exploring the enrichment areas.

Who's your favourite out of this week's pups?

[Image one] Girl party! Donna, Cindy, Bingo and Coco, four light coloured guide dogs in training, stand in the outdoor area of the Development Centre whilst looking at the camera.
[Image two] Daystay pup Pixie, a 6 month old, golden coloured guide dog puppy, rests on the grass in the Development Centre.
[Image three] Wolf, a black guide dog in training, rests on the floor with two treats on each of his paws, he is looking at the camera with concentration!
[Image four] Bi***es Gwen, Lulu, Immy, Orissa (Immy's mum) and Frida, sit on the free run whilst looking at the camera.
[Image five] Flower girl Gabby, a black guide dog in training, sits on the grass on a sunny day, with a daisy on her head.
[Image six] Yakira going for a swim at the MPI pool with Dog Care Specialist Alice.
[Image seven] Daystay pup Patrick, a 6 month old guide dog puppy, runs towards the camera in the outdoor area of the Development Centre.
[Image eight] Breeding bitch Frida and guide dog in training Gwen, cuddle up together on the same bed in the sun.
[Image nine] Daystay pup Patrick resting on a staff members knee.
[Image ten] Daystay pup Pixie is full of beans! She's running through a grassy area of the Development Centre with her ears flying in the wind.

23/08/2026

Refusing service to guide dog teams is unlawful under both the Human Rights Act and the Dog Control Act – and yet it remains a consistent problem. This video was taken after a member was refused service by three different drivers in a row.

Whaikaha is rolling out new national ID cards for service dogs and their handlers, to make it easier to prove their validity and educate people about their rights. However in this video, it’s unclear whether or not this ID card would have helped. The driver did not appear to be curious about the reality of the situation, and it made no difference that the guide dog was listed as being with them on the rider's profile.

The ID cards may help in some instances, but companies must properly train their staff on the rights of disability assist dogs, and there must be consequences for discrimination. Otherwise, these situations will continue to happen.

If you are refused service from a driver because of your disability, make sure to report them to the company so they can be held to account.

21/08/2026

Wondering what your next step could be on your career journey? Connecting with the right people can make a real difference.

The Blind Low Vision NZ Career Network is an online space where you can safely connect with others in our community working across a wide range of fields, share experiences, seek career advice and find mentorship.

Link in comments.

Video description: Sarah and Riley from the Blind Low Vision NZ Community and Inclusion Team present the Career Netowrk on an orange couch. The video cuts between the team talking to the camera, and scenes of Sarah and Riley working in a busy office.

Happy Friday floof everyone! 💛Our Guide Dogs in training have been loving the sunny weather this week, making the most o...
21/08/2026

Happy Friday floof everyone! 💛

Our Guide Dogs in training have been loving the sunny weather this week, making the most of it with lots of play in the free run and enrichment area.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend ahead, see you next week!

[Image one] The girls! Ali, Coco, Donna and Bingo, four guide dogs in training, sit on a sunny lawn whilst looking at the camera with their tongues out.
[Image two] Frida and Gwen, two guide dogs in training, practice sharing by chewing on opposite ends of a nyla bone in the Development Centre.
[Image three] Donna, a cream coloured guide dog in training, sleeps on her trainers arm before dinner.
[Image four] Frida, Immy and Lulu, three guide dogs in training, rest together on the free run whilst smiling at the camera.
[Image five] Yakira, a golden guide dog in training, rests in front of the fire with her favourite chicken toy.
[Image six] Iona, a cream coloured guide dog in training, sits on her bed in the Development Centre whilst wearing her favourite hooded towel.
[Image seven] Yakira, a cream coloured guide dog in training, enjoys playing in the water at Waihi Beach on a sunny day.
[Image eight] Coco, a golden coloured guide dog in training, lays on her back in the Development Centre whilst looking at the camera happily.
[Image nine] Ali, a black guide dog in training, sleeps peacefully with her head on a staff members knee in the Development Centre.
[Image ten] Bingo, a golden guide dog in training, stands over the camera in the Development Centre with her tongue out, like she's taking a selfie.

20/08/2026

Legislation as important and potentially life-altering as the Disability Support Services Bill should not be rushed.

Bringing a Bill into law is usually a six month process. This gives people enough time to review the Bill, disseminate information among their communities, and make a submission.

It can take weeks to get information converted into formats such as e-Braille, Audio File and NZSL, and only then can many people in the community access the information and respond. Of all things, the legislative framework for disability support services is not something that should be pushed through under urgency.

The Bill has now been amended to say that any significant changes to disability support services must be done with consultation. However, there are no consequences for not undertaking this consultation, and it is at the Minister's discretion to decide whether or not the change is significant enough to require it. How is the community supposed to trust that adequate consultation will take place in future, with the way this Bill has been introduced?

The Minister for Disability Issues has said that this Bill is intended to be the first phase of providing a legislative framework for disability support services. The next phase includes developing safeguarding legislation, and a new carer support package. We would like to know if the next phase will also be done with the same haste and lack of consultation with the community.

18/08/2026

Meet our new Head of Guide Dogs! 💛

Mimi is no stranger to the Blind Low Vision NZ team, having previously worked as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor, helping our clients and their new guide dogs build the skills, trust and partnership they need to navigate life together.

Now, she’s stepping into a new role as our Head of Guide Dogs, and we’re excited to have her leading the team behind our incredible guide dogs.

To kick off our new Meet the Team series, we're putting Mimi in the hot seat.

What is the new Head of Guide Dogs most looking forward to in her new role? What gets her out of bed in the morning? Which guide dog personality does she relate to most?

All will be answered in this quickfire round of questions.

Following the Select Committee process and thousands of submissions from the community, some important changes have been...
14/08/2026

Following the Select Committee process and thousands of submissions from the community, some important changes have been made to the Disability Support Services Bill.

One key change is to Clause 8. The Bill no longer says family and whānau should be the first point of support before Government funding is available. Instead, it says families are expected to “contribute to care”.

This is a positive step, but we think the clause should go further. Not all family members can provide support or care, and for some people, family support may not be safe or appropriate.

Family care also comes at a cost. When someone reduces their hours or leaves paid employment to provide care, it can reduce household income and contribute to poverty and inequity. Families provide a huge amount of support that would otherwise place greater pressure on Government-funded services, and the funding they receive should reflect the important role they play.

The Bill also now requires the Government to consult with members of the disability community before making significant changes to disability support services.

This is another positive step. People who use disability support services should have a meaningful say in decisions that affect their lives.

But consultation needs to be genuine, accessible and give people enough time to have their voices heard.

There is still more work to do to make sure the Bill protects choice, dignity, autonomy and participation.

Thank you to everyone who spoke up. Thousands of people across the disability community shared their concerns about the Government’s Disability Support Services Bill. These changes show what can happen when our community comes together.

Read our full response to the latest changes via the link in the comments.

Image description: A social tile announcing key changes to the Disability Support Services Bill. The image features Louise Upston speaking at a podium, alongside a screenshot of a Government announcement titled “Disability community informs improvements to DSS Bill”.

Happy Friday floof everyone! 💛We've had another great week at Guide Dogs! A few of our pups made the most of the sunshin...
14/08/2026

Happy Friday floof everyone! 💛

We've had another great week at Guide Dogs! A few of our pups made the most of the sunshine with a lovely trip to the Botanical Gardens, while Frank has clearly had a big week of training and is enjoying some much-needed rest.

Our team is also loving seeing so many of you out and about in your PAWGUST merch. We're cheering everyone taking part on!

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend ahead, see you next week!

[Image one] Frank, a black guide dog in training, rests on his trainer Erin's chest while they take a selfie in the Development Centre.
[Image two] Florence, a cream coloured guide dog in training, stands in the Guide Dog wash station in the Development Centre with a towel on her head.
[Image three] Florence, a cream-coloured guide dog in training, stands in the enrichment area attempting to lick water from a sprinkler.
[Image four] Guide Dog puppy Gertie settles in the library whilst on her assessment walk.
[Image five] Big baby Frank, a black guide dog in training, rests on his back whilst laying in between a staff members legs.
[Image six] Frida, a cream coloured guide dog in training, sleeps peacefully in the Development Centre whilst a staff member holds her head.
[Image seven] Gwen, a black guide dog in training, rests with her toys on a red blanket in the Development Centre.
[Image eight] Frank, a black guide dog in training, sleeps peacefully on the floor of the Development Centre.
[Image nine] Ice, a golden coloured guide dog in training, sits with his eyes closed at the botanical gardens on a sunny day.
[Image ten] Falcon, a black guide dog in training, stands on a dog bed in Development Centre outdoor area. He is holding a large rope toy in his mouth.

Address

Parnell

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+64800243333

Website

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