Blind Low Vision NZ

02/06/2026

We’re taking action to stop the proposed changes to Total Mobility and the subsidy reduction. Join us in calling and emailing the Minister for Disability Issues on the morning of Wednesday 10th June, urging her to advocate for the people she’s meant to represent.

When: Wednesday 10 June, 9am – 11am
Where: Call and/or email from anywhere
Phone: 07 376 5563
Email: [email protected]

From the 1st of July, the Government are reducing the Total Mobility subsidy from 75% to 65% and requiring local councils to reduce their maximum fare caps. On top of this, they have proposed a number of changes to Total Mobility, including capping the number of trips one can take, and making people with permanent disabilities get reassessed to reprove their eligibility.

In the midst of a cost of living crisis, blind, deafblind and low vision Kiwis will have to pay more for their trips and may be told how often is acceptable for them to access their communities.

Find more information via the link in our comment section!

[Image description] A bright yellow graphic with bold black text. A top black banner reads "National Day of Action." Below, between two horizontal black lines marked with orange dots, the main text reads "Hands off Total Mobility, Wednesday 10 June."

29/05/2026

Friday Floof - field trip edition! 💛

This week our guide dogs in training were taken offsite for a day of muddy fun! Trips like this are so great for giving the dogs a chance to just be dogs, and the team loved seeing them all have so much fun.

Twas a very muddy day! (trust us, you didn’t want to see the groom station after this 😅)

[Image one] Immy, a yellow guide dog in training, sits on muddy grass whilst looking at the camera, she is covered in mud from head to toe!
[Image two] Zane, a black guide dog in training, sits in front of a large muddy stream, he is looking at the camera with his lip tucked into his teefs.
[Image three] Zazu, a yellow guide dog in training, stands on some muddy grass whilst looking at the camera intently, his snoot is covered in mud!
[Image four] Immy, a yellow guide dog in training, stands over a muddy stream whilst giving a side eye to the camera.
[Image five] Harriet and Immy, two guide dogs in training, stand together in a muddy pond in a forest, both looking towards the camera.
[Image six] Winnie, a yellow guide dog in training, swims through a muddy pond with a big smile on her face.
[Image seven] Six guide dogs in training swim through a muddy pond, one after the other. A group of guide dog trainers are standing in the back watching them swim.
[Image eight] Yakira, a yellow guide dog in training, stands in some muddy grass with a big smile on her face, whilst looking at the camera.
[Image nine] Yohan, a yellow guide dog in training, gallops through a forest whilst covered in mud.
[Image ten] Immy, a yellow guide dog in training, plays in a muddy river with her head under the water!

28/05/2026

"I'm just not sure why the disability sector is getting targeted this time around, in this Budget. I understand that maybe there's a lot of spending there but it is well needed especially in a space where we as low vision citizens are already at a huge disadvantage in life."

Total Mobility is essential. People need it to get to work, to medical appointments, to the supermarket. Accessible, affordable transport is critical to being able to get around in a safe and dignified way.

Cutting subsidies or introducing trip caps would force people to ration their travel at a time when many are already under financial pressure.

Thank you to Amy Williams from RNZ for covering this important issue.

Disability advocates hope Thursday's Budget will include transport and housing support for the community.

Read more ⬇

24/05/2026

The Minister for Disability Issues, Louise Upston, has announced another initiative to “strengthen” disability supports. What has been introduced is a rush job piece of legislation that has the potential to weaken the support system instead.

The Disability Support Services Bill is a knee-jerk reaction to a couple of successful court cases, intervening so that family carers can’t be classified as employees of the Crown. However, there is a lot more in the Bill than that, and there are many areas of concern that may have far-reaching effects.

For example, the Bill states that policy decisions for funding will follow the principle that people with disabilities should rely first on their family, whānau and wider community; that, first and foremost, it is your family’s responsibility to provide unpaid care.

According to the Shining a Light on Blindness report, 51% of people with severe visual impairments live in areas of high socio-economic deprivation. When family are expected to become unpaid carers, the entire household suffers from that loss of income. These kinds of expectations, codified into law, create structures that keep people who are blind, deafblind, and low vision at or below the poverty line.

This announcement comes in the middle of a fuel crisis, a cost of living crisis, and cuts already being made to the Total Mobility scheme. How much more “strengthening” are we supposed to take?

The Disability Support Services Bill will now go through a reduced select committee. Blind Low Vision NZ will be making a submission once it opens, and we encourage our community to read the Bill and make their submissions as well.

Video shows the Labour Spokesperson for Disability Issues, Priyanca Radhakrishnan, questioning Minister Simeon Brown, on behalf of Louise Upston, in Parliament.

22/05/2026

We all know the cost of living is hitting hard right now.

But for those who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision, those daily choices often carry a lot of extra weight.

"Do I stay home and eat, or travel to an appointment?"

Accessibility isn’t just about having a ramp or a tactile path. It’s about affordability and making sure life is equitable for everyone, regardless of the extra hurdles they might face 💛

[Image description] A social media tile with a bright yellow background and black text that reads: “Life is getting more expensive every day, this means I have to choose to stay home and eat, or catch a taxi to the doctor and be hungry.” On the right, a circular photo shows a white taxi with a roof sign that reads “Taxi,” parked in an urban setting.

22/05/2026

Happy Friday floof everyone! 💛

This week at Guide Dogs we've had bi***es in season Enya, Harriet, Bingo, and Emma in the Centre. Elsie was not pleased with her first swimming lesson, while Donna and Harriet loved the enrichment pool (and were fascinated by the plug at the bottom!).

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend ahead! ☀️

[Image one] Winnie, Yakira and Zola, three yellow guide dogs in training, stand looking out the back of the guide dogs van on a sunny day.
[Image two] Yayla, Yakira, and Yumi, three yellow guide dogs in training, rest together on the floor at Guide Dogs, all looking at the camera seriously.
[Image three] Harriet, a white guide dog in training, sits on the free run on a sunny day, whilst looking at the camera sweetly.
[Image four] Yayla and Zena, a black and a yellow guide dog in training, snuggle together while they sleep on the same bed at Guide Dogs.
[Image five] Elsie, a black guide dog in training, stands in a yellow life jacket with her front two legs in the MPI pool. She has a wrinkled nose indicating that she is not enjoying the water.
[Image six] Brothers Xander and Xavier, two black guide dogs in training, hold the same rope toy in their mouths as they play on the free run on a sunny day.
[Image seven] Yakira and Yumi, two yellow guide dogs in training, rest on separate beds at Guide Dogs on a sunny morning.
[Image eight] Emma, Bingo, Harriet, and Enya, four bi***es in season, sit happily on the free run on a sunny day.
[Image nine] Yohan, a yellow guide dog in training, sits in the footwell on the Guide Dogs van whilst looking at the camera with a serious expression.
[Image ten] Donna and Harriet, two yellow guide dogs, stand in the enrichment pool at Guide Dogs on a sunny day.

21/05/2026

"I am proud of who I am and what I do."

Seeing the world a bit differently is just another beautiful part of human diversity. When we go beyond our assumptions, we create space for people to be celebrated for exactly who they are.

This Youth Week, we’re shining a light on that strength and the power of lived experience. Let's celebrate what makes us different! 🌟

[Image description] A social media tile with a bright yellow background. In the centre, a rounded white text box contains black text that reads: “I am proud of who I am and what I do. I see the world in a different way and that is ok because everybody is different.” Small orange decorative shapes, including a heart, appear around the design.

21/05/2026

"Using my white cane for the first time was scary."

For many of our youth, the hardest part isn't actually using the white cane. It’s the misunderstandings they face while out in the world.

A white cane is a tool for independence and freedom of movement. By learning what it represents, we can all help create public spaces that are respectful and safe for every Kiwi to navigate 🤍

[Image description] A social media tile with a bright yellow background and black text that reads: “Using my white cane for the first time was scary not because of the cane itself but the misunderstanding that came with it.” The word “scary” is highlighted. On the right, a photo shows a person walking down outdoor steps while using a white cane. The setting includes paving and steps in an outdoor area. Small orange decorative shapes are placed around the design.

20/05/2026

When you think about blindness or low vision, who do you picture?

The reality is that it can affect any of us. It isn’t defined by how old you are, where you’re from, or what you look like.

By seeing the person first, we can help break down those old stereotypes and build a community where everyone truly belongs. What’s something you’ve learned about low vision that totally surprised you? We’d love to hear in the comments ✨

[Image description] A social media tile with a bright yellow background titles Youth Week 2026. In the centre, a rounded white text box contains black text that reads: “Anyone can be affected by blindness, low vision or vision loss regardless of age, race or anything else.” Small orange decorative shapes appear around the tile.

18/05/2026

A simple reminder this Youth Week: be kind, do not assume, and respect guide dogs at work.

Not all blindness or low vision is visible. Assumptions about how someone “looks” can create unnecessary barriers.

Taking a moment to challenge those assumptions helps create a more respectful and inclusive community for everyone.

[Image description] A social media tile with a bright yellow background and black text that reads: “My guide dog keeps me safe every day. Please do not assume I am a trainer because I do not ‘look’ blind.” On the right, a close-up photo shows a guide dog wearing a harness, looking directly at the camera. The background of the photo shows an outdoor path with greenery. Small orange decorative shapes are placed around the design.