Your Way l Kia Roha

05/06/2026

Want to have your say on the Disability Support Services (DSS) Bill, but not sure how? Our friends at CCS Disability Action have put together a submission guide to help you through the process.

Remember, you have until 1.00pm on Friday 12 June to make your submission.

See the original post below 👇

Image description: A simple illustration of a dark blue loudspeaker on a pale blue background. Below, also in dark blue, are the words: How to have your say on the Disability Support Services Bill. Image has rounded corners, a white border, and the CCS Disability Action icon in the top left corner. see the original post here

Want to have your say on the Disability Support Services (DSS) Bill, but not sure how? We've put together a submission guide to help you through the process – link in the comments below.

Remember, you have until 1.00pm on Friday 12 June to make your submission.

Image description: A simple illustration of a dark blue loudspeaker on a pale blue background. Below, also in dark blue, are the words: How to have your say on the Disability Support Services Bill. Image has rounded corners, a white border, and the CCS Disability Action icon in the top left corner.

04/06/2026

Interested in making meaningful connections and supporting other disabled people in your community?

Our friends at My Life My Voice are offering free Peer Support Training for disabled people, Tāngata Whaikaha Māori, and people with impairments living in Aotearoa.

This training teaches you how to make meaningful connections and connects you with like-minded individuals who have a passion for helping others.

See the original post below for more information and how to get involved. 👇

Peer Support Training Peer Support Training teaches you how to be a Peer Supporter for other disabled people. This training teaches you how to make meaningful connections and connects you with like-minded individuals who have a passion for helping others. This training is free and open to all disabl...

04/06/2026

Nau mai, haere mai!

We’re looking for new members to join the Your Way | Kia Roha National Disability Leadership Group

Are you connected to any of our services? This is your chance to share your lived experience, help shape the future of our organisation, and contribute to disability leadership across Aotearoa.

We especially welcome youth | rangatahi, Māori, and Pasifika voices. Our group | rōpū is pan-disability, bringing together a wide range of lived experiences.

Find out more and apply on our website: https://www.yourwaykiaroha.nz/vacancies/national-disability-leadership-group-expression-of-interest/

02/06/2026

Help improve key service areas of DSS

From 8 June to 31 July, Disability Support Services (DSS) will be asking the disability community for their views and ideas to improve some key service areas.

The consultation builds on what the disability community has told DSS over the past two years – and focuses on areas the community has said matter most.

Feedback has already helped shape some important changes across disability support services, but there is more to do.

Disabled people, whānau, families and carers will be able to share what good support looks like in areas including:
▪️Outcomes that matter – being clearer about the difference that DSS-funded supports make in disabled people’s everyday lives and safety.
▪️Earlier, proactive and planned support – planning the right support at the right time as people’s needs change over time.
▪️Feedback and complaints - making it easier to speak up about the services of DSS providers
▪️Better options for carer respite – improving existing options for respite so it is easier for family, whānau and carers to take a break.
▪️More choice and control in services – offering more flexibility in the supports we fund, outside of flexible funding.
▪️Improved information and advice - making it easier to get information and access DSS supports and services.

From 2 June: People can read the consultation documents and register for workshops ahead of the consultation officially opening on 8 June.

From 8 June to 31 July: The consultation is open with online or in-person workshops, written and recorded submission options, and an online survey available.

Feedback will help DSS further improve services. DSS will keep the disability community updated on what was said and what will happen next.

Please visit the DSS website to find out how to take part in the consultation: www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/haveyoursay

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Alt: Information tile about a Disability Support Services consultation. Text says: Help improve key service areas of DSS. Disabled people and their whānau are invited to share what good support looks like in some key areas of Disability Support Services. Consultation opens 8 June 2026. Workshop registrations and consultation documents available now.

The information appears on a light green background with green calendar and location icons beside the consultation information. A light green woven pattern appears across the top right corner. Disability Support Services and Ministry of Social Development logos appear at the bottom of the tile.

01/06/2026

🌺 Talofa lava (Tah-loh-fah lah-vah) and welcome to Samoa Language Week! 🌺

We’re excited to celebrate Samoa Language Week as part of the 2026 Pacific Language Weeks.

The 2026 theme is:
“‘E afua mai i mauga tetele manuia o le 'nu'u”
“From the high mountains are the blessings of the village.”

This year’s theme reflects the strength, wisdom, and blessings that flow from our ancestors, communities, and strong cultural foundations.

Core Samoan values include:
🔸 Fa’aaloalo (Respect)
🔸 Alofa (Love and compassion)
🔸 Lotogatasi (Unity)

🔗 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/samoa-language-week/.

Join us in recognising and celebrating the strength of Samoan language, culture, and community.

28/05/2026

🌿 Nau mai, haere mai. Join the free Changemakers programme | Kaupapa Kaihanga Panoni for disabled people and allies across Aotearoa New Zealand.

This 20-week course runs from 6 July to 13 November 2026 and includes 10 online modules and 10 live online sessions.

Designed and created by disabled people — nā te hunga whaikaha, mō te hunga whaikaha — it’s a chance to learn, connect, and build your confidence to lead meaningful change in your communities.

✨ Register now! Applications close on 19 June.
👉 For more details, visit: yourwaykiaroha.nz/changemakers

26/05/2026

Seeking Parents & Professionals for a 5-Minute Survey.

We’ve received a research request from Yvette Kortright, a design student at Massey University, who is completing her Honours research project on adaptive childcare equipment designed to better support parents with physical disabilities.

If you have 5 minutes to spare, your lived experience or professional expertise could help shape this important project.

Who can take part:
🔹 Parents with a physical disability (at any stage of parenting)
🔹 Professionals with relevant expertise, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, needs assessors, and people working in the adaptive equipment field

How to participate:
https://adaptiveparentingproject.wordpress.com/

For any questions, you can contact Yvette directly at [email protected].

24/05/2026

Our Hearing Therapists are proud to be part of the systems supporting people to be safe in their homes. It's a great reminder to check your smoke alarms.

11/05/2026

🌺 Noa'ia (Nor-oi-yah) and welcome to Rotuman Language Week! 🌺

We’re excited to open the 2026 Pacific Language Weeks by celebrating Rotuman Language Week.

The 2026 theme is:
"Ȧf'ȧk, putua, a'pumuạ'ȧk ma rak'ȧk 'os fäega ma 'os ag fak Rotuma, la se maoen 'e 'os tore"
Treasure, nurture and teach our Rotuman language and culture so it may live on through generations.

Core Rotuman values include:
🔸 Sharing
🔸 Cooperation
🔸 Respect for others’ autonomy

🔗 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/rotuman-language-week/

Let’s uplift and celebrate Rotuman language together!

10/05/2026

🌺Your Way | Kia Roha proudly supports Pacific Language Weeks 2026! 🌺

Let’s honour the beauty, strength, and diversity of Pacific languages together.

Each language holds a world of stories, identity, and pride. This year, we invite you to speak, share, and celebrate with us.

🗓️ National Dates for 2026 Pacific Language Weeks:
🌺 Rotuman Language Week — 10 May – 16 May
🌺 Samoa Language Week — 31 May – 6 June
🌺 Kiribati Language Week — 5 July – 11 July
🌺 Vanuatu (Bislama) Language Week — 26 July – 1 August
🌺 Cook Islands Māori Language Week — 2 August – 8 August
🌺 Tonga Language Week — 16 August – 22 August
🌺 Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week — 6 September – 12 September
🌺 Tuvalu Language Week — 27 September – 3 October
🌺 Fijian Language Week — 4 October – 10 October
🌺 Niue Language Week — 18 October – 24 October
🌺 Tokelau Language Week — 25 October – 31 October
🌺 Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week — 22 November – 28 November

✨ Let’s uplift every word. Every voice. Every culture.