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.

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.

When we come together, our community is powerful 💛 In June, over 500 calls and emails were made to Ministers Hon Louise ...
11/08/2026

When we come together, our community is powerful 💛

In June, over 500 calls and emails were made to Ministers Hon Louise Upston and Hon Chris Bishop, demanding that the Total Mobility scheme not be weakened any further. Any changes to Total Mobility must be in line with its purpose of supporting people with disabilities to access their communities independently and with dignity.

On Friday, the Government made an incredible announcement: there would be no introduction of trip caps, no mandatory reassessments of eligibility, and no extra documentation requirements to enter the scheme.

The Minister for Disability Issues stated: "On balance, we do not believe the additional burden these changes would place on disabled people is justified."

This just goes to show the power of collective action. Our voices matter, and when we work together we have the power to make real change that impacts people's actual lives. Thank you and well done to everyone who made a submission and took part in the Day of Action!

07/08/2026

What's the story with the new national ID card for disability assist dogs?

Guide dog refusals continue to be a problem around the world. These new cards will help guide dog teams advocate for themselves, reinforcing their right to access all areas of life. The QR code on each card also makes it easy for people to read about those rights under the Dog Control Act 1996. These cards are expected to be rolled out over the next three months.

This is a positive step, but it is only one part of the solution. It will take a holistic approach to really tackle the problem, including a strong awareness campaign to increase public knowledge of the rights of service dog teams, and real consequences when those rights are not respected. People who rely on certified disability assist dogs should be able to go about their daily lives without facing unlawful discrimination or being denied entry to businesses or services.

Happy frosty Friday floof! 💛It's been a chilly week at Guide Dogs, and the pups have definitely not been fans of the col...
07/08/2026

Happy frosty Friday floof! 💛

It's been a chilly week at Guide Dogs, and the pups have definitely not been fans of the cold! Hope you’re all keeping warm out there this weekend! ❄️

[Image one] Ice, a golden coloured guide dog in training, sits on a field of frosty grass whilst looking at the camera.
[Image two] Xavier, a black guide dog in training, sleeps wrapped in a brown blanket on his bed in the Development Centre.
[Image three] Ice and Frank, two guide dogs in training, sit next to a metal bird sculpture at the botanical gardens.
[Image four] Gertie, a black guide dog in training, walks through the Mobility Centre with a metal food bowl in her mouth, deciding it's time for an early dinner.
[Image five] Four golden guide dogs: Donna, Coco, Zoey, Bingo, all drink from a metal bucket after a big run.
[Image six] Coco, a golden coloured guide dog in training, stands over the camera very closely.
[Image seven] Yakira and Lulu, two guide dogs in training, sit holding paws on the same bed in the Development Centre.
[Image eight] Bingo, a golden coloured guide dog in training, rests on her bed with a large fur ball on her head after a groom.
[Image nine] Gertie, a black guide dog in training, rests on the floor in the Development Centre whilst looking at the camera.
[Image ten] Wolf, a black guide dog in training, rests whilst wearing his harness on the floor of a store.

04/08/2026

Navigating an inaccessible world can take a toll, both mentally and physically 🧡

That's why, when designing our new community hub in Parnell, we wanted to create a space where our community can relax, connect, and simply enjoy being somewhere designed with accessibility in mind. From tactile walkways and Braille labels to high contrast features, it's often the little things that make the biggest difference.

We'd love to hear from you. What's one accessibility feature that makes the biggest difference in your day-to-day life?

31/07/2026

When questioned about the Total Mobility scheme in Parliament on Tuesday, Hon Louise Upston said that it was “the responsibility of the Minister of Transport,” not her. As if Total Mobility was simply another transport option, and not the key to accessing the community for many people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision.

As the Minister for Disability Issues, it is Louise Upston’s responsibility to advocate on behalf of people with disabilities and ensure any decisions made uphold the community’s rights. The fact that the government is considering siphoning funds from Total Mobility, a scheme set up for people who cannot use public transport some or all of the time, and moving it directly into public transport, shows that equity for her constituents has not been considered.

She also claimed that some local councils were threatening to pull out of the scheme. Blind Low Vision NZ is unaware of any such discussions. What we do know is that local councils were given two options – reduce their contributions by 10%, or reduce by 15%. They were not allowed to continue contributing to the scheme as they were. Environment Canterbury Councillor Joe Davies called the mandate “government overreach” and voted against any reduction entirely. Councillor Tom James of Wellington City Council has been very vocal in speaking out against the cuts. Our regional councils know how important Total Mobility is to their community members who use the scheme, especially in remote and rural areas, where public transport is few and far between.

Happy Friday flooooof everyone! 💛It’s been a lovely sunny week at Guide Dogs! Our pups in training have been making the ...
31/07/2026

Happy Friday flooooof everyone! 💛

It’s been a lovely sunny week at Guide Dogs! Our pups in training have been making the most of the weather with lots of enrichment time and sensory walks.

Hope you all have a fab weekend, see you next week! ☀️

[Image one] Jasmine, a white guide dog in training, rests on a sunny patch of grass while covered in mud.
[Image two] Yayla and Cindy, two light coloured guide dogs in training, hang out in their room in the Development Centre.
[Image three] Walter, a white coloured guide dog in training, sits on top of a raised grass tunnel in the enrichment area on a sunny day.
[Image four] Jasmine and Yakira, two light coloured guide dogs in training, run through the free run whilst holding a deflated football in their mouths.
[Image five] Cooper, a caramel coloured guide dog in training, rests on his bed in the Development Centre with a very suspicious look on his face.
[Image six] Bingo and Coco, two golden guide dogs in training, play with a green rope toy in the outside area of the Development Centre on a sunny day.
[Image seven] Gwen, a black guide dog in training, rests in her room at the Development Centre with her little ears flipped inside out.
[Image eight] Helen and Mollie, two black guide dogs in training, sit in the enrichment area whilst looking at the camera happily.
[Image nine] Brian and Baker, two guide dogs in training, sleep peacefully in their room in the Development Centre. A trainer holds Brian's head as he sleeps!
[Image ten] Jesse, a golden guide dog puppy, stands in the carpark after a visit to the shops. He is holding his new banana toy in his mouth, which he got for being a very good boy.

Meet Vale! 💛 When he's off duty, Vale is full of personality! He's a happy, affectionate boy who loves a game of tug-of-...
29/07/2026

Meet Vale! 💛

When he's off duty, Vale is full of personality! He's a happy, affectionate boy who loves a game of tug-of-war, enjoys carrying just about anything in his mouth, and is always ready for a cuddle. And if you hear a snore that sounds like a lion, you'll know Vale is fast asleep!

In harness, Vale is every trainer's dream. Calm, eager to learn, and incredibly clever, he has shown outstanding route memory and a real talent for targeting and destination work. His trainer says he only needs to be shown something once, and Vale remembers it. Most importantly, he has complete confidence that Vale will always guide him safely to the destination.

After nearly two years of training, we’re so proud to share that Vale has officially qualified as a guide dog! Soon he'll be heading off to meet his new client, where he'll begin the life-changing partnership he has worked so hard for. We can't wait to see the difference this remarkable boy will make 🐾

[Image one] Vale, a black guide dog, rests on a patch of grass whilst smiling at the camera.
[Image two] Vale sits in an office at Guide Dogs with a red blanket in his mouth.
[Image three] Vale lays on his back in the Development Centre whilst getting a massage!
[Image four] Vale stands in the Development Centre playing with some bubbles.
[Image five] Vale sits on Megan, a dog care and welfare specialist in the Development Centre.

Happy Friday Floof everyone! 💛 It's been a busy time at Guide Dogs, with 20 dogs staying in the Development Centre last ...
24/07/2026

Happy Friday Floof everyone! 💛

It's been a busy time at Guide Dogs, with 20 dogs staying in the Development Centre last week! 🐾

We also gave a warm welcome to our newest training intake who arrived last week: Cam, Ali, Cooper, Brian, Baker, Bingo, Donna, and Alex!

Hope you all have a fab weekend ahead. See you next week!

[Image one] Yakira and Frances, two guide dogs in training, sit next to each other on the free run whilst looking at the camera.
[Image two] Cool dude Zazu, a cream coloured guide dog in training, rests on his trainers legs in the Development Centre whilst holding a blue toy in his paw.
[Image three] Webster, a cream coloured guide dog in training, flops on the free run with an orange toy in his mouth.
[Image four] Frances and Yakira, two guide dogs in training, run through the free run on a rainy day whilst holding a soccer ball in their mouths.
[Image five] Cindy and Donna, two golden guide dogs in training, sit on a green dog bed in the outside section of the Development Centre.
[Image six] Cindy, a golden guide dog in training, rests on her bed in the Development Centre with a large ball of fur in front of her.
[Image seven] Alex, a black guide dog in training, sleeps peacefully with his head resting on his trainers knee.
[Image eight] Cam and Ali, two guide dogs in training, sit on the free run whilst looking at the camera smiling.
[Image nine] Donna, a cream coloured guide dog in training, smiles at the camera whilst resting on her bed in the Development Centre.
[Image ten] Jasmine, a white guide dog in training, sits on a tree stump whilst out on a sensory walk.

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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