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.

All across New Zealand, from Cape Reinga to Bluff, we meet with people in their homes or at their local Blind Low Vision NZ office to find solutions together. Maintaining independence is important – so we support people to get around safely using a white cane, public transport or a guide dog, prepare meals, use technology, stay in employment, or connect with others. No goal is too big or too small. The services we offer are vast. We advocate for accessible and inclusive communities because we believe people with sight loss should be able to get around public spaces like any other member of the community, access the same information, and pursue the career of their dreams without unnecessary barriers. Age-related eye conditions in New Zealand are rising as our population ages and so we also want New Zealand to do better at taking eye health seriously. The good news is, now more than ever, the opportunities are here to make a real difference to people with sight loss by helping to remove barriers and educate New Zealand about how we can embrace an inclusive society, where everyone gets a fair go.

Meet Phil, in 2008, his life changed overnight. A sudden illness took his sight, hearing, and mobility. What followed w...
08/10/2025

Meet Phil, in 2008, his life changed overnight.

A sudden illness took his sight, hearing, and mobility. What followed was months of darkness, loss, and uncertainty.

But with support from Blind Low Vision NZ, Phil began to rebuild. Through counselling, Braille lessons, and learning accessible technology, he rediscovered his independence, and his purpose.

Today, Phil is studying psychology, advocating for accessibility, and even took on the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge. His story is proof that with the right support, resilience can shine through the darkest moments.

Phil puts it best: “Blind Low Vision NZ has been a lifeline for me. They lowered a ladder into the dark hole I was in. They helped me find the rungs, placed my hands and feet on the rungs and taught me how to climb. As I climbed out, my world began to fill with fresh air and rays of sunshine. I rediscovered who I was, a person of value. I’ve been given independence, purpose, and direction.”

👉 Read Phil’s full story here: https://bit.ly/4nJiinZ

[Image one] Outdoor image of Phil sitting in his wheelchair, holding a small bunch of green leaves while looking down and smiling. Yellow highlight boxes overlay the image with text reading: "Phil's inspiring story" and the quote: "Are you disabled or are you enabled?"
[Image two] Phil shopping for groceries with his independent living skill specialist.
[Image three] Phil using a braille keyboard at a kitchen counter.
[Image four] Phil preparing a meal in his kitchen.

Voting just got a lot more accessible! 🥳 The Electoral Commission now offers a telephone dictation service for people wi...
06/10/2025

Voting just got a lot more accessible! 🥳

The Electoral Commission now offers a telephone dictation service for people with disabilities, making it easy to vote independently and securely. But hurry, this is the last week to use the service! Here’s how it works:

-Call 0800 666 040 (weekdays, 9am–4:30pm, 9 Sept – 10 Oct)
-A trained Electoral Officer will confirm your eligibility
-Dictate your votes to a friendly assistant
-Your votes are read back so you can confirm before they’re cast

Quick tips: Be ready to vote before calling. Once your votes are cast, they can't be changed!

This service is only for councils using electionz.com. Tasman Council is included even if it’s missing from the list. For other councils, contact your Electoral Officer directly. If call volumes are high, you can leave a message and request a call back.

Make sure to share this post to help spread the word!

[Image description] Meme graphic: "Us when voting in local elections is accessible to everyone:" Below the text, a joyful toddler with arms wide in a teal shirt kneels, laughing in the ocean waves.

Those teefs 🥰A big shoutout to Pax, who earned his certificate for his very first flight this week! ✈️[Image one] Close...
03/10/2025

Those teefs 🥰

A big shoutout to Pax, who earned his certificate for his very first flight this week! ✈️

[Image one] Close-up photo of Norah, a black Labrador, showing her teefs.
[Image two] Pax on his first Air New Zealand flight. He is sleeping peacefully in the footwell, next to his first flight certificate.
[Image three] Neenie girl curled up on a grey beanbag in the Development Centre.
[Image four] Thatcher on his big boy bed in the Development Centre.
[Image five] Vinnie sitting on the floor in Kmart, looking at the camera.
[Image six] Uno happily running through the free run.
[Image seven] Besties Twix and Xena sitting together on a red bed at the Development Centre. They are both looking at the camera.
[Image eight] Tui, the master of puppy dog eyes, sitting in a department store, looking at the camera.
[Image nine] Cam happily chewing on a bone in a park.

The cost of living is tough right now. For Kiwis who are blind, deafblind or have low vision, it’s even tougher 💛 Everyd...
02/10/2025

The cost of living is tough right now. For Kiwis who are blind, deafblind or have low vision, it’s even tougher 💛

Everyday essentials such as healthcare, education, employment, even going to the supermarket, come with extra costs when you need additional tools and training to navigate the world independently.

Not having the right support leaves many Kiwis unable to access the essentials and as a consequence, feeling isolated. The financial and emotional toll is real.

You can help change that by helping us raise awareness of the hidden financial and emotional costs faced by Kiwis who are blind, deafblind or have low vision.

[Image Description] A striking, high-contrast poster with a bright yellow background and bold, black text. The main message reads: "This Blind Low Vision Month, we're shining a light on the hidden costs of being blind, deafblind or low vision." Below this, four examples of costs are listed with simple black icons: White Cane, Mobility Training, Screen Magnifier, and Taxi.

Happy Friday everyone! The weekend’s here and so is your Floof fix, enjoy! 🐶💛[Image one] Zena and Twix, two black Labrad...
25/09/2025

Happy Friday everyone! The weekend’s here and so is your Floof fix, enjoy! 🐶💛

[Image one] Zena and Twix, two black Labradors sitting side-by-side, looking up directly into the camera.
[Image two] Zena and Neenie, two black Labradors laying close together in the Development Centre, looking at the camera.
[Image three] Kimba, a black Labrador, laying happily with his tongue poking out on a plane.
[Image four] Trish, a white Labrador, sitting with green toes in the Development Centre.
[Image five] Sara, a black Labrador, smiling happily at the camera on the free run.
[Image six] Kendra, a cream coloured Labrador, sitting outside the physio room at the Development Centre.
[Image seven] Vinnie, a black Labrador, resting his head on a trainers lap, looking at the camera.
[Image eight] Robyn, a cream Labrador, sitting on the bus with her coat on.
[Image nine] Wren, a black Labrador, sitting outside, smiling at the camera.

"It wasn't easy, it was a big hurdle for me to overcome and fit in 'normally'. But I did it."For Tasal, stepping onto th...
19/09/2025

"It wasn't easy, it was a big hurdle for me to overcome and fit in 'normally'. But I did it."

For Tasal, stepping onto the MMA mat meant pushing past fear and choosing courage. Each training session is more than exercise – it’s about confidence, belonging, and doing something he loves.

[Image description] A social media post featuring a man named Tasal, who is smiling and clenching his fist. He is wearing a white martial arts uniform, with a blue belt and is standing on a mat inside a gym. A bright yellow banner at the bottom of the photo has black text that says, "Tasal's path to success" and "Finding Strength Through MMA."

From a student with a dream to a filmmaker on the world stage, Chantal Rayner-Burt has turned her stories into films – i...
15/09/2025

From a student with a dream to a filmmaker on the world stage, Chantal Rayner-Burt has turned her stories into films – including a feature that screened in cinemas across New Zealand and Austria. 🎬

The Oppenheim Tertiary Education Trust Fund helped her get there, easing the financial load so she could focus on what mattered most: her craft, her career, and her passion for storytelling.

If you’re a Blind Low Vision NZ member chasing tertiary study, the Oppenheim Fund could be the boost that turns your ambition into achievement.

Read more about Chantal’s journey through the link in the comments.

[Image description] A bright yellow social media post for the Oppenheim Fund. The top of the graphic has black text that reads, "Oppenheim Fund" in a large, bold font and "Helping Kiwis make their mark" underneath. The center of the post features a photo framed by a black border. In the photo, a man in a hat is looking into a video camera on a tripod while a woman with curly hair looks on, holding her hand to her brow to shield her eyes from the sun. They are outdoors, surrounded by green foliage. The graphic is decorated with small, hand-drawn hearts and stars.

Happy Friday! Vale at it again with those puppy dog eyes 💛🐶[Image one] Vale, a black Labrador with a towel draped over h...
12/09/2025

Happy Friday! Vale at it again with those puppy dog eyes 💛🐶

[Image one] Vale, a black Labrador with a towel draped over his head, standing in a dog wash station and looking at the camera.

[Image two] Paddy, a black Labrador in his harness, sitting proudly beside his new best friend, a giant teddy bear dressed in denim overalls outside a building.

[Image three] Winnie and Neenie, a golden Labrador and a black Labrador lying side by side indoors, looking at the camera.

[Image four] Vale, a black Labrador sitting on the floor indoors, holding a red blanket in his mouth.

[Image five] Zola, a golden Labrador in a close-up portrait, looking directly into the lens.

[Image six] Bailey, a golden Labrador lying on the floor with her head gently resting on a person’s foot.

[Image seven] Brian, a golden Labrador sitting calmly on a paved path by the lake, wearing a black collar and leash.

[Image eight] Baker, a golden Labrador shown in a close-up of his head and chest, his face dotted with water droplets as he looks off to the side.

POV: You just stumbled into the cutest photo dump in NZ 📸From cheeky pups to behind-the-scenes team moments, here’s a li...
11/09/2025

POV: You just stumbled into the cutest photo dump in NZ 📸

From cheeky pups to behind-the-scenes team moments, here’s a little peek into life at Blind Low Vision NZ 💛

[Image one] A black guide dog puppy looking down at the camera with it's tongue poking out. Text reads: POV: You open the Blind Low Vision NZ social team's camera roll.

[Image two] Two golden guide dog puppies sitting on the floor, gently chewing on a staff members jacket. Text reads: Chompy babies.

[Image three] An office desk covered with many stuffed guide dog puppies. Text reads: Office pranks.

[Image four] A golden guide dog puppy sleeping on a gray shaggy rug. Text reads: Sleepy floofs.

[Image five] Adam, our community fundraiser, pointing to an orange PAWGUST media wall. Text reads: Exciting arrivals.

[Image six] Ezra, a black guide dog sleeping on his striped dog bed in the Blind Low Vision Office. Text reads: Ezra, our most important staff member!

[Image seven] A a golden guide dog puppy sniffing a staff members hand. Text reads: More exciting arrivals!

[Image eight] Guinness, a shaggy black dog eating a pup cup at our PAWGUST event Text reads: Event highlights.

[Image nine] Michaela, our communications advisor, holding a bunny-eared coffee cup outside our favourite coffee shop. Text reads: Team coffee walks.

[Image ten] A blind low vision trainer giving a small golden guide dog puppy a treat on a red table. Text reads: Puppies in training!

Did you know, at Blind Low Vision NZ nearly 1,400 volunteers give one million hours of their time each year? That's the ...
06/09/2025

Did you know, at Blind Low Vision NZ nearly 1,400 volunteers give one million hours of their time each year? That's the equivalent (in time) of more than 500 full-time paid roles!

From guiding walks and driving to caring for guide dog puppies, running exercise classes, and supporting with tech, our volunteers make everyday life brighter for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision.

Thank you to every volunteer who gives their time, energy, and heart. You’re the reason we can deliver more services, more often, right across Aotearoa.

Want more powerful stats like this? Keep an eye out, our 2025 Community Impact Report is coming soon! ✨

[Image description] A bright yellow graphic promoting Blind Low Vision NZ. The top portion features large, bold black text stating, "At Blind Low Vision NZ nearly 1400 volunteers give over 1 million hours of their time each year." The numbers "1400" and "1 million" are highlighted within black rounded rectangles. The bottom half of the graphic contains a circular cut-out image showing a diverse group of hands, stacked one on top of the other..

"Accessibility is just as important as all the other bells and whistles you're putting onto your systems, although I wou...
05/09/2025

"Accessibility is just as important as all the other bells and whistles you're putting onto your systems, although I would argue that accessibility is not a bell and a whistle. It's actually as important as security and privacy, because it's potentially life-changing if you get it wrong." – Neil Jarvis

This powerful truth sets the tone for our brand-new podcast series with Health Informatics NZ (HiNZ), diving into accessibility in healthcare 🎤

Kiwis with disabilities interact with the healthcare system twice as often as those without, yet barriers remain everywhere.

In Episode One, “Accessing healthcare: a Blind and Low Vision perspective,” digital accessibility consultant Neil Jarvis shares his lived experience, the impact of poor accessibility, and the changes urgently needed.

👉Want to learn more? Visit our website here: https://blindlowvision.org.nz/news/new-podcast-series-kicks-off-on-accessibility-in-healthcare/

[Image description] A smartphone lock screen with a yellow background displays the time 10:57 on Wednesday, 27 August. The music player shows a podcast episode titled "Accessing healthcare in NZ: A blind and low vision perspective" from the eHealth Talk series. Playback controls and progress bar are visible, with flashlight and camera icons at the bottom of the screen.

Friday Floof alert! The first pic gave us a good giggle 🥰[Image one] Ali a black guide dog in training and Brian a golde...
05/09/2025

Friday Floof alert! The first pic gave us a good giggle 🥰

[Image one] Ali a black guide dog in training and Brian a golden guide dog in training, tugging on a bone.

[Image two] Brothers Ralph and Ricki, two black guide dogs in training with their mouths open, smiling at the camera.

[Image three] Brian, a yellow guide dog in training, looking into the camera while standing in a MPI pool.

[Image four] Brian, a golden guide dog in training, curled up sleeping in the sun.

[Image five] Tony, a black guide dog in training, sitting on the airport floor, waiting for his flight.

[Image six] A close-up of Payton, a white guide dog in training, resting their head gently on a person’s lap.

[Image seven] Tui a black guide dog in training, having a playdate at the beach with Eudora, a retired German Shepherd brood.

[Image eight] Brian, a golden guide dog in training, sitting on some grass, smiling at the camera.

[Image nine] Bingo, a yellow guide dog in training, and Sire Harry, who is fox red, sitting in their coats outside a plant shop.

Address

Auckland

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

https://blindlowvision.org.nz/our-services/guide-dog-se

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Our Story

Every day, an average of six New Zealanders turn to Blind Low Vision NZ (formerly Blind Foundation) for support with sight loss.

Some are still reeling and are looking for emotional support; many want to find ways to remain self-reliant, to stay in work and get around independently. All want to find ways of doing the things that are important to them.

Blind Low Vision NZ is here to provide practical and emotional support, to advocate for inclusive communities and lead the way in vision rehabilitation.

Our vital work helping people with sight loss is only possible thanks to the generous support of the public.