Flying Kites

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Flying Kites

Flying Kites exists to lead the change we want to see in the disability sector.

We believe everyone who needs it should be able to access disability support services that are as unique as the person they are designed for.

12/05/2026

Huge shout-out to Flying Kites team! 🪁

We received this lovely feedback and had to share it.

We know that for many parents, the thought of leaving your child can be incredibly stressful. It isn't always a "straightforward" journey, and it’s okay to feel anxious about it.

"I am so thankful to Flying Kites for being on this journey with us. You helped settle my anxieties and stress over leaving my child." - Miriama

Our goal isn't just to provide support, it's to provide peace of mind. We are so proud to walk alongside families, helping to carry the weight so you can breathe a little easier knowing your child is safe, supported, and in good hands.

Well done to Ainsley and the whole Flying Kites team for making such a difference!

If you’re feeling nervous about taking that first step toward support, get in touch. We’re here to go on the journey with you.

11/05/2026

Good support lives or dies on communication but it’s not always straightforward.

How do we respond when things get tricky? How do we understand behavior as a form of communication?

In Session Two, we’re helping you build your "Communication Kete" (basket), a set of tools to help you connect across different styles and navigate conflict with confidence.

Join us for Session 2 on May 28.

Register for the whole series or just this one. Everyone is welcome! https://subscribepage.io/hjvpv1

10/05/2026

Feeling a little unsure about the new Needs Assessment process? Complex Care Group Trust are running 2 sessions on the 27th May to help you get ready for these conversations when they roll around for you.

07/05/2026

Whether you’re looking for your first role or you’ve been in the sector for years, our new series "Foundations for Being a Great Support Worker" is for you.

We’re stripping back the jargon to talk about what real, person-centered support looks like in Aotearoa.

Plus, learn how these foundations make you a stand-out candidate for our Personalised Recruitment Service!

The Details:
🗓️ 4 Thursdaymornings starting May 21
⏰ 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Online (Zoom)
💰 FREE

Register to attend here: https://subscribepage.io/hjvpv1

05/05/2026

We make the process of finding your ideal support person easy and personalised.

Here’s how it works:
Step One:
Reach out – Start with a free, no-obligation 15-minute Zoom, phone call, or email chat.

Step Two:
Tell us more – We’ll schedule a one-hour Zoom to get to know you and understand exactly what you need.

Step Three:
Your custom plan – We’ll create a tailored recruitment strategy and write a job ad just for you. You’ll review and approve everything before it goes live.

Step Four:
We start the search – Our team connects with potential candidates and keeps you in the loop every step of the way.

Step Five:
You decide – Like who we find? Great, you take it from there. If not, we’ll keep searching until we find the right person.

Need extra support? We can help with reference checks, police vetting, and employment paperwork too.

Finding the right support person doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.

We will work together to find someone who truly gets you.

Get in touch with our recruitment team today.

03/05/2026

🤟 NZ Sign Language Week 2026 🤟

This week we celebrate New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), one of Aotearoa’s three official languages and a vital part of Deaf culture and identity. NZSL is more than a way to communicate; it’s about connection, belonging, and access to the world around us.

NZ Sign Language Week is a reminder of the importance of inclusive communication, accessible services, and creating spaces where Deaf people are heard, valued, and supported.

Looking for a place to start? Try using the NZ sign language alphabet to learn how to sign your own name.

🤟 We support the Deaf community and their whānau, this week and every week.

28/04/2026

Meet Felicity 💜

Felicity is an autistic trans woman navigating the everyday tasks that can feel overwhelming, from supermarket shopping and appointments to managing bills.
She needed someone alongside her to support executive functioning, reduce overwhelm, and share the load of daily admin.

Just as importantly, Felicity wanted support from another q***r person, someone who could help her build connections within the rainbow community and offer understanding when things felt too much 🌈

The process of finding the right person felt exhausting to Felicity. Partnering with Flying Kites eased the pressure, allowing Felicity to focus her energy on the parts of life that matter most to her.

26/04/2026

Say Hello to Olivia! 🪁✨

We are thrilled to introduce our new intern at Flying Kites, Olivia!

Olivia is currently an Honours Sociology student and a former support worker. She is incredibly passionate about bridging a major gap we’ve seen in the system: the need for better training and confidence-building for those entering the support work world.

At Flying Kites, we believe the best matches happen when people share great values and hobbies, even if they’ve never done support work before. But we also know it can be a bit daunting to start something new without the right tools.

That’s where Olivia comes in! She is spearheading a brand-new project to create a series of online workshops designed specifically for support workers (and those who want to be!). These sessions will help you:

🪁 Build your knowledge of the disability sector.

🪁 Boost your confidence so you feel ready to take on new challenges.

🪁 Get up to speed with practical training that makes a real difference.

Olivia is already hard at work identifying the best content to help you succeed. We can’t wait to share more with you soon!

24/04/2026

Navigating life after school in Puketāpapa? Let’s talk. 🤝

The transition from school to "what’s next" can be overwhelming, especially when the usual pathways don’t feel right.

Flying Kites is excited to offer Soaring Beyond School specifically for disabled and neurodivergent rangatahi in Puketāpapa.

Why join us?

No Pressure: There are no assessments or "right" answers.

Your Pace: Relaxed, individual conversations focused on your goals.

Your Way: We help you identify pathways that feel good to you, not just what everyone else is doing.

Whether you're still at school or have already left, we’re here to help turn uncertainty into a plan you feel good about.

📍 Location: Puketāpapa, Auckland
✨ Cost: Fully funded (Free)

Would you like to know more? Visit our website: https://www.flyingkites.org.nz/articles/soaring-beyond-school-free-support-for-disabled-school-leavers

P.S. We also have funded projects within th, Ōtara–Papatoetoe, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga and Waikato regions. If you’re outside these areas, we’re still happy to help. Flying Kites can offer Soaring Beyond School-style support on a fee-for-service basis.

If you’d like to talk about what this could look like, please get in touch.

20/04/2026

Kāinga Kōrero: Next Steps to a Flat – Practical Tips for Renting and Choosing a Flatmate

Join Disability Connect for an informative Kāinga Kōrero for disabled people, their families, whānau and support networks.

Get the lowdown on flatting from our very own Ainsley: what your tenancy rights are, how to keep a healthy home, and simple ways to find a flatmate who’s safe, supportive, and a good fit for you and your whānau.

Date: Thursday 30 April 2026

Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Format: Online via Zoom and In Person

Location: Disability Connect, 3b Olive Road, Penrose

Presenters:

Ainsley Darvell – Founder & CEO, Flying Kites
Tessa Rasmussen – Healthy Homes Team Lead, Habitat for Humanity

Registrations are essential to receive the Zoom link.

To book please email: admin@disabilityconnect.org.nz

14/04/2026

If you feel like you’re hitting a wall when it comes to life after school, you aren’t alone. Many whānau tell us that while leaving school is a huge milestone, the guidance available often feels... well, small.

At Flying Kites, we believe the options are there, they just aren't always easy to find.

Our Soaring Beyond School project is here to change that. We don't just point at a map; we walk alongside you and your young person to:

Uncover the "Hidden" Pathways: From non-traditional study to creative community connections.

Navigate the Systems: Making sense of disability supports and Individualised Funding so they work for you.

Build a Clearer Future: Turning that "big step" into a series of manageable, exciting ones.

Whether you are in Tāmaki Makaurau, the Bay of Plenty, or the Waikato, our funded one-on-one sessions are designed to show you what’s truly possible.

🪁 There is help out there. Let’s explore the options together like we did with Erin and her girl:

"We weren’t aware of these options for our girl until you introduced us to them all, we are very grateful. To us as parents it is such a big step to leave school and yet there is very little help and assistance out there".

Address

Auckland

Telephone

+64225285543

Website

http://www.flyingkites.org.nz/

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