NZ Spinal Trust

31/03/2026

Hey there Otago-ites! (Is that the term? 🤔) If you're in the area, pop into Show Your Ability at the Edgar Stadium before 1pm and say 'hi' to Meika, Brett and local legend John.
They're ready for you! 🩵💛

29/03/2026

Just puttin' it out there ... if you make a donation before midnight tomorrow (31st March) you can claim up to 33% of it back in your tax returns ... Instant Karma in a good way 😉

Wheelie Good Tips Useful tips, tricks and life hacks for living a confident, productive, and independent life with an SCI.

24/03/2026

Liking the look of this ... great visibility, plenty of room for the whānau, and the height - can I really just drive that into my standard garage? Pretty stylie all round 😎
If you're in Auckland, check out the options at Milner Mobility 👀

23/03/2026

South Islanders - fear not! 🥳
Show Your Ability is on it's way .... just in case you were worried that we were going to miss out 😉
See you there next week 🤩

16/03/2026

Wow! Our Peer Support team went and checked out the facilities at Christchurch's new One New Zealand Stadium this morning ... and came away impressed 🤩 There's plenty of wheelie seat spaces, all elevated and available on different levels; lots of accessible toilets; limited on-site parking (need to book these in advance), but a dedicated drop-off zone so the 'chauffeur' can drop and go park elsewhere ... the team is looking forward to their first rugby outing of the season! 🏉 Great to see that accessibility was really thought about and incorporated 🩵💛

12/03/2026

So ... this past summer was a bit of a letdown weatherwise, but you might be the optimistic sort and already planning your next holiday and thinking about all the gear you need to take ... will you still be able to fit the kids in the van? 🤔
Have you ever thought about renting gear when you get to your destination rather than taking it all with you?🤯

In our latest Wheelie Good Tip, Andrew's chatting with Marietta from Permobil about what's possible to help make your travel needs easier to manage.

Shout out to our friends at for supporting this WGT

You're planning a holiday and thinking about all the gear you need to take ... will you still be able to fit the kids in the van? Have you ever thought about…

03/03/2026

In a world that's a bit crazy right now, sometimes it's nice to share something warm and fuzzy ...
"Outside my family, I have never felt such inclusion—being part of this community of yours, the Burwood Spinal Unit. I'm both hopeful and doubtful that and I will find its equal anywhere else. As we wend our way among less challenged folk, we will never forget the welcome we received from the staff and other patients of the BSU."
This came in to our Peer & Whānau Support team's inbox ... made our day - hope it adds a little sparkle to yours 💛🩵

12/02/2026

Hey .... here's a 'Funding Friday' story for you. We receive funding support from lots of places, including gaming trusts. This story is how the funding we get from The Lion Foundation helped us support Helen ...

Helen lost the use of her legs about six years ago.
One day she was walking, studying to become a nurse, living a usual life. The next day she was paralysed – a tumour in her spine, that she didn’t even know was there, bled and her life changed forever.
Helen says that at the time she closed herself off. She became anxious and fearful. Cut herself off from friends. Didn’t want to be part of the ‘disabled community’ – that wasn’t who she was. She just knew she wouldn’t work again – who would employ a person in a wheelchair? The whole experience was intense and frightening.
And then four years went by, she learned to live with her SCI, adjusted to her new way of living, and decided to contact Noretta, NZST’s vocational rehabilitation specialist at the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit.

“Everything changed when I decided to speak to someone – contacting Noretta changed my life.”

Noretta supported Helen in her return to work journey, helping her build confidence in what she could do and how, talking through employment options, preparing her CV. When Helen saw a vacancy for a Community Care Coordinator at a respected in-home support agency, she talked it over with Noretta. Not only was she encouraged to apply for the position, Noretta had a chat to someone she knew at the agency to help smooth the way for Helen.
Helen’s now working full time. She loves the people she works with, and the company she works for – they understand all about disability and the challenges that accompany it. She says she has a purpose to get up and out of her house. She’s enjoying the financial independence. She’s making new friends and living a full life again.
And she says she couldn’t have done it without Noretta and NZST’s support and guidance.

Noretta and NZST couldn’t have done it without Lion Foundation’s support – they specifically help fund our vocational rehabilitation services. This service is free to anyone in our SCI community who needs it, and this is only possible because of the financial backing we get from thoughtful, targeted generosity such as Lion Foundation’s.

On behalf of Helen and the hundreds of clients we’ve helped over the years – thank you The Lion Foundation 💙💛

09/02/2026

Valentine's Day is coming up ... got any plans? Roses🌹 ... chocolates 🍫...romcom 💘 ... 100 MILE run? 🏃‍♂️
What was that last one?! 😮 Yep ... most of us are thinking hearts and flowers while Arron (past NZSTer and instrumental in setting up Voc Rehab) is planning to run 100 miles (...miles - not kilometres) to raise money for us 🥰 Now THAT is an over-the-top gesture! Seems like once NZST gets under your skin, we're there for life 😉😍💙💛

On February 14th 2026, we're running the Tarawera 100 - a 100 MILE ultra-marathon. Are we crazy? Maybe ... This is the biggest run we've ever done ... and

04/02/2026

Anyone flying with a power-assist device? What are the rules around watt hours? Where do you find that info? 🤔
Well ... Andrew sat down with Hayden at Permobil to find out . Our latest Wheelie Good Tip is a goodie to watch if you're planning a trip 😎🥰
Thanks go to our mates at Permobil New Zealand who are always so willing to help us out with these WGTs 🥰

Can you fly with a battery powered power-assist device? What are the rules? Where do I find this information? In this Wheelie Good Tip Andrew chats with Hayden from…

03/02/2026

Woo hoo! 🥳 Love it when we see our wider whanau members recognised for the good stuff they're doing. Congrats to Rod and the team at Milner Mobility who are continuing not only Rod's great work, but also his genuine aroha for our community 🥰