Your Way l Kia Roha

12/01/2026

⏰ Workshop Reminder! ⏰

Just a reminder about our upcoming workshops - there’s still time to register!

🔹 Introduction to Autism
📅 Friday, 23 January 2026
🕘 9:00am – 1:00pm
💲 $120
👉 Register here: https://www.yourwaykiaroha.nz/events/introduction-to-autism-23-01-2026

🔹 Social Stories & Other Front-Loading Strategies to Support Autistic Children
📅 Monday, 26 January 2026
🕙 10:00am – 11:30am
💲 $70
👉 Register here:
https://www.yourwaykiaroha.nz/events/social-stories-and-other-frontloading-strategies-to-support-autistic-children-26-01-2026/

🔹 Social Stories & Other Front-Loading Strategies to Support Autistic Children
📅 Wednesday, 11 February 2026
🕠 5:30pm – 7:00pm
💲 $70
👉 Register here:
https://www.yourwaykiaroha.nz/events/social-stories-and-other-frontloading-strategies-to-support-autistic-children-11-02-2026/

📣 We’d love to see you there - register now to secure your place!

03/01/2026

Today is International Braille Day, marked each year on 4 January to celebrate the birthday of Louis Braille, who developed the Braille system in the 19th century after losing his sight as a child. His work transformed access to reading, writing, and education for people who are blind or have low vision - and its impact continues today.

Braille remains a vital format, alongside other alternate formats such as audio recordings, large print, and digital accessibility tools. Having information available in multiple formats helps ensure everyone can access learning, services, and opportunities in ways that work best for them.

To learn more about alternate formats and why they matter, read our article here:
👉 https://www.yourwaykiaroha.nz/learning-information/online-information-hub/advice/types-of-alternate-formats/

01/01/2026

⏰ One week to go! ⏰

There’s just one week left to help us name our new programme supporting disabled rangatahi as they step into adulthood.

📩 Send your ideas to sydney.stuart@yourwaykiaroha.nz
by 9 January 2026.

The winner will receive a prize pack including a $50 Prezzy card 💚

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DfgKRTHeN/

🌱 Help us name our new programme! 🌱

We’re excited to be creating a brand-new programme to support disabled rangatahi as they step into adulthood - building confidence, independence, and strong community connections. Before we launch, we need your help to find a name that truly reflects this kaupapa and the incredible young people it’s for.

We’re looking for a name that captures:
✨ Growth
✨ Mana
✨ Whānau
✨ Journey

Think you’ve got the perfect name? We’d love to hear it!
The winning name will be announced across Your Way | Kia Roha, and the winner will receive a prize pack including a $50 Prezzy card.

📩 Send your suggestions to Sydney at sydney.stuart@yourwaykiaroha.nz by 9 January 2026.

Ngā mihi nui - we can’t wait to see your ideas! 💚

16/12/2025

Our brand-new Changemaker programme will give you the tools you need to get started to make change in your community. But there's only a handful of spaces left!

Head to our website: www.yourwaykiaroha.nz/changemakers to find our how you can start to learn the skills needed to maker change.

The programme is free, kicks off in February, and is fully online.

The Changemakers Programme focuses on building confidence, skills, and networks for inclusive, community-led change. Each week includes an online session or resource and a short reflection activity you can complete in your own time. 

16/12/2025

The Government has announced updates to the Total Mobility scheme today, along with a consultation process for further changes.

The Total Mobility scheme currently subsidises 75% of taxi fares for elderly and disabled individuals who cannot access public transport (up to a set limit). This subsidy rate will decrease to 65% starting 1 July 2026. Additionally, the Government will allocate $10 million in immediate funding to support local councils.

The Ministry of Transport, responsible for managing the Total Mobility scheme, has launched a consultation exploring potential changes. Visit the Ministry's website for further details and to view a discussion document outlining various proposed options. The link can be found in the shared post below.

We know how vital the Total Mobility scheme is for independence and connection in our communities. The Government has confirmed that everyone who relies on this service will continue to get subsidised taxi fares, but with some essential changes to ensure the scheme’s long-term sustainability.
Key points:
• Subsidy changes from July 2026: The subsidy level will move from 75% to 65%. Fares will increase slightly, but the subsidy remains higher than it was before 2022.
• Immediate funding: $10 million is being invested now to support councils and keep the scheme operational.
📣We also want to hear from you
Consultation is open now on proposals to strengthen the scheme. You can provide your input on our website. Consultation closes 22 March 2026.
https://www.transport.govt.nz/consultations/proposals-to-strengthen-total-mobility

14/12/2025

🎄✨ Holiday break announcement ✨🎄

It’s that time of year again when the team at Your Way | Kia Roha takes a well-deserved break for the Christmas and New Year period.

Our offices will be closed from 24 December 2025 and will reopen on 5 January 2026.

Connections & Funding will have a small team available on the days between the public holidays to provide contracted support, should you need us, on 0800 758 700.

We look forward to reconnecting in 2026!

Wishing you all a safe, joyful, and restful holiday season. 🎁💛

Ngā mihi nui,
The team at Your Way | Kia Roha.

12/12/2025

This week, the Supreme Court of New Zealand made a decision regarding the employment status of two parents who care for adult disabled family members at home. This case is significant for many carers and disabled individuals.

Your Way | Kia Roha will be monitoring updates from the Ministry of Social Development’s Disability Support Services.

For more information, please visit the DSS website:

Disability Support Services is considering the Supreme Court decision released relating to the employment status of two parents who care for adult disabled family members in their family homes.

11/12/2025

🌱 Help us name our new programme! 🌱

We’re excited to be creating a brand-new programme to support disabled rangatahi as they step into adulthood - building confidence, independence, and strong community connections. Before we launch, we need your help to find a name that truly reflects this kaupapa and the incredible young people it’s for.

We’re looking for a name that captures:
✨ Growth
✨ Mana
✨ Whānau
✨ Journey

Think you’ve got the perfect name? We’d love to hear it!
The winning name will be announced across Your Way | Kia Roha, and the winner will receive a prize pack including a $50 Prezzy card.

📩 Send your suggestions to Sydney at sydney.stuart@yourwaykiaroha.nz by 9 January 2026.

Ngā mihi nui - we can’t wait to see your ideas! 💚

08/12/2025

⏰ Just one week to go to sign up for our FREE workshop: Know Your Tenancy Rights and Responsibilities!

An NZSL interpreter will be available.

Secure your spot today by registering here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LNKKNKW

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn about your tenancy rights!

📣 Free online workshop | Know your tenancy rights and responsibilities

We’re excited to be partnering with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to host a free Zoom workshop to help you understand your tenancy rights and responsibilities. We want to make sure this workshop is relevant and useful for you, so we encourage you to complete the short SurveyMonkey linked below to help shape the content around your interests and questions.

🗓️ Tuesday, 16 December
🕐 10am-11:30am
🔗 Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LNKKNKW

You’ll learn about:
✔️ Tenancy rights and responsibilities (understanding your entitlements).
✔️ Bond services - where your tenancy bond is kept.
✔️ Dispute resolution - where to get help for tenancy relationship issues.
✔️ The work of the Tenancy Compliance and Investigations Team.
✔️ Free help and support available to you.