Your Way l Kia Roha

19/09/2025

Kupu Kupu o te rā (Rāmere): Kanorau ā-roro
Word of the day (Friday): Neurodiversity

18/09/2025

Kupu o te rā: Hakiri
Word of the day: Hearing-impaired.

Are you concerned about your hearing? We provide free hearing tests and can help you access funding for hearing aids and other assistive equipment. We also offer personalised support to help you manage your hearing impairment – at home, at work and in social situations.

Our services are completely independent and fully funded by the New Zealand Government.

17/09/2025

Kupu o te rā: Takiwātanga, which derives from “tōku/tōna anō takiwā,” meaning “in my/her/his/their own space and time,” and was developed by linguist and rangatira Keri Opai. Keri created Te Reo Hāpai, a te reo Māori glossary for use in the mental health, addiction, and disability sectors, designed to provide positive terminology from a te ao Māori perspective.

Takiwātanga is a mana-enhancing term that regards autistic people as taonga, unique individuals with gifts and strengths.

17/09/2025

🌟 Your voice matters - help shape support for disabled rangatahi! 🌟
We're creating something special – a new programme to support disabled individuals, particularly rangatahi Māori, as they transition into adult life after school. But we need YOUR voice to make it truly meaningful!

What matters most to you? What's been missing?
We want to hear from our incredible disability community because your experiences are what will make this programme truly work.

📋 Quick online survey (takes just minutes!)

For people with disabilities: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MQJ6Y7K

For whānau/supporters/organisations: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W2YJZ3Y

💬 Join our kōrero - focus groups. Are you ready for a deeper conversation?

In person: Thursday 25 September, 9:30am-11am

Online: Friday 26 September, 9:30am-11am
Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MJ9N5N2

Your kōrero and lived experiences are the foundation of creating something that's truly relevant, meaningful, and inclusive. Every voice counts!

Questions? Get in touch with Wendy van den Berg, Community Programme Coordinator
📱 021 528 043
✉️ wendy.vandenberg@yourwaykiaroha.nz

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

16/09/2025

🗳️ LOCAL-BODY VOTING MADE EASIER - Friday, 19 September! 🗳️

Great news Hamilton! The Hamilton City Council voting van will be set up right outside the Your Way | Kia Roha office on Friday to help make council elections more accessible for our community.

📍 Where: Your Way | Kia Roha, 20 Palmerston Street
📅 When: Friday 19 September, 9am - 11am

The team will be there to:
✅ Help you cast your vote
✅ Support you with the voting process
✅ Assist with voter enrollment if needed
✅ Provide a quiet space for those who need extra support

This is a fantastic opportunity for those who may find voting a little difficult or who would appreciate some extra assistance with the voting process.

16/09/2025

Kupu o te rā mō Rātū: Mahere tautiaki.
Word of the day for Tuesday: Care plan.

15/09/2025

It's Te Wiki o te Reo Māori!

Over the week, we'll be sharing a kupu o te rā or word of the day that is important for the work we do here at Your Way | Kia Roha.

Today's kupu is whakatapoko which means accessibility/accessible.

14/09/2025

🎉 Get active these school holidays!
Join our Sport Opportunity Programme for disabled tamariki and rangatahi (ages 5–21). Fun, inclusive sports like touch, badminton, boccia and more!
📅 22–24 September
📍 Hillcrest High & Waikato Badminton Centre
🕙 Morning & Afternoon sessions
✅ Register now & don’t miss out!
📞 Questions? Call us on 0800 008 011 or email info@yourwaykiaroha.nz

Your Way | Kia Roha offers sport opportunities for disabled children and young people, aged 5-21.

09/09/2025

Halo olgeta! Welcome to NZ Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week 🎉

From now until 13 September, we’re celebrating Papua Niugini Tok Pisin. 🇵🇬

You can join us by checking out the language resources, posters, graphics and event information at: https://bit.ly/4p2s5GH

The community’s theme for 2025 is: Lukautim, strongim na kirapim tokples na pasin blo tubuna - Preserve, revitalise and promote our language and culture. 💛❤️🖤

03/09/2025

We welcome the Government’s announcement on changes to New Zealand’s disability support system that will give disabled people, their whānau, and carers greater choice and control around flexible funding from next year.

Our Chief executive Megan Thomas says we're pleased to see the government has heard the voices of disabled people and their whānau and removed the restrictions put in place last year.

“We are pleased to see the Government listening to the disability community’s clear message that they want choice about how they spend the money allocated for their disability support needs,” says Thomas.

Read more on our website.

Your Way | Kia Roha is welcoming the Government’s announcement on changes to New Zealand's disability support system that will give disabled people, their whānau, and carers greater choice and control around flexible funding from next year.

02/09/2025

The Government has today announced changes to disability support services and funding allocated by Needs Assessment Service Coordination organisations (NASCs) such as Your Way | Kia Roha. You can watch the Ministry of Social Development NZ's video about the changes (available captioned and in NZ Sign Language).

These changes only apply to supports funded through Disability Support Services (DSS) and coordinated by NASCs. They do not affect other supports from Work and Income, ACC, Education or Health, and no changes are planned for EGL sites at this stage.

Please note, that nothing is changing until next year. If you would like to talk about the support you currently receive through us, please contact your community facilitator.

For more details on these upcoming changes, please visit:
https://www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/about-us/news/changes-to-assessments-and-allocations-and-flexible-funding