NEWS & UPDATES
November news from the Cerebral Palsy Society
28 Nov 2025
Can you believe it? The Silly Season is just a few days away – or maybe it’s already arrived in your household.
University and school students have either already finished for the year, or they are counting down the last few days or weeks.
Maybe you’re the organised type and you have your Christmas shopping done and your summer holiday plans all organised….or perhaps that is still on the “to do list”.
Whatever this time of year looks like for you, I hope you are enjoying the sunshine and the buzz of the holiday season being just around the corner.
Here at the Cerebral Palsy Society the staff are working hard to get everything in order for the end of the year, and make sure members have everything they need, ahead of our shutdown over the Christmas and New Year break.
Christmas shutdown
This year the Cerebral Palsy Society will be closed from midday on Friday, December 19. The first staff members will return to their desks at 9am on Monday, January 12.
During that time, our phones and email inboxes will not be monitored. We will respond to your queries once we are back at our desks.
If you want your e-card topped up for the holiday season, please be sure to contact us early. The last day for topping up e-cards before Christmas will be by 10am on Thursday, December 18. You will receive notification that your funding is available that same day.
After that top ups will be processed when our office opens in the New Year. You will receive notification that your funding is available on Monday, January 12.
If you have any questions, please contact us as soon as possible so we can ensure everything is sorted for you before we close for the year.
Executive Committee – Officer positions
The first meeting of the Cerebral Palsy Society’s new Executive Committee was held on November 17, and the Officer positions were allocated.
Congratulations to:
– Daniel Clay – who retains the role of Chairperson
– Meg Smith – who is now the Vice-Chairperson and Secretary
– Peter Wynne-Jones – who retains the role of Treasurer.
Thank you for your service to the Society and the Executive Committee.
Have your say on the Draft Carers’ Strategy Action Plan
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is seeking feedback on the draft Carers’ Strategy Action Plan, which sets out government actions to support family, whānau, aiga or individual carers.
We encourage carers and whānau to have their say during the consultation period. The MSD has developed the plan in partnership with the Carers Alliance and an Advisory Group of organisations representing the needs of carers.
The draft Action Plan focuses on three priority areas:
– Recognition and appreciation
– Health and wellbeing
– Financial security.
The CP Society is part of the Carers Alliance which represents the voices of carers. The Society strongly encourages members, their carers and whanau to submit their input. Every submission will count towards actions to be included in the programme of work which will be developed for all government agencies involved.
There are several ways to submit your feedback – from sending a quick email to attending online or in person workshops, answering a quick survey or sending an email.
Feedback will help inform the final Action Plan. Consultation closes on February 12, 2026.
Coffee Group news
The final coffee groups for 2025 will be held in December. Our hosts look forward to sharing a festive cuppa with you.
Please note: The first coffee group of 2026 will be held in March – coffee groups will not be held in January or February.
A HUGE thank you to our volunteers and staff who host a Coffee Group or two. We really appreciate your time and commitment to making these events happen.
If you’d like more information about your local coffee group, please call us on 0800 503 603 or email cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz.
Parklands Coffee Group update
Great news – a new venue for the Parklands Coffee Group has been found!
BUT – it’s not available in December.
That means we have a temporary venue lined up for our last Parkland’s gathering of 2025.
Here are the details:
– Venue: Cafe Edge & Artisan Bakery
– Address: 59 Edgeware Rd, St Albans
– Time: 1pm
– Date: Tues, Dec 2
Thanks for your patience while we get the perfect venue sorted.
If you’ve got any questions, check in with host Michael bexleymt@yahoo.co.nz or the CP Society – cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz or phone 0800 503 603.
GetMoving Christmas shutdown
Our getMoving programme is taking a break over Christmas.
The last class of the year will be on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 and getMoving will be back in action from Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
getMoving is a free specialised and customised exercise class for CP Society members aged 6-21 who live in Auckland. It is run by Mike Hynard and the team at Functional Adaptive Movement™Ltd (FAM™).
The classes are currently held at The Y Auckland, 149 Greys Ave, Auckland City on Wednesdays from 3.30pm – 4.30pm.
Check out what parents have been saying about getMoving:
If you’d like to find out more about joining getMoving, contact Theo van de Klundert, one of our Member Support and Programme Coordinators. He’d love to hear from you. Phone 0800 503 603 or email theo@cpsociety.org.nz
Member success
Congratulations to Cerebral Palsy Society members Matthew Whiting, Hamish Cleary and Max Wymer who competed in the Canberra 2025 World Boccia Challenger from November 3 to 11.
They were joined by two other players, Chloe Sturt and Georjah Cooper who also live with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi, to make up a team of five.
Matthew finished 7th in the BC1 male category.
Hamish placed 6th in the BC2 male competition.
Max came 9th in the BC3 male category.
Chloe placed 5th in the BC2 female category.
Georjah came 8th in the BC3 female group.
In the BC3 Pairs, Max and Georjah finished 6th, and the BC1/2 Team of Matt, Chloe and Hamish finished 4th.
The competition also saw Max, Hamish and Chloe, pictured below from left, make their international debuts.
Congratulations to the entire team on representing Aotearoa New Zealand!
Photos: Boccia New Zealand
Living with CP – Managing falls
Peter Rawlings, one of our Member Support and Programme Coordinator team members has joined Amy Hogan, our Researcher and Member Support Advisor, for the latest Living with CP article.
They’ve written about managing falls and balance challenges. The article looks at general safety, communicating with others, common-sense prevention, and restoring confidence when fear creeps in.
Thank you for the support
The Cerebral Palsy Society relies on donations and grants to help us do the mahi we do for Kiwis living with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi.
With that in mind, we want to say a massive thank you to the Trusts, Foundations and friends that support us. Most recently:
– New Zealand Community Trust.
New e-Card suppliers
We’re delighted to welcome the companies and service providers that have come on board as e-Card suppliers in the last month.
getThis&That
Livewell – Disability Equipment – Auckland
getPhysical
Titahi Bay Golf Club – Porirua
getOutThere
Driving Miss Daisy Waimakariri West – Rangiora, Canterbury
Accessible Playgrounds
Children with Disability NZ has launched a new website – Accessible Playgrounds NZ.
Accessible Playgrounds NZ is a comprehensive, user-friendly guide to finding the best inclusive and wheelchair-accessible playgrounds across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The website features an interactive map that makes it easy to find playgrounds by region, view photos, explore key features, and see detailed accessibility info.
Research opportunities
There’s plenty of research going on for you to take part in.
– The University of Auckland – optimised ankle foot orthosis for adults and children with Cerebral Palsy
– The University of Plymouth in the UK – improving chest health in children with Cerebral Palsy
– The University of Melbourne – young adults aged 25-35 years old with Cerebral Palsy can take part in a study reflecting on their pain experiences during childhood
– Free gait training sessions – weekly sessions with Auckland University at Newmarket campus on their positive-pressure (“anti-gravity”) treadmill.
You can read all about these projects on our Research Opportunities page:
What’s on
World Record Attempt – Longest Moving Line of Wheelchairs
I.Lead and YES Disability, in collaboration with Permobil and Eden Park, is hosting a World Record Attempt for the Longest Moving Line of Wheelchairs.
This event will aim to bring 600 wheelchairs to Eden Park to create the longest ever line of moving wheelchairs.
Not a wheelchair user but still want to participate? No problem! They will have extra wheelchairs handy.
Deliberately aligned with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, this event will celebrate resilience, solidarity, and the strength of community.
When: December 3rd, 10am-2pm
Where: Eden Park, 42 Reimers Avenue, Kingsland, Auckland
$5 entry fee. Support people enter free.
Follow the QR code to register or go to: www.tinyurl.com/yc7ppsyn
Taranaki Amazing Race
The Taranaki Amazing Race is on Saturday, December 6, and people of all abilities and ages are invited. It’s at East End Reserve, Fitzroy from 11am to 1pm and is being put on by Halberg and some awesome partners.
The event is free, but registration is essential for support and planning purposes. Scan the QR code in the poster or go to: www.tinyurl.com/yeyt35bu
For information email max@halberg.co.nz or phone 027 269 8579.
Halberg Games 2026
Grab your diary! The dates for the Halberg Games are locked in.
It’s all happening from Friday, April 10 – Sunday, April 12, 2026 at King’s College, Auckland.
If you’ve been before, you’ll know you’re in for another unforgettable weekend packed with sport, friendship, and celebration.
If you haven’t been before…..you don’t know what you’re missing.
The Halberg Games is open to athletes aged 8-21 with a physical disability or visual impairment.
Registrations open soon. www.halberg.co.nz/halberg-games/halberg-games
Well, that’s all from the team and I for this month.
We’ll send out another newsletter just before we shut down for the year. Until then, I wish you all the best for the coming weeks.
Ngā mihi,
Clare Williams
General Manager
