NEWS & UPDATES
April update – new staff member, Halberg Games and much more
30 Apr 2025
What a treat – two long weekends in a row. However you spent the Easter and ANZAC weekends, we hope you had a wonderful time with whānau and friends.
I’ve got quite a few updates to share with you this month, and we’re delighted to have welcomed a new team member earlier this week, so please read on to see what’s been happening.
Welcome to Peter Rawlings
On Monday we welcomed our newest team member to the Cerebral Palsy Society.
Peter Rawlings has taken the Member Support and Programme Coordinator role left vacant by Sara Sheehan’s retirement.
Here are a few words from Peter:
Originally from the UK, I immigrated to New Zealand in 1998.
I worked for 16 years at the Independent Living Service. This has provided me with a very good understanding of disability products and equipment and the needs of people with a disability and their family/carers.
For the past three years I have been with Be. Lab (formally Be. Accessible) as an Accessibility Advisor working with businesses in the provision of holistic advice to improve accessibility of the built environment for all users.
Outside of work, I am actively involved in my church where I lead a course that runs four times a year and a Lifegroup that meets in my home. I enjoy reading and when possible being out in the NZ bush and mountains.
Welcome to the team Peter – I’m looking forward to our members benefiting from your knowledge and experience.
Halberg Games
The Halberg Games were held from April 24-26. Children and young adults from across the country gathered in Auckland for three days of sports, camaraderie and competition.
Four Cerebral Palsy Society staff members were there on the first day chatting with members, non-members and potential e-Card suppliers.
It was a great opportunity to share the work that the Society does and see the smiling (and exhausted) faces of our members.
We hope everyone who attended, and their whānau, had a wonderful time. I’d like to pass on a huge thank you to the Halberg Foundation team for putting on another incredible event.
Photos courtesy of Halberg Games, Photosport NZ and Parafed Waikato
CP Achieve and AusACPDM Symposium
You may recall in my last newsletter, that our Researcher and Member Support Advisor Amy Hogan was speaking at the CP-Achieve and Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AusACPDM) 2025 Symposium in Melbourne this month.
The conference was held on April 3 and 4. Amy and a fellow speaker opened the event, Amy chaired a panel session (pictured), and delivered a presentation titled Young Adulthood: A Case for Optimism in a Complicated Landscape.
The symposium focused on Progress and Possibilities – celebrating 5 years of research through lived experience and planning the future.
Amy will share information about what she learnt at the conference with members by writing articles on relevant topics.
The Cerebral Palsy Podcast is an award finalist
How exciting is this news? The Cerebral Palsy Podcast is a finalist in the NZ Radio & Podcast Awards for Best Independent Podcast.
Congratulations to host Kris Edwards and producer Nathan Hart, and the rest of the team – you’re doing a fabulous job of raising the profile of Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi.
Thanks to all the CP Society members who have been interviewed for the podcast! It’s been awesome to hear your stories.
“The Cerebral Palsy voice just got a little bit louder!!”
Haven’t had a listen yet? Check out what you’ve been missing here https://open.spotify.com/show/6q8fbMg9ZZ9gHhrGFSKZZT – or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Coffee group
At coffee group, the refreshments are on us! A companion, support worker and/or family member is welcome to accompany members to these groups. Up to $15 worth of refreshments per person is provided.
All the coffee group information is here: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/member-services/events/coffee-groups
Coffee groups are currently held in Auckland, Whanganui, Masterton, Wellington and Christchurch.
If you’d like to see a coffee group in your area, please get in touch with us to see what’s involved in being a host. Many of our coffee groups rely on volunteers and wouldn’t happen without them.
Call us on 0800 503 603 or email cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz.
Glenfield coffee group
Our North Shore coffee group kicks off next month.
We’re going to be meeting at Gloria Jean’s cafe, Glenfield Mall, Auckland.
Members can attend one of two sessions:
– 10.30am on the first Wednesday of the month – starting May 7
OR
– 10.30am on the second Wednesday of the month – starting May 14
Em, your host, is looking forward to seeing you there.
Addington coffee group
The start time for the Addington coffee group is changing.
The new time is 1.15pm and takes effect from the upcoming coffee group on May 13.
Your host, Tiresa, looks forward to seeing you there.
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 have supported us. Most recently:
- The Stewart Family Trust
- Mainland Foundation
You can check out all the Trusts and Foundations that support the Society here: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/our-supporters
CP Society e-Card
How to check your e-card balance:
It’s easy to check the balance on your e-card. Simply:
– Go to https://ecardsolutions.nz/portal/cps/
– Check your last receipt
– Or go to www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz, click the Dashboard button, sign in and click the “Check Your E-Card Balance” button.
How to add a supplier to the e-card programme:
Ever wondered how to add a company or service provider to the Cerebral Palsy Society’s e-card programme?
We’ve written a step-by-step guide to help you. Feel free to share the link with companies and service providers that you think would be interested in becoming a supplier. www.tinyurl.com/b8j7s3j5
Leave a gift in your will
Like us, we know you’ll want to ensure a future where people with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi can enjoy their lives to the full – with endless opportunities, and the support in place so they can say YES to everything that makes them thrive and brings them happiness.
An easy and powerful way to ensure this future for our mokopuna is to leave a gift in your will. This kind of donation means you don’t have to find cash now or take part in a fundraising event. Of course, your own whānau will take priority, but once you’re satisfied that their needs will be met, it’s simple to include a gift of any size in your will to the Cerebral Palsy Society.
There are three types of gift you might choose to give:
– A specific sum or percentage of your estate
– The residue of your estate (once other gifts and costs have been deducted)
– A specific gift – for example, shares, bonds, or property.
Whether you’ve already made a will and would like to make an addition, or you’re ready to write your first one and include support for the Cerebral Palsy Society, we recommend you work with a legal advisor to make sure this important document is written exactly as you wish.
Head to our website to find out more: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/support-us/bequests-2/
Research opportunities
Have you thought about getting involved in some of the research opportunities out there?
When you take part in research, you’re helping create a more informed and clearer picture for people living with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi across Aoteaora New Zealand, guiding advocacy and efforts towards change.
Current opportunities on our website: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/cerebral-palsy/research/research-opportunities
– KiwiASQ (Ages and Stages Questionnaire)
Researchers from Starship Child Health are looking for children and their whānau, living in Auckland, to test the KiwiASQ (Ages and Stages Questionnaire).
The questionnaire is completed online and participants will spend a morning at a university or community clinic, watching their child play games-based assessments and giving feedback.
Participants will get a summary of their child’s speech, development, hearing and behaviour, a koha, and a book for their child.
– Transition to Adulthood
This study from the University of Toronto is looking at improving the transition to adulthood for youth diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi. Researchers are looking to get the perspective of youth aged between 12-17, and their parents, on their experiences and expectations during this transition process.
What’s On
Waikato Toy Library
The Waikato Toy Library serves the entire Waikato DHB area and is open 9am-4pm Monday to Friday. Members can visit and rummage through the shelves to choose their toys or browse the online catalogue and use the Click & Collect facility.
Information about the Click & Collect option is here: https://tinyurl.com/39knstss
For those who live outside Hamilton, the toy library is also happy to courier toys for free within the Waikato DHB area.
For information go to www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/toy-library
Para badminton
Parafed Canterbury and Badminton Canterbury are joining forces to run 6 weeks of skills and games for anyone looking to try Badminton.
The free programme is for anyone with a physical disability aged 8+.
Sessions run on Thursdays, 5pm-6pm from May 22 to June 26 and are held at Badminton Canterbury, 220 Pages Rd, Wainoni.
It is being coached by BWF level 1 coach/NZ SL4 para badminton player Carrie Wilson.
For more information: www.parafedcanterbury.co.nz/badminton
Accessible holiday accommodation
The Bloom Bach Country Cottage is a wheelchair-friendly holiday home in Wainui, 15 minutes out of Ōhope Beach, Bay of Plenty.
It has a disability friendly bathroom and kitchen, a hoist and ramps at both entrances.
For more information go to: www.bloombach.co.nz/country-cottage
Porirua coffee group
A coffee group is being held in Porirua for anyone who identifies with a disability or their family/support person. They can come along for a coffee, or to socialise, or seek any disability-related advice from disability advisors from Te Wāhi Tiaki Tātou or Tu Ora Health.
Tuesday, May 6, 10am at Te Rauparaha Cafe, Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua.
For more information contact Adam Toia, Tangata Whaikaha Advisor – Te Wāhi Tiaki Tātou, 027 1800 3442 or Adam.Toia@ngatitoa.iwi.nz
Disability Journey into Adulthood
Disability Journey into Adulthood is running online workshops to help people navigate the challenges and celebrate the triumphs of individuals transitioning into adulthood with disabilities.
The interactive sessions cover topics such as transitioning services when leaving school, living options, community opportunities and community resources, understanding funding options, transport, Work and Income Supports, Welfare Guardianship and more.
These workshops are for young adults living with a disability, caregivers, and advocates.
Upcoming dates: June 10, 12, August 19, 28, October 21, 30.
More information: www.tinyurl.com/4xk78djt
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/disabilityjourneyintoadulthood
Please remember, if there is anything we can help with, please call our Member Support Team on 0800 503 603 or email cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz. Matthew, Peter and Theo will be happy to support you.
That’s it from me for this month. I hope you and your whānau keep well and happy and I look forward to bringing you more news next month.
Ngā mihi,
Clare Williams
General Manager
