NEWS & UPDATES
Latest news from the Cerebral Palsy Society
30 Apr 2026
Where has the time gone – we’re a third of the way through the year already.
There’s been plenty going on, there’s plenty coming up and our members have been up to some awesome things this past month, so let’s get into it.
Webinar – Genetics research and Cerebral Palsy
We’re excited to be hosting a webinar next week about the evolving role of genetics in Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi.
Professor Justin O’Sullivan and Dr Gina O’Grady will explore what it means for individuals and whānau, what they’ve learned from international research, and what’s happening in Aotearoa New Zealand now and into the future.
You’ll also hear from Merryn Straker who has a son with CP and is a former Cerebral Palsy Society Board Member. She will talk about her family’s experience of having genomic sequencing in the USA in 2023.
Topic: Breaking new ground: Genetics research and Cerebral Palsy
Date: Wednesday 6 May
Time: 6.30pm-7.30pm
Join: Zoom link https://auckland.zoom.us/j/92136001272
More info: jodi.van.dyk@auckland.ac.nz
There will be time for questions and discussion and if you can’t make it, the recording will be available on our website afterwards.
Primary Years Kete survey
Thank you to those that took part in our Primary Years Kete survey.
We received some great responses that left us smiling at the support some of our youngsters are receiving, and frustrated at the battles some of their parents face.
Thank you for being so honest and open in your responses.
As a thank you, members that opted in to our prize draw were in with the chance of winning one of six $50 grocery gift cards. We were delighted to get in touch with six parents to let them know they had won. Thank you once again for taking part – I’m sure those gift cards will come in handy.
Currently we are taking your comments, thoughts, experiences and ideas and adding them to the Primary Years Kete draft. This kete is a work in progress that we are looking forward to progressing.
We’d like to also add a huge thank you to the Maurice Paykel Charitable Trust and the Dines Family Charitable Trust for generously granting us funding to help us create the Primary Years Kete.
Congratulations Jade
At the beginning of the year, CP Society member Jade Farrar was named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his services to people with disabilities and the Pacific community, as part of the New Year Honours list.
Jade, pictured with Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro, attended the investiture ceremony earlier this month.
Congratulations Jade – we’re looking forward to seeing what you get up to next.
Halberg Games 2026
Congratulations to all the Cerebral Palsy Society members who took part in the Halberg Games earlier this month.
Once again, the team from the Halberg Foundation ran an amazing event.
We’ve seen some wonderful photos come through of our members making the most of every opportunity.
Among the post-Games coverage are these Top 10 Members from the Halberg Games – of which there are few CPS members featured!
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.
getPhysical
– Hope In Motion Paediatric Therapy – Auckland
getOutThere
– Driving Miss Daisy Eastern Bays – Auckland
– Driving Miss Daisy Botany – Auckland
getThis&That
– Sleepytot – Christchurch and online
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:
– Trillian Trust
Live the Life You Love Award
This one is for our members aged 13 and older who live in the Bay of Plenty.
Momenta is running its annual Live the Life You Love Award for the second time.
If you identify as having a disability, and financial barriers are holding you back, this opportunity could be for you.
The award provides up to $10,000 to help bring bold, meaningful ideas to life. Maybe you want to:
– Start a small business
– Write the book you’ve always dreamed about
– Share your music with the world
– Explore creativity through photography or art
– Or pursue something completely your own.
There’s no “right” idea, what matters is that it’s meaningful to you!
Cerebral Palsy Society member Koen McKenzie won the inaugural Live the Life You Love Award last year.
He is using his prize money to contribute to the cost of attending the Teen Advanced Acting Program at the New York School of Creative and Performing Arts (SOCAPA) in June.
2026 applications close 5pm, May 15.
Assisted Voting Service for upcoming district council by-elections
Both the Dunedin City Council and Masterton District Council are currently running by-elections for councillor positions.
An assisted voter service is available to support those who may face barriers voting independently.
– Voting for the Dunedin City Council closes at midday on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.
– Voting for the Masterton District Council closes at midday on Thursday, 21 May 2026.
Coffee group
Our coffee groups are held in Auckland (Glenfield, St Lukes and Manukau), Whanganui, Masterton, Wellington and Christchurch (Shirley and Addington).
Each Cerebral Palsy Society member is welcome to bring a companion, support worker, family or whānau member with them. The Cerebral Palsy Society will provide up to $15 worth of refreshments for each member and for one of their guests.
Please remember:
– Anyone who requires help or assistance to attend coffee group must be accompanied by a carer or support worker
– Attendees need to be a financial member of the Cerebral Palsy Society
– Transportation to and from coffee group must be arranged by the member or their carer
– If you are attending for the first time, please let the coffee group host know 24 hours in advance. Their contact details are listed on our website.
If you’d like more information about your local coffee group, please call us on 0800 503 603 or email cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz.
e-Card tips
We thought we’d share a few important e-card tips with you……
How to check your balance:
– 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.
If you’re making online purchases, be sure to do your shopping 2-5 work days before the funding round ends. This will give the supplier enough time to process your order before the funding expires.
If you want us to consider bringing on a new supplier, be sure to get the process underway at least 4 weeks before a funding round ends. It can take a little while for all the onboarding steps to fall into place.
If you haven’t received the automatic funding top up, don’t wait till the day you need your funding to ask us to top up your card. Top ups are only done on Tuesday and Friday mornings.
Automatic top ups at the start of a funding round are not processed on the first day of the month if it falls on a weekend.
Any funds that haven’t been spent by midnight on the last day of a funding round will expire and be removed from your card.
If you’ve got any questions about using your e-card phone 0800 503 603 between 9am and 3pm, or send an email to cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz
Research update
Last year we shared Sara Chami’s research opportunity. She was looking for children and adults to help with the design of unique Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFOs).
Here’s an update from Auckland University about her research: www.tinyurl.com/kbnynwfu
Listen to her interview on Radio NZ – www.tinyurl.com/ja47md69
Research opportunities
There’s plenty of research going on for you to take part in.
– Looking for Lived Expertise to Guide Research – The Motion Connect study aims to collect and share information about how people with neuromuscular conditions walk (clinical gait data) to inform treatment options for conditions such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy. Researchers are looking for people with lived experience of these conditions, or their carers or representatives, to join the research team and provide input and feedback throughout the research process.
Researchers expect to meet with participants up to 10 times for 1-hour meetings online in 2026 and 2027. You will be paid for your time at approximately AU$50/hr.
– The United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawai’i is conducting The Impact of Aging with Cerebral Palsy Survey – open to adults with cerebral palsy who are 20-years of age older and/or their caregivers.
– Free gait training sessions – weekly sessions with Auckland University at the Newmarket campus on their positive-pressure (“anti-gravity”) treadmill.
You can read all about these projects on the Research Opportunities page of our website.
Centre of Movement pop up clinics in Wellington
We know our members are keen to hear about intensive therapy opportunities, so we thought we’d tell you about this one that we’ve heard about.
The Centre of Movement is hosting pop up intensive therapy sessions in Wellington in June.
Click on the flier for more info:
Equipment opportunity
All terrain power assist wheelchair:
What’s On
Christchurch Regional Boccia Championships
Entries for the 2026 Christchurch Regional Boccia Championship are now open. You can enter online using this form: https://forms.gle/wsGDXc58UiXRxVaRA
Entries close Friday 26 June.
Outward Bound
Outward Bound is hosting its 7-day Youth Activate course for 16-18 year olds with a physical disability or impairment.
It’s designed for young people with a physical disability, including those who use manual wheelchairs or walking aids.
Course dates: 21 – 27 September 2026.
The course will start and finish in Picton.
The course is fully funded thanks to the generosity of a sponsor. Participants will need to cover the cost of travel to and from Picton and the cost of completing an Outward Bound medical form with their GP.
For more information: www.outwardbound.co.nz/courses/youth-activate
That’s all from the team and I for this month.
Please remember to reach out to our Member Support Team if there is anything we can help you with – cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz or 0800 503 603 between 9am and 3pm. We’re here to support you and your whānau.
Ngā mihi,
Clare Williams
General Manager
