NEWS & UPDATES
Latest news from the Cerebral Palsy Society – Be Green & Be Seen, AGM, member success and so much more
29 Sep 2025
What a month it’s been, and what a month coming up!
So many CP Society members have been achieving awesome things. Meanwhile, we’ve been busy behind the scenes getting ready for Be Green & Be Seen to kick off on Wednesday, and the upcoming AGM in a few weeks, we’ve submitted our response to the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030, and our Member Support team has continued to support members when they’ve reached out for support, advice or information.
You can read all about what members and the CP Society team have been up to in this month’s newsletter.
Be Green & Be Seen
We couldn’t be more excited! Be Green & Be Seen kicks off on Wednesday, October 1 and World Cerebral Palsy Day is on Monday, October 6.
This year, Be Green & Be Seen is all about raising awareness, letting people know just how common Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi is and telling them about the realities of living life with the condition.
Let’s get people talking. Let’s make Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi visible.
You can get involved with Be Green & Be Seen anytime throughout October (or throughout the year).
Whether you decide to hold a green-themed morning tea, bake sale or dress up day, maybe you’re giving a talk at school or a lunch and learn session at the office, or you want to share something on your social media pages, check out the resources page on our website. We’ve got fact sheets, posters, social media tiles, and certificates for you to download.
We always appreciate the donations that we receive as part of Be Green & Be Seen and it’s been a delight to watch generous donations roll in over the past couple of months.
If you, or someone you know, wants to support Be Green & Be Seen by donating you could:
– Donate via our website: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/support-us/donations
– Donate via our Givealittle page: www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/be-green-and-be-seen-2025
– Set up a #beACTIVE fundraising page: www.begreenandbeseen.org.nz
Who is getting involved with Be Green & Be Seen 2025?
We’ve had a great response to Be Green & Be Seen 2025 with plenty of great people and companies getting on board.
Brolly Sheets and Independently You
To celebrate Be Green & Be Seen, Brolly Sheets & Independently You are giving YOU 10% off green products in their best-selling range of bandanas, bibs, kids and toilet training products.
This offer includes selected kids and adult bandanas, bibs, Brolly Sheets, training underwear, rain jackets, overalls, and wet bags.
Plus, they’ll be donating 10% of the sale price of each of these items to the Cerebral Palsy Society! How generous is that?
Shop now at:
– https://www.brollysheets.co.nz/pages/be-green-be-seen
– https://independentlyyou.com.au/pages/be-green-be-seen
This fabulous promotion runs from September 29 to October 15.
Thanks to Brolly Sheets & Independently You for the generous support!
We’ve also heard from:
– Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, who will be marking Be Green & Be Seen on October 6.
– Tokanui Tamariki Trust, in Tokanui at the bottom of the South Island, is holding a green-themed morning tea and fun wheels day at a local park and skate park.
– Parafed Gisborne – Tairawhiti is hosting a fun day on Wednesday, October 1 at Eastwoodhill National Arboretum. They are encouraging people to come dressed in their best green to show their support, ready for a day of games, adventures, and exploring the stunning spring scenery!
2025 Annual General Meeting
The Cerebral Palsy Society’s AGM is on Sunday, October 19 and now is your time to get involved.
From September 22 onwards, members would have received an email from electionz.com, or mail in the post, with all the information needed to vote for the remits being considered at this AGM.
Voting closes at 4pm on October 17. Please be sure to have your say.
This year we do not need to hold an election for Board members as there were 4 people nominated for 5 positions. All 4 of those people will join the Board unopposed at the AGM. Click the button below to read their candidate profiles.
Please RSVP for the AGM. The meeting will be held via Zoom at 2pm on Sunday, October 19.
You can RSVP by emailing cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz before 4pm on Friday, October 17.
You can find all the AGM info you need on our website.
Kings Birthday Honour – investiture ceremonies
Congratulations to Cerebral Palsy Society members Allison Franklin and Allyson Hamblett! They were both named as recipients of a King’s Birthday Honour in June.
Allison Franklin, pictured above (photo: Doug Mountain Photography), attended her investiture ceremony in Wellington on September 17, where she was named a Member of The New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to people with disabilities.
Allyson Hamblett, pictured above, will receive the King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to people with disabilities and the transgender community at a ceremony in Auckland on October 3.
These awards are very well deserved. Both Allison and Allyson have been heavily involved in their communities, and we are proud to call them members of the Cerebral Palsy Society.
Para Table Tennis success for Bhakti and Liam
Cerebral Palsy Society members Bhakti Patel and Liam Hogan were among the Para athletes selected to represent New Zealand at the ITTF-Oceania Para Table Tennis Championships held over the weekend.
They were joined by Mark Gladney who also lives with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi.
Bhakti, pictured left, won a bronze medal in the Women’s Doubles WD20.
In the Men’s Singles Class 8 Mark, pictured right, won a silver medal and Liam, centre, placed third equal to win a bronze medal.
The Championships is part of the 2025 Para Table Tennis Festival being held in Rosehill, Auckland. The festival continues until October 4 with the National Para Training Camp on from September 29 to October 1 and the NZ Para Open Championships happening from October 2 to 4.
Everyone is welcome to head along and support the Para athletes. Admission is free.
More info: www.tinyurl.com/4afff7ds
* It’s a big week for Liam. He has also been nominated as a finalist in the Youth of the Year category for Disability Sport Auckland’s 2025 Awards Dinner.
The winners will be announced on Saturday October 4.
Congratulations Liam and good luck to all the award night finalists.
Event information: https://www.disabilitysportauckland.co.nz/awards-dinner
Coming to a screen near you
We’re really looking forward to October 5! The first episode of a two-part series called CP and Me is screening and we can’t wait to see it.
CP and Me is raw, emotional and funny. It has been produced by Attitude Pictures and will be a chance for viewers to learn about Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi through the voices of nine people, a number of them Cerebral Palsy Society members.
Part one airs on TVNZ 1 at 11.55am on October 5 (the day before World Cerebral Palsy Day).
Part two will be screened on October 26 at 11.55am.
After the live broadcast the episodes will be available on TVNZ+ and the Attitude YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@AttitudeLive
Good in the Hood
We’re so grateful to Z Energy, the team at Z Kumeu in Auckland and their customers, for supporting Kiwis who live with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi as part of their annual Good in the Hood campaign from August 26 to September 21.
Tammy from Z Kumeu is pictured with CPS accounts administrator
Carol Avard, left, and CPS communications manager Melanie Louden.
Thanks Z Energy for running such a wonderful campaign, and thanks to everyone who gave their token to us. There are a lot of fabulous charities out there who will benefit from Good in the Hood’s generosity.
Coffee group
Have you come along to one of our coffee groups yet? If there is one in your area, we’d love to see you there.
Coffee groups are currently held in Auckland, Whanganui, Masterton, Wellington and Christchurch. Up to $15 worth of refreshments per person is provided for a member and their companion, support worker and/or family member.
If you’d like more information about coffee group, please call us on 0800 503 603 or email cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz.
Important information about the Parklands coffee group
After many wonderful years enjoying coffee group at the Waimairi Beach Golf Club, our Parklands coffee group is moving venues.
We’ve got two options in mind for the new venue, and we want to give them both a try before we decide which one to move to permanently. We’re going to try one venue for the October coffee group and the other one for the November gathering.
Tuesday October 7
Venue: Urban Corner
Address: 487 New Brighton Rd, New Brighton
Tuesday November 4
Venue: Links Cafe
Address: Christchurch Golf Club, 45 Horseshoe Lake Rd, Shirley
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:
– Mainland Foundation
– Four Winds Foundation
– Dragon Community Trust
Reuben’s RDA story
Cerebral Palsy Society member Reuben Cleave is a rider with Christchurch Riding for the Disabled.
He wrote a lovely article for their newsletter about his experiences with, and the benefits of, riding horses, which we wanted to share with you too.
Brolly Sheets and Independently You would love to feature your story
The Cerebral Palsy Society has been invited by Brolly Sheets and Independently You to contribute to a guest blog series supporting parents on their toilet training and continence journey.
Would you be interested in sharing a little about your family’s experience?
You don’t need to write anything formal, just a few short answers to some simple questions, in your own words.
The Brolly Sheets team will shape your responses into a blog post, and you’ll get to review the draft before anything is published.
It’s a chance to share your journey in a way that could really help other parents feel less alone.
If you’re interested in taking part, please email our communications manager Melanie and she can get things under way – melanie@cpsociety.org.nz
Research opportunities
There’s plenty of research going on at the moment for you to take part in.
– Feldenkrais Method® – for children in Nelson under the age of 12
– 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 – pain experiences during childhood for people aged 25-35 years old with Cerebral Palsy.
You can read all about these projects on our Research Opportunities page.
getMoving – spaces available
If you or your child is aged 6 to 21, and you live in Auckland, you should check out getMoving. Spaces are available on this awesome free programme.
Weekly classes, run by Functional Adaptive Movement™Ltd (FAM™) offer adapted exercise and equipment play tailored specifically to the needs of those participating.
getMoving is held every Wednesday from 3.30pm – 4.30pm at The Y Auckland, 149 Greys Ave, Auckland City.
To see what participants are saying about getMoving, watch here:
Email our Member Support and Programmes Coordinator Theo for more information – theo@cpsociety.org.nz
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.
GetOutThere:
– Driving Miss Daisy Ferrymead, Christchurch
Moving Out
If you, or someone you know, are navigating a change in living situation, take a look at Moving Out.
It’s a step-by-step guide to help people with disabilities navigate the move towards achieving greater independence.
Learn more here: https://www.flyingkites.org.nz/resources/moving-out
Functional Adaptive Movement – FAM™
FAM™JAM
The team at FAM™ is running FAM™JAM – dance classes that focus on strengthening physical abilities, building emotional resilience, and fostering social connections through the rhythm of dance.
A great way for those aged 8+ to boost balance, flexibility, motor skills and focus.
– Kerikeri, every Wednesday at 6.30pm
– Auckland City at the YMCA, every Wednesday at 5.30pm
More information: www.tinyurl.com/z4k8kk2c
FAM™TŪĪ
FAM™ has recently completed its first intensive program – FAM™TŪĪ.
The next program dates are:
– 10-21 November 2025
– 19-30 January 2026
To keep the experience intimate and meaningful, they have space for only two more people in each cohort. Be quick to secure the last two spots. For more information and to register go to www.tinyurl.com/mvhz4w9b.
What’s happening
Para-Hockey
The Dunedin Ice Hockey Association is running a Para-Hockey Programme during October.
Para-hockey (Sled Hockey) is an adapted version of ice hockey for people with physical disabilities.
– Dunedin Ice Stadium
– October 4, 11, 19 and 26
Registration: https://forms.gle/x3VMx6pDzFsD2DLM7
Information: generalmanager@dunedinicehockey.co.nz
Para-Hockey video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7EZV89cej4
TryaCycle
A day of free adaptive cycling fun is planned for Saturday, October 18. Everyone is welcome at Manurewa Table Tennis Club from 10am-2.30pm to explore all kinds of adaptive bikes.
Information – https://tinyurl.com/3vyytrat and on Facebook https://tinyurl.com/2rnyt7ws
Adaptive Mountain Biking Festival
The Adaptive Mountain Biking Festival is happening on Nov 15 and 16 in Rotorua. It’s a weekend of fun, connection, coaching, and trail time for adaptive riders of all levels.
Everyone’s welcome!
There’s more information here: www.adaptmtb.nz
The weekend includes a Give It A Go Day on Nov 15 – www.tinyurl.com/4ktv4688
Adaptive Triathlons
The Rotorua Adaptive Tri is happening on Thursday, November 6. The event is for Bay of Plenty tamariki and rangatahi, aged 5 and older, with physical or intellectual disabilities. There are 3 events with distances to suit everyone. All three will feature bike (wheels), run and swim events.
More information: https://www.rotoruatriathlon.co.nz/rotorua-adaptive-tri/
Sport Hawke’s Bay is hosting the Napier Aquatic Centre No Limits Tryathlon on Thursday, November 27. It is for tamariki and rangatahi aged 5–20 with physical, intellectual, or neurodiverse needs. The course includes swim, wheels and run legs. There are three different events to choose from as well as the option to enter solo, as a team or both. Registrations close Friday, November 21.
Information: https://www.napieraquatic.co.nz/events/paratriathlon/
Taranaki Amazing Race
On Saturday, December 6, people of all abilities and all ages are invited to the Taranaki Amazing Race. It’s at East End Reserve, Fitzroy from 11am to 1pm and is being put on by Halberg and some awesome partners. Participants will collect passport stamps at activity stations around the reserve and coastal walkway.
The event is free, but registration is essential for support and planning purposes. Scan the QR code in the poster or click here: www.tinyurl.com/yeyt35bu
For information email max@halberg.co.nz or phone 027 269 8579.
Halberg Outdoor Recreation Camp
The annual Halberg Outdoor Recreation Camp is happening in December at Wainui Park, Banks Peninsula. Over five days (four nights), participants aged 17-21 will take part in exciting activities designed to help them grow, connect, and achieve goals they never thought possible! Space is limited.
Register your interest – email Rebecca at rebecca@halberg.co.nz
Well, that’s it from me for this month. I’m really looking forward to seeing the green things you get up to for Be Green & Be Seen and World Cerebral Palsy Day – please be sure to send your photos to us!
And please remember to RSVP for the AGM – we’re hoping to have a great turn out from members.
All the best for a brilliant October.
Ngā mihi,
Clare Williams
General Manager
Cerebral Palsy Society of NZ
