Recreate NZ

16/04/2026

Over to our beautiful, ever sunny Kumeu Orchard! This Moxie Experience programme in the North-West of Auckland has remained a popular offering with our community.

Boasting over 100 lemon trees and a handful of lime trees, this special plot provides many learning and growing opportunities. 🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋

16/04/2026

We won! Thank you Stihl for supporting our Moxie Kumeū Orchard crew!

Our 100 Years, 100 Stories competition brought in so many incredible entries - and now it’s time to celebrate the Top 10.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing the standout stories that captured the heart, history, and hard work of STIHL fans across Aotearoa.

You'd be hard pressed to find bigger fans of the Stihl Shop Kumeu than the Recreate NZ Moxie Orchard crew! Each Wednesday, we head to the orchard to learn work skills with young people with intellectual disabilities. As we round the bend toward Stihl, a chorus erupts, "it's our mower shop!". Sometimes we wonder if equipment is used with a bit too much gusto just so we have an excuse to drop by. From the first time we walked in, we were welcomed with open arms and over the years have been guided and encouraged by Craig and his staff. Our 3 Stihl line trimmers and leaf blower are the pride of the Recreate NZ tool set. The crew spent nearly a selling lemons and limes to fundraise for the prized leaf blower. The equipment are safe and easy to use, enabling learning across a wide range of skills. Craig's team have patiently taught us how to look after our ride-on and push mowers, they've sharpened our tools, shown us how to best maintain our equipment and indulged us with in-store product testing. It goes deeper than just tools though. The genuine interest in and care for our team are why a visit to the Stihl Shop is such a highlight. When Craig heard that Mitchell had been selected to represent NZ in skiing at the Special Olympics he presented a beanie with hearty congratulations. This partnership reflects a genuine commitment to community and empowers Recreate NZ to continue driving positive change across Aotearoa. We’re deeply grateful for the care taken to ensure our people and equipment are always treated with the utmost respect and dignity. Jess, Mitch and the Recreate NZ crew have a message for Stihl at this 100-year celebration – "Thanks for being so friendly and helpful, fixing our equipment, and showing us how to clean our w**d eater. You are always happy to show us around the shop, we are so proud to wear our Stihl hats when we’re out and about!" Sarah F

15/04/2026

https://mailchi.mp/recreate/term-10151343

In the news this week, we remind our Auckland community participants about our free flu vaccination drive at Recreate NZ in Ellerslie this coming Monday!

We also shout out our amazing Kumeu Lemon Orchard crew for winning the 100 years of Stihl competion, well done!

Our Illuminate recap is also inside, as well as a mini April holidays rundown amongst navigating through Cyclone Vaianu

Each Wednesday, we head to the orchard to learn work skills with young people with intellectual disabilities. As we round the bend toward Stihl, a chorus erupts, "it's our mower shop!". Sometimes we wonder if equipment is used with a bit too much gusto just so we have an excuse to drop by. From the....

14/04/2026

Following on from Monday's spotlight on West: Social Club, today we have our Waiau Pa Garden crew in action over Term 1 / Summer!

We love this magical spot in the southern side of the Manukau Harbour near Clarks Beach and Karaka, where we enjoy our Tuesday's in the great outdoors each week.

These horticulture courses are great for empowering young people to develop task orientation, tools for wellbeing and resilience, effective teamwork and a clear self-awareness of personal strengths and challenges.

We are currently in the second week of the April school holiday period, which is followed by a week of prioritised coordination in our offices, before starting our Life Skills and Moxie programmes for Term 2 / Autumn from Tuesday 28th April.

12/04/2026

Time to put a spotlight on the awesome things our West-based groups are up to!

We currently host two midweek offerings each week from our Massey premise at 545 Don Buck Road, Massey (old Massey library) for 15-35 year old's:

Tuesdays: Life Skills - Social Club, fun and engaging social opportunities to build autonomy and gain friendships.
Thursdays: Life Skills - On the Move, active recreational opportunities across the city as a way of promoting fit and healthy lifestyles.

Here we have our Social Club pictured out and about during our Term 1 / Summer. Thank you to all our west-based participants for utilising our Massey premise!

08/04/2026

🎥 As promised, here are some beautiful highlights from , created by the team at Borderless Productions.

🗓️ ✨Illuminate Market 2027 is scheduled to take place on Saturday 20 March 2027 – Save the Date!

If you would like to be involved in Illuminate Market 2027 as a stallholder, performer, sponsor etc., please register your interest here: https://forms.gle/zL483LCrEoPSAZgRA.

07/04/2026

Last month we were able to enjoy four stunning days in Queenstown, with thanks to Hugo Charitable Trust!

So many highlights to mention, including an awesome jet boat experience through Shotover Jet, a highly entertaining time at Time Tripper, luge rides at Skyline Queenstown, a trip to Wanaka and the Cardrona Hotel, NZ, The Remarkable Sweet Shop and Fergburger Ltd!

As our Auckland group departed on their flight home, Recreate Waikato tagged in and spent the next four days in paradise, which was then followed by Recreate Bay Of Plenty rinsing and repeating!

Thank you once again to Hugo Charitable Trust for making these trip of a life time happen for us!

07/04/2026

- Thank You Part 2

🗣️“So often the biggest barrier isn’t ability, it is belief" - Jaden Movold

Words can’t express just how special it was to have the incomparable Jaden Movold as part of Illuminate Market 2026, but we’re going to try anyway! Here’s a few words from Sarah Ferens, Head of Moxie and Illuminate Market event manager:

“It was such a pleasure having Jaden MC and speak at Illuminate Market this year. His confidence and energy in advocating for the disability community were truly infectious, and it was clear how much his presence meant to everyone there. Jaden was so supportive in the lead up to the event, helping us to promote Illuminate Market far and wide and actively encouraging people to attend.

The disabled members in the crowd especially appreciated his mentorship and the way he uplifted and inspired those around him. We’re incredibly grateful he could be part of creating such a vibrant, inclusive space!”

👏Ngā mihi nui ki a koe Jaden!
🎥 Here’s a short clip from his opening speech courtesy of Borderless.

✨Stay connected with Jaden by following him on Facebook, Instagram, & TikTok. Learn more about his incredible journey to date and his aspirations for the future at: jadenmovold.com

05/04/2026

Brunch and Minigolf at minigolf at Treasure Island was so much fun!

What a great way to spend a Saturday in our city of Auckland. Thanks to everyone who came out with us for the day!

02/04/2026

It takes a village to put together Illuminate Market, so much so, that our thank yous need to be shared in parts! 😅 📸 Event photos & highlights reel coming soon!

Thank You Part 1:

Our sincere gratitude goes to the following people and organisations for their invaluable contributions to Illuminate Market 2026! Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou to all the:

🛍Stallholders
🥁Performers
🍔Food Vendors
📋Event Suppliers
📣Promo Supporters
🎁Raffle/prize donors
💸Funders
✨Recreate staff, Youth Board, volunteers & whānau

If you’re keen to be involved in Illuminate Market 2027 as a stallholder, performer, sponsor etc., please register your interest here: https://forms.gle/zL483LCrEoPSAZgRA


Spectrum Foundation Albert-Eden Local Board

31/03/2026

80's Night with our Adults 🎊🕺💃

This was such a fun night at Recreate in Ellerslie with our 30-45 year olds, with a plethora of throwback songs from years past.

You may have noticed both our Auckland and Christchurch regions have extended our age category to include 30-45 year olds, so the good times keep rolling for those who have journeyed with us through their twenties and beyond!