Independent Living

04/11/2025

Complex Care Group Info Events

Complex Care Group is a support and information network for carers of those with very high and complex needs.

On the 18th of November from 10.30am-3pm, at the Kiwi Room, Jet Park Hotel, Mangere there is a session for disabled people, families, whānau and aiga (Tea and coffee on arrival and a lunch will be provided). The session aims to provide information and discussion on the structure of the Disability Support System.

RSVP by Monday 10th November. To register please head here:

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

04/11/2025

💜 It’s Purple Tuesday!

Today we celebrate a global movement that’s all about calling on organisations to and make inclusion part of everyday life.

At Independent Living, we’ve been proud advocates for accessibility for many years. Our Access & Advisory Master Coach Tony Howe was part of the Be.Accessible team that worked during the 2011 Rugby World Cup to ensure stadiums across New Zealand were accessible for everyone to enjoy. He was involved with Air NZ's award winning seating redesign helping to ensure that the design was as accessible as they could make it.

Tony continues to share his expertise with government and community organisations, helping them design spaces, systems, and services that are inclusive and barrier-free.

This Purple Tuesday, we’re joining Enable New Zealand and thousands of others around the world in pledging real, lasting improvements for disabled people and their families. Because accessibility isn’t a one-day event, it’s an everyday practice.

💜 Let’s keep the conversation going. What’s one thing your workplace or community can do to be more accessible?

03/11/2025

World Record Attempt for the Longest Moving Line of Wheelchairs....

I Lead and YES Disability Resource Centre are going for a world record, in collaboration with Permobil and Eden Park. On Tuesday, 3 December 2025, aligned with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we will attempt to break the World Record for the Longest Moving Line of Wheelchairs at Eden Park.

This event will celebrate resilience, solidarity, and the strength of community. Our goal is to gather 600 wheelchairs to create the longest moving line ever recorded. It will be a powerful display of inclusion, unity, and possibility in motion.

📅 Date: Wednesday, 3 December 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
📍 Location: Eden Park, 42 Reimers Avenue, Kingsland, Auckland
💰 Entry: $5 per participant (support people enter free)
🔗 Learn more and register: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/world-record-attempt-longest-moving-line-of-wheelchairs-tickets-1783256852249?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

Spread far and wide!!

30/10/2025

Plans are in motion to significantly change the lives of many people living with disability following stroke thanks to the kindness and forward thinking of a late donor.

In partnership with Independent Living Charitable Trust, we’re excited to announce the launch of a nationwide fund to gift at least 100 motorised mobility scooters - honouring the wishes of Peter Morath who lived with his wife Shirley in Christchurch.

Shirley was a stroke survivor and who, with the aid of an electric wheelchair, was able to live with independence and dignity.

Stroke survivors wishing to apply to the fund can do so at www.stroke.org.nz/affected-by-stroke/grants/the-national-mobility-scooter-fund/ while funds are available.

29/10/2025

"A major relief" - thanks to Doug who recently left us a 5-star review on Trust Pilot. We love hearing from our customers about the experience they have had with us either in store, over the phone or online.

If you have any feedback for us, we'd love to hear from you!

Shop our huge tried-and-tested range of daily living aids and mobility products: https://ilsnz.org/collections/products-categories

28/10/2025

Today is World Stroke Day. It's a chance to raise awareness about Stroke and how important it is to act fast and recognise the signs.

Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand have put out this great informative video with a Stroke Nurse from Christchurch Hospital about the importance of getting to hospital immediately after a stroke to reverse the effects, and have the best possible recovery.

Every minute counts.

23/10/2025

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora has issued announcements today around new measles cases in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Please be wary and share wide in order to protect your whānau. Full details and exposure locations can be found on the official Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora website here: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tewhatuora.govt.nz%2Fcorporate-information%2Fnews-and-updates%2Fnew-measles-cases-confirmed-as-cook-strait-ferry-identified-among-further-exposure-locations%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWDhaM09lallDV1ZvVlBFYQEeNYWnNS8UBvZz-rab-3b7WW-xp4Lt2mOObgmg05DeBQX1dVtPw0S9ElRCqY0_aem_akLfZn5ajx6BORvw9fCQuQ&h=AT0YS-tR9G1RgX2mVFoPe5_Ml6kSwF9xJPqjzbjX1zL1Aob5sqqoFN3-rGMj9T90eZ5RV7xBJh_x6clDFaT0qr7bM2qhMt-5M6HZAlPVzINdgdKi_uApEIAqfDfABsLpz43OX3zMvuAedDVJypB3jQ&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT0BCFTGhT393mDRQQvyfrqrZFVzAiqjE_-JGJsFJrMiWpGJRBbNEsWCM3o0hrjG8NmhIjYXFlWsne1KT8ffvVsLgGkfbVscYabvPiKYkHz4GvMN9vuoSsaPcZQBJKvUYyCvd8Gt4XLKa4m9K0gZOgCT_4TpKWKv6O5xpRMcVTkIfrW8pHt-LnALtFGpO9V8Sy_Qd06wMTPZ_me4wzUV2vnc

More information on what to do can be found on the original post below.

We have confirmed additional measles cases in New Zealand today (23 Oct), with a Cook Strait ferry among listed exposure locations.

These new cases bring the total number of cases nationally to six. One of the cases is in Northland, two are in Auckland, two are in Manawatū, and one is in Nelson. These are all in addition to the 10 cases reported last week in Northland and the 1 case in Queenstown-lakes district.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air - even after an infected person has left the area. If you were on the ferry or in other listed locations of interest, check your symptoms and vaccination status.

✅ What to do:

Monitor for symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, rash; and stay home if unwell.

Call your GP or Healthline (📞 0800 611 116) for advice and before visiting any medical centre.

Check your MMR vaccination status - two doses offer strong protection.

📍 Stay informed and protect your whānau. Full details and exposure locations: www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/corporate-information/news-and-updates/new-measles-cases-confirmed-as-cook-strait-ferry-identified-among-further-exposure-locations

NZSL measles info 👉 info.health.nz/languages-alternate-formats/languages/new-zealand-sign-language-nzsl/nzsl-measles

20/10/2025

What a result! 🥋✨

Three incredible athletes from Hawke’s Bay have brought home a stack of medals from the Inclusive Taekwon-Do World Championships in Italy. Hot on the heels of the Special Olympics, it’s another amazing reminder of what inclusive sport makes possible.

Taekwon-Do is a brilliant option for people of all abilities, it builds focus, confidence and community.

Read the full story and give these champs a huge congratulations:

The Hawke’s Bay trio claimed 10 golds among 12 medals in Italy.

20/10/2025

Information from Health New Zealand / Te Whatu Ora

Some health workers are planning to strike on Thursday 23 October to 7am on Friday 24 October.

During the strike, hospital emergency departments will be open for emergencies only.

If it's not an emergency, you can:
- Visit your GP, urgent care clinic or book an online GP appointment
- Or call Healthline on 0800 611 116
- For after-hours care in rural areas, call Ka Ora on 0800 252 672.
- call or text 1737 for mental health support.

Find out more at info.health.nz
In an emergency always call 111.

This same announcement can be seen in more languages on the images below (Traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, Korean, Hindi and Arabic).