Independent Living

09/03/2026

From April, people who use flexible funding through DSS will have more choice and control over how they use their funding.

From 1st April 2026:

🔶 People’s allocated budgets for flexible funding will stay the same as they are now. There will be no change.
🔶 The purchasing rules for flexible funding will be removed.
🔶 Flexible funding must still be used in line with people’s plans - but people will have more choice over what supports work for them, including respite options for carers.
🔶 A small number of items will remain prohibited or require pre-approval before spending.
🔶 There will be more support for people to plan and manage their flexible funding in line with their plan. People with Hosts can expect to hear about this support from April onwards.
🔶 People don’t need to do anything to get ready for these changes.

There is more information on the DSS website: https://www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/disabled-people/improvements-to-disability-support-services/flexible-funding-changes

These April changes build on earlier improvements to Disability Support Services, including a nationally consistent assessment approach introduced in February 2026, and reflect feedback from the disability community.

09/03/2026

See some amazing performances at a discounted rate!

The Auckland Arts Festival is currently on and they have a commitment to accessibility including (as per their website): "providing reduced-cost tickets to members of our Deaf and disabled communities with FREE companion tickets available."

The festival runs until the 22nd of March. Check out their accessibility commitment at the link to their website below, where you'll also find the event schedule.

We believe everyone should have access to extraordinary arts, and we are committed to improving the accessibility of our festival.

08/03/2026

The 2026 Paralympic Winter Games started over the weekend!

One of the two Kiwi athletes, Corey Peters is competing in the Men’s Super-G Sitting tonight (Monday 9th) at 9:30pm New Zealand time. Make sure to watch it!

Keep up to date with all the latest information by following along on the Paralympics New Zealand page or website: https://paralympics.org.nz/

The full schedule of when our athletes are competing can also be found here: https://paralympics.org.nz/games/milano-cortina-2026/

Paralympics New Zealand is the National Paralympic Committee for New Zealand. We support our Para athletes at international & national competitions

05/03/2026

Did you know Disability Connect runs support groups and seminars for the public to attend? You can find out more about their upcoming events here:

There are lots of ways we can help individuals with a disability, or family members of a disabled person, to navigate the New Zealand disability sector. Check out our seminars, community conversations and additional services to the right. Information on events, resources and useful links to activiti...

04/03/2026

We love this important perspective from the great folks at Deaf Aotearoa, who are changing how we look at World Hearing Day this year.

"Here in Aotearoa, Deaf people continue to face barriers in education, health, employment, and public participation. These barriers are not caused by being Deaf - they are created by systems and environments that do not provide full, early, and lifelong access to New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL)."

Follow Deaf Aotearoa for more information and to support their kaupapa.

04/03/2026

Are you an unpaid carer or have views on support for carers?

MSD (Ministry for Social Development) is calling for feedback on its draft Action Plan to support unpaid or informal carers in homes and communities across New Zealand. Consultation closes on 12 March.

For more information and to have your say go to the Draft Carers' Strategy Action Plan: https://govt.us22.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5d6b49d8795def40560e0e147&id=746ca35640&e=dff2fd90fd

02/03/2026

Healthy Eating for Older People Talk

Onehunga Community Hub and Independent Living Charitable Trust invite you to an informative and practical healthy talk, presented by NZ Registered Dietitian Sanny Chan. Whether you are looking to improve your own diet or support an older family member, this session will provide clear, easy to follow advice you can put into practice straight away.

At the end of the session, Independent Living Charitable Trust will briefly introduce their services and share how they support older people in our community.

Onehunga社区中心及独立生活慈善信托基金诚邀您参加由注册营养师Sanny带来的健康讲座。无论您是想改善自身饮食，还是想帮助家中长辈，本次讲座都将提供清晰易懂、简单易行的建议，让您能够立即付诸实践。同时独立生活慈善信托基金也将简要介绍他们的服务，并分享他们如何支持社区长者

FREE entry but more information can be found here: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/free-mandarin-workshop-on-healthy-living-for-older-people/auckland

23/02/2026

We recently received some great feedback from a customer who purchased our Sanson Gutter Walker. Thanks to Stu for letting us know how this product is helping you.

We always love to hear feedback from our customers on products and customer service.

You can shop the Sanson Gutter Walker here: https://ilsnz.org/products/06bd64da-d804-11e8-f71b-80d51b702a67?_pos=1&_sid=7694148aa&_ss=r

19/02/2026

Are you signed up to the Independent Living monthly email newsletter? At the end of each month, we share what’s happening in the coming weeks, along with what we have been doing and often highlight our new products in store too!

Sign up today to receive our next email newsletter here:

Sign up to receive the latest news, event information and product deals from Independent Living

17/02/2026

Multiple Sclerosis Auckland are hosting this wonderful event on Sunday, 22nd February at the Auckland Botanic Gardens between 10am-2pm.

Head along, bring a picnic and see the release of hundreds of butterflies. A perfect family outing. Full event details can be found on the original post below.

17/02/2026

The tail-end of summer is a great opportunity to have your equipment thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to hospital standards.

Independent Living Cleaning Service uses the class leading HUBSCRUB automated cleaning and disinfection technology. HUBSCRUB allows you to completely clean and decontaminate wheelchairs, commodes, toilet frames, shower chairs, carts, trolleys, overbed tables and more in less than 6 minutes!

Enjoy peace of mind - and clean equipment - from just $20 an item.
Find out more here: https://ilsnz.org/pages/equipment-cleaning

12/02/2026

February update on improvements to assessment, allocation and flexible funding.

Disability Support Services (DSS) earlier this week released this video update about the delivery of the first stage of improvements to the way DSS funds supports for disabled people, families, whānau and carers.

Changes are coming into effect in February and April.

The video includes NZSL. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3Yu012Vy8I

Subscribe to the DSS newsletter for future updates: https://mailchi.mp/comms.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/um4rpdsxc1

This update is about delivering the first stage of the changes announced in September - and what it means for disabled people, families, whānau and carers.