Project Employ

13/04/2026

Have you got those end-of-summer blues?
Why not treat yourself/someone special to a weekend away? You can’t beat having something to look forward to, and we’ve got three great accomodation recommendations for you.

All very different but all generous supporters of Project Employ, so we’d like to show our thanks by giving their businesses a huge shout out 👏👏

One gets you back to nature by providing boutique, off grid glamping near Tauranga; one is an intimate, luxurious bed and breakfast set in beautiful Arrowtown; and one gives you the freedom to stay anywhere that takes your fancy as they have 1-3 bedroomed apartments located throughout NZ & Fiji.

- Fern Valley Retreat

- Arrowtown House Boutique Hotel
https://arrowtownhouse.com

- Quest Apartment Hotels - New Zealand & Fiji

12/04/2026

Happy Monday everyone!
A huge ‘thank you’ to NZ Lottery Grants Board for acknowledging the impact we are having, and how much more we could achieve with financial support.

Being awarded funding from NZ Lottery Grants Board means we can focus 100% on supporting neurodiverse young adults into meaningful employment, with the knowledge that Flourish Cafe’s rent and power bills are covered. 👏👏

Lotto NZ

09/04/2026

Guests at our recent Dinner & Auction Fundraiser were served the most delicious bubbles and wine, and thanks to the generosity of the vineyards/wine merchants that responded to our 11th hour socials shout out, every single drop was donated (and almost every drop was consumed!!)

So, today we're giving a HUGE shout of thanks (and encouraging you to buy their wine as it's all so, so yummy!!!) to:

Villa Maria Estate (it's the 2nd time they've supported our events) - their Sparkling Brut Cuvee is divine!

Obsidian Vineyard Reserve Blanc de Blanc - Omg! Our guests couldn't get enough of this sparkling gem from Waiheke Island.

Hancocks Family Merchants for introducing us to the extremely drinkable Torea Oyster Catcher Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.

The Hunting Lodge Winery & Restaurant for what can only be described as 'divine' Expressions Sauvignon Blanc.

31/03/2026

Today we’re doing a huge shout out to a local business whose very generous donation towards our Dinner & Auction Fundraiser brought a smile to every guest’s face.

You have never seen so many beautiful flowers in one room, all courtesy of Florienne.

For the 3rd year in a row Florienne ensured our event space looked and smelt incredible, and we are incredibly grateful for their support.

So, if you want to treat someone/yourself with flowers that show just how much you care,
pop along to Florienne - 60a Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna 🌹🪻🌺🌼🌷🌸

30/03/2026

The Project Employ Dinner & Auction Fundraiser has been and gone, so it’s time to do a MASSIVE shout out of thanks to all the individuals and businesses that chose to support our event and charity mission.

Today we’re thanking our amazing event sponsors:

Gold Hilton Auckland, New Zealand
Silver Davenports Law
Bronze Oceanbridge Shipping Ltd; Ricoh New Zealand Limited; Benefitz; Janet Marshall - Director Commercial at Colliers New Zealand Ltd

Our fundraiser would not have been as successful as it was without their generosity, so please show your appreciation by supporting their businesses 🙏

29/03/2026

All we can say is "wow"!
Thank you to every single guest, auction item donor and bidder, raffle ticket buyer, and 'hands up for $1,000.00' donor. You are amazing and thanks to your generosity and belief in the work that Project Employ does, close to $100k was raised at last week's charity dinner & auction fundraiser! 👏 🙏

Thanks to the very many items and services donated to our event, all the money raised will go to supporting Project Employ trainees and graduates to prepare for and gain meaningful, paid employment. It also means our employment team can continue being there to guide and support businesses and their employees who are considering/have employed a PE Graduate.

Over the next week, we'll be posting more personalised shout outs to the businesses and individuals that made our fundraising event so successful but in the meantime, on behalf of every neurodiverse young adult that may or may not come through the Project Employ programme, THANK YOU for helping make NZ more inclusive and accepting of those that perceive and respond to the world slightly differently than you do.

By the way it's not too late to put your hand up and donate, or to say "yes!" to Emily and arrange a meeting to discuss work experience and employment opportunities.
Info re donations: hannah@projectemploy.nz
Info re employment: emily@projectemploy.nz

Here are a few pics from the night, courtesy of the amazing Chris Tarpey...

19/03/2026

Huge congratulations to singer/songwriter/musician Nathan Fry on the release of his debut single ‘Better Late Than Never’ 👏👏👏👏👏

Nathan is a big supporter of Project Employ, and guests at tomorrow night’s dinner & auction fundraiser will have the pleasure of hearing him sing throughout the evening. We can’t wait!

Listen to Nathan’s new single here…

https://open.spotify.com/track/2wKaLFROCC059mjCmnBOyc?si=zy6HzG-ES_SVjeyzuUpjnw

Nathan Fry · Better Late Than Never · Song · 2026

17/03/2026

Happy Neurodiversity Celebration Week!
We’re loving this challenge from Emily Norton, our brilliant Employment Programme Lead.

If you’re an employer wanting to hear more, contact emily@projectemploy.nz. She’d love to help you on your journey to employing a more diverse workforce 👏👏

Neurodiversity broadly means the natural variation in human neurology.

A neurodiverse organisation is about having all kinds of brains on your team:
• Creative thinkers
• Linear thinkers
• Deep, slow processors
• Fast-responding minds
• Critical thinkers who spot problems
• Analytical thinkers who solve them
• Brains that need colour and visuals
• Brains that thrive on lists and structure

There is no single “correct” way to think. Yet many of our most creative and original thinkers still hold back. Too often they feel they have to mask or shrink themselves to fit systems that weren’t designed with them in mind. And that’s a loss for everyone. Because the truth is simple: EVERYONE has something valuable to contribute.

In my last post, I talked about the importance of emotionally safe people. The same idea applies here.

Let’s build workplaces where people feel safe to say:
“I have ADHD — clear priorities and structure help me perform at my best.”
“I’m dyslexic — clear formatting and visual information help me work effectively.”
"I’m autistic — clarity and structure help me do my best work.”

Conversations like these shouldn’t feel risky. They should feel normal.

So this week, a small challenge:
👉 Be the person who creates that safety.
Ask people how they work best. Get curious instead of critical.
Normalise talking about how we think. Normalise asking what support helps people do their best work. Because when people feel safe to think differently, everyone benefits.

15/03/2026

Happy Monday, from all at Project Employ and Flourish Cafe 🤩

With our March 21st Dinner & Auction Fundraiser just days away, we'd like to thank all those that have chosen to make a difference by buying an event ticket/table. It's going to be such a great night!

Thanks to our incredible sponsors, all money raised on Saturday night will go directly to supporting neurodiverse young adults gain meaningful, paid employment. So, on behalf of the Project Employ Graduates, a huge Monday shout out goes to...

🥇 Gold Sponsors Hilton Auckland, New Zealand
🥈 Silver Sponsors Davenports Law
🥉 Bronze Sponsors Ricoh New Zealand Limited, Oceanbridge Shipping Ltd, Benefitz, and Janet Marshall - Director Commercial at Colliers New Zealand Ltd

10/03/2026

Tuesday Quiz!
Question: Which item will be in our March 21st charity auction, held at the beautiful Hilton Auckland, New Zealand?

a) A luxury hamper from Cambridge Stud
b) Two nights' accommodation at Fern Valley Retreat
c) One year's worth of Red Bull
d) Private use of a 28 seat cinema at Takapuna Beachside Cinemas
e) Two bottles of red wine, donated and signed by Sir John Key

Answer: All of them plus SO many more, and that's just in the silent auction!

Don't miss out on your chance to go home with an amazing auction item and the knowledge that you have personally made a difference to the lives of so many.

Tickets/tables of 10 from www.projectemploy.nz

05/03/2026

If you can't make it to our Dinner & Auction Fundraiser but want to show your support, how about bidding on this?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/sports/rugby-league/other/listing/5829650229

Framed rugby shirts signed by the South African Springboks and New Zealand All Blacks teams that played in the 50th Test Match on July 25th 1998, in Wellington.

Thanks to the generosity of Ricoh New Zealand Limited, proud sponsors of our March 21st fundraiser, all money raised from this Trade Me auction will go directly to our Employment Programme - supporting neurodiverse young adults into meaningful, paid employment; and supporting employers to see and reap the benefits of employing them.

Thank you SO much, in advance 🙏

www.projectemploy.nz

Charity No. CC59759

05/03/2026

There's still time to get your tickets/tables to the charity event of the year! But not much time!! Saturday March 21st... Hilton Auckland... 3 course meal... bubbles... live music... silent & live auctions...

Plus, thanks to the amazing team at Ingham North Harbour (175 Wairau Road), you could bid for a weekend's use of a 2026 Isuzu MU-X XT 3.0 D 4WD 🚗

We'd love you to join us for what's going to be a fun and inspiring evening, and all for a great cause - raising funds and awareness of Project Employ's Employment Programme.

Tickets/tables available from www.projectemploy.nz