SkillWise

09/04/2026

Yesterday, some of the SkillWise team joined The White Room Creative Space, The Green Lab and Richmond Community Garden teams at the Climate Action Campus. Together we had a wānanga, learning some te reo Māori and tikanga with the brilliant kaiako (teacher) Regan Kupu Stokes. We got to sit in the rā (sun) and whakarongo (listen) and kōrero (speak) te reo Māori all day!

This is part of our ongoing mahi towards becoming a Tangata Tiriti organisation, and we are grateful to ACE Aotearoa for the funding to pursue this development.

The wānanga was a great reminder that we have a lot more te reo Māori than we use, and a warm encouragement to use it. Kia kaha te reo Māori!

31/03/2026

Amazing news for the wonderful Phillipstown Community Hub - we are so happy to see this important hub being considered valuable. 😍

We’re really happy to be able to share some positive news 💛

Christchurch City Council will be stepping in as interim caretakers of the Phillipstown Hub from 8th April, helping ensure the space can continue to operate while longer-term plans are worked through.

A lot of effort has gone on behind the scenes, with both Council and our team working hard to keep the Hub open for the many groups who use and love this space. During this time, we’ll continue supporting existing bookings and activities, while doing our best to maintain stability for the community.

Over the coming weeks, our staff will be working closely alongside Council to support a smooth transition.

Most of all, we want to say thank you. The voices of this community have truly been heard, and we’re so grateful for the support, care, and advocacy shown for this place.

The Hub has always been about its people — and we’re hopeful for what comes next ✨

26/03/2026

An important message from New Zealand Disability Support Network - NZDSN. Any disruptions to fuel access impacts disabled people and staff working for disability services (like SkillWise!)

'This is a critical moment.'
'Disability support services are a vital part of New Zealand’s social infrastructure. Ensuring their continuity, particularly in times of disruption, must be a priority.'

Read our open letter to the government calling for urgent action: https://nzdsn.org.nz/open-letter-to-government-fuel-pressures-and-the-impact-on-disability-support-services/

25/03/2026

Hello SkillWise members and community.

Petrol is getting very expensive. People are worried that we won't be able to drive to the places we need to go. The government is making plans about this.

SkillWise has made a plan in case we can't get the petrol we need.

Here's what you need to know:

🚗 SkillWise classes, clubs and support will continue.
🚗 We might need to use cars and vans less.
🚗 We will tell you about the changes we make.
🚗 We will work with you to make sure you can still go to the places that are important to you.

If you have questions, you can contact us.
Phone number: 03 382 0350
Email: info@skillwise.org.nz
Facebook: send us a message

24/03/2026

The Craig McMillan Cricket Series is always a huge highlight of each year! Thanks Christchurch Metro Cricket Association for running such a great series once again!

20/03/2026

It's World Down Syndrome Day today!

The Lots of Socks project is a fun way to mark the day and remember the Down Syndrome community!

Are you wearing cool socks today? 🧦

20/03/2026

At SkillWise, we work alongside learners to reduce and remove access barriers. Accessing the digital world and all the useful tools that come with it has significant barriers attached for our community of learners.

The 2026 IHC New Zealand Data to Dignity Report tells us that only 80% of adults with learning disabilities have access to the internet, consistently trending lower than the general population at all age groups.

Thanks to the Whiria Te Aka fund by Chorus, we’ve been delivering a foundational technology course, covering topics from identifying scams to meme culture.

How good, thank you Chorus, and also Christchurch City Council for some rehomed laptops!

18/03/2026

You're invited! 🙋‍♀️

SkillWise is having a meeting to talk about the cool stuff we did this year.

If you or your family member is a SkillWise member - come along!

If you work in the disability sector - come along!

If you just want a snack and to hang out with our board - come along!

Please send us a message or email if you're definitely coming so we can make sure we have enough food for everybody. 🍪🍇

03/03/2026

All good structures are built on strong foundations. So what are ours?😎

1. The Enabling Good Lives Principles - the collaboratively-developed ideas, not the government program.

2. Te Tiriti o Waitangi - the one recognised by the UN!

3. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

4. The Squad (an advocacy board of SkillWise members and learners).

5. The NZ Disability Strategy and Action Plan.

We know it’s a bit dry and intangible, so over the next wee while we’ll be sharing how we do this in practice.

02/03/2026

Wow! Thank you so much to everyone who came along to the quiz, bought raffle tickets, and supported us by sharing the word. 🤩

This pūtea will go directly to upgrading a pretty old and ugly lounge area, creating an accessible and inviting hang-out space for our members to develop their connections and have a mana-acknowledging place to spend time.

A big thanks also to Jess Benson and QB Studios for donating some acoustic panels, and to Cook Brothers Construction for working with us to bring our vision to life. 🛋️

24/02/2026

Hey New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) - thanks sooooo much for supporting us to rewire our auditorium!

The Many Hats Theatre Company and heaps of community members are going to enjoy the rewired auditorium for years to come.

Read all about it here: https://www.skillwise.org.nz/latestupdates/nzct-powers-up-skillwise-auditorium

23/02/2026

Kia ora koutou, we're on LinkedIn!

Please follow us there: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwisenz/