ConneXu

11/02/2026

Farewell to Board Co-Chair – Colleen Joblin

I tēnei rā, we have farewelled a deeply valued member of our Board and Co-Chair, Colleen Joblin who steps down after an extraordinary 11 years of service.

For more than a decade, Colleen has made an outstanding contribution to the strategic direction, growth and success of ConneXu. Her leadership, wisdom and considered guidance — he pou whakarae, he pou whakahaere — have helped shape the organisation we are today.

Colleen has been instrumental in the development and strengthening of our governance systems, processes, and practices — ngā tikanga whakahaere — creating a strong foundation that will guide board members well into the future. Through her leadership across multiple committees, she has helped embed sound decision-making, accountability, and foresight at the heart of our Board.
Above all, Colleen has brought a deep and genuine commitment to the kaupapa of ConneXu. Her passion for our purpose — te take o tō tātou mahi — and unwavering focus on the wellbeing of the people we partner with — te oranga me te mana o te tangata — has been evident in all that she has contributed to.

On behalf of the Board, leadership team, and wider organisation, we offer our sincere thanks — ngā mihi nui, ngā mihi maioha — for the time, care, insight, and generosity Colleens has given over many years. We wish Colleen all the very best for the future — kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui — and acknowledge with gratitude the legacy she leaves behind.

E kore e mimiti te puna o ngā mihi.
Our thanks are enduring.

29/01/2026

🚧 Road Works Near Our Te Awamutu Office 🚧

If you’re visiting our Te Awamutu office over the coming weeks, please allow extra time and take care around nearby roads.

Water main upgrade works are underway on Sloane Street and Arawata Street and are expected to continue for approximately two months.

Please note:
- Temporary parking restrictions and road closures
-Lane closure from 21 January on Arawata Street (detours in place)
- From 29 January to approximately 14 February, work will be happening directly outside our offices
- Footpath access will remain available, supported by on-site traffic management

We appreciate your patience while this essential work is completed. If you have any questions before visiting, feel free to get in touch.

24/01/2026

E o mātou ngākau ki Te Moana-a-Toi 🤍

We are deeply saddened by the tragic events in the Bay of Plenty and the loss of life that has occurred.

Our thoughts are with the whānau, friends and wider communities who are grieving, and with those who are still waiting for news of loved ones. We acknowledge the immense pain, shock and uncertainty this brings.

We also wish to acknowledge and sincerely thank the emergency services, essential workers and volunteers who have responded with courage, professionalism and compassion during this incredibly difficult time. Your mahi, dedication and care for others does not go unnoticed, and we are deeply grateful.

At this time of great sorrow, we extend our aroha and condolences to all those affected. We recognise the strength of community and the importance of coming together to support one another — manaakitanga, compassion and care matter more than ever.

Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui.
May strength, courage and resilience surround the Bay of Plenty and all who are mourning. 💔

25/12/2025

Meri Kirihimete ki a koutou katoa! 🎄

Ngā mihi nui ki ā mātou kaimahi, ngā whānau, ngā hoa mahi tahi, me ā mātou kaitautoko katoa.
Thank you to everyone who supports and follows us — we are grateful for you.

Kia tau te rangimārie, te hari, me te aroha i tēnei wā o te Kirihimete.
Wishing you all a safe, happy, and joyful festive season🤶🏻🎁

18/12/2025

ConneXu Partners Shine at Special Olympics National Summer Games!

ConneXu is celebrating the achievements of its partners who competed at the Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games in Christchurch, showcasing dedication, perseverance, and the joy of sport.

The Games brought together athletes from across Aotearoa and highlighted the power of inclusion, connection, and opportunity.

ConneXu partners demonstrated months — and in many cases years — of commitment through training, goal-setting, and determination to reach the national stage.

We are proud to acknowledge:

- Caleb Hakwins — Silver Medal, 4 x 25m Freestyle; Gold Medal, 100m Relay
- Peter Crawford — Gold Medal, 50m Freestyle, Gold Medal, 25m Freestyle
- Corban George-Potterton — Silver Medal, Basketball
- Tiara Taylor — Bronze Medals, Athletics 4 x 100m Relay; also competed in the 200m and shotput
- Megan Macalister — Bronze Medals for Athletics 200m and 4 x 100m Relay, competed in 100 m
- Stacy Parker – 100m sprint, shotput, javelin

“These achievements reflect the hard work, determination, and belief our partners bring to their goals,” says Fern Ryan, Chief Executive of ConneXu.

“Reaching the Special Olympics national stage is a significant milestone, and the journey behind these results is something to be celebrated.”

The Games were a reminder that when people are supported to pursue their goals, extraordinary outcomes follow. ConneXu congratulates all athletes, whānau, volunteers, and supporters who made the 2025 National Summer Games such a powerful celebration of ability, belonging, and achievement. Well done everyone!

11/12/2025

We’re so proud to share that ConneXu has achieved WorkWell Gold Accreditation — the highest level in the programme! 💛✨

This milestone has been years in the making, starting with Bronze in 2023 and Silver in 2024. WorkWell helps workplaces “work better through wellbeing,” and this recognition reflects how far we’ve come in building a supportive, healthy environment for our team — and, in turn, the people and whānau we partner with.

When our team thrives, so do our partners.

Read the full story here: 👉 https://www.connexu.nz/stories/connexu-achieves-workwell-gold

A Big Step Forward for Team & Partner Wellbeing

09/12/2025

Earlier this month we said goodbye to Carina, a Board member who has been part of ConneXu for the last 18 months.

Thank you for your guidance and the care you brought to our mahi.

Read more on our website https://www.connexu.nz/stories/with-appreciation-and-acknowledgement 💜🌿

Earlier this month, we farewelled Carina Fraser, a Board member who has been with us for the past 18 months — a relatively short time, yet one where her presence has genuinely mattered. During her time at our table, she brought fresh eyes, thoughtful questions, and a steady commitment to ensuring ...

03/12/2025

Today we’re reaffirming ConneXu’s commitment to supporting disabled people and their whānau to live life their way — with dignity, choice, and true partnership.

As we celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we’re highlighting the work our team does every day to create inclusive communities where people are valued, respected, and empowered.

Read our full statement on our continued commitment to disabled people here: 👇
ConneXu reaffirms commitment to keep building a more inclusive Aotearoa
https://www.connexu.nz/stories/connexu-reaffirms-commitment-to-keep-building-a-more-inclusive-aotearoa

December 3rd marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Local disability support provider ConneXu is acknowledging the significance of the day, reaffirming their commitment to keep building a more inclusive Aotearoa. The United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities

01/12/2025

Climbing Mauao: A Journey of Community, Connection, and Courage

For International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we’re honoured to share an incredible achievement from one of the People We Partner With.

Recently, Milton Tawa reached the summit of Mauao (Mount Maunganui) in his wheelchair — supported by a large and dedicated team of Turning Point Trust Facilitators, alongside tangata whaiora and whaikaha who walked every step with him. Close to 30 people formed this hīkoi of support, trust, and belief.

ConneXu played a small part, providing transport and assistance with transfers between his power chair and the trail rider. The lion’s share of the mahi sits proudly with Turning Point Trust and their kaupapa of empowerment, inclusion, and community.

Reaching the summit was a powerful experience — emotionally, spiritually, and culturally. At the top, he was surprised with a taiaha named Tauhikura (descendant) and a touch stone of Mauao, acknowledging both the journey and his connection to the maunga.

Milton reflected that the climb embodied many of the Enabling Good Lives principles: choice, community, mana, whanaungatanga, and the right support at the right time.

This is what true partnership looks like — people coming together so that someone can live life their way.

Happy International Day of Persons with Disabilities. 💛

30/11/2025

Today we begin our build-up to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December) — a day that recognises the strengths, leadership, and voices of disabled people in our communities.

At ConneXu, inclusion is not a one-day celebration. It’s the everyday practice of working in true partnership with the people we partner with and their whānau — listening, learning, and making sure choice and control sit at the centre of every decision.

Over the next few days, we’ll be sharing stories, reflections, and insights that showcase Inclusion in Action across our organisation.

To start, here’s a reminder of what grounds us: our Purpose.
Empowering Growth, Building Trust.

🎥 Watch our Purpose Video: https://youtu.be/zqjd6JgWU8M

In 2024, ConneXu began an important journey—bringing together our team members, disabled partners, and family and whānau to co-design a clear, meaningful pur...

21/11/2025

ConneXu was proud and honoured be finalists in the 2025 Waikato Business Awards… a testament to our strategic and business focus, as well as our purpose and heart. On the night Braemar Charitable Trust were the winners of our category and we want to extend our congratulations to Braemar, an award well deserved - well done🎉

21/11/2025

And here we go