CCS Disability Action

27/04/2026

To close out Season 3 of My Business Stars, we have a bold and brilliant conversation featuring Stephen McIvor, founder of Moonshiners Distillery in Dunedin.

After losing the sight in one eye overnight, Stephen rebuilt his confidence and direction through self‑employment – turning his passion for traditional moonshine into a thriving craft distillery. He talks with host That Blind Woman Julie Woods about resilience, discrimination, the science behind moonshine, and the joy of creating spirits using 80‑year‑old Prohibition‑era recipes and copper pot stills.

Listen to the episode and access the full transcript here: https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/my-business-stars/episode-30

New episodes air on OAR 105.4FM every Tuesday at 12:00 pm and replay on Thursdays at 9:00 am. You can also find the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.


Image description: Photo of Stephen on a night sky background with a rocket icon in the top-right corner. The text reads, "Episode 30: Stephen McIvor. Now streaming on My Business Stars."

27/04/2026

As the long weekend draws to a close, are you thinking ahead to your next workday? Maybe feeling like you need a change? How about a job where you can make a real difference? Learn all about what it's like to work with CCS Disability Action on our website: https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/join-our-team

We have a lot of new vacancies this week, including some amazing leadership opportunities:
• Casual Community Support Worker, Greymouth
• Part-time Community Support Worker, New Plymouth
• Part-time Community Support Workers, Napier
• Part-time Community Support Workers, Wellington
• Full-time Operations Manager, negotiable location
• Board Chair - Service Entity, negotiable location
• Full-time Chief Financial Officer, negotiable location
• Full-time General Manager - Central Region, negotiable location

We look forward to receiving your application!

Check out CCS Disability Action's job vacancies, employee benefits, why dedicated professionals working to support disabled people in New Zealand choose to work for CCS Disability Action.

24/04/2026

We'll be commemorating Anzac Day tomorrow. Are you looking for a service with NZSL interpreters? Here is a list from Deaf Aotearoa.
If you know of any other accessible Anzac Day events, let us know in the comments.

Lest we forget. ❤️

More services added for NZSL interpreted ANZAC Services 🎖️
https://www.deaf.org.nz/2026/03/anzac-day-nzsl-interpreted-events/

❌CANCELLED due to weather warnings: Whangārei - Morning Service
6:00 - 7:00 AM at Laurie Hall Park,
Bank Street

Auckland - Dawn Service
5:40 - 6:30 AM at Auckland War Memorial Museum,
Court of Honour, Parnell

Auckland - Dawn Service
Parade at 5:45 AM opposite Sarona Ave
5:55 AM at Waikūmete Cemetery
4128 Great North Road, Glen Eden

Tauranga - Day Service
9:30 - 10:30 AM at Memorial Park,
Eleventh Avenue, Tauranga

Hamilton – Civic Service
9:50 AM – 11:15 AM at the Cenotaph in Memorial Park,
Memorial Drive, Hamilton East, Hamilton

Palmerston North - Dawn Service
6:00 - 7:00 AM at The Square,
Palmerston North Central, Palmerston North

Palmerston North - Morning Service
9:00 - 10:00 AM at The Square,
Palmerston North Central, Palmerston North

Porirua - Civic Service
8:30 - 10:00 AM at Te Rauparaha Park,
17 Parumoana Street, Porirua City Centre

Lower Hutt - Morning Service
9:45 - 10:45 AM next to War Memorial Library on ANZAC Lawn,
71 Woburn Road, Lower Hutt

Wellington - Dawn Service
5:15 - 7:15 AM at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park,
State Highway 1, Te Aro

Wellington - National Service
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park,
State Highway 1, Te Aro

Christchurch - Service
12:00 - 1:00 PM at Air Force Museum of New Zealand,
45 Harvard Avenue, Wigram

Dunedin - Dawn Service
5:50 - 7:20 AM at Queens Garden,
26/35 Queens Garden, Central Dunedin

--

If you want NZSL interpreters for ANZAC Day services, you can contact the local council, RSA or the event organisers directly.

V/D:
An illustrated sign language interpreter in a dark blue top is overlaid on a memorial mall covered in red poppies.

23/04/2026

to March when we had our Wellington Pasifika fono! We had a great time connecting with everyone at our biggest fono yet. Full recap on our website: https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/wellington-pasifika-fono

Video description: Slideshow of photos from the fono, including attendees, staff members, and food.

22/04/2026

Our Wellington branch is moving! 📍 From Tuesday 28 April, you can find us at Unit 8/5 Bouverie Street, Petone.

Close to popular shops and public transport options, we hope it will be easier for local disabled people and whānau to access our services.

Find out more on our website – link in the comments.

Image description: Outdoor signpost with multiple business logos including CCS Disability Action. The words 'This image has been digitally altered' has been added below.

20/04/2026

Season 3 of My Business Stars continues with a colourful conversation featuring Jo Bridgwater, founder of After School Art Classes with Jo Bridgwater + Studio.

Jo teaches photography, painting, mosaics, fibre arts and more to children in Masterton – all while creating her own artwork, pet portraits and studio photography. Living with autism and chronic pain, she’s built a business that blends creativity, empathy and clever adaptation.

In this episode, Jo talks with host That Blind Woman Julie Woods about resilience, energy management, community support and the joy of helping young people discover their artistic spark.

Listen to the episode and access the full transcript here: https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/my-business-stars/episode-29

New episodes air on OAR 105.4FM every Tuesday at 12:00 pm and replay on Thursdays at 9:00 am. You can also find the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.


Image description: Photo of Jo on a night sky background with a rocket icon in the top-right corner. The text reads, "Episode 29: Jo Bridgwater. Now streaming on My Business Stars."

20/04/2026

We're hiring! Have you always wanted a job where you can make a real difference? Learn all about what it's like to work with CCS Disability Action on our website: https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/join-our-team

Check out our newest vacancies:
• Casual Community Support Worker, Reefton
• Part-time Service Coordinator, New Plymouth

We look forward to receiving your application!

Check out CCS Disability Action's job vacancies, employee benefits, why dedicated professionals working to support disabled people in New Zealand choose to work for CCS Disability Action.

17/04/2026

Take a look inside our Waikato Toy Library! All these toys and many more are available for members to borrow from our Hamilton branch at 17 Claudelands Road. For more info, head to our website: https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/toy-library


Video description: Slideshow of colourful toys including plastic shells, transparent fish, Bananagrams, wooden blocks, a ladybird, wooden and plastic people, and a crocodile. Ends with the CCS Disability Action logo and the words 'Waikato Toy Library' in red, blue, and orange, on a white background.

16/04/2026

Research request: Journeys Not Taken 🔎
Our Access team is reporting on journeys not taken to a doctor's appointment. They'd like to hear from disabled people who have missed a GP appointment because of a transport problem.

Sound like you? Comment below or flick us a DM describing your experience in a few sentences. If you'd like to stay anonymous in the report, let us know.

Here's an example:
"I wanted to go to my doctors, but was unable to access the taxi services due to finances. I'm not able to walk far because of my mobility aid."

It would also be useful to include:
• Why you couldn't get to the doctor
• Why the bus wasn't an option
• The impact of not being able to get to the doctor on your health and your life.

Sharing your story is valuable because it lets us show real life examples of where change is needed and work towards improving the system. Of course, this is completely optional. Ngā mihi!

Image description: Closeup of a doctor taking notes and the words 'Have you missed a doctor's appointment due to a transport problem?' in navy on a light blue background. Image had rounded corners, a white border, and the CCSDA icon in the top left corner.

15/04/2026

Remembering John Povey – a true advocate for accessible housing and independent living.

It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of John Povey, a long-standing former LAC member in Northland and a passionate advocate for accessible housing.

John’s journey with CCS Disability Action began in the mid-1990s when he moved to Whangārei. At a time when affordable, accessible housing was extremely limited, John recognised both the need and the opportunity for change.

He went on to play a key role in establishing the Whangārei Accessible Housing Trust alongside our Northland team, serving as a foundational trustee until recently.

He was also a valued part of our community in many other ways – working in the garden centre run by the Northland branch, connecting with other disabled people living independently through ‘The Coffee Company’, and enjoying the camaraderie of the local Boccia Club.

John led with heart and his contribution has made a meaningful difference. His passing is a real loss to our community.

Moe mai rā, John. Thank you for everything.

Image description: Group photo of the Whangārei Accessible Housing Trustees from a scanned newspaper clipping. John Povey is the second from the left.

13/04/2026

Season 3 of My Business Stars continues with a high‑energy conversation featuring Brodie Williams, owner of Clean My Car in Christchurch.

Brodie shares how he went from developing disability ID cards to buying a car‑cleaning business – and how ADHD gives him the drive to run a fast‑paced operation that’s now booked out weeks in advance. He talks with host That Blind Woman Julie Woods about resilience, discrimination, smart marketing, and why he hires based on attitude and life experience rather than qualifications.

Listen to the episode and access the full transcript here: https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/my-business-stars/episode-28

New episodes air on OAR 105.4FM every Tuesday at 12:00 pm and replay on Thursdays at 9:00 am. You can also find the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.


Image description: Photo of Brodie on a night sky background with a rocket icon in the top-right corner. The text reads, "Episode 28: Brodie Williams. Now streaming on My Business Stars."

13/04/2026

We're hiring! Have you always wanted a job where you can make a real difference? Learn all about what it's like to work with CCS Disability Action on our website: https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/join-our-team

Check out our current open vacancies:
• Part-time Community Support Worker, Westport
• Rostered Community Support Worker - Children and Young People, Whangārei
• Casual Support Worker - Respite Service, Hamilton
• Casual Communty Support Worker, Nelson
• Part-time Service Coordinator, Tauranga
• Part-time Service Coordinator, Westport

We look forward to receiving your application!

Check out CCS Disability Action's job vacancies, employee benefits, why dedicated professionals working to support disabled people in New Zealand choose to work for CCS Disability Action.