Our Mission: “Supporting and empowering parents and whānau”
THIS STORY IS OFTEN SHARED WITH PARENTS AS THEY EMBARK ON A NEW AND UNEXPECTED JOURNEY INTO PARENTING A VISION IMPAIRED CHILD. IT IS A CREATIVE WAY OF THINKING ABOUT THE CHALLENGES WE FACE, REFRAMING THEM, AND REALISING THAT IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WHAT WE PLANNED, BUT IT IS STILL VERY MUCH A RICH AND REWARDING JOURNEY. Continue Reading Welcome to Holland
We’re excited to share the latest edition of eVision, filled with updates, stories, and insights from across our community. In this issue, you’ll find highlights from our national advocacy work, reflections from the 2025 PVI Parent Conference, updates on collaborative partnerships, practical information for navigating support systems, and inspiring contributions from parents and professionals. Continue Reading December eVision
PVI has submitted feedback on the proposed Early Childhood Education reforms, with a focus on disabled children and their whānau. While around 95% of 3–4-year-olds in Aotearoa attend ECE, disabled children often face significant barriers: Continue Reading New submission: Early Childhood
Parents of Vision Impaired (PVI) has made a submission on the Public Service Amendment Bill. While we support efforts to improve efficiency and accountability, we are deeply concerned that the Bill weakens commitments to equity, inclusion, and participation. Continue Reading PVI Submission on the Public Service Amendment Bill
Parents of Vision Impaired NZ (PVI) has made a submission to Parliament on the proposed changes to local government. We have several concerns about this Bill. Why? Because this Bill: Continue Reading Local Government Amendment Bill: Concerns
PVI has submitted on the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Amendment Bill. We are concerned as the proposed changes:
Continue Reading Pae Ora Amendment Bill
For many, family and friends can help out. If this isn’t the case – hiring a babysitter is another option. But that’s not the case for everyone. For some families, including my own, it isn’t as simple as ‘hiring a babysitter’. My child has very high needs and she deserves parents who are not burnt out. We need breaks but can’t just hire a sitter. We need someone trained to provide good care of our child. Continue Reading Everyone needs a break from time to time
As winter settles in and Matariki approaches, it’s the perfect moment to cozy up with a hot drink and dive into our mid-year eVision. This edition is packed with interesting reads, from learning Braille as a parent to discovering new ways to unwind, enjoying Disney on Ice with audio descriptions, catching up on our latest advocacy efforts, plus so much more Continue Reading June eVision
Beneath the crisp light of a sunny winter’s day, amidst the lush greenery of Hamilton Gardens, Parents of Vision Impaired NZ (PVI) and Kāpō Māori Aotearoa (KMA) came together to celebrate the formal signing of Tatau Pounamu – a Memorandum of Understanding symbolising our partnership, shared purpose, and collective hope for our shared futures. Continue Reading Parents of Vision Impaired NZ and Kāpō Māori Aotearoa Sign Historic Tatau Pounamu Agreement
The head of employment and youth transition for Blind Low Vision NZ provides information for parents on navigating transition from school into employment or further training.
Continue Reading Transitioning from school
PVINZ has started offering an online programme for parents who are new to the blind and disability sector. During 2024 we ran this programme in person during the conference workshops. Our programme is useful for parents navigating an avalanche of new acronyms, assorted agencies, and getting a handle on what it all means. Useful resources… Continue Reading Information for parents new to the blind and disability sector.
The Hāpai Access Card has been operating since 2020 in Aotearoa New Zealand. This post is a short explainer on how it works Continue Reading Hāpai Access Card
At our 2024 PVI Parent Conference, Rachael Wiltshire from Auckland Disability Law spoke about cyberbullying; what it is, what the law says, and how to respond. Continue Reading Responding to Cyberbullying
We asked Andrea Midgen, the CE for Blind Low Vision to give us her top 10 reasons why we should register children with Blind Low Vision NZ Continue Reading Top 10 reasons to register your child with Blind Low Vision NZ
As we roll into Term 4 and the end of the year, we have collated a selection of information, updates, and photographs for this eVision so that those who weren’t able to make it can still takeaway useful information. For those who could attend, this eVision is a handy reminder and collection of key ideas. Continue Reading November 2024 eVision – Conference edition
A short explainer on what inclusive education is (and isn’t!) and why it matters for the long-term outcomes of our children. Continue Reading What is “inclusive education” and why does it matter?
Our last eVision is now available for you to read. A web-optimized version is available to read below or scroll down to download to your device. This winter eVision updates you on PVI’s advocacy, recent events, and has some winter reading – articles include an overview of Enabling Good Lives, what to expect from a… Continue Reading July 2024 eVision
25 March 2024 via email to Penny.Simmonds@parliament.govt.nz Minister Simmonds, I am writing on behalf of Parents of Vision Impaired NZ and our parents, families, and caregivers to express our collective disappointment, hurt, and distress over the comments made in the media[1] and in Question Time[2]. These statements were denigratory to the hard work that parents,… Continue Reading PVI Board of Directors respond to the 18 March announcement by Whaikaha and Minister’s comments.
Welcome to 2024 and our first eVision! We cover a range of things happening for our organization, and a range of accessible sporting and arts events. You can read online via the pdf viewer or download – please note that this file is reduced size for online viewing; a higher resolution file can be obtained… Continue Reading March eVision
In July PVI in Christchurch hosted a family bowling afternoon. We had a hoot! With 15 families attending altogether, and 9 new families, it was a great success. A very big thank you to the Christchurch Community Matters (COGS) for the financial support which enabled us to organise this event. Zone Bowling Garden City were our… Continue Reading Christchurch bowling fun!
Register for our 2023 Annual Conference and AGM – registrations close 18 September: https://forms.gle/GLoB398XPoPfd7mY9 Date: Friday 3 November – Sunday 5 November 2023Venue: Movenpick Hotel, Wellington The full conference package for parents includes the following: – Friday afternoon session – Friday meet & greet (dinner at delegates own cost) – Full conference day Saturday (lunch provided) –… Continue Reading Conference registrations closing soon!!
Parents of Vision Impaired NZ (PVI): Press release 22 June 2023. The Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) rights tracker released their 2023 figures for Aotearoa New Zealand. They paint a sobering but not unsurprising picture of the grim realities facing families with a disabled family member. Parent members of Parents of Vision Impaired NZ (PVI)… Continue Reading NZ continues to breach the human rights of disabled children
Parents of Vision Impaired NZ statement regarding calls by Kāpō Māori Aotearoa for the Royal New Zealand Foundation Of The Blind Board Of Directors to stand down. Parents of Vision Impaired NZ has had the privilege of working alongside Kāpō Māori Aotearoa over the past several decades. During this time Parents of Vision Impaired NZ… Continue Reading Statement of Support
When your child starts school for the first time parents often have a a lot of questions. When your child has a vision impairment navigating it all can feel overwhelming! PVI parent Clare lists some handy ideas and suggestions for parents whose blind, low vision, deaf-blind or vision impaired child is first starting school. Clare… Continue Reading When your vision impaired child starts school
Undiagnosed vision impairments are far too often misinterpreted by educational staff as “behavioural challenges”[2]. While under-diagnosis of vision issues is a health system issue, educators can provide supportive and accessible environments for students, even in the absence of a formal diagnosis. Core barriers in education faced by kāpō (blind, deafblind, low vision and visually impaired)… Continue Reading Barriers in education for blind, low vision, deafblind, and vision impaired (kāpō) students
This month we are highlighting accessible arts. We introduce two creative blind and low vision artists and showcase their art. And we have a watercolours giveaway! Exciting! Continue Reading eVision April 2021
Our latest PVI Submissions on policies, legislation, and consulting rounds can be found here, both a quick summary and downloadable links.
Continue Reading Latest PVI Submissions
PVI provided feedback to Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People on the draft refresh of the NZ Disability Strategy. Below is a short summary of our feedback, or you can download the full feedback (at the bottom of the page). DISABILITY STRATEGY – CONDENSED FEEDBACK SUMMARY Key Gaps Across All Sectors Sector-Specific Recommendations Education Employment… Continue Reading PVI Feedback on the NZ Disability Strategy, September 2025
