Latest news, posts and information

Parents of Vision Impaired NZ has joined with seven other national disability organisations to issue a joint media statement expressing serious concerns about the process being used to progress the Disability Support Services Bill through Parliament. Continue Reading Latest news, posts and information

PVI has carefully considered the Disability Support Services Bill introduced to Parliament on 18 May 2026. We have identified aspects of the Bill we support, areas that require urgent clarification, and provisions that must be changed before this legislation can genuinely serve disabled people and their whānau. What We Support We acknowledge that disability support… Continue Reading Latest news, posts and information

Parents of Vision Impaired (NZ) has made a formal submission on the Government’s draft Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026–2036, currently out for public consultation. We welcome the strategy’s focus on prevention, early intervention, and lived experience leadership. However, our submission identifies significant gaps. What we said Carers are invisible in the strategy: Family carers… Continue Reading Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

Our latest PVI Submissions on policies, legislation, and consulting rounds can be found here, both a quick summary and downloadable links. Continue Reading Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

There is a difference between what the working groups recommended, and what the Ministerial Disability Leadership Group included in the draft disability strategy. This information was not proactively released, but instead we had to OIA it. We present the OIA’d information below:

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

PVI has submitted on the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Amendment Bill. We are concerned as the proposed changes: Continue Reading Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

A leaked document indicates the government is seeking to severely restrict and reduce access to residential services for disabled people. The restrictions are so severe that there is significant risk of harm to disabled people and their families, particularly for aging parents who are finding care work increasingly difficult. Disabled people will now have to… Continue Reading Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

Our latest eVision for you to enjoy. Put your feet up, have a cuppa, and read about a parent’s experience of a BLENNZ immersion course, 2023 Conference highlights, Touch Tours, our Annual Performance report, and more! Read online below or scroll down to download directly to your device.

Press release 27 October 2023 An eight month review undertaken by Barrister Rachael Schmidt-McCleave for Whaikaha of policies, processes, and practices for managing complaints about IDEA Services Limited was released today. You can real the report in full here: The review has found that there is a lingering culture of distrust with a fear of… Continue Reading Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

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 Latest news, posts and information

Take a moment, put your feet up, have a cuppa, and enjoy a read. Read online or download to your device below

Read our newest eVision here, or scroll down to download to your device:

eVision now out – download to your device or read on the pdf reader below

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 Latest news, posts and information

Put your feet up, grab a cuppa, and read our latest eVision!! Read online (below) or scroll down to download a pdf to your device.

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 Latest news, posts and information

New eVision now available to read! Read via the pdf viewer below or scroll down to download.

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 Latest news, posts and information

New eVision out now!! Meet our new board members, read our operations report, changes in the disability sector and more Read via PDF viewer or scroll down the page to download a copy to your device.

New eVision now available!! View via the pdf viewer or scroll down to download a copy to your device.

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 Latest news, posts and information

Latest eVision is available to download! See button below to download your copy, or view via the pdf viewer.

Come join in our braille competition, With a poem of your own composition. It can be long or short, Just give it some thought, And win prizes and high recognition Continue Reading Latest news, posts and information

Latest eVision is available to download! See button below to download your copy, or view via the pdf viewer

As per section 19 of the PVI Constitution (replicated in full below), suggested constitutional changes are being notified to members, three months prior to our AGM/SGM on 18 October, 2020. These changes are being emailed out to members and can also be downloaded or accessed via the pdf viewer (both below). 19.2    At least three… Continue Reading Latest news, posts and information

The HRMI rights tracker paints 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) have, over the past three decades, constantly advocated for the right of their vision impaired child to a fully inclusive and accessible education, to… Continue Reading Latest news, posts and information

Hope you enjoy June’s eVision and that you find it interesting and useful. As always, do let me know of any ideas and stories for future use, love to hear from you. Mā te wā, Rebekah

Blind Consumer Organisations across Aotearoa, New Zealand are working collaboratively to support Kiwis living with sight loss during the COVID-19 crisis. Together we are committed to connecting with our networks, checking in and offering support where needed. We know many people who are blind, deafblind, low vision or vision-impaired have limited or no access to technology so it is critical for… Continue Reading Latest news, posts and information

Hello PVI family – I hope you find these resources helpful. Please note credit is due to Audio Described Aotearoa Ltd.

The Ministry of Education is seeking feedback on a draft Disability and Learning Support Action Plan to help children and young people who need it get the extra support they need to learn. It’s important your voice is included. Consultation closes 31 October 2018. Share your feedback at www.conversation.education.govt.nz/disability-and-learning/

Welcome to eVision Newsletter #106, Parents of Vision Impaired New Zealand Inc Supported by the Blind Foundation. PVINZ_106-High-Res Web Download

From the Ministry of Education comes the most recent Draft of the Disability and Learning Support Action Plan.  Below you will find the attached draft plan itself and the link for more information regarding the Disability and Learning Support Plan.  Please read and feel free to share around. Comments are welcome. Draft_Learning_Support_Plan_A3s_21.9.18

Welcome to eVision Newsletter #105, Parents of Vision Impaired New Zealand Inc Supported by the Blind Foundation. If you wish to download the forms visit the link here: http://bit.ly/2Nup2bx Once completed, please email david@pvinz.org.nz

David Heather has been working with Care Matters to organise this workshop in Levin on the evening of 19th June. It promises “Current, relevant, practical information for family, whanau and carers of children and adults with disabilities.”, and a light tea. Check the flyer for registration details: Explore – Learn – Connect: Care Matters workshop, Levin

When a mate of mine asked me if we (PVINZ) had a theme for our conference this year I proudly said “ sure… We Are Celebrating Success “….. If looks could tell I surmised that he wondered what a group such as ours would have to celebrate? I reflected back to a book published a… Continue Reading Latest news, posts and information