Blind Citizens NZ

14/10/2026

International White Cane Safety Day
Every year on 15 October, people worldwide recognise International White Cane Safety Day.
The White Cane empowers blind, deafblind, low vision and vision-impaired (blind) people to travel independently, identify obstacles, locate landmarks and navigate their communities with greater confidence. It also serves as an important signal to others that the user is blind and may have limited or no sight. Today is an opportunity to promote awareness and understanding of the White Cane, and of the importance of keeping pathways clear and ensuring safe access to the environment for White Cane users.
It is also a reminder that accessibility and inclusion are everyone's responsibility. By learning about the White Cane and the role it plays in a blind person’s daily life, we all contribute to assisting in building communities where blind, deafblind, low vision and vision-impaired people can participate fully, safely and independently.
The White Cane is the international symbol of independence, confidence and dignity for a blind user. On International White Cane Safety Day, take a moment to learn what the White Cane represents and help create communities where everyone can move about safely, confidently and with dignity.

Photo Description: A tall, bright yellow promotional banner for Blind Citizens NZ stands indoors against a light-coloured wall. Near the top is the Blind Citizens NZ logo and a line of braille text that says Blind Citizens. Large black lettering reads “International White Cane Safety Day”. Below the text is a black symbol of a person walking with a white cane. Near the bottom, a calendar-style graphic displays the date “October 15”. A potted plant is visible beside the banner.

01/06/2026

Blind Citizens NZ applauds and congratulates all King’s Birthday Honours recipients. We especially recognise all those for their mahi and services to disabled people, many of whom we work with and alongside.

First, we acknowledge our Patron Peter Boshier, knighted for his services to the State and the judiciary. During his time as Chief Ombudsman Peter played a key role in the Independent Monitoring Mechanism, working with the Disabled People's Organisations (DPO) Coalition and the Human Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission. He has also been a valued guest presenter at our AGM and Conferences, including last year when he was announced as our Patron.

We take this opportunity to also acknowledge:
• Hamish Taverner ONZM for services to people with a learning disability;
• Ronelle Baker ONZM for services to children and disabled people;
• Daniel (Dan) Buckingham MNZM for services to disabled people and wheelchair rugby; and
• Robyn Hunt KSO for services to disabled people and the arts.

Once again, we extend warm congratulations to all others recognised in this year’s Honours. If we have inadvertently missed anyone connected to the blind and disability community, our apologies. Your service enriches our communities, and we acknowledge the positive impact each of you makes across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People
People First New Zealand
Arts Access Aotearoa
IHC New Zealand
International Disability Alliance
Robyn Hunt
Ombudsman NZ

30/04/2026

Join us next Wednesday for the webinar launch of “My Experiences, My Rights: Supports and Services” report series.

The webinar, hosted by the DPO Coalition and the Donald Beasley Institute, will discuss the monitoring project’s background and key findings.

This project monitored the experiences and perspectives of disabled people and their whānau regarding disability supports and services in Aotearoa New Zealand, and supports the government's monitoring obligations under the UNCRPD.

• When: Wednesday, 6 May, 11 am – 12 pm
• Where: Online via Zoom
• RSVP: https://forms.gle/NqyzAbPGDRyuz5RD9
Accessibility: NZSL interpreters and live captioning will be provided.

Please note: Live attendance is limited to 100 participants, but a recording will be made available shortly after the webinar.

[Image description: A poster for the launch event. At the top are logos for the Disabled People’s Organisations Coalition and Donald Beasley Institute. Below is an image of two overlapping report covers, each with an illustration of multiple hands in different colours reaching toward the centre. The report title reads: “Disabled Person-Led Monitoring of the UNCRPD – My Experiences, My Rights: Disability Supports and Services,” with “Reports 1–6” at the bottom. The poster text reads: Online Launch Event. My Experiences, My Rights: Disability Supports and Services. Learn about the key findings from the latest Disabled Person-Led Monitoring of the UNCRPD project. 11am – 12pm, Wednesday 6th May. NZSL interpreter and live captioning available.]

29/04/2026

In the latest episode of the Blind Citizens NZ Southland Branch's podcast Blind Spot, Carolyn Weston talks to Able Communications and Engagement Manager Sheldene Seth about the history of accessible media and the launch of the new TVNZ+ platform.

You can listen to podcast on the Radio Southland platform:

Carolyn updates you on goings on for the Association of Blind Citizens Southland Branch!

24/04/2026

Neil Jarvis and Paul Brown share their knowledge and experience with two different makes of smart glasses with Thomas Bryan in the latest edition of the No Labels radio show.

You can listen to the show on the Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM website: https://accessradio.org.nz/shows-podcasts/no-labels/

Or you can listen to this month’s edition of the show or any of the earlier editions of the show via your smart speaker or podcast player.

Thomas Bryan and Mike Gourley in the Wellington Access Radio studio Tune in to Thomas Bryan as he explores the diversity of disability issues, with co-host Mike Gourley. No Labels is a programme about your community with a focus on accessibility for all. The show looks at services which might assist...

15/04/2026

Hannah Crawford speaks to Nicholas Crawford about the benefits of physiotherapy in the latest edition of Blind Citizens NZ Southland Branch's podcast Blind Spot.

Carolyn updates you on goings on for the Association of Blind Citizens Southland Branch!

24/03/2026

In the latest edition of the No Labels radio show, Thomas Bryan talks to Paula Tesoriero, Chief Executive of Whaikaha.

Paula shares updates from Whaikaha including the launch of a new website One in Six, a hub for information and resources to drive disability employment - https://oneinsix.nz/

You can listen to the show on the Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM website: https://accessradio.org.nz/shows-podcasts/no-labels/

Or you can listen to this month’s edition of the show or any of the earlier editions of the show via your smart speaker or podcast player.

Thomas Bryan and Mike Gourley in the Wellington Access Radio studio Tune in to Thomas Bryan as he explores the diversity of disability issues, with co-host Mike Gourley. No Labels is a programme about your community with a focus on accessibility for all. The show looks at services which might assist...

08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day!

Today, 8 March, Blind Citizens NZ proudly joins the global celebration recognising the strength, achievements, and leadership of women everywhere.

This year’s theme, ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls, reminds us that progress depends on our continued, collective commitment to creating real and lasting change. It is also a timely reminder that the rights and justice we champion must include disabled women.

At Blind Citizens NZ, we are taking steps to support this vision. We have established a Women’s Special Interest Network (the Network) for blind, deafblind, low vision and vision-impaired women and for those who identify as feminine (referred to as blind). The Network will offer peer support, raise awareness of issues and barriers affecting blind women, and advocate for the rights and equity of women in our community, contributing to a more inclusive and equitable Aotearoa New Zealand.

Network Coordinator Judy Small says, “This global call to action highlights the enduring legal gaps, discriminatory systems, and persistent forms of violence that continue to hamper our rights worldwide.”

If you are a blind, deafblind, low vision or vision-impaired woman, or you identify as feminine, and you are interested in being involved with The Network, we welcome you to get in touch with us at WomensNetwork-BlindCitizensNZ+[email protected]

Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission
NZ Disability Rights
Judy Small
Pacific Disability Forum
Ombudsman NZ
World Blind Union
International Disability Alliance
People First New Zealand
Balance Aotearoa
Deaf Aotearoa
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Disabled Persons Assembly NZ - DPA
Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People
Access Matters Aotearoa

03/01/2026

Today, 4 January, Blind Citizens NZ proudly celebrates World Braille Day — a day that has an impact far beyond the blind community. Braille is one of the world’s most powerful examples of how accessible design can open doors to education, employment, and full participation in society. It represents innovation, equality, and the rights of everyone to read, learn, and communicate.

World Braille Day honours the legacy of Louis Braille, whose invention continues to transform lives nearly two centuries later, and it also calls us to action. It reminds us that true inclusion is achieved when communities stand together to remove barriers, uphold rights, and ensure that every blind person can learn, work, and participate fully.

Later today, from 11pm–12am New Zealand time (10am–11am GMT), the World Blind Union (WBU) and the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) will launch the Global Braille Literacy Campaign. Over the next 12 months, people everywhere will have opportunities to support and engage with this global movement for literacy and inclusion.

You can get involved right now by registering to join the worldwide community committed to ensuring that blind people have the right to learn, work, and participate through Braille. Today’s live virtual event brings together an international panel sharing their insights and experiences. Register at: www.braillists.org/morebraille

Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People
NZ Disability Rights
Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission
Pacific Disability Forum
Ombudsman NZ
Balance Aotearoa
International Disability Alliance
Deaf Aotearoa
Muscular Dystrophy Association
People First New Zealand
Blind Low Vision NZ
Disabled Persons Assembly NZ - DPA
Blind Citizens Australia
World Blind Union
Access Matters Aotearoa

This meeting includes interpretation. Please find instructions in French and Spanish below: Veuillez sélectionner votre langue de préférence : anglais, français ou espagnol. Pour sélectionner une langue, assurez-vous d’abord d’avoir rejoint l’audio à l’aide d’un ordinateur ou de l’...

31/12/2025

As we welcome 2026, Blind Citizens NZ extends warm New Year greetings to our members, supporters, stakeholders, and the wider blind, deafblind, low vision and vision-impaired community. Our commitment to strong, persistent advocacy remains at the forefront. We look forward to working alongside you all, driving meaningful change, while protecting hard won gains, and championing the rights, inclusion, and independence of all blind people in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Blind Citizens NZ warmly congratulates all those recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours. We celebrate the acknowledgement of individuals across the disability community whose significant and diverse contributions continue to make a meaningful difference.
We also take this opportunity to especially recognise and congratulate the colleagues and partners we work alongside, including Jade Farrar (MNZM), Sue Hobbs (MNZM), David Corner (ONZM), Christina Cowan (ONZM), and Helena Tuteao (MNZM).
For the full list of New Year Honours, take the following link
New Year Honours List 2026 | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)