Community Living

18/06/2026

Hi everyone,

DSS are having a workshop in Hamilton on the 2nd of July.

They want to meet disabled people, families, whaanau and support workers to help make disability support services better.

You can register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RegformDSS

Disability Support Services (DSS) want to hear from you.

They are asking people who receive DSS funding, and support or advocate for those who do, to take part in their consultation period.

They are asking about things like:
• What difference should DSS supports make in your daily life?
• What would more flexible support and services look like?
• What would make it easier for carers to take a break?

For information about how you can have your say (survey, make a submission, attend an in-person or online workshop) go to: www.tinyurl.com/5bm2937s

Please note: This consultation is different from the Disability Support Services Bill that called for submissions, which closed on June 12.

The Bill is a Parliamentary process to set the legal framework for DSS, while this survey is about improving DSS services and supports.

17/06/2026

Total Mobility changes from 1 July 2026

There are some changes to the Total Mobility scheme. These are part of a national update and will happen across New Zealand at the same time.

What’s changing:

- Your fare discount will change from 75% to 65%
- The maximum subsidy per trip will be $22.50 across the Waikato region

This means some trips may cost more, and others may cost less.

What stays the same:

✅ You can still use your Total Mobility card
✅ Your transport providers won’t change
✅ You can book trips the same way as now

Here’s an example:
If your trip costs $35, the scheme covers $22.50, and you pay $12.50.

If you’re unsure how this affects you, we’re here to help.

📲 Call 0800 205 305
📧 Email [email protected]

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4eLQ75w

16/06/2026

We're well represented!

Introducing…… the Special Olympics Waikato Athlete Representatives.

Rebecca Farrelly
Charlotte Douglas
Corey Bird-White
Alex Johnsen
Ellen Treweek

We had a great first meeting today and have lots planned.

Keep an eye out for them at trainings etc!!

15/06/2026

We sat down with Wairahi Taiapa and our Culture and Equity Lead Jeremy Teinakore for this great podcast style interview - click the link in the first comment for the full version.

Wai is our Kuia and one of CL's very first employees. Here she is talking about the early days when she started and the greatest lesson from her time here.

11/06/2026

08/06/2026

Kia ora whanau,

Unfortunately, we need to postpone our Brooklyn Rd Garage Sale until 18 July.

Items can be dropped off at 180 Collingwood St from Monday 13 July.

If you are interested in volunteering at the garage sale, please feel free to get in touch. After volunteering once, people we support will have the opportunity to run their own table at a future garage sale.

We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

08/06/2026

We thought people might be interested in this:

"From today, an online survey is live on the DSS website (see link in comments)

You can have your say on how to improve some key service areas:

What difference should DSS supports make in your daily life?

What would better planning and support for your life changes look like?

What would make it easier to give feedback about your services?

What would more flexible support and services look like?

What would make it easier for carers to take a break?

How could we make it easier for you to get good information about disability supports?"

These are areas the disability community has said matter most. DSS have heard where things are not working. Now they want to understand what good support looks like in these key areas.

04/06/2026

Kia Ora family members and whaanau,

We've normally been holding Family Forums on a weekday.

Would you prefer it to be on a Saturday afternoon?

Leave a "love heart" for a weekday, or a "care" for Saturday.

Just click "like" if it doesn't bother you either way, or leave a comment below with whatever you're thinking!

03/06/2026

Hi everyone,

The government has just introduced the Disability Support Services Bill, and it could really change how support works for disabled people and their families.

We think that the people and whaanau we support will have something to say about this bill.

Here's what you can do:
Make a submission: This is how anyone can send their feedback directly to the government. The deadline is 12 June. Information on how to do this is below in the first comment.

Share your thoughts with us: If you don't want to make a submission yourself, you can let us know what you think by emailing [email protected]

Please get these to us by Monday the 9th of June so we have time to include your thoughts in our submission.

Ngaa mihi nui,
David Oldershaw
Chief Executive