Young Carers NZ

12/05/2026

🌟 Youth Week is coming up (18–24 May 2026) and there’s lots going on! Whether you’re a young person, or have young people in your life, here’s a chance to try something new, meet others, or just show up for the vibes. From podcasting and pizza in Hamilton, a barber pop-up in Auckland, a live performance in Wellington, an Eid al-Adha celebration in Dunedin, an Open Mic in Ngāruawāhia, to collaborating on a short film in Murupara, there’s a bunch of stuff to browse and find your thing. Check out the full lineup here:

Youth-led events are what make Youth Week come alive. Every year, rangatahi around Aotearoa dream up and run their own celebrations - stuff that reflects who they are and what they care about. We’ve seen everything from epic, once-in-a-lifetime experiences to chill hangouts and sharing kai with th...

11/03/2026

LAST CALL to have quick input into the Carers' Strategy Action Plan, today (Thursday 12 March) 5pm.
Thanks for taking a minute to complete the survey and please share it too! As we approach the finish of the consultation, thank you for your efforts to give input whether through attending a workshop, taking the survey, or making a submission!
It only takes a few minutes. You’ll be asked to:
• Say whether you’re responding as an individual or organisation
• Select which option best describes you
• Share whether you support the new rolling Action Plan
• Rank the priorities: Recognition & Appreciation, Health & Wellbeing, and Financial Security
• Choose which deliverables would be most useful for carers
Every response helps highlight what family carers actually need. And submit before 5 pm today. 💙
https://consultations.msd.govt.nz/dss/action-plans-and-the-new-zealand-carers-strategy/consultation/subpage.2025-11-03.1084481570/

10/03/2026

UPDATE for those using disability funding:
From 1 April 2026, people who use flexible funding through Disability Support Services (DSS) will have more flexibility in how they use their funding for disability-related supports.
The purchasing rules for flexible funding will be removed, while people’s allocated budgets stay the same as they are now. This means there will be no disruption to current supports.
These changes apply to people who use flexible funding. If you don’t receive flexible funding, nothing changes for you.
We know the last period of change has been hard for many disabled people, families, whānau and carers, and that it created uncertainty for many. Since then, work has been underway to improve the disability support system so it is fairer, more consistent, and easier to understand.
In February, DSS introduced a nationally consistent way of assessing needs and allocating funding. These April changes build on that work and reflect what the disability community told us through consultation.
From 1 April:
👉 Purchasing rules for flexible funding will be removed.
👉 People keep the same allocated budgets for flexible funding they have now.
👉 This gives more choice and control over disability-related supports, including respite options for carers
👉 You still need to keep your spending within your allocated budgets
👉 Flexible funding must still be used in line with people’s plans
👉 A small number of items will remain prohibited or require pre-approval
👉 There will be more support to help people to plan and manage their flexible funding.
These changes mean people can feel confident their supports will continue to reflect their assessed needs. You don’t need to do anything to get ready for these changes. Your Host, NASC or Enabling Good Lives site will continue to support you, and your current arrangements remain in place.
If you have questions about your own situation, your Host, NASC or Enabling Good Lives site is the best place to talk through what this means for you.
Thank you to the disability community for your feedback and patience as we begin to deliver these improvements.
You can find more information below 👇
https://www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/news/more-choice-control-and-certainty-for-disabled-people-with-flexible-funding?fbclid=IwY2xjawQcTcNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETExclJNY3FJNzhzR0xUSDI3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsvg0kMpXxqv8WbRjGZY5oCbVaTfUNOSyBpbAhwLYBqQdMYMkJz9C3-PjeTD_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

26/01/2026

Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the severe weather, floods and landslides over this past week. How are you all doing? Do reach out to us if you need to talk, [email protected] / 0800 777 797
National Emergency Management has listed where you can get support in an emergency https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/emergency-events/advice-and-support/where-you-can-get-support
Get Ready has resources for looking after your mental wellbeing in an emergency https://getready.govt.nz/emergency/mental-wellbeing
In the case of emergency, call 111.

Experiencing a disaster can be overwhelming. It’s normal for you and your whānau to feel upset and physically drained during and after an emergency event.

31/12/2025

Happy New Year! A reminder that we’re monitoring our helpline and social media through the holiday season.

If you or someone you support needs help during this time:
HealthLine (24/7): 0800 611 116
Call or text 1737 – Need to talk?
Health info & self-help: https://healthify.nz/
Emergency: Call 111

23/12/2025

Meri Kirihimete, Merry Christmas! We hope you have a lovely summer filled with the warmth of family, friends, and fun. We’ll be monitoring our helpline and social media through the holiday season.

If you or someone you support needs help during this time:
HealthLine (24/7): 0800 611 116
Call or text 1737 – Need to talk?
Health info & self-help: https://healthify.nz/
Emergency: Call 111

12/11/2025

A big thank you to everyone for getting behind our We See You campaign! We loved hearing all your ideas for celebrating family carers on 29 October. Our number one tip is to sign our petition to recognise and support family carers https://petitions.parliament.nz/390fec4e-437c-45cd-a182-08db3f91e80e%20
Here’s a little snapshot of responses received.
‘I am making sure both my husband and I have some time to relax’
‘I will buy some chocolates for my carers’
‘I plan on making some baking’
‘I’m thinking of taking a walk on the beach all by myself for the UN care and support day’
‘Thank you for acknowledging the aroha, time, and energy that carers give every day’
‘I will be publicly sharing on social media how much of an impact carers have in a family role and community, reminding others to acknowledge their hard work as well!’
‘I’ll be treating myself to a coffee and cake’
‘Celebrating our young carer doing something just for him where he gets my full attention’
‘Signing the petition and acknowledging all carers so they know they are worth their weight in gold’

27/10/2025

Thank you to everyone who has emailed or posted to let us know your ideas about how to celebrate the 29 October, International Day of Care & Support. A few little snippets from some of your lovely messages are below. It’s not too late to contact us and go in the draw for a Pak’nSave voucher, worth $50. We’d love to hear from you!
Our number 1 tip is to sign the petition to recognise and support carers at https://wecare.nz/

‘I will take a day off and spend some time for myself – if the weather was nice, gardening – if the weather isn’t that great, I will go out to watch a movie. I haven’t been to the movies for a few years now.’
‘Love that there is a day to acknowledge the carers and supporters who are caring for their loved ones’
‘I am going to order take aways for dinner so I’m not having to cook, and probably go and sit at the beach or by the river to take a minute to breathe. Also to sign the petition’
‘I will spend the day reflecting on my role as a carer on 29 October’
‘I will sign the petition to recognise and support carers’

22/10/2025

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - Care Action Network. We are united in our passion to improve the lives of those living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Aotearoa New Zealand. We support the caregivers and families of individuals affected by FASD.

15/10/2025

For our We See You campaign for the UN International Day of Care & Support, 29 Oct, Carers NZ put together a list of tips we can all do for family carers. Choose one or two or a few! And as always, we'd love to hear of any tips you suggest. The full list is at https://carers.net.nz/we-see-you-new-zealands-1m-family.../
Our number 1 tip is to sign the petition to recognise and support carers at https://wecare.nz/