Care Matters NZ

02/06/2026

You’ve probably seen a lot about the DSS Bill. It’s confronting, and for good reason 📑
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Read a plain language or easy read version here:

https://huhana62.substack.com/p/here-is-a-plain-language-breakdown

https://www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/assets/Easy-Read-May-2026-factsheet-DSS-Bill.pdf
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SAMS is disabled person and family-led. We know what good support looks like, and we’ve seen the devastating impact when whānau are not supported, especially for disabled people. This Bill takes us in the wrong direction and risks embedding those harms 📉
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It is a step backwards. It weakens rights, shifts pressure onto whānau, and limits recognition of care, without meaningful input from disabled people.

This is not a future where disabled people and families can live good lives ⛔
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We’ve seen the power of our collective voice. Join us and make your concerns known through a submission on the Bill👩🏽‍🦼‍➡️📢
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Disabled Persons Assembly NZ - DPA have collated helpful resources here:

https://www.dpa.org.nz/news-and-information/latest-news/disability-support-services-bill/
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We also recommend the CCS Disability Action guide:

https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/dss-bill-submission-guide
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We know whānau are already stretched, and it can feel like your voice doesn’t matter. It does 🗣️

That’s why the Family Leadership Alliance is hosting an online hui on 4 June, 12.00pm. A space to share concerns, connect, and talk through next steps 🧑‍💻

Join us: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/46681718363101?p=9tXn5ocOHFc76naTgz
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Nothing about us, without us.
Image description:
A graphic with a light background, a green weave pattern on the left and the SAMS logo at the bottom. The heading reads, "Disability Support Services Bill,” followed “Resources to Make a Submission” in a rounded button with a green mouse clicker hovering. Below, a short paragraph explains concerns about the Bill and encourages people to take action.

29/05/2026

Your voice matters 📢
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Join the Family Leadership Alliance for an online hui to kōrero about recent disability sector announcements and what they mean for you and your whānau 👩‍👩‍👧
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4 June 12.00-1.00pm. Join here: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/46681718363101?p=9tXn5ocOHFc76naTgz

27/05/2026

Did you know we have a New Diagnosis, What Now? resource you can download any time? 💻
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While nothing beats a workshop and connecting with others, this is a great place to start. It’s designed to guide whānau through those early steps, with clear, practical information about services, rights, and wellbeing.
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Take your time and explore at your own pace ⏳
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Discover the resource here: https://carematters.org.nz/resource/new-diagnosis-what-now/

Join our database to hear about upcoming workshops: https://carematters.org.nz/signup/ 📨
Image description:
A green graphic for a free online resource called “New Diagnosis, What Now?”. There are three page previews from the resource. Text reads New Diagnosis, What Now?, Free online resource and www.carematters.org.nz. The Care Matters logo is at the centre bottom.

21/05/2026

This week we farewelled our much-loved Co-Executive Director, Delia Nolan 🤍 We’re so grateful for the impact Delia has had across Care Matters and SAMS, and for the many people whose lives have been touched by that work. Wishing you all the very best ✨

It’s a very sad day at SAMS as we farewell Delia Nolan, our Co-Executive Director 🫶🏽
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Delia has been a deeply valued part of our team, bringing joy, empathy, resilience, and the perspective of a disabled Māori woman, alongside an incredible skillset we will greatly miss.
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From joining the Board in 2022 to serving as Chair, Interim CE, and Co-Executive Director, Delia’s leadership has been steady, thoughtful, and grounded in care for our people and community. It has been a privilege to be led by a strong wahine who guided our organisation through change with grace, kindness, and fierce tenacity. Delia brought warmth and humour to even the toughest days, and her impact on our team and the wider disability community will be long lasting.
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We know she will carry her strength, insight, and unwavering advocacy for marginalised communities into her new role as Lead Advisor Disability at Corrections.
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Thank you, Delia, for the difference you have made at SAMS and for the many disabled people positively impacted by your work. We wish you all the very best ✨
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He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.

What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people.
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With aroha, The SAMS team 🤎🤍
Image description:

A collage on a cream background featuring five photos of Delia across her time at SAMS. The photos include group shots with the wider SAMS team, smaller group images at disability sector events, and a professional portrait. A green woven graphic runs vertically on the left, and the SAMS logo sits at the bottom right. Text on the image reads: “Haere rā, Delia, me te aroha nui” and “Ngā mihi nui mō tō mahi ki SAMS”

17/05/2026

A good adult life doesn’t happen by chance. It starts early, with small steps 👣✨
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Join Care Matters and New Zealand Down Syndrome Association in Palmerston North for a free, practical workshop exploring what a good life could look like for your disabled young person, including learning, work, where to live and the people who matter 🏠💼 We’ll also look at available supports and create space for whānau to think about their own future as roles change 👩‍🦳💭
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Come along Saturday 20 June 10am - 2.30pm 👋 Register here: https://carematters.org.nz/events/journey-to-adulthood/
Image description:
A flyer for the Care Matters workshop “The Journey to Adulthood and Life After School” in Palmerston North. Text has key information about the workshop. Booking details are: 022 040 9070 - Lisa, [email protected], www.carematters.org.nz

Illustrations of people with Down syndrome are shown doing different activities such as walking, working on a computer, painting, cooking, and riding a bike, arranged around a large upward arrow shape, suggesting growth and progression. At the bottom are the logos for Care Matters and the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association.

12/05/2026

Much like this parent, we often hear how the system has let families down when it comes to information and support 🆘
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That’s why we created New Diagnosis, What Now?
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A one stop workshop to learn about funding, wellbeing, the system, your rights, and what to do next 🧘‍♀️⚖️💰
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If you didn’t get a step by step, we’re here to help.
Join our free online workshop 19 May, 7.00 to 8.30pm 💻
https://carematters.org.nz/events/new-diagnosis-what-now-care-matters-workshop-online-north-island-2/
Image description:
A graphic for workshop feedback on a beige background. At the top right, large text reads “New Diagnosis, What Now?” in teal and green. In the top left, a small label says “Free Online May Workshops” with a hand cursor icon.
At the centre is a computer monitor graphic in brown. Inside the screen is a heading “NDWN Feedback” followed by a quote from a parent "In my four years of having a child with CP and navigating the system seemingly alone, this is what we needed at the beginning. Every parent I’ve met through this journey agrees it would have been great to get information like this as soon as we started the diagnosis process or received the diagnosis. All of the information about support and grants has come from other parents, not the system.”
At the bottom left, text encourages booking via the Care Matters website www.carematters.org.nz or number 0508726769 and email [email protected]. In the bottom right corner is the Care Matters logo.

06/05/2026

The Family Leadership Alliance is hosting another free online hui to explore the changes to flexible funding purchasing rules. DSS will join to answer common questions about the changes 🙋‍♀️FLA will discuss how flexible funding and an Enabling Good Lives approach can support greater choice and control.
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Send questions to [email protected] to help shape the discussion 📨
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FLA looks forward to welcoming you 👋
Hui link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/43916030287592?p=ncYsxBgCQd6lqdBa56
Image description:
A flyer for the Understanding The DSS Flexible Funding Changes session hosted by Family Leadership Alliance. The flyer shows illustrated people joining an online meeting on a laptop. Text highlights the workshop title, date (Monday 11 May 2026, 12-1pm), and details about the event. A “Join here" and links to the event.

29/04/2026

Care Matters workshops are a great way to connect and leave with practical tools that can make life a little easier 🧰
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That’s what we heard at our Christchurch workshop, where we were lucky to be joined by Sophie Carter from Parent to Parent Parent to Parent
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Missed it? There’s a workshop for you 👏
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💻 Two online workshops in May exploring a new diagnosis

📍 Palmerston North in June: a session on the journey to adulthood and living a full, meaningful life
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Register here: https://carematters.org.nz/face-to-face-workshops-and-events-2/
Image descriptions:

1. Three workshop attendees are standing and smiling in front of a green wall, there is a red patterned rug on the floor.

2. Sophie smiles in front of a powerpoint, there is a table with papers and a red patterned rug on the floor

23/04/2026

Just received a diagnosis and feeling overwhelmed? 🤯
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You’re not meant to know everything, but support is available.

Our online workshop breaks it down simply: funding, wellbeing, the system, your rights and what to do next 💰⚖️🧘‍♀️
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Practical help in one spot. 🖥️ Register here: https://carematters.org.nz/workshops-events-online/
Image description:
A cream event flyer, the heading is: "New Diagnosis, What Now?" in blue and green and the word 'free' with a rectangle outline. There is an illustration of a woman with a child sitting on her lap, there is a woman doctor smiling and holding the child's hands, they are sitting on chairs.

The body content is in black and reads: "A series of online workshops hosted by Care Matters. Supporting the health & wellbeing of disabled people, whānau and carers. Learn, explore, and connect with others. By families, for families."

The North and South Island workshop dates are in two brown computer desktop outlines with a mouse clicker on each screen.

"Funding, exploring a diagnosis, wellbeing, who does what, your rights." have a green rectangle outline.

The bottom section reads: "Book here or contact Care Matters. 0508 726 769. [email protected]. www.carematters.org.nz. There is a mouse clicker next to this section.

There is the Care Matters logo. Below it reads: "A service provided by SAMS and Parent to Parent."

13/04/2026

The Family Leadership Alliance is hosting a free online hui to explore the changes to flexible funding purchasing rules. DSS will join to answer common questions about the changes 🙋‍♀️FLA will discuss how flexible funding and an Enabling Good Lives approach can support greater choice and control.
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Send questions to [email protected] to help shape the discussion 📨
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FLA looks forward to welcoming you 👋
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/45379358218384?p=NDZWJKChvaNEUI8751
Image description:

A flyer for the Understanding The DSS Flexible Funding Changes session hosted by Family Leadership Alliance. The flyer shows illustrated people joining an online meeting on a laptop. Text highlights the workshop title, date (Tuesday 28 April 2026), and details about the event. A “Join here" and links to the event.