Voices

Taimahi took a coffee cart and ran with it

November 25, 2022

Taimahi Trust has come a long way from a coffee cart with four guys on the side of the road to a group of micro-enterprises providing great food and eco-products to Whangārei and beyond.

Taimahi still operates its mobile coffee cart but has added a drive-thru hāngī every Friday night in Whangārei. Its retail store provides affordable fresh fruit and vegetables in partnership with the

It’s hard to be patient

November 25, 2022

It’s hard to be patient when there’s a lot of talk about improving lives for people with intellectual disabilities, but the better times still feel out of reach.

Chief Executive of Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People Paula Tesoriero acknowledges the weight of expectation from people in the disability sector but says that while she works to get the new ministry functioning at full speed there is plenty that can be done to realise the aspirations of disabled people.

Poppy movie goes wider

December 1, 2021

The makers of Poppy have created a version of the movie with captions for people with hearing impairments, and can make the film available for cinemas to have private captioned screenings, says producer Robin Laing. After a successful 14-week run in New Zealand cinemas, Poppy is moving out into the wider world thanks to a range of international festival invitations. The film was selected for CinefestOz in Western Australia and screened in October at La Femme International, a Los Angeles-based festival for women filmmakers, and at Cinemagic Belfast, a festival of films for young people.

Michael honoured for a lifetime of sporting achievement

July 20, 2021

Michael Holdsworth was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, making him the first person with Down syndrome to receive this honour.

He was awarded the MZNM for his services to Special Olympics and it marks his 32 years as an athlete leader, advocate and participant in two World Games and his service to the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association.

‘Poppy’ inspires young movie-goers

July 20, 2021

'Poppy' – starring Libby Hunsdale and Ari Boyland
Writer and director – Linda Niccol

'Poppy' reached the big screen in May and struck a chord with young women refusing to be defined by their disabilities. Ella Davenport from Lower Hutt and Ava Saba from Gladstone reviewed the movie.

By Ella Davenport (with some help from mum)

I went to see the movie 'Poppy' with my mum. It’s a story about Poppy’s life. She lives with her older brother and she pretty much takes care of the house.

Tayla shares her awesome life

July 20, 2021

Tayla Sloot sees a lot from her wheelchair. And she knows that her disability is a barrier that prevents people getting to know her.

But worse than that, Tayla knows her wheelchair can be frightening for young children. She’s seen young children hide behind their parents, too scared to approach her.

Tayla, 25, thinks this is because children have limited awareness of those who have disabilities, and her solution has been to write a book about her life to reach out to school children.