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The Big Shout Out: Celebrating our Volunteers
Celebrating 19 Years of Volunteer Service with ADHD NZ
For nearly 19 years, John Miller has served as Board Secretary for ADHD NZ, contributing his time, expertise, and leadership to support the ADHD community across Aotearoa.
Over that time, ADHD NZ has evolved significantly, shaped by dedicated volunteers bringing diverse skills and perspectives. For John, what keeps him going is seeing the real impact of that collective effort.
“The reach is very humbling,” he says. “I get a lot of satisfaction from that.”
Building Connection: How one ADHD support group grew from volunteers taking action
In 2017, Karen Gillespie established an ADHD Parent support group in the Wellington region through ADHD New Zealand, creating a safe space for parents and whānau seeking understanding and connection.
“Many parents were exhausted, balancing work and caregiving responsibilities that made attending evening meetings difficult... Childcare was also a barrier, as well as finding the energy to leave the house.”
ADHD New Zealand would like to thank Sharyn (Minecraft Club), Karen and Sophie and all our amazing volunteers for helping support parents. Ngā mihi nui for the time, effort, and energy you’ve contributed to our community. Read Karen’s story and celebrate the volunteers behind our Minecraft and Lego Clubs.
These articles have been made possible by support from the Volunteering New Zealand IVY 2026 Celebration Activation Programme grant.
Karen Gillespie
Laura (ADHD NZ) & Sophie (Lego Club)
Research Opportunities
We support our community in connecting, collaborating, and exploring ways to live well with ADHD. We also share ethically approved opportunities from academic and health sector organisations seeking participants.
Visit our new Research Opportunities page or see the Current Opportunities listed below.
Study Cognition in ADHD using Virtual Reality
This study uses a virtual reality version of a well-known attention test to understand how people pay attention over time. Instead of only recording button presses, it tracks eye and hand movements to give a more detailed picture of thinking processes. Researchers will compare results between people with and without ADHD to see how attention may differ.
Assistive Technologies for Social Interaction
The University of Auckland is looking for participants to take part in a study exploring how assistive technology could be designed to support social interaction for neurodivergent individuals.
Digital well-being, technology and ADHD
This project explores how people with ADHD (self and formally diagnosed) make sense of unplugging and screen time by responding to short, fictional story prompts about everyday digital media use.
News
Te Kāhui Tika Tangata NZ Human Rights Commission Submission on the Disability Support Services Bill
The Disability Support Services Bill creates neither certainty nor fairness.
"It positions disabled people as costs to be managed rather than as active rights holders and valued citizens," Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker told the Social Services and Community Select Committee.
Watch Prudence Walker, Te Kaihautū Tika Hauātanga Disability Rights Commissioner on YouTube.
Pharmac Rubifen LA Update
From 1 October 2026, Rubifen LA will be funded. Pharmac has decided to fund another brand of methylphenidate, Rubifen LA, to help ease supply issues and provide more treatment options for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Read more on our Methylphenidate shortage updates page.
ADHD NZ Events
Term 3 - Every Day with ADHD for parents and caregivers with Tracey Rountree
This online course is a supportive space to connect. You’ll learn how ADHD affects day-to-day life, what drives challenging behaviours, how to respond effectively, and ways to support your child’s emotional regulation and development.
Online Thursday evenings, 30 July to 10 September 2026, 7.30 pm to 9.15 pm (each session includes a 15-minute Q&A at the end). Booking now.
Brought to you by A Hot Mess! Fiona Winfield ACC & Dr Jacqui Johnson PhD, MSW, AACC. A live online course addressing a critical and under-recognised need within our community.
What's on happening
Sense Rugby: Wellington Winterer Holiday Programme – Nationwide
Sense Rugby has spots available for their programmes in Napier, Whanganui, Marton and Auckland. For tamariki and rangatahi with neurodiverse brains, it can feel overwhelming before the sports game even starts. These Paediatric Occupational Therapy-led sessions are designed to work with neurodiverse brains.
Email info@senserugby.co.nz to register your young person or visit their website www.senserugby.co.nz
Skate Your Way, Neurodiverse Ice-Skating sessions – Auckland
Skate Your Way sessions are for all ages and abilities, creating a calm, inclusive, sensory-aware environment with flexible coaching and support. Hosted by Sheryl Squier and the skating club, it is free to attend (an optional koha donation to Autism New Zealand).
Saturday 18 July 2026, 11.45 am–12.15 pm
Paradise Ice Rink, Avondale, Auckland
Register through this Expressions of interest form.
What's Outside the Box' Transition Expo 2026 – Wellington
The ‘What’s Outside the Box?’ expo is about exploring the possibilities of what comes next in the journey after secondary school. A regionwide expo to help think creatively about what a life for a disabled person could and should be like.
Thursday 13 August 2026, 10.00 am – 2.00 pm
Ākau Tangi Sports Centre, 72 Kemp Street, Kilbirnie, Wellington
Find out more through: well-able.org.nz.
Don't miss Australasia's Leading ADHD Conference – Melbourne/ Online
Join the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association’s 9th Annual Conference, Embracing Change for Every Mind — bringing together clinicians, researchers, educators and advocates advancing ADHD care. Pre-conference workshops include ADHD Foundations, ADHD & Autism, ADHD Intensive and ADHD Communities.
Our Clinical Advisor, Dr Sarah Watson BA, MA(Hons), DClinPsych, MNZCCP will present at the ADHD Foundations workshop.
In-person registrations are almost sold out. Register through: aadpa.com.au/aadpa-conference/.
MBSR Parent Courses
Are you parenting Autism or ADHD and constantly on edge? Join teachers Hannah Saulbrey Ross and Eve Rudkin, who jointly run this programme. To register, visit: everudkinmindfulness.co.nz.
Image from Jenn Has ADHD
Visit our website for a full list of all our upcoming online and in-person events. For more information on support groups around the motu, visit ADHD support groups. If you have a group you would like us to feature, let us know at info@adhd.org.nz
ADHD New Zealand receives no government funding for our operations. We rely on our community to help us continue to provide the support, tools, and advocacy that New Zealanders with ADHD rely on. If you are able, please consider donating.
