18 March 2026
For parents and whānau of intellectually disabled, neurodivergent and medically fragile tamariki.
Celebrating whānau hāuā: Whanganui mum Sakura shares how her Māori whakapapa influences her parenting (Read time: 7 mins)
Flexible Funding changes: A reminder that from 1 April, purchasing rules for flexible funding will be removed. Here's what you need to know (Read time: 2 mins)
World Down Syndrome Day
Saturday 21 March is World Down Syndrome Day, themed 'Together Against Loneliness.' Did you know loneliness can be as bad for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day? Yet for many people with intellectual disabilities, as well as their whānau, loneliness is a common and painful experience.
To mark the day, consider reaching out to someone with Down Syndrome in your life, even for just a chat or a cuppa. A small step can make a big difference...
Bookmark competition 🎨📚
Our friends at the IHC Library need some creative new bookmarks and are calling on intellectually disabled and neurodivergent tamariki to help! There's prizes up for grabs and the winning design will be printed and used by library members around Aotearoa. With the Easter holidays coming up, this could be a great rainy-day activity for the family. The competition runs from 30 March - 26 April. Keep an eye on the IHC website for updates soon.
Share your parenting journey
We'd love to hear about your experience parenting. Sharing your story can make a big difference to other families going through something similar. We're open to your ideas, but we always love to chat with parents about
- Your child's diagnosis journey
- Parents who've had a diagnosis as an adult
- Diverse perspectives on disability and parenting (such as non-Pākeha, migrant and queer parents)
- Tips on how to manage mental-health and wellness
If you're interested, please get in touch at hello@awhingamatua.org.nz
