Upper North Island Events and Groups
Supporting Blind Low Vision NZ clients in peer support, recreation and volunteering. Find out what’s happening locally, regionally and nationally… get involved.
For all enquiries, please contact one of our friendly local team members listed below:
Trent Francis: 022 078 1586 Email: tfrancis@blindlowvision.org.nz
Lisa McCallum: 09 355 6900 Email: LMcCallum@blindlowvision.org.nz
Hannah Jones: 022 361 9075 Email: hjones@blindlowvision.org.nz
Tim Folkema: 022 010 6699 Email: tfolkema@blindlowvision.org.nz
Jenny Kirk: 027 808 3785 Email: jkirk@blindlowvision.org.nz
Click your local town / city to go directly to events near you
Auckland
Special Events
Blind Low Vision NZ (formerly Blind Foundation) is thrilled to invite you to our March Open Day.
Time: Pop in anytime between 10am – 2pm
Date: Wednesday 4th March 2020
Where: Blind Low Vision NZ, 4 Maunsell Road, Parnell, Auckland.
Come and have a cuppa, and learn what Blind Low Vision NZ can do to support you with deteriorating eyesight in your daily living. We would love to show you how to adjust to your changing eyesight.
Our open day will include:
- Library service (talking books).
- Information and display stands.
- Demonstration of magnifiers and visual aids.
- Activity and entertainment programs.
- An informative talk at 11:00am on “How do I keep reading”.
- An informative talk at 12:30pm on “What we can do to help you”.
For further information please call us on 0800 24 33 33.
For those using public transport, there is a Link bus stop within 200 metres.
Recreation Activities
When: Blind & Low Vision NZ Community Life and Enrichment Team organise monthly recreation outings.
Where: Transport is provided from the Awhina House Parnell Blind & Low Vision NZ and Manurewa Library.
Description: Each month experience something different and meet with fellow Blind & Low Vision NZ members.
Contact: For more information contact Trent Francis or Latesha Sharp.
Awhina Book Club
When: Meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 10.30 am – 12.00 pm
Where: Awhina House Blind & Low Vision NZ, 4 Maunsell Rd Parnell
Description: An opportunity to extend your repertoire of reading material, whether on a daisy player, daisy direct, through book link or in print. Share your thoughts with others on a book chosen for discussion each month and talk about other books you have read.
Contact: Trent Francis
Bites and Board Games
When: Third Wednesday of each month 2-4pm
Where: Cakes n Ladders 173 Symonds St, Eden Terrace
Description: Come along and enjoy yourself with others over a hot drink and a bite to eat, while socially competing against others at tabletop board games
Contact: Hannah Jones
Blind & Low Vision NZ Focus Group
When: First and third Tuesday of each month from 10.00am-12.00pm
Where: Awhina House Blind & Low Vision NZ, 4 Maunsell Rd Parnell
Description: The Focus Group is made up of Blind & Low Vision NZ members who meet to discuss tips, obstacles faced and any other topics members would like to raise. Meetings are entirely informal and often including guest speakers.
Tea with Tales
When: Meets on the last Thursday of each month from 10.00am-11.00am
Where: Parnell Library, Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Road
Description: A chance for avid readers to get together to discuss all things books while enjoying a cup of tea. Staff endeavour to recommend books available in audio format via both Blind & Low Vision NZ and Auckland Libraries.
Contact: Trent Francis
Orewa Support Group
When: Third Tuesday of each month from 10am onwards
Where: Orewa Presbyterian Church hall
Description: An opportunity to meet others experiencing low vision and blindness over a cupper.
Contact: Trent Francis
Orewa Indoor Bowling Group
When: meets every Wednesday 9.30am-11.30am
Where: Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church, 107 Centre Way Road Orewa.
Description: Enjoy indoor bowls, coffee, tea and good fellowship.
Contact: Virginia David on 09 426 8454
Striders Walking Group
When: Wednesday from 12pm to 1pm
Where: Awhina House Blind & Low Vision NZ, 4 Maunsell Rd Parnell
Description: This is a high intensity walking group that go out for a fast paced walk throughout the Parnell area.
Contact: Lisa McCallum
Amblers Walking Group
When: Monday from 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Where: Awhina House Blind & Low Vision NZ, 4 Maunsell Rd Parnell
Description: This is a low intensity walking group that walk through the domain and surrounding area.
Contact: Benny Foar 022 0793527
Awhina House Get Activate Gym Class
When: Every Tuesday from 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Where: Awhina House Blind & Low Vision NZ Gym, 4 Maunsell Rd Parnell
Description: This is a high intensity workout group. Build strength and cardiovascular fitness in a round robin circuit session at Blind & Low Vision NZ gym while being supervised by an Exercise Specialist.
Contact: Lisa McCallum
Awhina House Body Mind & Soul Gym Class
When: Every Tuesday from 10.00am – 11.00am
Where: Awhina House Blind & Low Vision NZ Gym, 4 Maunsell Rd Parnell
Description: This is a low intensity workout class. Build strength and cardiovascular fitness in a round robin circuit session at Blind & Low Vision NZ gym while being supervised by an Exercise Specialist. Members meet in the cafeteria afterwards and take part in a general quiz activity.
Contact: Lisa McCallum
Manukau South Blind Sports Club
When: MSBC host fortnightly club nights alternating between Wednesday and Thursday
Where: Awhina House Blind & Low Vision NZ, 4 Maunsell Rd Parnell
Description: Club nights offer a range of activities including indoor bowls, goalball, swish, tennis, rugby and soccer.
Contact: Trent Francis
Achilles – Auckland Chapter
When: Sunday at 8 am – every two weeks
Where: AUT Running Track, Antares Place, Mairangi Bay, North Shore.
Description: Achilles is for anyone with a disability who would like support to get active – walking, running or wheeling. Achilles is an independent organisation; sessions are not run by Blind & Low Vision NZ.
Contact: Lars Marsden ph 021 224 8290 or email achillesauckland@gmail.com
Milford Coffee Group
When: First Thursday of each month 10.30am-11.30am
Where: Various Café’s around Milford
Description: An opportunity to meet others experiencing low vision and blindness over a cupper.
Contact: Trent Francis
Henderson Coffee Group
When: Third Wednesday of each month 10.30am-11.30am
Where: Sierra Café, 111 Lincoln Rd, Henderson, Auckland 0644
Description: An opportunity to meet others experiencing low vision and blindness over a cupper.
Contact: Trent Francis
Western Districts Blind Recreation Group
When: Second Tuesday of each month from 10.30am – 2.30pm
Where: New Lynn RSA
Description: A social group that often meet at the New Lynn RSA.
Contact: Trent Francis
Blind Fishing Club
When: Seasonal
Description: This fishing club has 6 fishing trip each season going from January to March
Contact: Chris Orr 09 355 6883 (day) 09 266 6956
Papakura Support Group
When: Every Wednesday from 10.00am-12.00pm
Where: Masonic Centre Papakura, Corner of Duke and Wood St
Description: Come along and enjoy social time and activities with others experiencing low vision and blindness.
Contact: Latesha Sharp
Three Kings Support Group
When: Third Monday of each month from 10.00am – 12.00pm
Where: Plaza Coffee Lounge, 540 Mount Albert Rd, Three Kings, Auckland
Description: An opportunity to meet other members and socialise over a cuppa at the Plaza Coffee Lounge.
Contact: Trent Francis
Aqua Aerobics
When: Every Thursday from 9.30am – 10.30am
Where: Papakura Massey Park Leisure Centre
Description: An Aqua Aerobics class suitable for all fitness levels and abilities.
Contact: Latesha Sharp
Fale Kotuku Manurewa Support Group
When: First Friday of every month from 10.00am to 12.00pm
Where: Community house 153 Browns Rd
Description: An opportunity for members to come together, share and take part in social activities.
Contact: Latesha Sharp
Huntly
Huntly Blind & Vision Impaired Support Group
When: Third Friday each month 10am-12pm
Where: Kimihia Home, 76 Rosser Street, Huntly
Description: Join us for morning tea, mix and mingle.
Contact: Timothy Folkema
Taumaranui
Taumaranui Support Group
When: Second Wednesday of every second month, 12pm-2pm
Where: Senior Citizen’s Hall, Morero Terrace, Taumaruanui
Description: for lunch and mix and mingle
Contact: Timothy Folkema
Matamata
Matamata Support Group
When: meets 1st Wednesday of each month
Where: Union Parish Church, Matamata
Description: Morning Tea and Guest Speakers
Contact: Timothy Folkema
Morrinsville
Morrinsville Visually Impaired Support Group
When: meets 4th Tuesday of every month 2-3pm
Where: Morrinsville RSA, Studholme Street.
Description: Afternoon Tea, Guest Speakers and Bingo
Contact: Timothy Folkema
Hamilton
Hamilton Visually Impaired Social Group
When: meets Mondays & Thursdays each week from 10.00am to 2.00pm
Where: Blind & Low Vision NZ, 15 Liverpool Street
Description: Social interaction, crafts, indoor bowls, peer support.
Contact: Timothy Folkema
Hamilton Blind Indoor Bowling Club
When: meets Tuesday afternoon 1.00pm- 3.30pm
Where: Blind & Low Vision NZ, 15 Liverpool Street
Description: Indoor Bowls
Contact: Timothy Folkema
Hamilton Music Group
When: meets every 3rd Friday of the month at 1.00pm
Where: Blind & Low Vision NZ, 15 Liverpool Street
Description: For people who love to listen to and play musical instruments
Contact: Timothy Folkema
Hamilton Tech Group
When: meets every 2nd Saturday of the month at 10.30am
Where: Blind and Low Vision NZ , 15 Liverpool Street
Description: learning about and discussing adaptive technology
Contact: Timothy Folkema
Cambridge Support Group
When: meets 3rd Thursday each month 10am-12pm
Where: Baptist Lounge, 58 Queen Street, Cambridge
Description: Morning tea with guest speaker, news and opportunities for members to speak.
Contact: Timothy Folkema
Otorohanga/Te Kūiti
Otorohanga / Te Kuiti Support Group
When: Meets 2nd Wednesday each month at 1.30pm
Where: Meetings alternate each month between Otorohanga Lyceum Club and Te Kūiti Lyceum Club
Description: General support group
Contact: Timothy Folkema
Tauranga
Tauranga Central Coffee Group
When: 2nd Friday of each month 10.00am-11.30am
Where: Blind & Low Vision NZ Moana Room, 160/17th Avenue
Description: Social inclusion / Peer support
Contact: Tauranga Admin 07.578.2376
Tauranga Friendship Group
When: 1st & 3rd Friday of each month from 10.00am-12noon
Where: Greerton Senior Citizens Hall, Maitland Street, Greerton
Description: Social Inclusion /Peer support
Contact: Tauranga Admin 07.578.2376
Tauranga V.I.P. Programme
When: 1st Tuesday monthly
Where: Blind & Low Vision NZ Moana Room – 160/17th Ave Tauranga
Description: Awareness and Information session
Contact: Tauranga admin 07.578.2376
Tauranga Parent Group (for members who are parents)
When: Wednesdays Bi monthly
Where: Blind & Low Vision NZ Moana Room – 160/17th Ave Tauranga
Description: Peer support and information
Contact: Tauranga admin 07.578.2376
Mount Coffee Group
When: 2nd & 4th Thursday each month 10.30am-11.30am
Where: Esquires, Bayfair, Mount Maunganui
Description: Social Inclusion / Peer Support
Contact: Tauranga Admin 07.578.2376
Tauranga – Bay of Plenty Bookclub (email group)
When: when it suits you, Daisy Players, Booklink, Alexa
Where: email group
Description: share recommendations and reviews
Contact: email lesleywarner66@gmail.com
Te Puke
Te Puke Coffee Group
When: 1st Wednesday each month 10.00am-11.30am
Where: The Daily Café, 3 Commerce Lane, Te Puke
Description: Social Inclusion / Peer Support
Contact: Tauranga Admin 07.578.2376
Te Puke VIP Support Group
Katikati
Katikati Coffee Group
When: 2nd Wednesday Bi monthly 10.30am
Where: Chrome Café, 3 Wharawhara Road
Description: Social Inclusion / Peer support
Contact: Tauranga admin 07.578.2376
Waihi Beach
Waihi, Waihi Beach Support Group
When: 2nd Tuesday Bi monthly
When: 2nd Tuesday Bi monthly
Where: The Chapel meeting room, Waihi Hospital grounds
Description: Social Inclusion / Peer support
Contact: Tauranga Admin 07.578.2376
Rotorua
Rotorua Support Group Luncheon
When: 1st Tuesday monthly – 12.30pm with guest speaker
Where: Parksyde Community Center
Description: Information, Social Inclusion, Peer Support
Contact: Tauranga admin 07.578.2376
Whakatane
Whakatane LENS Group
When: 2nd Tuesday monthly – 1.30pm
Where: Disability Resource Center, King St
Description: Information, Social Inclusion, Peer Support
Contact: Tauranga admin 07.578.2376
Whakatane Coffee Group
When: 3rd Friday monthly
Where: Roquette – The Heads
Description: Social inclusion , Peer Support
Contact: Tauranga admin 07.578.2376
Whitianga
Whitianga Support Group
When: meets bi monthly
Where: various – TBC
Description: Social Inclusion, Peer support
Contact: Tauranga admin 07.578.2376