The venue and dates for this year’s AGM and Conference are finalised. We will be at the Naumi Hotel Auckland Airport. To make the most of everyone’s availability, and mindful of people’s travel time and the success of last year’s event, this will again be held over two days. We start at 9am Friday 13 October and we finish following our Conference Dinner the evening of Saturday 14 October. Business sessions and guest presenters will be spread across the two days. 

This year we are again running a hybrid event which means you have the choice of joining in person, or online via ZOOM. Regardless of which option you choose, everyone is required to complete and submit a registration form. If joining in person, options (and costs) vary from daily attendance to staying at the Naumi Hotel and arriving Thursday 12 October and leaving Sunday 15 October. 

If you are planning to attend in person, you can take advantage of the option to pay your registration costs (accommodation and food) by instalment. You can find out more and put a payment plan in place by contacting National Office. Each situation is considered on a case-by-case basis and every assistance possible is offered.

Registration forms are available from our National Office, Branches and Networks and will be hosted on our website as well. 

Financial assistance for ‘first time’ attendees

A reminder that the Board is allocating funds to support ‘first time’ attendees. Funding for ‘first time’ attendees is about providing financial assistance forOrdinary (voting) Members. 

Other than attending the entire event for the first time in-person, there are three conditions that a ‘first time’ attendee must meet to be considered for financial assistance. These requirements are:

• to be able to make a financial contribution – decisions are made on a case-by-case basis;
• making a commitment to attend the full two days of the AGM and Conference, whether on a daily basis, or staying at the Naumi Hotel Auckland Airport; and
• that you are an Ordinary (financial voting) Member. 

If you meet these requirements and would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please contact the Chief Executive for further information via one of the following options:

• Email: admin@blindcitizensnz.org.nz and put “2023 first-time attendee” in the subject line;
• Post: PO Box 7144, Newtown, Wellington 6242; 
• Phone: 0800 222 694; Fax: 04-389-0033.

Applications for financial assistance for first time attendees close at 4pm, Thursday 3 August 2023. The Board will make a final decision about the number of members it can support following the close of expressions of interest.