From Rose Wilkinson, Chief Executive

Time is racing by, and by the time this September Focus issue reaches you, we will be only a few weeks away from our AGM and Conference. Although registrations officially closed on 14 September, don’t be shy if you’ve overlooked letting us know you’d like to join us. Whether you plan to attend in person or online, email us at admin@blindcitizensnz.org.nz or give us a call on 0800 222 694. We’ll do what we can to make your registration possible.

For those travelling and attending in person, we continue to recommend arriving on Thursday, 8 October. This ensures you have time to settle in and be well rested for the 9am start on Friday 9 October. This approach also gives you the opportunity to attend any of our side-event sessions scheduled that afternoon. We wrap up the formal programme around 5pm on Saturday, 10 October, followed by our Conference Dinner and presentation of awards that evening.

Talking about awards, this year, the Board is proposing that Vaughan Dodd be an inductee to Blind Citizen NZ’s Memorial Hall of Honour. Many of our readers will recall the various roles Vaughan held over a number of years and the numerous opportunities he took to be involved in Blind Citizens NZ mahi. A past National President and a Member-for-Life, the proposal recognises the many contributions Vaughan made that continue to benefit blind, deafblind, low vision and vision-impaired people in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This year’s theme “Times are changing – Are we surviving or thriving?” reflects many of the important conversations planned to happen across Blind Citizens NZ. This aligns closely with the now finalised Strategic Plan 2027–2030, and challenges us to consider membership, relevance, and Blind Citizens NZ’s long-term sustainability.

Thursday Side Events: Members attending in-person are welcome to join any of the following side-event sessions on Thursday afternoon:

• 1pm-2:00pm: Te Tiriti Advisory Group Aotearoa
• 2:15pm-3:15pm: Guide Dog Handlers Special Interest Network;
• 3:30-4:30pm: Braille Special Interest Network;
• 4:45pm-5:45pm: Blind Women.

This year, instead of a side-event for World Blind Union, we are offering a breakfast catch-up with our two WBU delegates. This will happen on Saturday 10 October – attendees will be advised more about this opportunity.

Guest Presenters: we are delighted to welcome our distinguished presenters and guests, including:

• Invercargill City Mayor Tom Campbell (Official Opening);
• Associate Professor Brigit Mirfin-Veitch, Kaiuruki Matua – Director, and Dr Robbie Francis Watene, Kairakahau Matua Whaikaha – Disabled Research Lead, Donald Beasley Institute;
• Paula Tesoriero MNZM, PLY, Chief Executive Whaikaha | Ministry of Disabled People;
• Sir Peter Boshier | Patron Blind Citizens NZ;
• Andrea Midgen, Chief Executive and Dan Shepherd, General Manager Community & Inclusion, Blind Low Vision NZ;
• Dr Greg Morgan, Acting Head of Planning, Auckland Emergency Management.

A special welcome for first-time attendees: if this is your first AGM and Conference, the President extends a standing invitation to join him for dinner on Thursday evening. This informal gathering is an opportunity to ask questions, learn more about how the AGM and Conference proceedings work, and to gain insight into some of the unique elements of Blind Citizens NZ. Most importantly, it is a chance to meet other members and feel confident about participating fully through the event.

We are looking forward to welcoming members and guests from across Aotearoa New Zealand, both in person and online. If you have not yet registered, please get in touch. We would love to have you join us.