Time

Session

Focus

8.00am – 9.00am

Registration, coffee and networking

Arrival, exhibitor engagement and informal connections

9.00am –

9.20am

Mihi whakatau and opening

Welcome and conference orientation

9.20am – 9.30am

Opening address

Debbie Hughes, Chief Executive, NZDSN

Setting the scene: Unlocking the Power of Community

9.30am – 10.15am

Political Keynote

The 2026 Election Debrief

10.15am – 11.00am

Keynote 1

Paul McGregor

The Question Effect: Lead with curiosity, for less stress and more impact

We don’t always get to control the big picture, but we can choose how we show up in it. In this engaging keynote, Paul McGregor explores the science of curiosity and the art of getting to the real problem. If you’re feeling stressed, overworked, or overwhelmed, you’ll leave re-energised and inspired about the power of questions to make real progress, faster.

11.00am – 11.30am

Morning tea

Networking and exhibition viewing

11.30am – 12.00pm

Keynote 2

Ray Finch, Chief Executive, Laura Ferguson Auckland

Building accessible, inclusive community housing

12.00pm – 12.45pm

Panel: What does community really mean?

Anne Hawker, Esther Woodbury, Red Nicholson, David Corner

Disabled community leaders discuss belonging, contribution and natural supports within communities.

12.45pm – 1.00pm

TBC

TBC

1.00pm – 1.45pm

Lunch

Networking and exhibitor engagement

1.45pm – 2.30pm

Connect, Reflect & Recharge

Delegates are invited to use this time in the way that works best for them – connect with others, visit exhibitors, take some quiet time, reflect on the morning’s discussions or simply recharge before the afternoon sessions.

2.30pm – 3.15pm

Concurrent sessions A

4 sessions to choose from:

See concurrent session schedule

3.15pm – 3.35pm

Afternoon tea

Networking and exhibition viewing

3.35pm – 4.20pm

Concurrent sessions B

4 sessions to choose from:

See concurrent session schedule

4.25pm – 4.45pm

NZDSN Board discussion

Sector Dialogue: Where to From Here?
What does the post-election environment mean for disability support providers? NZDSN Board members reflect on emerging policy priorities, the conversations heard throughout the day and what the sector needs to focus on next.

4.45pm – 5.00pm

Day One Reflections & Close

Samantha Lee – NZDSN Board Chair

Close of day, key themes, questions and prompts for day two

5.00pm – 5.45pm

Conference Drinks & Networking

Join fellow delegates for drinks, refreshments and informal networking before the conference dinner.

6.30pm – 8.30pm

Conference dinner

Celebrating sector connection, community leadership and collective contribution

Time

Session

Focus

8.30am – 9.00am

Arrival coffee

Reconnect and prepare for day two

9.00am – 9.15am

Welcome back

Debbie Hughes, Chief Executive, NZDSN

Drawing the threads together: reflections from day one and the questions we carry into day two.

9.15am – 10.00am

Keynote 3

Kiringāua Cassidy

Culturally grounded and locally led approaches to collective wellbeing

10.00am – 10.45am

Panel: Community Knowledge, Connection and Navigation

Community Knowledge, Connection and Navigation: The Future Role of DIAS

How can information, advice and connection help disabled people and whānau navigate supports, strengthen choice and control, and connect with opportunities in their communities? What do providers, communities and government need to do differently?

10.45am – 11.15am

Morning tea

Networking and exhibition viewing

11.15am – 12.00pm

Concurrent sessions C

4 sessions to choose from

See concurrent session schedule

12.00pm – 12.35pm

Keynote 4

Anne Shaw – Disability Support Services (DSS)

From Conversation to Action: Shared Priorities for the Future

Reflecting on the themes and challenges raised throughout the conference, Anne Shaw considers the priorities ahead for Disability Support Services and opportunities to strengthen relationships and work collectively with disabled people, whānau, providers and the wider sector.

12.35pm – 1.00pm

Facilitated conversation/Q&A

Following Anne’s keynote address

1.00pm – 1.15pm

Closing reflections and poroporoaki

Closing messages, acknowledgements and next steps

1.15pm

Conference close

Optional networking and departure

Session

Presenters

About the session

Community First: Fifteen Years of Learning Through Karanga Maha and Our Emerging Pasifika Journey

Recenia Kaka, Tilomai Solia & Dairne Kirton – CCS Disability Action

What does it take to move beyond consultation and build genuine, enduring relationships with communities? CCS Disability Action shares two journeys at different stages: 15 years of learning alongside Māori through Karanga Maha, and its emerging engagement with Pasifika communities through community fono. Hear practical lessons about building trust, sustaining relationships, supporting cultural and community leadership, and creating meaningful pathways for communities to influence organisational thinking and decision-making.

My Voice, My Identity – Using AI to Strengthen Identity, Belonging and Community

Rosanna Tilyard & Claire Elliott – TalkLink Trust | Wāhanga Tū Kōrero

What if the voice generated by your communication device could actually sound like you? TalkLink explores how emerging AI voice-cloning technology is giving people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) greater choice and control over how they sound. Through practical examples, including the story of a Māori father whose personalised AI voice enabled him to read to his child in a voice that felt more like his own, this session explores how technology can strengthen identity, participation, belonging and connection.

From Inquiry to Action: Strengthening Agency Safeguarding Practice for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Anna Wark & Anita Nicholls – Open Polytechnic

What has changed in disability support since the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care—and what still needs to change? Drawing on a review of New Zealand and international evidence, this session explores how the Inquiry is influencing safeguarding practice for people with intellectual disabilities. It considers developments in staff training, reporting, leadership, accountability and multi-agency approaches, alongside the importance of embedding human rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Who Does the Work When the Service Steps Back?

What self-directed support arrangements tell us about whānau, community and the settings that get in the way.

Nicki Raistrick – pAI2 Limited

What really happens when disabled people and whānau have greater choice and control over their own support? Drawing on more than a decade of experience and data from self-directed support arrangements through Mycare, Nicki explores how support changes when people choose and organise it themselves. These arrangements are often smaller, more local and more relational—but self-direction can also shift significant coordination work onto whānau. This session looks at what providers can do to reduce that burden without taking control back, the system settings that can get in the way of community-led support, and where technology genuinely helps—or adds another layer of work.

Session

Presenters

About the session

Friendship Connection: Creating Belonging Through Everyday Relationships

Rachel Banks, Reece Black & Luisa Dewar – SkillWise

How can disability support services help create genuine friendships and a stronger sense of belonging? SkillWise shares its Friendship Connection Service, a community-first approach supporting people to build friendships through everyday places, people and activities. Hear how the model works, what has been learned and the difference it is making, with practical ideas that other organisations can adapt to strengthen friendship, connection and belonging.

Global Perspectives, Local Possibilities: Learning from the Global Leadership Exchange

Matt Frost, Rebekah Graham & Ronelle Baker

What can Aotearoa learn from disability leadership and innovation happening internationally? Matt, Rebekah and Ronelle share experiences and insights from the Global Leadership Exchange, bringing perspectives from lived experience, community and system leadership. The session will explore ideas and approaches encountered internationally and consider what they could mean here—including opportunities to strengthen disabled people’s leadership, community connection and the future of disability support in Aotearoa.

Deinstitutionalisation in Practice: What We Can Do Now

Dr Nicolina Newcombe – IHC New Zealand

What does deinstitutionalisation mean in today’s disability support system – and what can we do now to keep moving it forward? Drawing on UNCRPD documents, this session explores what an institution is and where we are in the process of transformation. It then distinguishes between the ‘doing space’ where providers focus on what they can do within the current system, and the ‘advocacy space’ where providers advocate for the other ingredients needed to make deinstitutionalisation a success.

Moving from Being the Community to Becoming the Bridge to Authentic Community

Tony McLean & Janelle Fisher – Allies Aotearoa

What if the role of disability services isn’t to be someone’s community, but to help create the bridge to it? Tony and Janelle challenge service leaders and managers to rethink traditional models of support and consider how services can enable authentic relationships and belonging beyond paid support. They will introduce a practical model for shifting from services being the community around a person to becoming a bridge to ordinary community relationships.

Session

Presenters

About the session

Session TBC

TBC

One further concurrent session will be announced.

Weaving Voices Together: Redeveloping the ‘Exploring Autism’ Programme

Dr Lauren van Noorden & Cassie Miller – Explore – Hāpainga Ora

How do you bring lived experience, cultural perspectives, research and community feedback together to redesign a service? Explore – Hāpainga Ora shares the redevelopment of its nationwide Exploring Autism programme. Hear how Autistic voices, Māori perspectives, contemporary research and feedback from whānau and facilitators shaped a more neurodiversity-affirming, culturally grounded and strengths-based programme—and the practical lessons learned along the way.

Safeguarding in Practice: Building a Workforce That Supports Rights, Relationships and Self-Determination

Claire Ryan – To Be Frank

What does good safeguarding look like in everyday disability support? Drawing on her experience in safeguarding, relationships, self-determination and workforce development, Claire explores how organisations can embed safeguarding into everyday practice rather than treating it simply as policy or compliance. The session considers the knowledge, confidence and organisational culture the workforce needs to recognise risk, uphold people’s rights and support genuine choice, control and self-determination.

The Butterfly Effect: From Insight to Action in Individualised Care

Leith-Anne (LA) Mangos – LA Mangos Leadership

How do the decisions leaders make ripple all the way through an organisation to the person receiving support? LA Mangos challenges leaders to examine everyday systems, processes and routines that can unintentionally get in the way of individualised support. Through personal stories and real-world examples, she explores how leaders can create greater flexibility around the person rather than expecting the person to fit the system, with practical tools for identifying where support is being interrupted and where change can begin