Community support groups
Check out these community-run groups offering hyper-specific support.
Support can come from all kinds of places, these community-run groups can offer hyper-specific support, no matter the kind you need.
Please note these websites can be community-led. Some community groups are organised through Facebook and a Facebook login is required. For any questions or queries please email comms@firstport.co.nz.
Don't spot one that works for you?
Read more about support groups and how to set up your own.
Groups to make friends and experience social outings
PHAB - Provides weekly social experiences for people 16 and over in Auckland
Spectrum Care Youth - Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington
I Lead - Auckland, Waikato, Wellington, Manawatū, Canterbury, Dunedin,
Recreate NZ - Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Christchurch
The Disabled Citizens Society - Auckland
Enabling Good Lives MidCentral
My Life Tasters Group - Palmerston North
Deaf Events NZ - Facebook
Disability Connections New Zealand - Facebook
Community groups for people with intellectual or learning disabilities
Spectrum Care Youth - Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington
Northland Down Syndrome Support Group
Intellectual Disability Support Work NZ - Facebook
Learning Disabilities Resources NZ - A Facebook group to share resources about dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia
Community groups for neurodiverse people
Pasifika Autism Support Group - Auckland
Paragons NZ - Bay of Plenty
Spectrum Connections - Bay of Plenty
Island of Misfits Community - Bay of Plenty
ADHD and Neuro-diversity Support Group Christchurch
Autistic Spectrum New Zealand Open Group - Facebook
Autism Support Network - New Zealand - Facebook
Autism Support Network for New Zealand Families - Facebook
Autism and ADHD Support New Zealand - Facebook
By Autistics for Autistics Zoom Groups
Community groups for people with hearing loss
Wellington Association for Deaf Children
Hear for Families APD New Zealand - Facebook
DEAF POSITIVE NZ - Facebook
DEAF MĀMĀ . NEW ZEALAND - Facebook
Deaf Education NZ - Facebook
Support groups for rare disorders
RDNZ | Find a support group (raredisorders.org.nz)
Support groups for people with brain injuries
Headway Brain Injury Association Bay of Plenty groups
Brain Injury Hawke’s Bay groups
Brain Injury Central District groups
Brain Injury Wellington groups
Brain Injury Otago/Canterbury groups
Support groups for people affected by a stroke
Stroke Aotearoa NZ | Find a support group
Stroke Support New Zealand - Facebook
Disability Advisory Groups
Whangarei Disability Advisory group
Auckland Disability Advisory Panel
Tauranga Disability Advisory Group
Napier Disability Advisory Group
Palmerston North Disability Reference Group
Marlborough District Council advocacy group
Wellington City Council Accessible Advisory Group
Christchurch Accessibility Advisory group
Community groups for equipment and resource tips
Disability Equipment & Resources NZ - Buy/Sell/Swap - Facebook
Disability Funding Support NZ - Facebook
Sharing Stories about Disability in New Zealand - Facebook
iFUNZ - Individualised Funding Users NZ - Facebook
Disability at Massey (support and resources)
Groups for parents by parents of disabled children
Neurodiverse Parent and Child Support Group NZ
Awhi Ngā Mātua - an online community for parents of disabled and medically fragile tamariki
New Zealand Group for Parents of Children with Down Syndrome
NZ Parents of Kids with Hearing Loss
Parents of Vision impaired NZ (Inc)
Disability Connect Parents Support Group
Disability Connect Zoom Parents Support Group
Disability Connect Chinese Disability Support Group
Groups for siblings of disabled people
Plus One - a group for siblings of people with Down syndrome
Networking groups for disabled workers
In this section
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What are support groups?
Learn about support groups, the benefits of being part of one, and how to find groups you can join.