Our Impact
Here are just some of the organisations we’ve had the privilege of funding. Each one is doing incredible mahi to support disabled people and their whānau — building connection, creating opportunity, and backing people to thrive in their own way.
Riding for Disabled Cambridge
There’s something grounding about arriving at Riding for Disabled Cambridge. Nestled in a quiet valley and surrounded by paddocks, the centre hums with a gentle energy. A soft snort from the stables. The sound of hooves in the covered riding school. Children out in the field with their horses, returning from their morning ride.
The centre runs goal-based riding sessions for disabled children, combining the mahi of dedicated volunteers and trained staff. But support here goes far beyond the saddle. Whether it’s designing adaptive equipment or offering groundwork sessions for tamariki who aren’t yet ready to ride, the team meets each child where they’re at.
Our funding helped cover operational costs – keeping the gates open, the horses cared for, and the sessions running – so more kids can access the therapeutic benefits of riding.
Gig Buddies Auckland
Gig Buddies launched in Aotearoa for the first time in 2022 – with our funding helping bring the programme to life in Tāmaki Makaurau. The idea is simple: match disabled adults with volunteers who share similar interests, so they can catch a gig, go to a movie, or just hang out. It’s about friendship, not support work.
Our second grant in 2024 helped the programme grow, building more buddy matches, running inclusive events, and partnering with aligned organisations
Providing social opportunities for disabled people in Cambridge
When day services (activities) for disabled people in Cambridge ceased in 2021, many people in the community were left sitting at home with nothing to do.
Thankfully, Interlock Trust filled the void, giving disabled people the chance to connect and build relationships with other people in their community.
Illuminate Night Markets
What started as a local event has grown into a movement. Illuminate, the night market run by Recreate NZ, brings people together in a way that’s open, welcoming, and full of heart. It’s become a space where the disability community and wider public connect through food, music, and creativity – and where belonging isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a feeling.
But Illuminate isn’t just about connection. It’s about opportunity. The market also provides real employment for disabled people and others from marginalised groups, supporting both social inclusion and financial independence.
Our funding helped Recreate grow the event and expand what’s possible. More stalls, more roles, more people coming together to celebrate the value of everyone.
Removing barriers to an autism diagnosis
Children, families, and adults face significant time, cost and cultural barriers to accessing an autism diagnosis.
That’s why Spectrum Foundation helped Autism New Zealand fund free diagnostic sessions and a Kaiārahi (Cultural Navigator), making an autism diagnosis more accessible to families and individuals in Wellington.
Taimahi Trust
Taimahi Trust is based in Whangārei and supports young adults with learning and intellectual disabilities to build practical skills and step into the workforce. Trainees gain experience in real working environments – from their café and retail shop to the garden, commercial kitchen, and admin hub – all while building confidence, connection, and self-belief.
Our funding in both 2024 and 2025 supported the Trust’s kaupapa of providing pre-employment and ongoing employment support. That means walking alongside each trainee for the long haul. Not just to help them learn, but to help them thrive.
From first day nerves to first paydays, Taimahi is helping young people find their place and their power in the workforce.
Helping elderly and disabled Aucklanders get around
For many elderly and disabled people, their independence depends on having access to good mobility equipment. Unfortunately, many elderly people don’t have equipment that’s in good working condition…if they have any at all.
To address this problem, Independent Living provides a free repair service, as well as refurbishing and donating used equipment. As a result, their customers have access to the equipment they need to live an active, engaged life in their community.
Navigating the education system
When Nirishma wanted to enroll her son Ayaan in school, she didn’t know where to begin. What support could he access? Could he attend a mainstream school at all? There was limited information out there, leaving her feeling frustrated and powerless.
Then she met Frian, host of Parent to Parent’s ‘Build a Good Life’ workshops.
Legal advice for all disabled New Zealanders
Aotearoa Disability Law (formerly Auckland Disability Law) provides free legal advice and support for disabled New Zealanders - not just people living in Auckland.
Here, National Community Educator Rachael Wiltshire explains what she does, and how Spectrum Foundation funding has allowed her to share disability-specific legal information across Aotearoa
Flying Kites
Flying Kites exists to lead change in the disability sector – designing support that’s built around the person, not the system. They work with disabled people and their whānau to plan for big life transitions like moving out, starting new relationships, or leaving residential services – and help shape everyday support around shared interests and values.
A big part of that mahi is their Advisory Team (or A Team), a group of lived-experience experts who help shape everything from resources and workshops to organisational direction. Our funding helped strengthen the A Team by supporting development, bringing in an external facilitator, and creating space for honest reflection.
Speladd
Speladd supports people with learning differences like dyslexia, ADHD, and other neurodiversities – offering assessments, tutoring, and practical support for both children and adults. But for many of their clients, cost is a barrier to accessing help.
Our funding helped create a subsidy fund for those with a Community Services Card or student ID. That means more people – from tamariki to tertiary students – can get the assessment or support they need, without the financial strain.
It’s already helping dozens of individuals and their whānau access the kind of learning support that can change lives, open doors, and ease the pressure of feeling left behind.
Whanganui Creative Space
Whanganui Creative Space is a studio where people with intellectual disabilities and mental health challenges can explore their creativity on their own terms. No pressure. No deadlines. Just a welcoming space to create, connect, and be yourself.
Participants come to paint, sew, make mosaics, and be part of a community that values process as much as outcome. Some sell their work. Some don’t. Either way, the studio is a constant in people’s lives – helping build confidence, calm, and connection.
Our funding contributed to the day-to-day running of the space – keeping it free, flexible, and open to everyone who needs it.