Blind Sport New Zealand

10/09/2026

Sharing an opportunity from the New Zealand Sambo Federation. 🥋
Sambo is a grappling Martial Art sport that combines elements of wrestling and judo, with a focus on throws, control, and technique.

The flyer shared explains they want to hear from people interested in the sport who are blind or have low vision. No previous Sambo experience is required. While current clubs exist in Waikato and Central Auckland, they are interested in hearing from people in other parts of New Zealand to help gauge interest.

Please contact Sambo NZ directly using [email protected] or visiting their website sambo.nz.

10/09/2026

We wanted to give a huge heartfelt thank you to our incredible guest speakers who joined us for the Emerging Athletes Weekend.

Amy, Thomas, and Mary, you were an absolute highlight of the weekend! The way you shared your stories, chatted with our athletes, got stuck in, and showed such a genuine interest in every activity was so appreciated.

We are incredibly grateful for the energy, encouragement, and realism you brought, and we know this will have a lasting impact on those that attended!

Below are some photos that are just a small glimpse of how involved you were throughout the weekend, from cycling and athletics to conversations, presentations, and plenty of fun along the way!
Thank you for being such an important part of the experience.

Mary Fisher - Paralympic Swimmer

07/09/2026

The Rotorua Adaptive Tri is returning for its second year following the success of last year's event! This fun and inclusive event is designed for tamariki and rangatahi aged 5+

When: Thursday 12 November 2026
Where: Rotorua Aquatic Centre
Cost: $5

To enter, please speak with your school or email [email protected] for more information or check out the post and page below Parafed Bay of Plenty

06/09/2026

Cycling New Zealand Ride Together initiative is helping make para cycling more accessible, and they're hosting a free online education session tonight for anyone wanting to learn more about para cycling, classifications, and inclusive cycling opportunities! It is at 7.30pm. Register here to get the link and more details in the shared post below: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=flHZgS7rE0G_GPzz_JMJYrgtPMf-5vtJjmhNI-jN6SpUQkNHOFYzRVRGVU5OUDJHVldFUFg1WTlRUC4u&route=shorturl

They'll also be taking the programme on the road with in-person Activation Days in:
📍 Wellington - 12 September
📍 Southland - 30 September
📍 West Coast - 15 November

Introducing Ride Together 🚲

Supported by the PNZ Bupa Inclusive Para Sport Grant, this new Cycling New Zealand initiative aims to make Para cycling more accessible by increasing access to adaptive equipment, knowledge, and participation opportunities across New Zealand.

🔗 Check out how you can get involved by heading to our webpage https://www.cyclingnewzealand.nz/pnz-buba-inclusive-para-sport-grant/

06/09/2026

A belated shoutout as we share this post from Bowls New Zealand. Congratulations to Kerrin Wheeler and Colin Wheeler, and Sonya Woodrow and Kimberly Carraher on finishing fourth in the Vision Impaired Mixed Pairs at Commonwealth... A great result and a performance to be proud of! 👏
Below is the full post from Bowls New Zealand with lots of comments of support!

New Zealand Blind Lawn Bowls Association

A huge congratulations to our Vision Impaired Mixed Pairs of Sonya Woodrow/Kimberly Carraher and Kerrin Wheeler/Colin Wheeler, who have finished fourth in the competition. ❤️

While the result may not have come with a medal, we couldn't be prouder of what this team has achieved. They have represented New Zealand with determination, resilience, and pride, competing against some of the very best in the world.

Their performance is a reminder of the strength and talent within our para bowls community and gives us plenty to be excited about as we continue our journey towards future international events.
Well done team. You've inspired us all. 💙🇳🇿

03/09/2026

Absolutely Awesome! Check out the post below from Paralympics New Zealand on the NZ duo in Tandem Cycling!

Emma Foy admits she has watched her gold medal-winning performances alongside pilot Jessie Hodges at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games “about 50 times on YouTube” since returning home.  And who can blame her?  The Kiwi duo defied expectations to defeat world-class opposition in both the Wome...

02/09/2026

Congratulations to Emma Foy and pilot Jessie Hodges, who have been selected for the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, taking place 26 October to 1 November 2026!!!

We look forward to following your journey there and cheering you on from home!! 🫶

Post share below is from Cycling New Zealand with a black flyer that has details of the event as described above and a list of the athletes selected for the event.

30/08/2026

Keen for a challenge? Take a nosey at the Halberg Foundation Recreation Camp! It is open to 17 to 21 year olds and is a great opportunity to get involved in a range of outdoor recreation activities and build confidence.

Dates are 7th to 11th December 2026 in Christchurch, 5 days and 4 nights

Their post is below or contact Rebecca in Christchurch to find out more: [email protected] 🙌

Ready to challenge yourself? 🏕️ Are you aged 17-21 and have a physical or visual impairment? Our Halberg Outdoor Recreation camp is an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, try new things and discover what you're capable of.

Across five days and four nights, you'll take part in immersive outdoor challenges designed to build confidence, courage and determination 🌟 skills that can help you tackle whatever goals you set for yourself in everyday life.

Register your interest today and take the first step towards an experience you won't forget!
https://halberg.tfaforms.net/5069336

27/08/2026

Blind Sport NZ wants to finish the week by recognising and thanking everyone who supported our Emerging Athlete Weekend at Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre in Christchurch.

A huge thank you to Rātā Foundation for their funding contribution, along with our sport partners Athletics New Zealand, and Paralympics New Zealand

We were also fortunate to have welcome pack gifts with items donated from ParaFed Canterbury, Aspiring Safety and Cookie Time! And thanks to .4891 for a huge 14kg of bananas for everyone attending the weekend!

One of the most inspiring community stories to come out of the weekend was the idea of creating our very own NZ made guiding tethers!!!

Thanks to the donation of materials and sewing from Aspiring Safety, and labels created by Foil Prints NZ in Christchurch. Due to their support Blind Sport NZ was able to bring this idea to life and gift guiding tethers to the athletes. See photo of our tethers in bright orange and yellow below!

We would also like to acknowledge the Christchurch Outpatients Eye Clinic , where athlete classification was conducted during the weekend. Thank you!

It truly takes a community to create opportunities like this, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make the first Emerging Athlete Weekend such a success. 💙🧡

27/08/2026

A Major Milestone for Blind & Low Vision Tennis in NZ!
Blind Sport New Zealand is excited to celebrate the approval of the Auckland Blind & Low Vision Tennis Open 2026 as an official International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA) Tier 5 tournament. This is the first IBTA-sanctioned blind and low vision tennis tournament in NZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are super thrilled to have secured this approval, giving players the opportunity to compete in an internationally recognised event and earn IBTA ranking points. Players competing in this Tier 5 event will be eligible to earn up to 100 ranking points.

Blind Sport NZ is supporting the event by facilitating provisional classifications New Zealand players. Start the process by becoming a Blind Sport NZ member and completing the Medical Diagnostic Form (MDF) available on our website . Further information about the classification process can be found in the tournament welcome pack and on our classification webpage.

🎾 Entries are now open through Tennis New Zealand: https://www.tennis.kiwi/play/blv/

🔗 Classification information and MDF: https://www.blindsport.kiwi/sports/classification



Image below is: Dark blue and black poster with white and yellow writing. Auckland BLV Tennis Open 2026. International Players Welcome. Sat 14th to Sun 15th November 2026 Albany Tennis Centre Auckland New Zealand. Singles and Doubles from B1 to B4, please go to Tennis NZ Blind Low Vision Tennis Page to register or email [email protected]
Logos Shown are Blind Sport NZ (who is supporting with provisional classification) and Tennis NZ.