SkillWise

Not long now until Next Steps Expo 2026!

Wondering about the next steps in your disability journey? Come and meet over 100 accessible services and organisations from across Christchurch and New Zealand, all in one place. Next Steps is a friendly space to discover choices for work, fun, study, friendship, support, living options, day to day activities and more. You can also take part in activities and watch local performances throughout the day. Free entry and parking!

📍 Parakiore Recreation Centre Show Courts, St Asaph Street, Christchurch
📅 Tuesday 25 August 2026
🕙 10:00am – 4:00pm

We'll see you there!

Before the long weekend, SkillWise staff were busy learning more about Dyscalculia. While 'maths anxiety' is a common experience, there is a huge misunderstanding of the condition of Dyscalculia despite impacting around 12% of the population.

Michael taught us more about Dyscalculia, and the incredible work of DysCalculator. DysCalculator have designed a Calculator specifically as a tool to support people with Dyscalculia. Michael gave us a demonstration of the DysCalculator, and it is incredible. Not only is a tool for people who struggle with math, it's a tool that anyone can use.

The best thing is, it's free to use on their website at https://www.dyscalculator.app/

Thank you DysCalculator for creating this awesome tool, and doing this awesome mahi. We're so excited about being better equipped to support learners in strengthening their Numeracy skills and independence.

Staff at SkillWise have been busy learning about Pathways Awarua today. Big thank you to Michael from Pathways Awarua for visiting SkillWise and upskilling us about their awesome online education platform!

We're looking forward to exploring the platform more, and utilising it to support our learners with strengthening Literacy and Numeracy skills.

Do you want to share your views or feedback about the bus and ferry network within Ōtautahi (Christchurch)?

Did you know Environment Canterbury is running a survey?

They are doing a review of Metro services.

If you complete their survey, you could also go into the draw to win one of three $300 grocery vouchers.

You have until Wednesday, 24 June 2026, to do the survey.

You can ask SkillWise staff for support you with the survey.

Hey you! Have a look at IHC New Zealand's article about the SkillWise Squad.

What do you think?

The SkillWise Squad - Taking on a Leadership Role — IHC Foundation With funding from the IHC Foundation, The SkillWise Squad has employed a dedicated facilitator to help its members—all individuals with learning or intellectual disabilities—develop key leadership and governance skills so they can actively represent their peers at a board level.

Play netball for SkillWise! We are looking for more players for our Saturday team - you don't need to be a current member of SkillWise to play for us. Be in touch if you are interested :)

Check it out!

Christchurch City Council have launched a new feature to their What's On Event finder!

What’s On Christchurch is a council website that helps the community find out about what’s going on in Ōtautahi Christchurch. It is already well-used and supported by the community, but there is now a dedicated tile when you go into the What filter on the front page. It is called What’s On Disability.

What's On Disability Explore a range of events, programmes, and activities in Ōtautahi Christchurch that are specifically created for people with disabilities and their whānau. These listings focus on inclusive spaces, tailored support, and opportunities to connect.

What great resources! Check out these online learning modules from People First New Zealand...what do you want to learn about??

Yesterday, some of the SkillWise team joined The White Room Creative Space, The Green Lab and Richmond Community Garden teams at the Climate Action Campus. Together we had a wānanga, learning some te reo Māori and tikanga with the brilliant kaiako (teacher) Regan Kupu Stokes. We got to sit in the rā (sun) and whakarongo (listen) and kōrero (speak) te reo Māori all day!

This is part of our ongoing mahi towards becoming a Tangata Tiriti organisation, and we are grateful to ACE Aotearoa for the funding to pursue this development.

The wānanga was a great reminder that we have a lot more te reo Māori than we use, and a warm encouragement to use it. Kia kaha te reo Māori!