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WELCOME Kia ora koutou katoa, I’m really excited to be sharing two projects with you that we have been working on. One of them is the start of a series of toolkits designed to provide information about living with Cerebral Palsy - Hōkai Nukurangi at various stages and phases of life. We’ve started at the beginning, with the publication of Cerebral Palsy - Hōkai Nukurangi: The Early Years Kete. It is designed to support parents and whānau of babies newly diagnosed with CP, and the parents and whānau of toddlers. The project has been led by New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Register Project Manager Anna Mackey and her colleagues, assisted by some of the Cerebral Palsy Society staff. I’d like to thank everyone involved – from Anna’s hard work to pull all the information together and write the document, her colleagues at the Register, the CP Society team members who were involved, the funders who helped make it happen, and most importantly, the families who contributed their personal experiences and knowledge to this toolkit. We have produced it in English, Te Reo, Samoan and Tongan. It will be followed up with toolkits for other stages and phases of life. You can read more about the toolkit, and you’ll find a link to it, on pg 5 . Catch up with Clare Clare Williams General Manager Above: Sara Sheehan The other project we’re really excited about, and we believe is vital for all New Zealanders living with Cerebral Palsy - Hōkai Nukurangi, is the MOH vs ACC Funding Disparities Research Project. Aotearoa New Zealand has a public health system – the Ministry of Health (MOH) – that covers health and disability care. There is also a ‘no- fault’ government insurance scheme – the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) – that pays health and income support for injuries resulting from an accident. Most people living with CP in Aotearoa New Zealand, are covered by the MOH. A minority of people have ACC coverage. Anecdotally, it is believed that a large inequity in service provision exists between the two funding models, with those under ACC receiving greater service provision across all domains, compared to those with similar needs. This project, also led by Anna, will gather information the Society can then use for advocacy purposes. Lastly, I’d like to take a moment to say farewell and ka kite anō to one of our much-loved staff members. Member Support and Programme Coordinator Sara Sheehan is going to retire - her last day will be April 24. In the six years that Sara worked for the Society she has been responsible for the getOnYourTrike programme, she managed all the coffee groups – hosting two of the Auckland ones, carried out presentations in the community, organised several fun days and outings for members, and represented the Society at expos and events. Over the years, Sara answered countless phone calls from members, and I’m sure you will miss hearing her understanding and sympathetic voice. Sara has always been a reliable and steady pair of hands in our team, more than happy to pitch in and help when needed. She consistently put members first in everything she did. I know a lot of you will miss Sara - her kind and caring nature, her willingness to share her vast knowledge of orthotics and her approach to members. The Board, Management and Sara’s colleagues wish her all the best. Ngā mihi, MARCH 2025 THE REVIEW | 3