Deafblind Association New Zealand

Strategic Plan 2026-2030

Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued.

Taringa Turi Kāpō Rōpū Deafblind Association of New Zealand Charitable Trust, Date Registered 28/08/2016, Charities No. CC53793.

Table of contents

Our vision

An Aotearoa where people who are deafblind are valued, heard and connected.

Our mission

To create the opportunities for people who are deafblind to participate, exercise autonomy, and thrive.

Our principles and values:

Whanaungatanga | Belonging

People who are deafblind belong. We create opportunities for all people who are deafblind to connect, participate and thrive.

Mana motuhake | Self-determination

People have the right to shape their own lives. We support choice, autonomy and leadership so people who are deafblind can determine their own aspirations and futures.

Mana Taurite | Equity

Everyone has the right to accessible information, meaningful participation and equal opportunities. We advocate to remove barriers that prevent people who are deafblind from realising these rights.

Kotahitanga | Collective Action

Strong relationships are the foundation for partnerships and collaboration. We build relationships based on respect, knowledge and shared understanding, valuing the voices and experiences that strengthen our collective work.

Pono | Integrity

We are honest, accountable and are guided by the voices of the people who are deafblind in everything we do. We turn listening into action.

Our strategic priorities

The strategic priorities areas we will focus on over the next four years to achieve our vision:

Support

The Goals: People who are deafblind have greater opportunities to access the connections, information and support needed to participate fully in everyday life.

What Success looks like: People who are deafblind are better connected, have access to relevant information and support, and have opportunities to participate and lead.

Focus for 26/27 Build foundations: Listen, understand and build community-led connections and leadership capacity.

Focus for 2028: Lift our responsiveness: Gather the needs of community members, respond to identified needs and strengthen peer/community support.

Focus for 2029/30: Ready for the future:

Advocacy

The goals: People who are deafblind are recognised, understood, and can participate in decisions that affect their lives.

What Success looks like: Deafblindness in Aotearoa is better understood, community voices influence decisions, and advocacy contributes to positive change.

Focus for 26/27 Build foundations: Build our advocacy capabilities and community voice.

Focus for 2028: Lift our responsiveness: Use evidence to influence policy and systems.

Focus for 2029/30: Ready for the future:

Sustainability

The goals: The Association has the capability and resources to deliver on its vision.

What Success looks like: DBANZ has strong governance, capable leadership, effective operations team and systems, and has the sustainable funding to deliver its priorities.

Focus for 26/27 Build foundations: Strengthen governance, operational capacity, peer leadership and organisational systems.

Focus for 2028: Build organisational capability and funding.

Focus for 2029/30: Ready for the future: Consolidate, evaluate and prepare for the future.

"We want to dance. We want to eat ice cream by the sea"
Blanche Davidson-Tasmania, DBANZ conference 2025

Report ends.

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