Strong Voices

People supported by IDEA Services contributed more than 32,000 hours to New Zealand communities in 2024, through the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) Service Award.

James Normile, a youthful, 50-year-old Ngāti Porou man from the East Coast of Aotearoa, lives with an intellectual disability and receives full-time support from staff in an IDEA Services home. He is also a founding member of the Marlborough kapa haka roopu, Ngā Whaikaha Hinengaro o Wairau.

The 2024 festival was the biggest yet, with 26 roopū from Invercargill to the Far North coming together to showcase their kapa haka talents on the stage at Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre.

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It's a Friday feast every week at the Kai Kitchen for locals looking to share food and company.

Lynne Stringer and Sharon Anderson live two doors away from each other in Gore and they like it that way.

More than 370 volunteers from 26 IDEA Services areas are now signed up to serve their communities as part of the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) Service Award.

Roy and Val Schroder were childhood sweethearts. They met when they travelled together by taxi to Bronte School in Nelson.

Brodie's at his beach; Norman is looking after the hens; and Kelvin is working on a project. It's a good life for these three

A large old house in Christchurch has been redeveloped into a new style of studio living for a group of IDEA Services residents.

The latest from IHC Media is a free learning package offered in partnership with Te Kura, the former Correspondence School.

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