Strong Voices

IHC has more than 20 Associations across New Zealand. And while each Association is very different, at the heart of all of them is the kaupapa of improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and their whānau.

Sara Hillier-Jones is a long-serving IHC Volunteer. Sara first became involved with IHC in 2011 when she joined the IHC Friendship Programme and, before long, she became involved in the Skills-Based Programme as well. Since then, volunteering has remained a constant and meaningful part of her life.

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Meredith Jones from Blenheim recently earned a Student Volunteer Army Service Award. She tells us what volunteering means to her.

Whether it’s supporting the elderly or advocating for the disabled or the environment, Hamish Gilbert is determined to show up.

A friend is one of the best things you can be, and the greatest things you can have

Winnie the Pooh

In December 2025, IHC signed a landmark agreement at Parliament that marks a huge step forward for disabled students and their whānau. This would not have been achieved without the remarkable dedication and resilience of IHC’s members, supporters, staff and Board.

It was an action-packed 24 hours for a group of families with children with intellectual disability at Whenua Iti Outdoor Education Centre in the Tasman District.

Teacher and author Keri Opai recently met with the Chief Executive’s Advisory Group to discuss whaikaha ā-hinengaro – a new Māori term for intellectual disability.

My Voice is where we get to know some of the people in our community. Mark Campbell has recently taken over as IHC Board Chair.

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For the past 30 years, Parent to Parent Sib Camps supported by IHC have offered unique camps all over New Zealand for children. The camps bring together children from eight to sixteen who all share the experience of having a sibling with additional needs.