New Zealand Rehabilitation Association

The NZRA is really excited about the opportunity to gather together in Christchurch on 20 - 23 July 2025 at the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch - as part of the ‘Building Lives’ rehabilitation conference co-hosted with the Rehabilitation Specialists of Australia and New Zealand (RMSANZ).
We would love you to join us. It’s going to be a great few days.

ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS:
https://www.dccam.com.au/RmsanzNzra2025/Program_Submissions
At the moment, we are inviting you to submit abstracts for a concurrent interactive workshop OR an oral or poster presentation.
The oral/poster presentations are as you would expect.
Free paper/poster abstract submissions close on Monday, 11 November 2024
However, the interactive workshops may differ from what you might be used to. Basically, you can collaborate with peers and colleagues to suggest a 90-minute session with speakers and activities based on a specific topic.
For instance, if you know of evidence-based clinical service improvement activities that intentionally improve outcomes for a given population, you can band together and share what you are doing, what is working (or not), and what you would recommend others do. Alternatively, if you know of 3-4 people researching a particular area, you can create a session highlighting the emerging evidence and clinical implications.
Concurrent workshop submissions close on Monday, 14 October 2024

THE OVERALL PROGRAMME:
I am part of the organising committee, and the programme looks highly relevant to allied health professionals, service planners, and funders working in various rehabilitation settings. Many speakers are from New Zealand and Australia, and many come from Allied Health backgrounds.
The programme includes (to name a few!) sessions about post-concussion headache management, stroke rehabilitation, management of chronic pain, ageing with disability, Traumatic Encephalopathy syndrome, bariatric rehabilitation, rehabilitation for Indigenous populations (a NZ perspective), and reflections on rehabilitation after the Christchurch earthquake.
Check out the conference website for the currently confirmed speakers: https://www.dccam.com.au/RmsanzNzra2025/Speakers

The main message is:
COME AND CONNECT - JOIN THE CONVERSATIONS, LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND FUN.
And plan towards submitting those abstracts…..

Ngā manaakitanga
Rachelle Martin
President

PS: don't hesitate to email me if you have any questions or want to find out more [email protected]

PPS: the conference registration will be significantly cheaper if you are an NZRA member. So, the $25/year membership is well worth it. Become a financial member of NZRA here: https://nzrai.wildapricot.org/join-us/

REHAB CONVERSATION: Monday 2nd September, 2024
A free, online event
Register for the Zoom link:
https://nzrai.wildapricot.org/event-5781377

COMMUNITY INTEGRATION: THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF REHABILITATION
Dr Jonathan Armstrong
Community integration is widely considered to be the ultimate goal of rehabilitation, particularly for those with acquired brain injury (ABI). This presentation summarises the findings of a doctoral study that explored the experiences of people with ABI as they began to re-integrate into their communities, following in-patient rehabilitation. Clinical implications of the research findings and how these could be incorporated into service delivery will be discussed.

Jonathan is Director of Allied Health for ABI Rehabilitation, and an occupational therapist. Over recent years he has held a range of leadership roles across Health NZ – Counties Manukau and ABI Rehabilitation that combine his passions for improving rehabilitation outcomes and experiences of people with neurological conditions, and interprofessional collaboration.

A training opportunity.....
APM Concussion Workshop ‘Navigating the Grey Matter’

Date: Saturday, August 24th, 2024
Time: 08:30am- 05:00pm
Location: Meeting Room One West Plaza Hotel 110 Wakefield Street, Wellington
Cost $350

The APM concussion/mild traumatic brain injury workshop, ‘Navigating the Grey Matter,’ is a one-day event at the West Plaza Hotel in Wellington. The workshop offers a unique opportunity to gain clinical and research updates from a diverse range of specialists and clinicians in the field of concussion rehabilitation. The focus will be on developing practical knowledge and skills that can be directly translated into practice through engaging presentations and interactive sessions. This event will suit allied health professionals, medical specialists, GPs, practice nurses, funders and researchers with experience or an interest in concussion.
Registration link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Dd96-i3ecEWPX0vKR3KYj5Mt25-ynIJGuxpe7DMdeiNUQ0NDTldHRU43S1M2NVNLSFZJMkNNVVdPMy4u

REMINDER: Anyone working in inpatient rehabilitation settings will REALLY want to hear about what Mark has been doing. However, his work is relevant to any rehabilitation provider who is wanting to positively influence service provision to support better experiences and outcomes for all. Register now!
https://nzrai.wildapricot.org/event-5781348

New Zealand Rehabilitation Association Annual General Meeting
7.30-8.00pm, Wednesday 7th August

Invited speaker: Mark Adams
MAKING REHAB COUNT: One stroke services journey towards increasing therapy dosage
Mark is an advanced practice physiotherapist in stroke rehabilitation working at Burwood Hospital. He is interested in evidence-practice and implementation science.
In early 2023, the stroke services at Burwood Hospital embarked on a service improvement project using an implementation science framework. The project's aim was to increase therapy for patients, towards levels recommended by the Australian and NZ stroke guidelines. Mark's presentation will cover current stroke rehabilitation evidence and a process for successful service improvement.

Mark will present for 40 minutes, followed by a 20-minute opportunity for discussion.
The Zoom link will be sent to you upon registration: https://nzrai.wildapricot.org/event-5781348

New Zealand Rehabilitation Association Annual General Meeting
7.30-8.00pm, Wednesday 7th August

Invited speaker: Mark Adams
MAKING REHAB COUNT: One stroke services journey towards increasing therapy dosage
Mark is an advanced practice physiotherapist in stroke rehabilitation working at Burwood Hospital. He is interested in evidence-practice and implementation science.
In early 2023, the stroke services at Burwood Hospital embarked on a service improvement project using an implementation science framework. The project's aim was to increase therapy for patients, towards levels recommended by the Australian and NZ stroke guidelines. Mark's presentation will cover current stroke rehabilitation evidence and a process for successful service improvement.

Mark will present for 40 minutes, followed by a 20-minute opportunity for discussion.
The Zoom link will be sent to you upon registration: https://nzrai.wildapricot.org/event-5781348

Please feel free to join us on Monday, June 10th, from 12 to 12.50pm as we discuss Māori Models of Care from the perspective of a Te Tiriti partner. You will need to register online to get the Zoom link: https://nzrai.wildapricot.org/event-5739612

REHAB CONVERSATION: Māori Models of Care from the perspective of a Te Tiriti partner.

Calista Fung will be speaking and then we will have a facilitated, interactive discussion. In the Porirua region where she works, Calista is privileged to work alongside many people identifying as Māori, which has emphasised the importance of embracing Māori models of care as part of fulfilling the obligations that all healthcare providers have to Te Tiriti.

We would love for you to join us in this conversation on Monday 10th June 2024, 12- 12.50pm. Register online here: https://nzrai.wildapricot.org/event-5739612

The ‘Flourishing Together’ survey is closing in 3 weeks’ time [15th June 2024]
In this survey, disabled people (and their whānau) are asked to share their thoughts about how they experience choice and control related to their housing/home needs.
PLEASE SHARE WIDELY AMONG YOUR NETWORKS. THANKS!

The survey is hosted on a fully accessible survey platform and is also available in te Reo Māori and NZ Sign Language translations, and plain English formats.
Start filling out the survey: https://accessiblesurveys.com/survey/flourishingtogetherv1
Alternatively, you can find more information, including contact details, on the project website: https://www.flourishingtogether.co.nz/survey

REHAB CONVERSATION: Māori Models of Care from the perspective of a Te Tiriti partner.

Calista Fung will be speaking and then we will have a facilitated, interactive discussion. In the Porirua region where she works, Calista is privileged to work alongside many people identifying as Māori, which has emphasised the importance of embracing Māori models of care as part of fulfilling the obligations that all healthcare providers have to Te Tiriti.

We would love for you to join us in this conversation on Monday 10th June 2024, 12- 12.50pm. Register online here: https://nzrai.wildapricot.org/event-5739612

Felicity Bright, Clare McCann and Karen Brewer are leading a Health Research Council funded study to improve communication accessibility in stroke services.

For the first stage of our research, we are seeking to understand what matters for communication access in Aotearoa. We would like to speak with people with stroke, whānau members, and healthcare professionals with current or recent experience working in stroke care. We would like to interview people about their experiences of communication in inpatient stroke services, and to learn what matters in that communication. People can be located anywhere in New Zealand.

If you would like to know more, please contact Gabby and Maia, our research officers. Their email is [email protected]. Please also feel free to share with others who may be interested.

A day for people impacted by Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), service providers, and researchers (or anyone else with an interest!)

Growing Connections: Connecting Researchers and Community to Tackle Traumatic Brain Injury

When: Tuesday 23 April 2024. 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: AUT City Campus, 55 Wellesley Street East, Auckland CBD, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
Register here: https://www.headway.org.nz/event/growing-connections

RESEARCH INVITATION: TELEREHABILITATION IN AOTEAROA
Are you living with a long-term condition or injury?
Have you accessed rehabilitation in the past, are you currently accessing rehabilitation, or may you have rehabilitation needs in the future?
Do you have a perspective on telerehabilitation (whether or not they have had direct experience of telerehabilitation)?

OR do you know someone (or a group of people) who might be interested?

Head to https://cpcr.aut.ac.nz/our-research/telerehabilitation-in-aotearoa for more information about the study (a video and information booklet are available) and to find out how you can participate.

If you are a disabled person, or you know a person experiencing disability or difficulties impacting your ability to get into outdoor spaces in Aotearoa, then this survey is for you! If it’s not for you, then pass it on to others who may like to contribute. It closes April 12th.

Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Survey Recreation Aotearoa and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are conducting an online Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Survey to understand the experiences of people with disabilities in the outdoors.

Would anyone else like to comment on accessibility in NZ outdoor spaces? This Recreation NZ and DOC survey closes 12 April. Fill it in and pass it on to ensure that ALL people can access and enjoy the joy and benefits of being ‘away from it all’.

Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Survey Recreation Aotearoa and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are conducting an online Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Survey to understand the experiences of people with disabilities in the outdoors.

This is just a reminder about this Rehab Conversation, which will take place this coming Monday, April 8th. We would love to see you there!
Register (for free) via: https://nzrai.wildapricot.org/event-5659144
You will get the Zoom link in your registration email.
Ngā manaakitanga.

We would love you to join the next Rehab Conversation on Monday, 8th April, 12:00 PM—1:00 PM. Harriet Wild, the Director of Policy and Research at Toi Mata Hauora | Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, will help us consider the social determinants and their impact on equitable health outcomes.
Register here to get the Zoom link: https://nzrai.wildapricot.org/event-5659144

We would love you to join the next Rehab Conversation on Monday, 8th April, 12:00 PM—1:00 PM. Harriet Wild, the Director of Policy and Research at Toi Mata Hauora | Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, will help us consider the social determinants and their impact on equitable health outcomes.
Register here to get the Zoom link: https://nzrai.wildapricot.org/event-5659144

A great learning opportunity for this week!

The Rehabilitation Teaching and Research Unit (RTRU), University of Otago Wellington is hosting Dr. Dorothy Kessler, a distinguished expert in the field of occupational therapy.

Dr Kessler will present at an RTRU Seminar on Friday, March 22nd, 2024, from 9:20 to 10:10 a.m. You are welcome to join the session online.

In her presentation, titled "A Research Journey Towards Supporting Participation Following Stroke," Dr Kessler will share insights from her research path, shedding light on strategies to enhance participation and improve the quality of life for stroke survivors.

Date and Time: March 22nd, 2024, from 9:20 am to 10:10 am
Via Zoom: please email [email protected] for the Zoom Link

Only a few days until this great Rehab Conversation! We would love to have you join us. Register to receive the Zoom link: https://nzrai.wildapricot.org/event-5418824

We would love you to join us as we listen, reflect, and are challenged by Prudence Walker [Disability Rights Commissioner], Dr Huhana Hickey and Don McKenzie as they discuss 'WHAT IS GOOD REHABILITATION?
When: Thursday 16th November, 12-1pm
Where: Online
Find out more, and register here: https://nzrai.wildapricot.org/event-5418824