Our thanks to all those who supported Team SPELD NZ in the Southern Cross Round the Bays 2026!

We’ll keep you posted on Round the Bays 2027 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.  This is a fun way to support our neurodivergent community and have an amazing day out.

Professor Pamela Snow

The Science of Learning in Practice:
Executive Function, Cognitive Load, and Supporting Students with Specific Learning Disabilities

This online event was live via Zoom but is now available to view as a recording. Check out full details here.

A two-part, online, interactive, professional learning series bridging research and practice. These sessions will explore how evidence from cognitive science can inform effective teaching for all learners, with a particular focus on targeted interventions for students with specific learning difficulties in both school and private settings.

Session One:
Executive functions in the immature brain and cognitive load theory

Session Two:
Supporting struggling students in the contemporary science of learning context

Cost for this two-part Pamela Snow webinar series:
$50 for SPELD NZ Professional Members (two-part package)
$70 for Non SPELD NZ Professional Members (two-part package)

For any queries, please contact nationaloffice@speld.org.nz

SPELD NZ AGM 2025
Via Zoom
12 Noon – Saturday 18 October 2025

Many thanks to all those who attended SPELD NZ’s 2025 AGM.  This was an important meeting as we voted on a new Constitution needed for us to re-register as an incorporated society.  Here are some key 2025 AGM documents:

 

 

SPELD NZ Conference
12 & 13 April 2025
Ellerslie Event Centre – Auckland

What an exhilarating  weekend of learning, inspiration and connection!  A huge thank you to our outstanding presenters, impassioned educators, engaging exhibitors and generous sponsors who made this event possible.

View the two-day programme here

SPELD NZ was delighted to have Minister of Education Erica Stanford give the opening address.

Our exciting lineup of  presenters included Dr Nathaniel Swain, Dr Jennifer Buckingham, Esther White and Rhonda Filmer, plus special guest speaker Phil Parker.

Our next conference is likely to be in 2028.   In the meantime, check out our online Kōwae Ako – pay-to-view Learning Capsules for educators and families to help them better support those who struggle with neurodivergence.

Navigating Neurodiversity in Early Childhood
A SPELD NZ Recorded Online Webinar Plus Q & A

Ideal for Early Childhood Educators and New Entrant Teachers but all are welcome.

Research shows the earlier we identify and support children with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities (SLD), the better the outcomes.  So what are the first signs and what can we do to help?  This is a very practical webinar which includes children demonstrating recommended activities.  It will help you:

  • Understand why children with dyslexia/SLD are increasingly falling through the cracks
  • Acquire expert guidance on early indicators of dyslexia/SLD
  • Discover evidence-based ways to boost oral language, phonological awareness and communication skills
  • Gain insights into activities hugely beneficial to early learning for children with dyslexia/SLD.

Cost
$85 (Including notes) for non SPELD NZ Professoinals
$60 for SPELD NZ Professionals

Check out more details and the enrolment link via our website Kōwae Ako/Learning Capsule page.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact nationaloffice@speld.org.nz 

Navigating Neurodiversity at Secondary School
A SPELD NZ Recorded Online Webinar Plus Q & A for Families

SPELD NZ-trained teacher and Literacy Coordinator at Hutt Valley High School, Jamie Casley,  shares her advice and expertise on:

  • Transitioning to secondary school
  • Communicating with classroom teachers and learning support staff
  • Navigating workload and stress
  • Building resilience
  • Classroom accommodations
  • Making the most of assistive technology and A.I.
  • Special Assessment Conditions
  • Changes to NCEA
  • Understanding Literacy & Numeracy Co-Requisite Tests
  • And much more….

This webinar has had outstanding feedback from those who attended.  It was recorded and is now available to view.

Cost (Including detailed notes):

$15 SPELD NZ Members – please enrol via nationaloffice@speld.org.nz 
$30 non SPELD NZ Members- please enrol via our website Kōwae Ako/Learning Capsules page

SPELD NZ AGM 2024
Via Zoom
1pm – Saturday 2 November 2024

Thank you to everyone who attending our 2024 AGM and contributed to the governance of SPELD NZ.

Here are key AGM documents:

Top 10 things families can do at home to support their child’s literacy and numeracy

A free recorded webinar for SPELD NZ family members
Non members can enrol via our website page
Kōwae Ako/Learning Capsules

A wonderful opportunity to watch SPELD NZ Teacher Serena Driver demonstrating simple materials you can use from home to help with literacy and numeracy. She also talks about excellent free online resources, decodable books and dyslexia-friendly literature.

All SPELD NZ family members can access this webinar free via their SPELD NZ Family Support Package.
If you would like this resent, please contact nationaloffice@speld.org.nz 

Moving On
with Bayley Garnham & Family
A free recorded webinar for SPELD NZ members

Hear how Bailey managed to overcome the challenges of dyspraxia and dysgraphia:  What worked, what didn’t and how family is at the heart of his success.

Bayley and his parents and grandparents share their inspiring stories and advice to other families and young people.

All SPELD NZ family and adult members can access this webinar free via our SPELD NZ Support Package.
If you would like this resent, please contact nationaloffice@speld.org.nz 

SPELD NZ AGM 2023
Via Zoom
1pm – Saturday 19 August 2023

Many thanks to all SPELD NZ members who attended our 2023 AGM.

Here are the key AGM documents:

Support Webinar for SPELD NZ families

This recorded webinar is just over an hour long and is packed with great advice on topics such as:

  • Helping your child understand their struggles and feel empowered
  • Ways to support your child at home through the primary, intermediate and secondary school stages
  • How to use materials that can help your child with organisation e.g. planners, picture tables and post it notes
  • How to best advocate for your child at school.

SPELD NZ Teacher Serena Driver and SPELD NZ Executive Officer Jeremy answer questions at the end.

All SPELD NZ family members can access this webinar free via our SPELD NZ Family Support Package.
If you would like this resent, please contact nationaloffice@speld.org.nz 

SPELD NZ AGM 2022
Via Zoom
1pm – Saturday 24 September

Our thanks to all SPELD NZ members who attended.  Here are some of the key AGM documents:

Aidan’s Journey
A free recorded webinar for SPELD NZ members

Hear Aidan Milner’s inspiring story on how he has managed to overcome the challenges of severe dyslexia and dyscalculia.

Labelled lazy by teachers, Aidan struggled through primary school. However, thanks to one-to-one lessons, some clever strategies, special accommodations and sheer grit, he thrived during his senior years at high school and at university. He now works as an engineering geologist – a feat he would never have thought possible.

NB:  All SPELD NZ Family and Adult members can access a recording of this webinar free via our SPELD NZ Support Package.  If you would like this resent, please contact nationaloffice@speld.org.nz 

Thank you to all those who took part in SPELD NZ’s 2021 AGM.

Here are key AGM documents :

• SPELD NZ 2020 AGM approved minutes
• SPELD NZ audited financial statements for year ending 31 March 2021
• SPELD NZ Annual Reports for year ending 31 March 2021
• SPELD NZ 2021 Infographics
• Life Members announced AGM 2021
• SPELD NZ 2021 AGM draft minutes

Looking for information on SPELD NZ courses?
Head to our Training pages for details on our:

SPELD Conference 2019 - Lifting Literacy

SPELD NZ CONFERENCE 2019
LIFTING LITERACY
Empowering neurodiverse learners

Auckland – 28 & 29 September

Our thanks to all those who took part, making this SPELD NZ’s most outstanding conference to date.

SPELD NZ Conference 2016

SPELD NZ CONFERENCE 2016

Wellington

Our thanks to the wonderful lineup of guest speakers who took part in SPELD NZ’s 2016 conference in Wellington.

SPELD NZ 2016 Conference Photo Gallery