IDFNZ In Touch - Autumn 2026

A Season of Transition

The shift from summer to autumn is a gentle reminder of life’s constant change and the importance of adaptability, resilience, and renewal. As nature begins to let go, we are invited to do the same, releasing what no longer serves us in order to make space for what is next.

Autumn has often been described as a season of graceful surrender, where loss is not an ending but part of a natural rhythm. Just as trees shed their leaves to prepare for future growth, this time of year encourages reflection, acceptance, and trust in the process of change. Seasonal transitions can influence our mood, energy, and mindset, making mindful self care especially important. By recognising how our inner world is connected to the world around us, we can move through change with greater compassion, balance, and kindness toward ourselves. Other life transitions can also affect us. In this edition of the newsletter, we bring you news of our new resources around transition from Child to adult healthcare and its impact on both the young person and the parent. Our new Hospital Lane book, ‘Transition to Adult Healthcare’, is being launched at our May conference, alongside new pamphlets aimed at your people as they make this important transition. Our aim is to offer better support to families through this important phase of living with a chronic medical condition. We have started 2026 off with a full calendar of patient events, and our May conference will be a highlight for Liver patient families. Youth workshops and patient meetups are planned across the country – we hope to see members attend these events. Thank you to members for celebrating Rare Disease Month with us, and a special mention to the brave members who have shared their personal health journeys in this edition of the newsletter. Read about upcoming events and information for the IDFNZ community

Dates for your diary

 FRIDAY, 10TH APRIL 2026. Kids Unite Group, Auckland.

FRIDAY, 17TH APRIL 2026. Kids Unite Group, Christchurch.

SATURDAY, MAY 2ND, 2026, Liver Conference, Auckland.

TUESDAY 13TH MAY. Circus Quirkus, Napier.

TUESDAY 13TH MAY. Patient meetup, Napier.

WEDNESDAY 14TH MAY. Circus Quirkus, Gisborne.

THURSDAY 21ST MAY. Circus Quirkus, Queenstown.

FRIDAY, 22ND MAY 2026. Craft N Chat, Auckland.

SUNDAY 7TH JUNE. Inflatable World (Beware Yellow), Christchurch.

SATURDAY, 20TH JUNE. Beware Yellow, Auckland Zoo