Making more of Life Together


Drawing on over 40 years of experience in New Zealand and other countries around the world, PHAB is a place where you can meet new people, develop new skills, make long lasting friendships, and gain independence in a safe and non-judgmental environment.

Our History

Established over 40 years ago in New Zealand, PHAB is the sector leader for youth with disabilities in the wider disability community. It is firmly established as a key provider of social programs aimed at reducing social isolation for people with disabilities. There are approximately 500 members and friends of PHAB. PHAB draws on a long history internationally.

In 1957 PHAB began in England.  A young man with a physical disability went on a week-long camp with the National Association of Boys Clubs; he was the only person with a physical impairment on the holiday.  For the first time in his life he was treated as an equal by his non-disabled peers.   From the following year camps were organised, and from the wish of one person PHAB was born.

In 1970 PHAB was started in Hong Kong and was the major service provider of disability support services to the Hong Kong government.

In 1973 PHAB NEW Zealand was established by Joan Lardner who was then a Community Advisor to Auckland City Council and Joyce Lavender a CCS Recreational Officer.

Our Aim

To promote and encourage people of all abilities to come together on equal terms: to achieve complete inclusion within the wider community.

Our Mission Statement

Making more of life together

Our Values

Our core values are integration, inclusion, valuing diversity, & respect. These values are the foundation of everything and everyone’s working environment within PHAB NZ. Without out these PHAB, its members and staff would lose direction.

Our Culture

We are a culture of members first and disability second. Everything we do we keep our members at the forefront of any decision making process. We have members throughout the entire organisation from volunteers to paid staff through to governance.


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PHAB is an Incorporated Society (832180) registered with the Charities Commission (CC26851).