Spectrum Connections celebrates growth
with NeuroFest and new chairperson
A Tauranga charity supporting families raising neurodivergent children and young people is entering a new chapter, with a major community event and a new chairperson highlighting its growing role in the Bay of Plenty.
Spectrum Connections Charitable Trust is preparing for NeuroFest 2026, a free, sensory-friendly festival bringing more than 25 local organisations and services together with neurodivergent families and rangatahi.
The event is on Saturday 5th September at Merivale Community Centre, with two 90-minute sessions planned. Operations Manager and co-founder Rachel Crump says NeuroFest has grown well beyond the small gathering the organisation originally envisaged.
“We thought, let’s do a smaller event, invite a couple of services and some local families,” Rachel says. “It ended up growing into something a bit bigger, so we just rolled with it.”
The event is designed to give families a place to meet organisations and professionals, ask questions and find support in a setting that is deliberately sensory-friendly.
The two sessions have been limited to 110 people each to help maintain that environment. The afternoon session is already full, while a limited number of free tickets remain for the morning session. Rachel says the event reflects a wider need for support specifically focused on neurodivergent families.
Spectrum Connections works primarily with families raising children with autism and ADHD, providing peer support, family and sensory-friendly events, workshops, webinars, respite opportunities and help navigating support services.
Rachel says some families can find themselves falling between the gaps of existing disability and education support systems.
“There are significant challenges in life, and it’s more often than not that this area of the disability community can sometimes fall through the cracks,” she says.
The organisation’s approach is also shaped by lived experience. Both Rachel and co-founder and General Manager Mary-Jane Du Toit have children who have autism and ADHD.
Rachel says that experience helps the organisation understand the pressures families can face, particularly when children struggle to have their needs recognised or supported at school.
“It’s connection and hope,” she says.
The work has already received wider recognition, with Spectrum Connections receiving the Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 2026 Western Bay Community Awards.
The trust is also welcoming Dr Adam Harrison as its new chairperson.
Adam is a Tauranga-based doctor, lawyer, leadership coach and wellbeing advocate, and founder of Good Man Wellness. Rachel says Adam’s experience in health, leadership and wellbeing will add valuable knowledge as Spectrum Connections continues to develop.
Spectrum Connections was founded by Rachel and Mary-Jane and has grown from a grassroots support initiative into an increasingly established community organisation.
With NeuroFest approaching and a new chairperson joining the board, the trust is continuing its focus on helping neurodivergent children, young people and their whānau feel understood, supported and connected.
Spectrum Connections are seeking volunteers to help with events including NeuroFest. Find out more by clicking the link:
They also have a fundraiser volunteer opportunity open. Find out more by clicking the link:
More information about Spectrum Connections and NeuroFest is available through the organisation’s website: spectrumconnections.co.nz
