Transition Expo 2025 is back—and this year promises to be the biggest and most inspiring yet. Hosted by Disability Connect, the Expo returns on Wednesday 3 September at Auckland Netball Centre, St Johns. Entry is free.

With a rising number of disabled school leavers ready to embrace their futures, this one-day event offers vital pathways to community life, education, and employment. The Expo features record-breaking participation from tertiary providers, employers, community services, and creative industries.

Attendees can:

• Explore options with Auckland University, MIT, Unitec, and more.
• Meet top employers such as Air New Zealand, Westpac, KPMG, Sudima Hotels, and Vector—ready to discuss real careers in banking, government, hospitality, and engineering.
• Engage in hands-on activities including accessible gaming and circus skills, chat with mentors, and discover entrepreneurial opportunities with youth-run microenterprises like Kylee & Co and Special Gifts.
• Attend a don’t-miss seminar “From School to Community and Beyond!” at 11AM led by Cherie Cawdron, packed with expert tips for navigating the school-to-community transition.

The event goes beyond a job fair. It’s a launchpad for independence—offering sensory-friendly zones, NZSL interpreters, Mandarin support, and wheelchair-accessible facilities. Groove Kuttz will also be on-site offering free haircuts, bringing style and confidence to the mix.

“This isn’t just a career expo,” says Mike Potter, CEO of Disability Connect. “It’s a space where disabled youth and their families can envision futures filled with learning, travel, work, and freedom.”

The event is opened at 9AM by Hon Louise Upston, Minister for Disability Issues and Social Development and Employment alongside Paula Tesoriero, CEO of Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People.

© Scoop Media