Lighting it up for Dyslexia
Please get behind us and help “Light It Up Aqua” for Dyslexia Awareness Week 2025.
Dyslexia Awareness Week 2025
Monday 6 October – Sunday 12 October
This October, landmarks across New Zealand, from the far north to the deep south, will shine in aqua blue for Dyslexia Awareness Month. The campaign, led by Mount Maunganui literacy tutor Heather Down, aims to spark conversations about inclusion and support for the 1 in 10 New Zealanders who live with dyslexia.
Heather Down, founder of Love Literacy Mount Maunganui, began the Light It Up Aqua campaign in 2023, starting with local sites in Tauranga. This year, the movement has expanded, with councils, schools, and passionate advocates within the literacy community joining forces to illuminate landmarks across the country.
Heather Down: “The cost of exclusion is high, but the power of inclusion changes lives. This campaign is about visibility, hope, and action for learners who are often left behind.”
Our aim is to:
Raise awareness about what dyslexia is and how it affects individuals
Show visible support to those with dyslexia and their whānau
Encourage inclusive education and workplaces through open conversation
Break down stigma and create a more informed, compassionate community
In 2025, our passionate team of advocates from Love Literacy Mount Maunganui, Freedom Literacy, Pānui me te tuhi, Dot to Dot Literacy, Just Literacy, and Nicky Collins (RTLit – Tawhero School) worked hard to expand the movement even further. We are also proudly supported by The DEB – Dyslexia Evidence Based.
North Island 2025 Activations:
Far North
- Whangarei Canopy Bridge (Whangarei)
Auckland
- The Cloud (Auckland)
Waikato / Bay of Plenty
- Thames-Coromandel Library (Thames)
- Wharf Street (Tauranga) (6th to 8th only)
- Gallagher Insurance – Tauranga
- Clock Tower in Jubilee Gardens (Cambridge)
- Clock Tower (Te Aroha)
Gisborne / Taupō
- Town Clock (Gisborne)
- Great Lakes Center (Taupō)
- Clock Tower (New Plymouth)
- Wanganui Opera House (Whanganui)
- Pak’nSave Whanganui (Digital Sign Sponsorship)
- Mike Buchanan Plumbing (Whanganui)
Manawatu / Wellington
- Albatross Fountain (Wellington)
- Digital Wall / Digital Billboard (Wellington Airport)
South Island 2025 Activations:
Tasman / Nelson
- Richmond Sundial Square (Richmond)
- Clock tower on Trafalgar Street (Nelson)
- The Breeze Radio Station, Fifeshire House (Nelson)
- The Nelson Giants (Digital Platforms)
- Sutor Art Gallery
- Nelson Provincial Museum
- Westland District Library in Hokitika
West Coast
- Reap House, Tudor Street (Hokitika)
- Regent Theatre (Hokitika)
- West Coast Disability Service (Sewell St, Hokitika)
Canterbury
- Digital billboard cnr Pages and Breezes Rd (Christchurch)
- Two digital billboards cnr Curletts and Blenheim St (Christchurch)
- Christchurch Airport, along with the control tower
- Botanic Gardens (Christchurch)
- Bridge of Remembrance (Christchurch)
- Fan Fare (Christchurch)
- New Brighton Pier (Christchurch)
- Bowker Fountain (Christchurch)
- Cpt Scott Plaza (Christchurch)
- Vaka ‘A Hine (Christchurch)
- Oamaru Opera House (Weds 8th only) (Oamaru)
Meet the team behind Light It Up Aqua:
Heather Down – Love Literacy Mount Maunganui
My name is Heather, and I’m a Specialist Educator providing evidence-based learning support. While my career didn’t start in education, my journey has shaped me into the teacher I am today.
When my eldest child was diagnosed with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia, our family struggled to find understanding and support for neurodiverse learners. This experience inspired me to realign my career. I wanted to help my son and other families who felt lost, not knowing where to begin or who to turn to for help with reading, writing, and spelling.
I’m very passionate about raising awareness about dyslexia and take my role with advocacy seriously so I can reach as many people as possible.
Nicky Collins – Tawhero School
I was a latecomer to the world of education, beginning my journey after many years working as a hairdresser. Over the past 25 years, I have built a career in education, starting as a volunteer, then moving into roles as a teacher aide, classroom teacher, RTLB, and RTLit. Following the recent disestablishment of the RTLit role, I am excited to have the opportunity to return to RTLB, where I can continue supporting schools and students with literacy.
Raising awareness of dyslexia is a particular passion of mine. I have seen first-hand the difference that knowledge, understanding, and changes in practice can make for learners with dyslexia. This has been evident both in the classroom and at an intervention level. Raising awareness among teachers is crucial, as it directly impacts how well students with dyslexia are able to learn, succeed, and feel confident in school. When teachers understand the signs of dyslexia, they are more likely to identify challenges early, recommend appropriate assessments, and adjust their teaching practice. By equipping teachers with this awareness and practical strategies, we create inclusive classrooms where dyslexic students are not only supported but able to thrive.
Nic Hunter – Dot to Dot Literacy
Hi, I’m Nic from Dot-to-Dot Literacy, passionate about evidence-based structured literacy practice. My “why”? My eldest daughter and every student who has ever walked through our doors—because for them, every day is Dyslexia Awareness Day.
I’m joining the Light It Up campaign to shine a spotlight on dyslexia and show that “Awareness opens doors, understanding lights the way.” My mission is to inspire, support, and educate others on this journey.
When I’m not teaching, you’ll find me happiest in nature—surrounded by hills, trees, the ocean, and birdsong.
Kia ora Ko Tiana Connolly ahau, he kaiako ahau mo te Hanganga Reo Matatini, Structured Literacy me OG Math. I own a small literacy/math tutoring business in the mighty Waikato called Pānui me te tuhi ltd.
Nikki Campion
Info coming soon!
Janice Langford – Freedom Literacy
Dyslexia Awareness Month is hugely important for Janice because supporting children and young people to thrive with speaking, reading and writing is her passion. As a mum of a son with dyslexia, and as an educator, Janice’s driving force has been finding ways to communicate evidence-based information about dyslexia with teachers and parents. Janice has a specialist literacy teaching service based in Gisborne, and feels privileged to work with educators across Aotearoa/NZ through literacy-focused professional development.
Supported by Dyslexia Evidence Based (The DEB) and Founder, Sharon Scurr
The Light It Up Aqua campaign in Aotearoa New Zealand acknowledgess the vital support from The DEB (Dyslexia Evidence Based) and its passionate founder, Sharon Scurr.
Established by Sharon Scurr to help parents and educators navigate the dyslexia journey with confidence, The DEB is a crucial national resource dedicated to providing trustworthy, research-aligned information. Their strong focus is on promoting Structured Literacy, which aligns with the Science of Reading.
Sharon’s personal experience and commitment reinforce the core campaign message: that visible awareness must lead to evidence-based action. The support from The DEB validates the need for effective, proven teaching methods that enable every dyslexic learner to succeed. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership in illuminating landmarks and highlighting the essential resources available to our community.