Organised By
This competition is proudly organised by ZERO BLIND Charitable Trust (CC63050), dedicated to empowering and inspiring the blind and low vision community.

Overview
The Beyond the Blind competition invites participants who are legally blind or have low vision from New Zealand and around the world to share their true life stories that inspire, motivate, and showcase resilience and positivity. These stories will be professionally recorded and featured on the Beyond the Blind podcast, where listeners will vote to select the winners.

How to Enter as a Participant

1. Story Submission: Submit a true life story between 30 minutes and 1 hour in length (ideal duration approx. 45 minutes).
2. Application: Apply through the Zero Blind website’s: https://zeroblind.org.nz/podcast-enroll-to-win/ between 15 August and 30 December 2025.
3. Registration Number: Upon application, each participant will receive a unique registration number.
4. Recording: All stories will be professionally recorded and featured on the Beyond the Blind podcast.

Voting Process

1. Listening & Voting: Listeners of the Beyond the Blind podcast can vote for their favourite stories starting on 6 January 2026 until 25 December 2026.
2. Donation for Votes: Votes are allocated via donations on the Zero Blind website’s Donation page, www.zeroblind.org.nz/donation, at the following rates:
   • 3 complimentary votes (no donation required)
   • $10 donation = 5 votes
   • $25 donation = 12 votes
   • $50 donation = 25 votes
   • $100 donation = 50 votes
3. Vote Allocation: Voters may allocate all votes to a single story or distribute them across multiple stories.
4. Voter Registration Number: Each voter receives a unique voter registration number, which will also be entered into the electronic raffle draw.

Prizes

Participant Prizes (Based on Votes)

• 1st Place: $25,000 NZD
• 2nd Place: $15,000 NZD
• 3rd Place: $10,000 NZD

Raffle Prizes

• Four prizes of $5,000 NZD each awarded in an electronic raffle draw on 5 January 2027.
• Both participant and voter registration numbers are entered into the raffle.
• Only individuals aged 18+ are eligible to win raffle prizes.
• Participants can win both a competition prize and a raffle prize, with a maximum total:
  • 1st place + raffle prize = $30,000 NZD
  • 2nd place + raffle prize = $20,000 NZD
  • 3rd place + raffle prize = $15,000 NZD

Minimum Participant Requirement

• The awarding of all prizes (including participant prizes and raffle prizes) is conditional upon a minimum of 50 eligible participants entering the competition. If fewer than 50 eligible participants have entered by the closing date, the competition (including the raffle) will be cancelled, and no prizes will be awarded.

Eligibility

• Participants: Open to all individuals who are legally blind or have low vision, in New Zealand or overseas.
• Voters: Open to anyone who listens to the podcast and wishes to vote.
• Raffle: Open to individuals aged 18 years and over.

Ineligible Persons
The following individuals are not eligible to participate, vote, or enter the raffle to avoid conflict of interest:

• ZERO BLIND Charitable Trust management, employees, and contractors
• Relatives and close friends of the above
• Immediate family members (parents, siblings, children, spouses/partners) of those involved in the competition
• Any persons with access to confidential competition data or involved in administration, judging, or recording
• Any other individuals with a direct or indirect conflict of interest

Additional Information

• All donations are non-refundable.
• Winners will be notified via the contact details provided during registration.
• By entering, participants and voters agree to have their stories and/or registration numbers used for promotional purposes related to the competition.
• The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the requirements.
• Raffle winners must provide proof of age before prize distribution.
• Proceeds will be used to:
  • Promote dignity for people with blindness and low vision
  • Improve eyesight where possible
  • Create opportunities for higher education
  • Develop work skills
  • Help individuals become more confident and independent

Winner Interview
Winners agree to participate in a 10–15 minute interview, which will be published on the Beyond the Blind podcast. The winner’s city and country will be made public as part of this feature.

Good luck to all participants, and thank you to everyone voting and supporting this cause!