Disabled Persons Assembly NZ - DPA

Disabled Persons Assembly NZ - DPA DPA provides an active, independent voice that reflects your needs, your concerns and your rights.

The Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) is a pan-impairment disabled people’s organisation that works to realise an equitable society, where all disabled people (of all impairment types and including women, Māori, Pasifika, young people) are able to direct their own lives. DPA works to improve social indicators for disabled people and for disabled people be recognised as valued members of society. DPA and its members work with the wider disability community, other DPOs, government agencies, service providers, international disability organisations, and the public by:
• telling our stories and identifying systemic barriers
• developing and advocating for solutions
• celebrating innovation and good practice

DPA values:

Equity – Transparency – Integrity – Creativity – Independence – Inclusivity – Diversity

DPA has a commitment to:

Recognition of Māori as tangata whenua and Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand. Recognition of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities as the basis for disabled people’s relationship with the State. Recognition of the Social Model of Disability as the guiding principle for analysis of disability and impairment. DPA’s areas of focus:

• Access
Disabled people have access and reasonable accommodation as an enforceable legal right.

• Education
Disabled people can engage in inclusive, lifelong learning in the communities of their choosing.

• Housing
Disabled people live in healthy, safe, accessible, affordable homes of their choosing.

• Health and disability support services
Disabled people have equitable health status with non-disabled people – and access to the supports required to live a good life.

• Income and employment
Disabled people have sufficient income to meet their requirements – now and in the future. Where appropriate, disabled people have comparable employment to non-disabled people.

• Justice, violence and abuse
Disabled people do not experience violence and abuse, disabled people have access to the supports they need in the criminal justice system, and are not overrepresented in the prison system.

New Zealanders everywhere are feeling the impact of the rising cost of living, high unemployment and low incomes, with t...
05/10/2026

New Zealanders everywhere are feeling the impact of the rising cost of living, high unemployment and low incomes, with too many families struggling to get ahead.

This critical panel, hosted by the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services and the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit of the Salvation Army, will provide an opportunity to hear directly from political leaders their priorities and vision for social development in New Zealand including our welfare system, employment and training supports and working with the community sector.

Social development spokespeople from across the political spectrum have been invited to participate. There will be a number of pre-prepared questions and the opportunity for audience questions.

Panel line-up:

- National: Hon. Louise Upston- spokesperson and current Minister for Social Development and Employment

- Labour: Hon. Willow-Jean Prime- spokesperson for social development and employment

- Green: Ricardo Menéndez March- spokesperson for social development and employment

- New Zealand First: Jamie Arbuckle- spokesperson for social development

- Opportunity Party: Romeo Tevaga- spokesperson for social investment

Act has declined to participate

Register here: https://social-development-political-panel-2026.lilregie.com/

asks for safer online platforms for all: transparency, duty of care, independent oversight, and regulation development...
04/10/2026

asks for safer online platforms for all: transparency, duty of care, independent oversight, and regulation development upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We would like to see them in the first 100 days of the next government. Tag your local candidates or parties in the comments or in a quote share to let them know you agree.

In the 2024/25 year, disabled people in Aotearoa asked one small Lottery committee for $28.3 million of help. The commit...
02/10/2026

In the 2024/25 year, disabled people in Aotearoa asked one small Lottery committee for $28.3 million of help. The committee had just under $12 million to give out. Then, on 1 July 2026, it was closed altogether.

By Debbie Ward, Disability Leadership Coordinator, CCS Disability Action Published 22 September 2026 In the 2024/25 year, disabled people in Aotearoa asked one small Lottery committee for $28.3 million of help. The committee had just under $12 million to give out. Then, on 1 July 2026, it was cl

Where those vying for your vote stand on disability support and funding, accessibility standards, benefits and more.
01/10/2026

Where those vying for your vote stand on disability support and funding, accessibility standards, benefits and more.

The D*List and The University of Auckland Disabled Students' Association are hosting the Disability Debate, where the ma...
24/09/2026

The D*List and The University of Auckland Disabled Students' Association are hosting the Disability Debate, where the major political parties will debate the issues that matter to Deaf and disabled communities.

Where: Room 501-110 - The University of Auckland, Grafton Campus,
When: 6:00 PM, 14 Oct, 2026
Cost: Free

Come along to the Disability Debate, hosted by The D*List and The University of Auckland Disabled Students Association, as the major political parties debate the issues that...

DPA President Kera Sherwood-O'Regan spoke with Mike Gourley on the No Labels radio show about Our Declaration, Our Right...
23/09/2026

DPA President Kera Sherwood-O'Regan spoke with Mike Gourley on the No Labels radio show about Our Declaration, Our Rights, a shared statement of Disabled Peoples' Rights in Aotearoa New Zealand. Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/ychb7e43

"My dream is of a society where it’s not exceptional or a one-off to have Deaf and disabled people in leadership roles i...
21/09/2026

"My dream is of a society where it’s not exceptional or a one-off to have Deaf and disabled people in leadership roles in the arts sector and actively contributing to its culture. A society where it’s normal to see a disabled artist on the stage, their art in our big galleries, and stories about disabled people in our museums." — Stace Roberston

Stace Robertson dreams of a society where it’s normal to see a disabled artist on the stage, their art in our big galleries, and stories about disabled people in our museums.

Take a look at all the access features through the City Rail Link stations!
18/09/2026

Take a look at all the access features through the City Rail Link stations!

Take a look at all the access features through the City Rail Link stations, opening in Tāmaki Makaurau this week.

"So perhaps businesses need to stop asking themselves: “Are we accessible?”. That question can be surprisingly difficult...
16/09/2026

"So perhaps businesses need to stop asking themselves: “Are we accessible?”. That question can be surprisingly difficult to answer. Instead, ask: 'What can we tell people about our accessibility?'". — Jonny Wilkinson

OPINION: Clear details about ramps, toilets and noise help disabled people choose.

Address

70 Langdons Road, Papanui
Christchurch
8053

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

04 801 9100

Website

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