People First New Zealand

People First New Zealand We are a Disabled People's Organisation that is run by and for people with learning disability.

People First New Zealand - Ngā Tāngata Tuatahi:

- advocates to the Government and media about the rights of people with learning (intellectual) disability
- supports grassroots self advocacy in communities across NZ
- provides courses taught by people with learning disability on self advocacy, the UN Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities and Employment Rights.
- has an Easy Read

translation service creating documents that are accessible for people with learning disability. We want the People First New Zealand page to be a:
- positive place for people
- a place to get factual information
- a place where people’s stories can be shared in a safe space. We reserve the right to remove comments that:
- are rude, obscene, indecent, or uses profane language
- are threating or have defamatory or false statements
- are personal attacks or insulting statements directed towards an individual or group of people
- have hate speech directed at race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, religion, body shape, or disability
- have false claims or misinformation; we are guided by information provided by government and public health services
- are repetitive or “spamming” (the same comment posted multiple times). The views expressed in comments reflect those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official views of People First New Zealand.

This National Volunteer Week, we want to say a big thank you to our amazing volunteers across Aotearoa New Zealand.Our v...
18/06/2026

This National Volunteer Week, we want to say a big thank you to our amazing volunteers across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our volunteers give their time, energy, and assistance with meetings, events, and activities.

Today we would like to reflect on some of our volunteers in the Southern Region.

Trevor Graham has been volunteering with our Dunedin group for several years. Trevor helps members at meetings, provides transport home, and brings his guitar along for a sing-along at the end of each meeting. It is always a fun way to finish the day. (Playing guitar in the picture)

Margaret Cardno has supported our Balclutha group for many years. Margaret has helped transport members to and from Southern Regional meetings and is always there to lend a hand at events. (Pictured with member David King)

Aurora Catu has supported Invercargill members at Regional meetings, taken photos at events, and been a great support whenever needed.

Robin Wightman is our trusted van driver and helps members travel safely to Regional meetings across the South.

Lisa Ward has been volunteering with the Dunedin group for more than 25 years. She attends monthly meetings and has been a valued part of the group for many years.

Mitch Frew supports the Dunedin group by setting up the sound system, helping keep meetings safe, and providing transport for members.

Thank you to all our volunteers in the all regions. Your kindness, commitment, and support make a real difference in the lives of our members every day.

A big congratulations to Dunedin People First member Russell Morris, who recently chaired a meeting of the Dunedin City ...
17/06/2026

A big congratulations to Dunedin People First member Russell Morris, who recently chaired a meeting of the Dunedin City Council Disabilities Issues Advisory Group, with support from Chairperson Councillor Mandy Mayhem.

Russell did an excellent job leading the meeting, making sure everyone had the chance to be heard. He showed confidence, professionalism, and strong leadership throughout.

Amazing mahi Russel!!

Disability Support Services (DSS) want to hear from you.They are asking people who receive DSS funding, and support or a...
16/06/2026

Disability Support Services (DSS) want to hear from you.

They are asking people who receive DSS funding, and support or advocate for those who do, to take part in their consultation period.

They are asking about things like:
• What difference should DSS supports make in your daily life?
• What would more flexible support and services look like?
• What would make it easier for carers to take a break?

For information about how you can have your say (survey, make a submission, attend an in-person or online workshop) go to: www.tinyurl.com/5bm2937s

Please note: This consultation is different from the Disability Support Services Bill that called for submissions, which closed on June 12.

The Bill is a Parliamentary process to set the legal framework for DSS, while this survey is about improving DSS services and supports.

News from the WhakataneOn Monday the Whakatane group delivered a workshop to the Whakatane Disability Resource Centre.In...
15/06/2026

News from the Whakatane
On Monday the Whakatane group delivered a workshop to the Whakatane Disability Resource Centre.

In the workshop, the Whakatane group demonstrated a local group monthly meeting, the theme was Choices. They had role plays, to show the importance of self-advocacy, and advocacy to support decision making, and have your own choices.

Then we played the Safety Net Cyber Card Game, also members made a role play for one of the card games!
The workshop was so fun, a lot of discussion, a lot of laughing!

The workshop led by Whakatane President Gordon Walker and Bernadette Moses, two members Cindy Roscoe and Angus Bates from Tauranga to support the workshop, they are the stars!

Thank you to the Whakatane Disability Resource Centre for the invite and being passionate about self-advocacy!

News from Top of the SouthLong-standing Blenheim member Penelope Banfield and Local Assistant Rosemary attended the Hapo...
15/06/2026

News from Top of the South

Long-standing Blenheim member Penelope Banfield and Local Assistant Rosemary attended the Hapori Community and Whanau Day in Blenheim on Saturday representing People First.

It was part of the week-long Pride Wairau Rainbow Festival. The day was to promote an inclusive community. Many interesting people were keen to learn about People First and were interested in Easy Read.

There are photos with two guests. The first one is Hugo Grrrl who is a drag king. The other is a gentleman by the name of Ron Tekawa, he is an artist. The quilts he makes are all made from donated materials, including items that had meaning to some people. Ron has been commissioned by Te Papa to do a massive version of the quilt in the photograph, Te Whare Pora.

We worked with the Health Quality and Safety Commission to create an Easy Read summary of their “A Window on Disability”...
11/06/2026

We worked with the Health Quality and Safety Commission to create an Easy Read summary of their “A Window on Disability” report.

The report brings together disabled-led research, community voices, and new approaches to national data to better understand how disabled people access and experience health care.
The findings highlight inequities across all stages of life, including:

·Maternity care: lower enrolment rates with midwives, higher rates of pre-term birth and lower satisfaction with care.

·Children and young people: generally responsive services, but a difficult transition to adult care.

·Adulthood: higher rates of cancer, diabetes, post-operative complications, and mental health conditions.

·Older adults: a hard to interpret picture as people with lifelong disability are counted alongside people developing age-related disabilities.

You can find the report and more information at A Window on Disability | Health Quality & Safety Commission Te Tāhū Hauora

Easy Read PDF: https://www.hqsc.govt.nz/assets/Our-data/A-Window-on-Disability/A-Window-on-Disability-Easy-Read.pdf?hash=58e8d2e20e16a4ac9b2abf3531a172ebcba80941

Easy Read Word: https://www.hqsc.govt.nz/assets/Our-data/A-Window-on-Disability/A-Window-on-Disability-Easy-Read.docx

The Law Commission now has Easy Read information regarding the review of the adult decision-making capacity law.Here is ...
11/06/2026

The Law Commission now has Easy Read information regarding the review of the adult decision-making capacity law.

Here is some wording from Law Commission regarding the report:

Earlier this year, Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission published the final report in its Ngā Huarahi Whakatau project – the review of the Protection or Personal and Property Rights Act 1988.
The Commission recommends that the Act be replaced with a new Act, that better protects and promotes the equality, dignity and autonomy of people who require decision-making support or do not have decision-making capacity for some decisions.
The Commission makes 175 specific recommendations for reform.

Here are the direct links to the Easy Read:

PDF Easy Read:https://www.lawcom.govt.nz/assets/Publications/Reports/NZLC-R151-Overview-EasyRead.pdf
Word Easy Read: https://www.lawcom.govt.nz/assets/Publications/Reports/NZLC-R151-Overview-EasyRead.docx

Getting emergency readyOn Friday Tauranga members Robert Greer and Angus Bates attended a community hui, it was for disa...
08/06/2026

Getting emergency ready
On Friday Tauranga members Robert Greer and Angus Bates attended a community hui, it was for disabled people in the support environment to discuss how they can get ready for emergencies.

In the hui, disabled people learnt how to prepare for emergencies, know what to do in an emergency, and make a plan that works for you.
Angus said "So many things I need to know to keep me safe in the emergency, the hui is so helpful"
Robert said "I have learnt so much about the grab bag and what things we need to put in it to be prepared"

Robert and Angus will be sharing this knowledge at their next local group meeting.
Tauranga CCS Disability Action organized the hui.

News from the Kapiti People First groupThe group have been very busy.For their May meeting, the group visited their loca...
07/06/2026

News from the Kapiti People First group
The group have been very busy.
For their May meeting, the group visited their local swimming pool and had a talk on water safety.

They have recently held their local group elections with the help of Kapiti Coast District Council deputy mayor, Martin Halliday.

A big congratulations to Morgan Smith who was elected as the new Local group President.

Some great photos from the Keeping Safe Feeling Safe course recently completed my the Manawatu group. The group especial...
05/06/2026

Some great photos from the Keeping Safe Feeling Safe course
recently completed my the Manawatu group.

The group especially enjoyed having a police officer visit as a guest speaker and receiving their certificates at the end.
Fantastic effort everyone!

Address

Level 5, 175 Victoria Street
Wellington
6011

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 3pm
Tuesday 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+6443813242

Website

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