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.

Week 5 – Meet the National Committee! 📣Introducing Philippa HendersonKia ora everyone, my name is Philippa Henderson and...
27/07/2025

Week 5 – Meet the National Committee! 📣

Introducing Philippa Henderson

Kia ora everyone, my name is Philippa Henderson and I am the Southern Region President on the National Committee.

I live in Balclutha, South Otago, and I’ve been a member of People First since 2020.
Being on the National Committee has helped me grow into a great speaker, I really like how much I’ve grown and learnt.

Something I care about is making sure people remember we are all people as well.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, my friends, and my horse Jack.
My message to others is: If you get an opportunity to do something, go for it!

Have you heard about “space weather”? Space weather is when the sun gives out a lot of energy all at once. Space weather...
25/07/2025

Have you heard about “space weather”?

Space weather is when the sun gives out a lot of energy all at once. Space weather is sometimes called a solar storm.

You can now find Easy Read information on the Get Ready website called “What you can do to be ready for space weather”. https://er.getready.govt.nz/emergency/space-weather

You can find lots of other Easy Read information about how to get ready and what to do in emergencies like earthquakes, flooding or bad weather: https://er.getready.govt.nz/

Thank you to National Emergency Management Agency, NZ Civil Defence for working closely with the Make it Easy service to create these Easy Read resources.

Our recent Northern Regional Meeting brought together local groups from across the region, and what a great day it was!M...
24/07/2025

Our recent Northern Regional Meeting brought together local groups from across the region, and what a great day it was!

Members shared what’s going on in their communities and lives, talked about the challenges they’re facing, and supported each other with ideas and encouragement.

A big part of the day was spent digging into something really important, the values of People First. Everyone had their say about what they believe People First stands for, and what our values should be moving forward.

It was an inspiring day of speaking up, listening, and planning together for a stronger voice.

Ka pai to everyone who came along and shared their thoughts, we love seeing the power of self-advocacy in action!

Today, People First Auckland member Alex Snedden went to the launch of the Whaimana - Support My Decisions website along...
24/07/2025

Today, People First Auckland member Alex Snedden went to the launch of the Whaimana - Support My Decisions website alongside some People First staff in Wellington.

Alex represented the Disabled People's Organisation Coalition on the project advisory group for the Whaimana - Support My Decisions project.

The project advisory group is made up of people with lived experience of disability and representatives from ministries, organisations and agencies working across aged care, disability advocacy, health, human rights and mental health.

Whaimana - Support My Decisions is a website about Supported Decision-Making to assist:
• families and whānau
• carers
• service providers
• disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori (Māori disabled people).

This website will help people make better decisions together, even in situations where others might currently make decisions for them.

https://www.supportmydecisions.nz/

It was great to see everyone involved celebrate the launch of this important mahi.

Thank you to Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People for hosting the event!

Image 1: Alex is speaking at a lectern about the impact and importance of supported decision making in his own life and how this website will help others to understand supported decision making and why its so important.

Image 2: Alex is speaking with Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston, Minster for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour and Chief Executive of Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha Paula Tesoriero who attended the launch.

Image 3: The project Advisory group and staff group photo smiling. Behind them is a purple banner with the Whaikaha logo partially obscured, and a wall hanging.

Image 4: People First NZ staff and People First member Alex Snedden pictured with Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston.

A big shoutout to the awesome group who just completed the People First Enabling Good Lives course, hosted by IDEA Servi...
23/07/2025

A big shoutout to the awesome group who just completed the People First Enabling Good Lives course, hosted by IDEA Services South Auckland and funded by Foundation North.

Over the past few weeks, participants explored what it means to live a good life, one that’s self-directed, connected, and full of possibility.

They learnt all about the EGL principles and how to create their own plan to move toward the life they want.

Thanks again to Foundation North for supporting this fantastic course and to everyone who took part, we can’t wait to see what’s next!

23/07/2025

We have an Easy Read resource available to help you understand getting ready to enrol and vote in the 2025 local elections.

You can download a digital copy here:https://vote.nz/assets/2022-local-elections/Accessible-formats/EASY-READ-2025.pdf

You can order a hard copy here: https://elections.nz/getting-involved/order-resources/

Easy Read is an accessible format. It uses plain English and pictures to help people understand written information.

We also have other alternate formats including audio, large print, Braille, and New Zealand Sign Language - check them out here: https://vote.nz/local-elections/resources/information-in-alternate-formats/

Want to make a real difference in your community?We’re Hiring 2 part-time Local Assistants / Kaiāwhina (8 hours a month)...
21/07/2025

Want to make a real difference in your community?

We’re Hiring 2 part-time Local Assistants / Kaiāwhina (8 hours a month) to support our People First groups in Whangārei and Franklin (Pukekohe)

In this role, you’ll be working alongside people with learning disability to:
• encourage learning about self-advocacy and speaking up
• assist members to represent their peers in community forums
• promote the local group within the community

👉 Find out more and apply here:
https://www.peoplefirst.org.nz/join-us

🗓 Applications close: Wednesday, 29 August 2025

Last week, People First NZ members Roz Gielink (Northern group) and Morgan Smith (Central group) along with Kath Parrish...
21/07/2025

Last week, People First NZ members Roz Gielink (Northern group) and Morgan Smith (Central group) along with Kath Parrish, Manager of Make it Easy, did an online Oral Submission to the Governance and Administration Committee at Parliament.

They spoke about why they believe the Plain Language Act needs to stay, the Government’s responsibilities under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the importance of having accessible information for everyone.

You can watch / listen to the recording of their Oral Submission at the link below, at 37 mins in which is when they start speaking:

https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/scl/governance-and-administration/news-archive/watch-public-meetings-of-the-governance-and-administration-committee/

The recording will also be saved a later date to:

https://vimeo.com/showcase/10758255

A big thank you to Roz and Morgan for speaking on behalf of People First NZ – Ka pai rā tēnei mahi.

Week 3 – Meet the National Committee! 📣Introducing Kris RoguskiHi my name is Kris Roguski I am the Midland Region Presid...
20/07/2025

Week 3 – Meet the National Committee! 📣

Introducing Kris Roguski

Hi my name is Kris Roguski I am the Midland Region President.

I live in Rotorua, and I have been a member of People First since 2017, so that’s quite a few years now!

I enjoy being part of the National Committee. It feels good to work alongside others who care about the same things and to be involved in important decisions.

In my spare time I play indoor football and tenpin bowling with Special Olympics.

I think People First is a great organisation. It helps people speak up and be heard.

Check out this article in the local Whakatāne newspaper!We’re proud to share that the Whakatāne group has been a part of...
18/07/2025

Check out this article in the local Whakatāne newspaper!

We’re proud to share that the Whakatāne group has been a part of the Whakatāne Accessible and Inclusive (W.A.I) group for many years, helping make our community more inclusive for everyone.

A big shoutout to our amazing members Bernadette Moses and Rainus Baker, who sit on the W.A.I panel. They are strong voices for people with learning disability, making sure their views are heard and respected in local decision-making. 🙌

Ka pai team, your mahi makes a real difference!

Week 3 – Meet the National Committee! Introducing Jenna Maguren.My name is Jenna Maguren I am the Central Region Presid...
13/07/2025

Week 3 – Meet the National Committee!

Introducing Jenna Maguren.

My name is Jenna Maguren I am the Central Region President and the Vice Chairperson.

I live in Lower Hutt and have been a member of People First since 2012. I’ve really enjoyed being part of the National Committee team and having the chance to show good leadership.

I care about making sure everyone feels included and enjoy learning about different cultures.

In my free time, I do Special Olympics Tenpin Bowling, go to Manaaki Ability Trust, get support from Community Connections, go to church, and spend time with my family and friends.

I encourage other members to give new things a go, especially things they haven’t tried before. It’s a great way to build confidence and show your leadership skills.

Address

Wellington

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+6443813242

Website

http://makeiteasy.org.nz/, http://www.peoplefirst.org.nz/

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People First: - 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.