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.

Stats NZ have released a report called “An overview of disability data in Aotearoa New Zealand.”The new report was made ...
23/04/2026

Stats NZ have released a report called “An overview of disability data in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

The new report was made to make it easier to find, understand, and use disability data in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is based on publicly available data from a selection of key population surveys as at 1 January 2026.

This report brings together disability data by theme, to provide a fuller picture of the experiences and outcomes of disabled people in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The four themes of the report are:
• wellbeing and inclusion
• participation in society
• standard of living
• services and support.

There has been an increase in the amount of disability data collected and published in recent years. This report aims to support people who want to use this data effectively, including policymakers and advocacy groups.

You can find the overview report and all Alternate Formats at this website: https://www.stats.govt.nz/reports/an-overview-of-disability-data-in-aotearoa-new-zealand/

This month at the Blenheim local group meeting we had Empowerment Trust run a healthy relationships workshop. There were...
22/04/2026

This month at the Blenheim local group meeting we had Empowerment Trust run a healthy relationships workshop.

There were lots of role plays with plenty of learning and laughs along the way.

A big thank you to our fantastic member Ashleigh Cattell for facilitating the session.

Do you live in Palmerston North, and want to make sure disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori are leading their good...
20/04/2026

Do you live in Palmerston North, and want to make sure disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori are leading their good life, are receiving quality services and are safe, we would like to hear from you.

People for Us is a new peer visiting service for disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori living in residential homes to check if they are living a good life, getting good support and are safe.

You can find more information here:
peoplefirst.org.nz/join-us

A State of Emergency has been declared for Wellington City and the surround region following severe weather.What to do n...
20/04/2026

A State of Emergency has been declared for Wellington City and the surround region following severe weather.

What to do now:
• Move away from low areas where flooding can happen
• Stay off the roads unless you really need to go
• Listen to emergency services and do what they say
• Stay at home if it is safe
• Keep away from floodwater and damaged places
• Do not walk drive or swim in floodwater
• Go to higher ground if water starts rising
• Leave if you feel unsafe do not wait
• Get ready for power cuts
• Check on neighbours whānau and anyone who needs help

If you need help
• Call 04 499 4444 for welfare support

You can find Easy Read information about floods and emergencies here:
https://getready.govt.nz/alternate-formats/easy-read

Please stay safe in the Wellington Region.

New information is available from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned.The Royal Commission was...
20/04/2026

New information is available from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned.

The Royal Commission was set up by the Government to look at how Aotearoa New Zealand prepared for and responded to COVID-19.
Its role is to understand what worked well, what did not, and what can be done better in the future to keep people safe.

The Royal Commission has now released a summary of its Phase 2 findings.

This summary explains the key lessons learned from COVID-19, including impacts on communities and decisions made during the pandemic.

You can find the Easy Read and other formats and videos on this page:
www.covid19lessons.royalcommission.nz/translations-and-alternate-formats

People First Christchurch members had a busy day out at the Show your ability expo.We spent time handing out information...
12/04/2026

People First Christchurch members had a busy day out at the Show your ability expo.

We spent time handing out information and talking with people about the work of People First. It was a great chance to share our message, meet new people, and tell others about self-advocacy and rights.

Thank you to everyone who stopped for a chat and took some information.

Front row: Peter Rees, Kayla Le Gros, and Steve Bull.
Back: Abbey Healey.

“Did you know you have privacy rights?” is a brochure from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. It tells people about...
10/04/2026

“Did you know you have privacy rights?” is a brochure from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

It tells people about their privacy rights and what they can do if they think their privacy has been breached.

It also tells people how to request their own personal information.

You can find the brochure, including alternate formats here: https://www.privacy.org.nz/resources-and-learning/brochures-posters/.

Direct Easy Read links:

Easy Read PDF:https://www.privacy.org.nz/assets/DOCUMENTS/20260323-Office-of-the-Privacy-Commissioner-Privacy-Rights-Easy-Read.pdf

Easy Read Word: https://www.privacy.org.nz/assets/DOCUMENTS/Office-of-the-Privacy-Commissioner-Privacy-Rights-Easy-Read-19-03-2026.docx

This weekend, Cyclone Vaianu is expected to move across the North Island.Parts of the North Island may get rough weather...
09/04/2026

This weekend, Cyclone Vaianu is expected to move across the North Island.

Parts of the North Island may get rough weather this weekend with strong winds or heavy rain.

Please keep an eye on local weather updates and take simple steps to be ready just in case.

You can find Easy Read information about storms here:
https://getready.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/documents/alternate-formats/easy-read/pdf/easy-read-storms-info-en-apr23.pdf

More Easy Read information about emergencies here:
https://getready.govt.nz/alternate-formats/easy-read

Stay safe this weekend.

We are hiring!We are looking for people in Rotorua and North Shore to visit disabled people in your area.If you have a d...
07/04/2026

We are hiring!

We are looking for people in Rotorua and North Shore to visit disabled people in your area.

If you have a disability and/or a passion to make sure disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori are living a good life, are getting good support and are safe, we would like to hear from you.

You can find more information here:
peoplefirst.org.nz/join-us

Our Dunedin team were at the Show your Ability Expo in last week.It was great talking to people about People First and P...
07/04/2026

Our Dunedin team were at the Show your Ability Expo in last week.

It was great talking to people about People First and People for Us.

Great job Tegan, Keyra and David.

Well done team!

Keeping Safe, Feeling Safe Course – ManawatūDo you want to learn more about keeping yourself safe?We are running a free ...
06/04/2026

Keeping Safe, Feeling Safe Course – Manawatū

Do you want to learn more about keeping yourself safe?

We are running a free course for adults with a learning disability.

This is a 5-session course where you will learn about:
• Your rights and the law
• Different types of abuse and where to get support
• Keeping safe at home and in the community
• Talking with the police and making a complaint
• What healthy relationships look like

Where:
All Saints Church
338 Church Street, Palmerston North

When:
Every Wednesday for 5 weeks
From 15 April to 13 May
1.30pm – 4.00pm (half-day sessions)

How to sign up:
Contact the course facilitator Elizabeth Bennett to register:
elizabethbennett@peoplefirst.org.nz

This is a great chance to learn, ask questions, and feel more confident about staying safe.
Please share this post with anyone who might be interested.

Happy Easter from People First NZ!We hope you have a great Easter and enjoy the break.
04/04/2026

Happy Easter from People First NZ!

We hope you have a great Easter and enjoy the break.

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

http://makeiteasy.org.nz/, http://www.peoplefirst.org.nz/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/

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Our Story

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.