NZ Disability Rights

04/01/2026

This meeting includes interpretation. Please find instructions in French and Spanish below: Veuillez sélectionner votre langue de préférence : anglais, français ou espagnol. Pour sélectionner une langue, assurez-vous d’abord d’avoir rejoint l’audio à l’aide d’un ordinateur ou de l’...

17/12/2025

The Ministry of Education and IHC have settled a litigation case to enable the New Zealand education system to work better for disabled students.

16/12/2025

From Hardship to Equity: Ensuring disabled people have a decent standard of living. (Webinar recording now available)

Please note: this recording is captioned and a transcript is available but the NZSL did not properly save. A version with NZSL will be shared in early 2026.

Data shows that disabled people continue to face worse social and economic outcomes, and that disabled children and children living with disabled people are more likely to experience hardship.

The webinar explored recent research commissioned by MSD on why this is happening and what can be done to uphold the right of tāngata whaikaha Māori and all disabled people to a decent standard of living.

The panel included advocates with lived experience and researchers: Moira Wilson, Dr Jonathan Godfrey, Dr Rebecca Gray, Helena Tuteao and Dr Fiona Cram.

Prudence Walker, Disability Rights Commissioner, hosted the panel for International Day for Persons with Disabilities.

12/12/2025

Do you have lived experience and expertise in education for disabled students? We'd love for you to apply to join our new stakeholder group.

The Ministry has committed to a Framework for Action to tackle barriers in education for disabled students, following a settlement with IHC. This Framework will focus on areas such as:

✅ Improving data collection and reporting
✅ Access to specialist support services
✅ A responsive curriculum
✅ Accessible infrastructure

The new stakeholder group would support us to progress this Framework for Action, and we're looking for 6-8 members who have:

➡️ Lived experience as a disabled person in the education system
➡️ Tāngata whaikaha Māori and Pacific people's perspectives
➡️ Knowledge of supporting disabled students
➡️ Experience in the education sector
➡️ Awareness of current priorities and barriers for disabled students

To find out more, or to apply, head to our website: https://bit.ly/4s9PW99

If you are Deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, speech impaired or find it hard to talk, you can contact us through the New Zealand Relay Service: https://www.nzrelay.co.nz/

12/12/2025

11/12/2025

"As Disability Rights Commissioner, I welcome this significant milestone towards providing an education system that is fundamentally inclusive and ensures that disabled children and young people are able to exercise their right to education on an equal basis with others.

IHC has worked hard to reach this point in advancing the right of all children to education. I also acknowledge the work of the Office of Human Rights Proceedings in the success of this claim.

In the absence of appropriate and accessible education in all schools, parents and whānau have lacked genuine options for their disabled children and young people in their communities and local schools.

The IHC designed Framework for Action is a good start to creating equity and a welcoming environment in all schools. Critically, there will be an accountability mechanism that will include disabled people, and will monitor its progress.

An inclusive education environment is required by the Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other Treaties that Aotearoa has committed to.

We need to see the right of children to attend their local school as per the Education Act 1989, upheld in reality and with the right supports." - Prudence Walker.

The Director of Human Rights Proceedings, Greg Robins, says this is a landmark day for the rights of disabled children.

“This is a milestone achievement, and reflects years of determination by IHC in bringing and pursuing the claim in the Human Rights Review Tribunal. I am very grateful to IHC for their efforts, and to their counsel Michael Timmins and Nicole Browne who provided expert advice and representation.”

IHC first complained to Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission about this matter in 2008 and filed proceedings in the Human Rights Tribunal in 2012.

The Office of Human Rights Proceedings has worked with IHC on the claim since early 2021 for a negotiated settlement with the Ministry of Education.

09/12/2025

09/12/2025

InternetNZ are teaming up with Access Advisors to provide a free web accessibility training programme in 2026.

📕The training is for community organisations across Aotearoa to make their websites, social media, and digital documents more accessible.

👉Together we can create online spaces that are inclusive for disabled people, kaumātua, neurodiverse communities, and others who face barriers.

To develop this mahi, there is a short survey for those who are interested in providing feedback. Link in comments 👇

09/12/2025

07/12/2025

Great turn out at the Our Voices Count Rally in Ōtautahi on Saturday. I added my voice as Disability Rights Commissioner to those of the disabled people at the rally who continue to be concerned about access to flexible disability support services.
The beautiful banners were made through community workshops with textile artist Ron Te Kawa.
The photos below show the colourful banners and equally colourful group of people at the rally at the Bridge of Remembrance. - Prudence Walker.

Disability Leadership Canterbury

05/12/2025

Shaping the future of accessibility in New Zealand, together.

We’re excited to announce the formation of our new Accessibility Advisory Group (AAG). 🎉

We received more than 70 expressions of interest from people passionate about making New Zealand more accessible. After a careful review by an independent panel, we’ve brought together a diverse group of members with fresh ideas, lived experience, and expertise.

Their perspectives will help guide our Accessibility Work Programme, ensuring projects and initiatives reflect what matters most to the disability community.

Find out who’s shaping the future of accessibility – link in comments ⬇️

Image description: graphic with a purple background with the text “Accessibility Advisory Group members announced”. The top left corner has a faded tohu design, a series of parallel lines with intersecting curved elements. There is a darker border on the left-hand side and bottom of the image.

05/12/2025

Pacific Disability Forum Formalizes Strategic Partnership with DFAT and MFAT to Advance Disability Rights Across the Pacific

Suva, Fiji (December 4)

– The Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) has entered into a landmark partnership with the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the Partnership Arrangement Regarding Support for Disability Equity and Rights in the Pacific 2025–2030. This agreement represents a significant step toward strengthening the capacity of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and promoting inclusive development throughout the Pacific region.

The partnership is founded on a shared vision of a fairer, more equitable Pacific where persons with disabilities are recognized as equal citizens with rights, dignity, and opportunities. Through this arrangement, the partners will collaborate to:

· Support OPDs to enhance organizational stability, credibility, and resilience.

· Advance implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at national, regional, and global levels.

· Amplify the voices of persons with disabilities in climate action and policymaking.

· Promote locally led, rights-based approaches to development.

Reflecting on the significance of this collaboration, PDF Chief Executive Officer Sainimili Tawake stated: “This partnership marks an important moment for the disability movement in the Pacific. With the support of DFAT and MFAT, PDF and organizations of persons with disabilities in the Pacific are better equipped to advance disability rights within their communities, influence inclusive policies and budgetary allocations within respective Governments, and shape a more inclusive Pacific for all. Their continued commitment enables our collective voice to be heard at national, regional and global levels.”

The arrangement underscores the commitment of all partners to provide predictable, flexible funding and technical support, while ensuring coordinated advocacy to elevate disability priorities in regional and global forums. It will remain in effect until 31 December 2030.