Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People

DAT Fest: Disabled Artists' Theatre Festival returns for its third year from November 2 to 17 at Te Auaha in Wellington.

For tickets, workshop registration and transport options visit datfest.nz

Shared link description: a group of people participating in a workshop on a black stage. There is a mix of people standing, and in wheelchairs. Some of the people are reaching out to hold each others hands and shoulders in a circle formation.

https://bit.ly/3UvndMy

A celebration of disabled creativity in Wellington The programme for this year’s Disabled Artists Theatre Festival features comedy, music, cabaret, dance, poetry, exhibitions and workshops.

If you are in Dunedin check out the People First New Zealand Speaking Up Course happening in November.

Want to know more about self-advocacy?

We will be running a Speaking Up course in South Dunedin for people with learning disability.

There will be 6 sessions:
1. Advocacy and Self-Advocacy - Monday 18 November
2. Choices - Tuesday 19 November
3. Friendship - Wednesday 20 November
4. Rights and Responsibilities - Monday 25 November
5. Community- Tuesday 26 November
6. The United Nations - Thursday 28 November

The course sessions will be held in:
Nations Church Hall, 334 King Edward Street, South Dunedin

To register please contact Regional Coordinator Lee-ann Wightman:
Email: [email protected]
phone: 027 575 4002

This course was generously funded by: IHC New Zealand Otago Association

We acknowledge the passing of Kaumatua Maaka Tibble MNZM (Ngāti Porou).

A man of great strength who will be missed by many. We were honoured that Matua Maaka gifted us the name Whaikaha to be the te reo Māori name of our Ministry in 2022 when we launched.

You can read the tribute from our Chief Executive Paula Tesoriero MNZM on our website: https://bit.ly/3AgE9zC

Image description: NZSL interpreter Darrel Firth, Paula Tesoriero and Maaka Tibble seated on a stage at the launch of the NZSL name for Whaikaha in 2023. They are smiling and laughing together. A purple Whaikaha stand up banner is behind them and Maaka is in a suit and holding a long silver and black cane.

If you missed the Kōrero for Change: Transport Edition webinar from Access Matters Aotearoa, the recording is now available to watch on YouTube: https://bit.ly/48kqjJ2

Kōrero for Change Transport Webinar | 09 October 2024 Kōrero for Change is delivering a series of courageous conversations around key areas of life where individuals in Aotearoa New Zealand encounter disabling e...

The Halberg Foundation has announced the new Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award. This award will honour those individuals whose contributions have made a lasting impact on disability sport in Aotearoa, continuing Sir Murray’s vision of inclusion and empowerment.

Nominations close at 8pm on 1 December 2024. For more information and to nominate, visit the website: https://halberg.co.nz/halberg-awards/nominate/

Linked image description: black and white image of Sir Murray Halberg crossing the finish line and winning the 5000 metres at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award - Halberg Foundation The Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award is named in honour of the late Olympic gold medallist whose vision of inclusion and empowerment continues to live…

On Saturday, members of our team, including our Chief Executive, Paula Tesoriero MNZM PLY attended the People First New Zealand 21st birthday celebrations in Palmerston North.

Paula spoke at the event and thanked People First for all the important work they have done over the past 21 years to encourage people with a learning disability to learn about their rights and speak up about what matters in their lives.

Thank you to People First for hosting a fun filled celebration - we look forward to working with you for another 21 years and beyond.
Find out more on their website: https://bit.ly/3YtNmhf

Happy 21st Birthday People First New Zealand! 🎉

Shared post image description: selection of photos showing People First celebrations, meetings, workshops and conferences over the years.

We join the disability community in Aotearoa New Zealand as we acknowledge the passing of Dr Pauline Boyles.

A message from our Chief Executive, Paula Tesoriero MNZM PLY:
On behalf of Whaikaha, I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the passing of our dear friend and colleague Dr Pauline Boyles.
As a staunch advocate for disabled people, and their rights to live a life free from abuse and neglect Dr Pauline will be greatly missed by many in our community.

I recently had the privilege of spending time with Pauline at the hospice where we reflected on her work, shared memories that made us laugh, and talked about her strong passion for safeguarding – ensuring that disabled people live in a world full of choice and free from harm, as we all deserve.

We are privileged to be part of a disability community that is so closely connected, meaning that many of us have built relationships with Pauline and have had our work influenced by her passion. My thoughts are with those people who have worked closely with Pauline, including our own kaimahi (staff), her whānau who are based across the globe and her many friends. Together we navigate this time of not only grief but also reflection of our special memories and celebration of all that she has achieved.

Moe mai rā Pauline, you will be missed so much – but I promise you that your colleagues, your friends, will continue to build your legacy of work in building a safer world for disabled people.

We are engaging with friends of Pauline to support the acknowledgement and celebration of her life and will share details when we have more information.
Ngā manaakitanga.

Image description: Dr Pauline Boyles seated at a table at the Taikura safeguarding training in 2023, she is wearing an orange sweater and is looking at the camera smiling. In the background, other attendees are seated at tables.

Congratulations on 50 years Enable New Zealand!

Image link description: Enable staff in the Easie Living store next to a display of mobility scooters. In the background shoes line a wall and wheelchairs are displayed further back. From left (standing) are equipment teams service manager Christine West, chief executive Scott Ambridge, business systems administrator Tracey Detrey and customer service facilitator Esther Richardson (in a powerchair).

Enable celebrates a half century of disability solutions Palmerston North’s role as disability services capital of New Zealand is cemented by the presence of Enable NZ and its Easie Living centre.

If you are in Dunedin, Disabled Persons Assembly NZ - DPA is running a workshop for disabled people on 24 October to find out about emergency preparedness. NZSL interpreting will be available.

RSVP by 18 October by emailing Amy Taylor: [email protected]
More information: https://tinyurl.com/bdfejj4m

Kia ora

Do you have a plan if there’s a Civil Defence emergency?

You are invited to a workshop to find out about emergency preparedness and response for disabled people.

Presented by local expert, Paul Allen from Emergency Management Otago, we will talk about what you can do before, during and after an emergency.

Come along, bring your questions and share your ideas in an accessible and collaborative space.

Date: Thursday 24 October
Time: 10am to 12pm (midday)
Where: Nations Church, 334 King Edward St, South Dunedin
RSVP: by Friday 18 October

Accessibility

NZSL interpreting available.
Wheelchair accessible, parking available.
Please let us know any other accessibility or dietary requirements.

For more information and to RSVP

Email Amy Taylor: [email protected]

Information exchange link: https://tinyurl.com/bdfejj4m

Don't forget - Access Matters Aotearoa is hosting the next Korero for Change webinar tomorrow. This kōrero will be focused on transport.
Register here: https://bit.ly/3MWS9RG

Shared image description: White background with orange and black Access Matters Aotearoa branding and the text 'What is the role of transport in fostering inclusion and belonging?'. The Kōrero for Change and Access Matters Aotearoa logos are along the bottom.

🚨 Last Call for Registrations! 🚨

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Kōrero for Change | Transport webinar series! 🚉♿

Join us as we dive into the critical conversations around accessible and inclusive transport for Aotearoa New Zealand. Hear from The Doers, The Deciders, The Creators, and The Thinkers—leaders, experts, and changemakers who are working to break down barriers in our transport systems. 💬💡

🗓 Date: Wednesday, 9 October 2024

⏰ Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

📍 Where: Zoom

✨ This is your chance to engage, ask questions, and contribute to building a transport system that works for everyone!

🔗 Register now https://bit.ly/3XDCzQ6

Let's make transport accessible for all! 💪♿

You can call Healthline any day or time for free on 0800 611 116.
You can choose to speak with a Māori clinician if you are calling between 8am and 8pm.
Interpreter services are available and NZ Relay support.

Shared image description: map of coastal Otago region with Dunedin at the centre.

Things are tough for some of you in Ōtepoti Dunedin and will be distressing for many people and whānau. Please know that Healthline nurses and paramedics are available 24/7 with advice and information - if you’re worried about your medications, or having difficulty reaching a healthcare facility. And the 1737 team of counsellors are here 24/7 if you want to talk about what you are feeling or experiencing.

Things are tough for some of you in Ōtepoti Dunedin and will be distressing for many people and whānau. Please know that Healthline nurses and paramedics are available 24/7 with advice and information - if you’re worried about your medications, or having difficulty reaching a healthcare facility. And the 1737 team of counsellors are here 24/7 if you want to talk about what you are feeling or experiencing.

Check out the community events coming up around Aotearoa on the Firstport website.
https://firstport.co.nz/events

Shared image description: four squares with blue borders showing images of different activities. Each square has blue text on a light blue background. 1. Hands on a steering wheel in a car with the text: Get your licence with IDrive, Auckland. 2. A person swimming in lanes in a pool and the text: Swimming Camp, Christchurch. 3. Behind shot of person in a blue kayak on still water and the text: Outward Bound registrations. 4. A colourful obstacle course in a playground and the text: All abilities sports day, Auckland.

October 6 is World Cerebral Palsy Day, join Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand in celebrating Be Green & Be Seen – Kia kākāriki, kia kitea throughout the month of October.

💚 Kākāriki green is the international colour for Cerebral Palsy - Hōkai Nukurangi.
💚 World Cerebral Palsy Day is on October 6.

Show your support for Kiwis living with Cerebral Palsy - Hōkai Nukurangi this October and embrace the colour green.
Get involved with Be Green & Be Seen - Kia kākāriki, kia kitea today!

✅ About Be Green & Be Seen – www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/how-it-works
✅ Donate today – www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/be-green-and-be-seen-for-cp

New Zealand’s arts organisations, such as NZ Opera, are prioritising accessibility as a way to increase their reach.

New Zealand's Disability-Led Path to Accessibility in the Arts Other places could learn from the island country, where measures like audio description and Braille surtitling have become standard practice.

BEING TURI is a powerful, interview-based documentary series that explores the world of turi/Deaf Māori in Aotearoa.

Over five episodes, 15 interviewees from across Ngāti Turi discuss their experiences, struggles and triumphs. It is 100% narrated in te reo Māori, with English and reo subtitles. Ninety percent of the series also includes New Zealand Sign Language.

The series premieres on MĀORI+ at 12.00PM on 3 October 2024. For more info visit
https://bit.ly/47IHO5E

BEING TURI: THE WORLD OF DEAF MĀORI – ON MĀORI+ | Media Release | Whakaata Māori The National Foundation for the Deaf estimates there are around 880,00 New Zealanders affected by hearing loss. Around 4,600 turi/deaf people use sign language as their primary means of communication with 23,000 people, including parents and whānau of the deaf community also using sign language.

Access Matters Aotearoa is hosting Kōrero for Change - a series of courageous conversations around key areas of life where individuals in New Zealand encounter disabling experiences.

The third webinar on Wednesday 9 October will be focusing on Transport.
Register here: https://bit.ly/3MWS9RG

Shared image descriptions: A series of images with orange and black Access Matters Aotearoa branding. The first image has the text 'What is the role of transport in fostering inclusion and belonging, Join the conversation' remaining images have photos of the speakers and their titles: Jonathan Mosen MNZM – Disability Advocate, Host of the Living Blindfully podcast, Juliet Shoultz – Transportation Systems Engineer / Accessibility, US Access Board, Julie Anne Genter – Transport Spokeswoman, Green Party and MC: Chrissie Cowan, Chief Executive, Kāpō Māori Aotearoa NZ Inc.

On Tuesday 12 November 2024, the Prime Minister will deliver a public apology to survivors of abuse in care.

Survivors of abuse in care and their plus one are invited to register their interest to attend the event by 4:30pm on 30 September 2024.
Alternatively, there will also be livestream events being held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. NZSL interpreters will be used at this event.

For more information and to register, visit the Crown Response website: https://bit.ly/4gwux3W

Shared post image: light blue background black text that says 'Easy Read document, registration of interest to the Abuse in Care Public Apology Event - September 2024'. There is an image of the front page and contents page of the Easy Read document. The Easy Read logo is in the bottom left corner.

A public apology to survivors of abuse in care is being held Tuesday 12 November 2025. The Prime Minister will formally apologise to survivors of abuse in care.

Survivors of abuse in care and their ‘plus one’ are invited to register their interest to attend a public apology event at Parliament or at one of the livestream events being held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

The Crown Response to the Abuse in Care Inquiry website has information about how to register your interest: www.abuseinquiryresponse.govt.nz/news/newsletter/panui/

You can find also Easy Read information at: https://www.abuseinquiryresponse.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Newsletters-alternate-formats/Easy-read/Registration-of-interest-Public-apology-Easy-Read.docx

Registration closed 4.30pm 30 September 2024.

Disability Support Services transferred to the Ministry of Social Development on 16 September 2024.

If you are a disabled person, family member or carer of a disabled person, your first point of contact will continue to be your provider, NASC or Enabling Good Lives site.
You can find out more information on the website: https://bit.ly/3MQHiZK

The Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha will become a standalone department to provide leadership and stewardship for disabled people across government.

We will keep you informed as work progresses.

Image description: Disability Support Services in green text, a black line and below that the Ministry of Social Development black logo.