News and Events

Our new peer visiting service that visits disabled adults living in homes funded by DSS.

There has not been enough support or checks on disabled people in their homes. This has made it easier for abuse to happen.

People for Us is set up to listen to disabled people who might be most at risk.

: a disabled person who will lead the visit

The visitors talk with the disabled person to get to know them and make sure they are safe and their voices are heard.

We will work with the disabled person and others to assist them to feel safe and heard.



PFU2_About_Design.png

For more information you can visit our website. 

People for Us is a new peer visiting service who visits disabled adults and tāngata whaikaha Māori who live in homes funded by Disability Support Services to find out if they are:



People for Us

People First NZ is proud to announce that we are developing an app called “Easy Read Hub”.

Easy Read is a way of presenting information using plain language and supporting images, making it accessible to people with learning disability, and others who benefit from clear communication. Easy Read documents can sometimes be difficult to find.

The Easy Read Hub app will bring these resources together in a single, user-friendly platform, so that people can find the information they need, when they need it, without barriers. It will be available on phones and tablets.

The Easy Read Hub is being developed with funding and support through the Access Activator programme by Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People which pilots, funds, and grows accessibility solutions from across Aotearoa New Zealand.

The programme specifically seeks ideas that improve access for disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, and their whānau, particularly in the areas of digital and information access.

 is a digital agency that brings deep expertise in digital product development and accessible design, and will lead the technical build of the app, ensuring it is intuitive and genuinely usable by the people it is designed for.

 brings vital knowledge of tikanga Māori and the specific needs of tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau, ensuring the Easy Read Hub is designed with Māori communities in mind.

, as a key partner in the Access Activator programme itself, brings innovation expertise and startup support to assist the Easy Read Hub to move from concept to a scalable, impactful solution.

 has long championed the rights of people with learning disabilities to access information in a way they can understand. Easy Read is a critical tool, but only if people can actually find it.

Development of the Easy Read Hub is currently underway, with mentoring and delivery support running through to the end of June 2026. We look forward to sharing our app in early July.

If you have any questions please contact:

EasyReadHub-PR-25-05-26

People First NZ working on a new way to access Easy Read information.

Our Easy Read translation service is available for organisations who are committed to providing accessible information.

At People First NZ we have a Make it Easy translation service that translates information for government agencies, health providers, disability organisations, researchers, and more. 

We believe everyone has the right to information they can understand.


You can check out some of our work in the 

 on the People First NZ website.

You can find out more about our Easy Read translation service on the 

If you are looking for Easy Read information from a government department, local council or a disability sector organisation, you can often find it under accessible information or “alternate formats” on their website.

An alternate format is information that is accessible for disabled people. The other alternate formats are Braille, audio, large print, and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL).

You can also follow us on 

Easy Read is a way of communicating information using straightforward language, clear sentence structure, and supporting pictures. 

It assists people with learning (intellectual) disability to understand written information. Easy Read can also make information accessible for others who find standard written information hard, such as English language learners, those with low levels of literacy, and some deaf or older people.

Make it Easy Kia Māmā Mai

Check out our life skills courses and online app specifically designed for people with learning disability

The Speaking Up course is made for people with learning disability to learn about:

In this 6-session course participants have a chance to meet with people from their community and hear about what they do. Each session is about 2.5 hours.




The Money Smarts Made Easy Course is made for people with learning disability to learn about:

This 4-session course has been developed by People First NZ together with Massey University Fin-Ed Centre.




Introduction to Enabling Good Lives (EGL)

The Introduction to Enabling Good Lives course is made for people with learning disability to learn about:

What Enabling Good Lives leadership means

Our web-tool is an online space designed as either a companion to our Learn with Us courses or to be used on its own. 

Currently there are currently life skills modules and being safe online modules.

A team of members formed a working group advising on the website at all steps of the process - from design to testing - and took lead roles in the videos.



If you would like more information about having a course in your area, contact:



Patrick Doherty
Learn with Us Co-ordinator

learnwithus@peoplefirst.org.nz

At People First NZ we run courses for people with learning disability. Our fundamental courses are about rights, self-advocacy and speaking up.

The courses are made by and for people with learning disability and can be held face-to-face and online. We have course facilitators that are experienced in delivering training to people with learning disability. Each course has a People First NZ member as an assistant facilitator.

Learn with Us Ako i Tō Mātou Taha

 which means we are run by and for people with learning (intellectual) disability. 

Our work makes sure people with learning disability have and know their rights and that our communities are inclusive across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Speaking up about our rights

News and Events

People for Us

People First NZ working on a new way to access Easy Read information.

Make it Easy Kia Māmā Mai

Learn with Us Ako i Tō Mātou Taha