News and Events

This document is a statement from the DPO Coalition about the recent changes to Whaikaha.








Download the statement in Easy Read:



DPOC-Statement-EasyRead-07-10-24











Download the original statement:

DPO-Coalition-Statement-Changes-To-Whaikaha-Sept-2024

Below is the download to the statement from the DPO Coalition about the recent changes at Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha in Easy Read.

People First NZ Ngā Tāngata Tuatahi is a member of the DPO Coalition.

DPO Coalition Statement - Changes to Whaikaha

Physical copies available to buy  -  Pick up and Delivery available.

We have a small amount of physical copies of Sir Robert Martin's book "Becoming a Person". 

The book is written by John McRae and was published in 2014.

The prices range from: $35 - $50 incl GST depending on shipping.

If you would like to buy a copy of the book please email us the details below.

• Name
• Email
• Phone number
• Shipping Address (or pickup at National Office in Wellington)
• Quantity (amount of books)


Send these details to: ask@peoplefirst.org.nz
or use our 



When you send us your details we will send you an invoice, once it is paid you can pick up the book from People First NZ National Office in Wellington or we can ship it to you.

 is the uplifting and challenging story of how an intellectually disabled New Zealander helped change the world.



Brain-damaged at birth, Robert Martin was locked away as a child in places for the ‘mentally deficient’ where he suffered neglect, abuse and violence. 



He travelled the world, saw horror in giant institutions and pleaded with politicians and bureaucrats for a better life for his friends. In 2003 he stood alone in a crowded hall to address the United Nations: ‘My name is Robert Martin, and I have an intellectual disability.’



 is an often painful, but ultimately uplifting account of a journey from nothingness to celebrity. It challenges us to re-examine our notions of what it is to be human.

Becoming a Person  -  The Biography of Robert Martin

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 Life Skills app 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 four life skill topics – speaking up, friendship, your rights and consent – with more topics planned.

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

People First New Zealand is a Disabled People's Organisation (DPO) which means we are run by and for people with learning 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

DPO Coalition Statement - Changes to Whaikaha

Becoming a Person - The Biography of Robert Martin

Make it Easy Kia Māmā Mai

Learn with Us Ako i Tō Mātou Taha