News and Events

Easy Read information - Tuesday 9 May 2023


Information about the local state of emergency in Auckland 

Easy Read information about what to do for this local state of emergency including finding an evacuation centre and who to contact if you need support.



Easy Read information about the state of local emergency in Auckland.pdf

Looking after how you are feeling during and after an emergency

Information about mental health wellbeing, who to talk with, and information about 1737: Need to Talk.



Looking after how you are feeling during and after an emergency.pdf

Person-centred care, United Kingdom | May 2020

A guide to managing anxiety for adults with learning disability and autism. There are four activities that can be used to help people feel calmer and more relaxed.



Here is some Easy Read information to assist people with learning disability about the local state of emergency in Auckland.

You may want to read this information with a whānau or family member, friend or support worker.

Local state of emergency in Auckland

Are you interested in self-advocacy for people with a learning (intellectual) disability?


People First Ōamaru is looking for an assistant to work alongside people with learning disability to:

assist members to represent their peers in community forums

promote the local group within the community.



With your assistance, members will be able to:

be a contributing member of New Zealand society.

For any questions and to apply, email Lee-ann Wightman, Region Coordinator: southern@peoplefirst.org.nz

Job ad for Local Group Assistant Ōamaru

Job description and tasks for Local Group Assistant

We are a looking for a Local Group Assistant in Ōamaru.



Local Group Assistant – Ōamaru


People First Manawatū is looking for an assistant to work alongside people with learning disability to:

With your assistance, members will be able to:


For any questions and to apply, email Elizabeth Bennett, Central Region Coordinator: elizabethbennett@peoplefirst.org.nz


Local Assistant ad - Manawatū

Local Group Assistant job description and task list

We are a looking for a Local Group Assistant in Manawatū.



Local Group Assistant – Manawatū

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

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

where in their local community they can get support and advice.

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.



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


On the course people with learning disability learn about:

This is a 10-session course about bullying, abuse and neglect that was formed after a 3-year pilot project in Auckland.


It teaches adults with learning disability:

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
patrickdoherty@peoplefirst.org.nz

At People First NZ we run courses for people with learning disability. Our fundamental courses are about rights and speaking up - self advocacy. We are also developing courses about everyday life skills.

The courses are designed by and for people with learning disability and are available face-to-face and online. We have 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

At People First NZ our mission is to empower and assist people with learning disability to be strong and valued individuals in New Zealand.

As a disabled people's organisation (DPO), all our work is about making sure that the rights for people with learning disability are a reality and that our communities are inclusive.

Speaking up about our rights

News and Events

Local state of emergency in Auckland

Local Group Assistant – Ōamaru

Local Group Assistant – Manawatū

Learn with Us Ako i Tō Mātou Taha