News and Events

The Leadership module shows what leadership looks like and what it takes to be a leader. It is made for people with learning disability, and anyone can use it...

The Leadership module shows what leadership looks like and what it takes to be a leader. It is made for people with learning disability, and anyone can use it.

Each topic has a short video with People First members acting out real situations. After the video, there are questions about what you watched. There are no wrong answers, so people can learn at their own pace.


People First NZ National Chairperson Desrae Turvey, Life member David Corner and long-term member Hamish Taverner feature in the videos as well as other leaders such as Peter Rees, Glen Terry, Ronnie Sione, Michael Aldridge and the late Sir Robert Martin who is seen as a role model for leadership to people with learning disability nationally and globally.


The Leadership module was funded by IHC. Through the same project, People First NZ also made an in-person Leadership course. The illustrations are by Studio Rebeko.


Learn with Us is an education arm a part of People First NZ. We have a web-tool for people with learning disability. It has learning modules for different skills that will assist you in your life.

As well as Leadership, there are modules on Life Skills, Being Safe Online and Well-being. People can use the modules on their own, with a support person, or in a group.


Thanks so much to IHC for allowing us to make this course.


People First NZ has launched a new Leadership module on our Learn with Us web-tool. The module is free to use and you don’t need to log in.

People First NZ launches a new Leadership module on Learn with Us

People for Us has officially launched, marking an important step in making sure disabled people living in homes funded by Disability Support Services are living a good life, getting good support and are safe.

People for Us is delivered by three providers:

 – visiting people across Aotearoa New Zealand

 – visiting tāngata whaikaha Māori in Waikato and South Auckland

 – visiting Tagata Sa'ilimalo in Auckland.

The service is funded by Disability Support Services, which enables People for Us to visit disabled people living in community residential homes.

The official launch event was hosted by Disability Support Services at the Ministry of Social Development in Wellington on 31 August 2026.

Hon Louise Upston, Minister for Disability Issues, spoke at the event and celebrated the launch.

"To the peer workers, you are what makes this service powerful. Your lived experience and understanding build the trust that helps disabled people speak up, access support, and achieve the outcomes that matter most to them." 

— Hon Louise Upston, Minister for Disability Issues

The event brought together disabled people, whānau, community organisations, providers, government representatives and people who have supported the development of the service.

The event highlighted the impact and value of a peer visiting service and the difference that visits are making for people.

“The real power of peer workers is the natural connection that comes from being a peer. It helps us build trust and understand what matters to the people we visit.” 

— Rozlyn Gielink, People First NZ People for Us Kaiārahi (Peer worker)

“For me, People for Us is more than just a service it is about connection, belonging, and empowering people to thrive. I am proud to be part of a kaupapa that puts people first and to create positive change in our communities.” 

— Keegan Schindler, Te Ahi Kaa People for Us Kaiaarahi (Peer worker)

“Vaka Tautua makes a distinct difference as a Pacific provider because our People for Us team reflects the communities we serve. We bring lived experience, cultural knowledge, language, and strong community connections, allowing us to build trust, strengthen wellbeing, and support better outcomes for Pasifika people and their families”

 — Ray Faleafa, Vaka Tautua People for Us Peer worker

The service is already making a difference for disabled people across the country. By taking the time to listen and understand what matters to each person, People for Us works alongside people, whānau and providers to support positive, long-term change.

People for Us services will continue visiting disabled people across Aotearoa New Zealand.

People for Us is delivered by three providers across Aotearoa New Zealand. If you would like to find out more about the service or make a referral, you can contact the provider in your area.

People for Us is a peer visiting service delivered by People First New Zealand, Te Ahi Kaa and Vaka Tautua. The service visits disabled adults, tāngata whaikaha Māori and Tagata Sa'ilimalo living in homes funded by Disability Support Services.

People for Us teams are made up of trained disabled people who visit disabled adults, tāngata whaikaha Māori and Tagata Sa'ilimalo.

During visits, they spend time getting to know people, listening to their experiences and talking about their lives, support, safety, rights and choices. They use what they hear to support positive change and better outcomes for people.

People for Us | Disability Support Services


People for Us - a nationwide peer visiting service for disabled people across Aotearoa New Zealand


People for Us Launch - Press Release

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.

Our team is made up of disabled people who are trained to visit disabled people.

We spend time getting to know each person, listening to what matters to them, and work alongside disabled people, families, whānau, and services to support positive change and better outcomes.

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



PFU2_About_Design.png

If you would like us to visit someone you know, or a family member, you can make a referral:

For more information you can visit our website. 

People for Us has a Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy to support the safety and wellbeing of the people we visit.

People for Us is a peer visiting service that 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

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

 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 First NZ launches a new Leadership module on Learn with Us

People for Us Launch - Press Release

People for Us

Make it Easy Kia Māmā Mai