News and Events

Introduction to Enabling Good Lives Sessions in Hawkes Bay.

There are 3 sessions available in Hawke's Bay:



300 Karamu Road South, Hastings 4201













Te Huinga Wai - The Knowledge & Learning Hub

Email us or TEXT if you would like to come: 



EGL-Session-Napier-July24

EGL-Session-Hastings-Aug24

EGL-Session-Waipukurau-Aug24

Do you live in Hawke's Bay, have a learning disability and want to learn more about Enabling Good Lives (EGL)?



Whānau / family and support people welcome.


There will be morning tea. Please let us know if you have a special diet

EGL Sessions - Hawke's Bay

The Butterfly Express Newsletter is back!

Butterfly Express May 2024

Below is the People First NZ Butterfly Express Newsletter for May 2024.

This Newsletter is from November 2023 to April 2024.

Butterfly Express Newsletter - May 2024

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 Facebook and Twitter, or check out our Easy Read Library:


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

EGL Sessions - Hawke's Bay

Butterfly Express Newsletter - May 2024

Make it Easy Kia Māmā Mai

Learn with Us Ako i Tō Mātou Taha