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

This is the Easy Read Document of Disabled People's Organisations Coalition: Key Messages February 2026









Click below to download the Easy Read Files:

DPOC-Key-Messages-February-2026-EasyRead

Click below to download the original Key Messages:

DPOC-KeyMessages-February-2026

This is the Easy Read Document of Disabled People's Organisations Coalition: Key Messages - February 2026

The Disabled People’s Organisations Coalition is a group of people who come from different disability organisations. 

A coalition is a group of organisations that work towards shared goals.

Below is an Easy Read document of the Key Messages from the February 2026

Disabled People's Organisations Coalition: Key Messages - February 2026

People First NZ has joined with seven other national disability organisations to issue a joint media statement expressing serious concerns..

Eight national disability organisations - Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA), People First New Zealand, Carers NZ, Parents of Vision Impaired NZ, the Complex Care Group, CCS Disability Action, Home and Community Health Association (HCHA) and the New Zealand Disability Support Network (NZDSN) are calling on Parliament to halt the rushed progress of the Disability Support Services Bill and ensure meaningful engagement with the communities it affects.

Collectively, our organisations represent hundreds of thousands of disabled people, family carers, disabled people's organisations, advocacy groups, and support providers across Aotearoa.

Disabled people, families and the wider disability support sector are being denied a meaningful opportunity to have their say on decisions that directly affect them.

“While we support legislation that protects and strengthens the rights of disabled people and family carers, we are united in our concern that the process being used for this Bill fails to meaningfully involve disabled people, families, and the disability sector in its development,” says Debbie Hughes, Chief Executive of the NZDSN.

The group disputes Ministerial assurances that the Bill responds to consultation with disabled people and families.

“This Bill has been extremely reactive and has not been developed with the knowledge, involvement, or seriously needed expertise of disabled people and their representative organisations," says Kera Sherwood-O'Regan, National President of DPA.

"Only a handful of our organisations were briefed by the Minister about the Bill's existence – with our call finishing just 15 minutes before the public announcement. We directly raised serious concerns about the need for robust, accessible engagement and an extended consultation period. Instead, this process has been rushed, sloppy and inaccessible.

“We consider this a breach of the government's obligations under the United Nations Conventional on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).”

The parliamentary process has compounded these failures. The Select Committee has scheduled only three and a half days of hearings, all in Wellington, with just a few hours available each day for public participation – and no hearings anywhere else in the country.

“To make things worse, organisations representing thousands of New Zealanders have been allocated as little as five minutes to present, including time for questions from Committee members. Five minutes is simply not enough time to convey the concerns, experiences, expertise and aspirations of the communities we represent,” says Mel Smith, Chief Executive of CCS Disability Action.

The Disability Support Services Bill may not technically be proceeding under urgency, but from the perspective of disabled people and their families it has that effect.

“New Zealand has obligations under the UNCRPD to closely consult with and actively involve disabled people, through their representative organisations, in decisions that affect them,” explains Desrae Turvey, National Chairperson of People First New Zealand Ngā Tāngata Tuatahi.

“Meaningful participation cannot occur when people are given almost no time to understand proposals, engage with their communities, organise accessible responses, prepare submissions, and present their views.”

“For disabled people and their families, participation requires accessible formats, time to understand and discuss proposals, support to formulate responses, and opportunities to engage in ways that accommodate different communication needs."

Disabled people and their families deserve better.

“Parliament should not be making decisions about disabled people and families without disabled people and families having the opportunity to have input,” says Laurie Hilsgen, CEO of Carers NZ.

“A Bill that potentially has such major impacts for New Zealanders in caring situations should not be progressed without fair input from disabled people and family carers” says Lisa Martin, Director Complex Care Group.

“New Zealand deserves legislation that has been developed with the community it affects.”

About the Disability Support Services (DSS) Bill



The Disability Support Services Bill was introduced to Parliament by Minister for Disability Issues Hon. Louise Upston on 17 May 2026. It passed its first reading on 21 May 2026 and was immediately referred to the Social Services and Community Select Committee.

The Bill proposes to create the first foundational legislative framework for disability support services in Aotearoa New Zealand, covering eligibility, funding principles, the role of family and whānau, and the legal relationship between the Crown and family carers. It directly affects the approximately 55,000 disabled people currently receiving community and residential care, and around 26,000 disabled children accessing Child Development Services annually.



Legislation in New Zealand typically takes around six months to pass, but the Disability Support Services (DSS) Bill is being processed on an accelerated timeline.

From introduction to submission close was just 25 days:

Bill introduced to Parliament | 17 May 2026

Referred to Social Services and Community Select Committee | 21 May 2026

Alternative formats on DSS Bill published | 2 June 2026

Select Committee hearings | 23, 24, 25 and 30 June 2026

Select Committee report due back to Parliament | 12–13 August 2026



New Zealand is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Article 4.3 requires governments to closely consult with and actively involve disabled people, through their representative organisations, in developing legislation that affects them. The Government's own disclosure documents on this Bill acknowledge that this obligation has not been fully met.

Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) - Kera Sherwood-O'Regan, National President: president@dpa.org.nz

People First New Zealand - Jordan Jacques, Communications Lead: jordan@peoplefirst.org.nz

Carers NZ – Laurie Hilsgen CEO, 021 702922

Parents of Vision Impaired (NZ) Inc - Rebekah Graham, 022 6215740

CCS Disability Action – Lucy Green, 027 4349256

Complex Care Group - Lisa Martin, Director, 027 2667690

Disabled People, Families, Carers and Providers Unite; Parliament Denying Disabled People and Their Families a Fair Say on Laws That Shape Their Lives

Joint Media Statement - Disability Support Services Bill Process

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.

People First New Zealand is responding to the new IHC Data to Dignity Report, which brings together national data...

People First New Zealand is responding to the new IHC Data to Dignity Report, which brings together national data about the health and wellbeing of people with learning (intellectual) disability.


The report uses government data to show how people with learning (intellectual) disability are doing across key areas of life. The data reflects People First members issues and worries about healthcare, support, safety, and having the same opportunities as everyone else.



People First NZ is a Disabled People’s Organisation run by and for people with learning (intellectual) disability. The members speak up about what life is really like. We hear regularly about barriers to seeing a doctor, poor communication, not being listened to, and missing out on the assistance needed to live a good life.



This data is important because it shows what is happening at a national level. But data alone will not create change. What matters is what happens next.



People First believes the findings should lead to real action from government agencies and services. This includes better access to healthcare, regular health checks, easier information, and assistance that respects people’s rights and choices. These are not new issues they have been raised many times before.

New Zealand has commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), including article 25, the right to the highest attainable standard of health. The results in this report show there is still work to do.


Desrae Turvey the National Chairperson says,

“Reports like this confirm what the members already know. People with learning disability are still being left behind. We want action. We want services that listen to us, include us, and assist us to live good lives like everyone else.”

People First NZ will continue working with government, health services, and communities to make sure the voices of people with learning disability are heard and positive change happens.

https://www.ihc.org.nz/get-involved/advocacy/from-data-to-dignity-2026

People First NZ responds to new IHC “From Data to Dignity 2026" - Press Release

Acknowledging, remembering and looking to the future

On 12 November 2024 the Prime Minister apologised for the abuse and neglect that happened around New Zealand, he announced that a National Day of Reflection would be held one year later.

Ministers agreed that the National Day of Reflection would be led by survivors and communities, with support from the Government.

People First NZ held 6 events across the country for the National Day of Reflection. These events were for members of People First to come together to reflect on and raise awareness of the history and impact of abuse in care.

Royal Commission of inquiry into abuse in care

All events were successful and hundreds of members from across the country attended these events. At the Central event we visited Sir Robert’s grave to remember and honour him.

We were glad that the Government supported these events. This allowed People First NZ members across the country come together, remember the past, and continue working towards a safer future for everyone.

NDOR-Press-Release-PFNZ

People First NZ National Day of Reflection

National Day of Reflection - Press Release

The apology is in response to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry (1950-1999) and was held in Wellington.

On 23 October 2025, IHC Chief Executive Andrew Crisp apologised on behalf of the organisation for abuse and neglect survivors experienced in support services meant to protect them.



The apology is in response to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry (1950-1999) and was held in Wellington.



People First NZ is pleased IHC has taken responsibility for the violence, abuse and neglect that occurred in their services. This is an important step forward.



However, more still needs to happen to make sure people with learning disability are free from abuse, have real choice and control, and receive quality disability support services that respect their rights and voices.



People First NZ National Chairperson Desrae Turvey says “People First will continue to make sure the voices of people with learning disability are heard, our rights are upheld, and our experiences lead to lasting change.”



As part of our work, People First is pleased to offer a new service called People for Us, which visits disabled people in residential services to find out if they are safe, living their good life and experience high-quality support services.



The apology and information about IHC’s response can be found on their website.




Our response to IHC’s apology for abuse in support services - Press Release

This is the Easy Read Document of Disabled People's Organisations Coalition: Key Messages - May 2025

DPOC-Key-Messages-May-25-EasyRead

DPOC-KeyMessages-May-2025

This is the Easy Read Document of Disabled People's Organisations Coalition: Key Messages - May 2025.

The Disabled People’s Organisations Coalition is a group of people who come from different disability organisations. 

A coalition is a group of organisations that work towards shared goals.
Find more about the DPO Coalition here: 



Below is an Easy Read document of the Key Messages from the May 2025.

Disabled People's Organisations Coalition: Key Messages - May 2025

People First NZ’s Make it Easy translation service and IHC have worked together to update the Easy Read Individual Employment Agreement.

First created by People First NZ in 2011, the Easy Read has undergone a revamp and update to fit current employment legislation. You can now find an:

Easy Read guide to the Individual Employment Agreement

Easy Read Individual Employment Agreement (template).

The guide provides information about what needs to be in an employment agreement, explains important words and concepts and details on how to fill in the Easy Read Individual Employment Agreement template. 

The guide is also a tool that can be used so that everyone understands their responsibilities in a work environment and learn about their rights at work.

The Easy Read Individual Employment Agreement template has all the legal requirements of a standard full agreement and is designed to be filled in by both the employer and employee.

You can find these two Easy Reads on People First NZ’s Easy Read Library at:

https://www.peoplefirst.org.nz/easy-read-library/resource/Easy-Read-Guide-IEA

https://www.peoplefirst.org.nz/easy-read-library/resource/Easy-Read-IEA

People First NZ’s Make it Easy translation service and IHC have worked together to update the Easy Read Individual Employment Agreement. 

This popular Easy Read provides an easy-to-use individual employment agreement that records information in a way that both the employee and employers can understand.

Easy Read Individual Employment Agreement

Media Release from Disabled Peoples Organisations Coalition & Donald Beasley Institute

The Disabled People’s Organisations (DPO) Coalition has released Report 2 - Consultation and Engagement of the Disabled Person-Led Monitoring research project. This project monitors how well the New Zealand Government is implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in Aotearoa New Zealand. The findings are based on interviews with disability sector leaders, disabled people, family, whānau, aiga and close supporters. It highlights their feelings and perspectives about the Government’s engagement and consultation with the disability community about Whaikaha l Ministry of Disabled People, and the March 2024 changes to disability funding criteria. The findings also articulate participants’ hopes and dreams for the Government’s consultation and engagement processes with the disability community in the future.

My hope is that [Whaikaha l Ministry of Disabled People] get to a place where they realise the most impactful thing they can do is invest in communities to have conversations for themselves. (Disability Sector Leader 09-01)

 Disability Sector Leaders highlighted the importance of the ‘Tripartite Partnership’ between disabled people, tākata whaikaha Māori and the Crown. They recognised that this partnership started strong, but had since been reduced in function and influence. They also shared that system transformation should be designed and led by disabled people, rather than just consulting with disabled people about it. When consultation processes did take place, many disabled participants and their whānau and families felt that most decisions had already been made.

Changes to Purchasing Rules and Equipment and Modification Service: 

Participants highlighted a lack of consultation regarding the 18 March 2024 changes to Purchasing Rules and Equipment and Modification Services (EMS), which negatively impacted many in the disability community. Participants also felt the changes did not consider the needs of people with intersectional identities such as Māori and Pasefika disabled people.

Participants made recommendations for effective engagement and consultation with the disability community, including:

Building the capacity of tākata whaikaha, whānau hauā, turi Māori, and disabled people so they can participate in engagement and consultation fully and effectively.

Early and regular engagement and consultation.

Ensuring engagement and consultation is genuine and not tokenistic.

Consulting and engaging with a wide and diverse range of disabled people and disability organisations.

Providing government officials with disabled person-led training and education on their obligations under the UNCRPD, including how to effectively engage and consult with the disability community.


The report is available in official languages and accessible formats (Te Reo Māori, NZSL, Easy Read, Braille, Large Print, and audio) from the Donald Beasley Institute’s website: 

https://www.donaldbeasley.org.nz/projects/disabled-person-led-monitoring-of-the-uncrpd/


You can find the Easy Read download here:

DBI-Report2-Summary-EasyRead

Alexia Black (Chair Balance | DPO Coalition Member): 022 395 9761 (us-dpo@groups.io)

Umi Asaka (Researcher, Donald Beasley Institute): uasaka@donaldbeasley.org.nz

Media Release: Invest in Communities - Findings from Disabled People’s Organisation Coalition Monitoring of Disability Rights



People First New Zealand, along with six other disabled people's organisations, is a member of the Disabled People’s Organisations (DPO) Coalition.

Invest in Communities - Findings from DPOC Monitoring of Disability Rights

People First New Zealand is proud to share a resource to celebrate te ao Māori.  This new Easy Read is part of our commitment to making sure everyone can take part in important times like Matariki.

Greetings of Matariki, the Māori New Year.

The Make it Easy service is excited to share an 

Mānawatia a Matariki - What is Matariki and why it is important in Aotearoa New Zealand

•   what the Matariki and Puanga stars are

•   when and how people celebrate Matariki

•   the 9 stars of Matariki and what they mean

•   ways to remember the past and look to the future

•   how to say Mānawatia a Matariki to wish someone well.

.

We hope this Easy Read helps more people understand the meaning of Matariki.

Mānawatia a Matariki!

People First New Zealand is proud to share a new resource to celebrate te ao Māori.

This Easy Read is part of our commitment to making sure everyone can take part in important times like Matariki.

Easy Read: Mānawatia a Matariki

Press Release for People First NZ Submission to the Plain Language Repeal Bill

People First NZ Ngā Tāngata Tuatahi made a submission opposing the Plain Language Act Repeal Bill. We believe that removing the legislation would harm accessibility for disabled people and rights to clear and understandable information.


As a Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO) run by and for people with learning disability, People First NZ highlighted the critical role of accessible communication tools like Easy Read, which are supported by plain language principles.


Repealing the Plain Language Act could mean government information becomes too complicated and inaccessible.


People First NZ members from around the country called the move to repeal the Act “a step backwards.” One member asked, “Why do you (government) want to go back to the system where we don’t understand what’s going on?”


People First New Zealand believes that plain language is very important. It helps people with learning disability:

Taking away the Plain Language Act would make things harder for people who need information to be clear and easy to read.


People First NZ wants the Plain Language Act to stay and to keep using plain language guidelines developed by the Public Service Commission.


This will make sure everyone in New Zealand gets information they can understand and has a fair chance to speak up and be included.




Link to download the full People First NZ Submission:

Plain Language Act Repeal Bill - People First NZ submission 13-5-25

The link to read the full submission is at the bottom of the page.


Submission to the Plain Language Act Repeal Bill - Press Release

This is the Easy Read Document of Disabled People's Organisations Coalition: Key Messages - March 2025

DPOC-Key-Messages-March-25-EasyRead

DPOC-KeyMessages-March-2025

This is the Easy Read Document of Disabled People's Organisations Coalition: Key Messages - March 2025.

The Disabled People’s Organisations Coalition is a group of people who come from different disability organisations. 

A coalition is a group of organisations that work towards shared goals.

Below is an Easy Read document of the Key Messages from the March 2025.

Disabled People's Organisations Coalition: Key Messages - March 2025

Easy Read resources are designed to make information accessible to those with a learning or literacy disability, the Deaf community and other groups who might find this information useful.

Pink Shirt Day - Easy Read Resource 2025

This card game is a fun way to learn about what is safe and not safe information share online. Available to buy now.



This card game has been created by working closely with 4 People First members.


Thank you to InternetNZ for funding this card game.


If you would like to buy the card game please provide us with the details below:

• Do you want extra “Information about Scams” booklets? ($2 each)

This card game is a fun way to learn about what is safe and not safe information share online.

The reason these cards have been created is because online scams are happening more often.

It is important that we know:

•  what information is okay to share online

•  what to do if you think something is a scam.

Learn with Us - Safety Net Cyber card game

This is the Easy Read Document of Disabled People's Organisations Coalition: Key Messages - February 2024

DPOC-Key-Messages-Feb-25-EasyRead

DPOC-KeyMessages-Feb-2025

This is the Easy Read Document of Disabled People's Organisations Coalition: Key Messages - February 2025.

The Disabled People’s Organisations Coalition is a group of people who come from different disability organisations. 

A coalition is a group of organisations that work towards shared goals.

Below is an Easy Read document of the Key Messages from the February 2025.

Disabled People's Organisations Coalition: Key Messages - February 2025

This is the Easy Read Document of Disabled People's Organisations Coalition: Key Messages - November - December 2024

News and events

People for Us Launch - Press Release31 August 2026

Disabled People's Organisations Coalition: Key Messages - February 20261 July 2026

Joint Media Statement - Disability Support Services Bill Process23 June 2026

People First NZ working on a new way to access Easy Read information.25 May 2026

People First NZ responds to new IHC “From Data to Dignity 2026" - Press Release16 February 2026