Our story
People First New Zealand Ngā Tāngata Tuatahi has been an independent organisation for over 21 years.
People First is a Disabled People's Organisation which means we are run by and for people with learning disability.
People First uses the term ‘learning disability’ rather than ‘intellectual disability’ as members think it is more respectful.
Many people with learning (intellectual) disability lived in large institutions for their whole lives and worked for little or no pay in sheltered workshops.
We started to ask, why we don't have more choice and control over our lives?
The first People First logo
1980s
Self-Advocacy meetings started within IHC where people with learning disability started to speak up.
They called these People First local groups.
In 1985, the first Self-Advocacy meeting was held in the Whanganui.
Some groups started to get independent funding and support to run their meetings.
In 1987, People First NZ was officially set up within IHC.
Robert Martin in 1991 signing a petition to close Kimberley Centre
1990s
In September 1993, people with learning (intellectual) disability from around Aotearoa New Zealand came together for a conference in Rotorua, New Zealand.
This was the first time people with learning disability held a conference of their own in New Zealand.
At the conference members spoke about having their own organisation where they set the goals and did the work.
The First National Committee
During the 1993 conference, a national committee was elected with two members from four regions:
- Northern
- Midland
- Central
- Southern.
As groups started to grow they later added Top of the South and Midsouth regions to cover the South Island.
By the late 1990s, People First NZ had a national committee, regional and local group meetings.
The members wanted People First NZ to become an independent organisation.
Steering group to set up People First as an Independent organisation.
2000s
In 2001, People First and friends marched on Parliament to tell the Government to close the Kimberley Centre - New Zealand's last institution. It was later closed in 2006.
In 2003, People First NZ became an independent organisation with the help of a steering group to set up.
On the 16th of October 2003, the then-Minister for Disability Issues, Ruth Dyson, hosted the launch of People First NZ becoming an independent organisation at Parliament.
People First members came from all over the country to join the celebration.
People First Party after becoming an independent organisation in 2003
In later years, the Disabled Peoples Organisation Coalition (DPO Coalition) was formed which is a group of six organisations that are run by and for people with disability.
People First New Zealand is one of the organisations.
The DPO Coalition’s collective vision is to achieve disability rights in Aotearoa New Zealand as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
People First NZ Leadership Forum in 2023.
Now
People First New Zealand Ngā Tāngata Tuatahi is stronger than ever.
We have 42 local groups across six regions with hundreds of members.
They have meetings regularly where learn about their rights and how to speak up for themselves.
As well as our self-advocacy groups we have a range of services that encourage a more inclusive society for people with learning disability, based on the rights of disabled people.
Disability Information and Advice Service (DIAS)
Make It Easy Kiā Māmā Mai translation service.
Learn with Us Ako i Tō Mātou Taha.
Consultations