Disabled Persons Assembly NZ

Today is your last day to enrol to vote! 🗳️ Enrolment closes at midnight tonight. Enrolment hubs are open today around NZ. Find a hub: buff.ly/jpKj4uY Or enrol online: vote.nz/enrol Enrolment info in accessible formats: buff.ly/5V2IRGK

Enrolment closes at midnight tomorrow, Sunday 25 October! 🗳️ Enrolment hubs are open today around NZ, NZSL at Sylvia Park and Westgate in Auckland, 12-4pm. Find a hub: buff.ly/jpKj4uY Or enrol online: vote.nz/enrol Enrolment in accessible formats: buff.ly/5V2IRGK

To vote in the 2026 General Election, enrol by midnight on 25 October 2026. Enrolling and voting info is available in audio, Braille, large print, Easy Read and NZSL. Alternative formats: buff.ly/5V2IRGK Enrolment hubs: buff.ly/jpKj4uY

Here’s how parties say they will make the healthcare system more equitable for disabled communities.

Only 4 days left to enrol to vote! 🗳️ Electoral Commission enrolment hubs are open around NZ. NZSL interpreters at some Auckland hubs. 📍 Sylvia Park & Westgate, 24 Oct, 12-4pm (NZSL) Find a hub near you: buff.ly/jpKj4uY

In a recent article, Dr Huhana Hickey highlights a range of accessibility supports available to voters, including telephone dictation voting for eligible voters and options for people who cannot get to a voting place.

Deaf Aotearoa has election info for the Deaf community: NZSL-interpreted debates, info sessions (last one tomorrow, 6 to 7pm), and enrolment hubs and voting places with NZSL interpreters. Enrol by midnight Sun 25 Oct. Voting: 26 Oct to 7 Nov. deaf.org.nz/general-election-2026

A free waka ama event in Tauranga is set to support disabled people and their whānau discover the sport, build confidence on the water and connect with their local paddling community.

Disability Support Services (DSS) has partnered with All is for All on a creative platform inspired by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

"I want disabled people who can and want to work to have real opportunities with flexible hours, accessible transport, suitable equipment, communication support and assistance where needed. I also want people who cannot sustain paid work to have enough income to live with dignity." Dr Huhana Hickey

At Tiaho Trust's Meet the Candidates event at Forum North, in collaboration with DPA, candidates faced three main questions: Disability Support Services legislation, accessible and affordable housing, and the extra costs of living rurally. Watch the live stream: buff.ly/y5O9Dho

Housing, funding and accessible infrastructure are among the election priorities for the Bay of Plenty disability community.

Access 2026 is the Electoral Commission’s services that are available to support Deaf and disabled people, tāngata Turi, tāngata whaikaha Māori, and their whānau, carers and communities to take part in the General Election. More here: elections.nz/about/about-...

Getting rid of the Minimum Wage Exemption, and offering free gym memberships would be on the cards if Alice Matthews was leading the country.

Social Development Political Panel 🗓️ Thu 22 Oct, 6-7:30pm, online Hear from National, Labour, Green, NZ First and Opportunity spokespeople on social development ahead of #Election2026. Details: social-development-political-panel-2026.lilregie.com

#NoHarmware wants safer online platforms for all: transparency, duty of care, independent oversight, and regulation development upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We'd like to see them in the first 100 days of the next government. Tag your local candidates or parties in the comments to say you agree.

In the 2024/25 year, disabled people in Aotearoa asked one small Lottery committee for $28.3 million of help. The committee had just under $12 million to give out. Then, on 1 July 2026, it was closed altogether.

Where those vying for your vote stand on disability support and funding, accessibility standards, benefits and more.

The D*List and The University of Auckland Disabled Students' Association are hosting the Disability Debate, where the major political parties will debate the issues that matter to Deaf and disabled communities. Where: Room 501-110 - The University of Auckland, Grafton Campus, When: 6PM, 14 Oct

DPA President Kera Sherwood-O'Regan spoke with Mike Gourley on the No Labels radio show about Our Declaration, Our Rights, a shared statement of Disabled Peoples' Rights in Aotearoa New Zealand. Listen here: tinyurl.com/ychb7e43

Canterbury locals, come meet the candidates and get your questions answered on disability issues. Saturday 26 September, 12 to 3:30pm (forum starts 1pm) BrainTree Wellness Centre, 70 Langdons Road, Papanui RSVP: Kaituitui.Ootautahi@dpa.org.nz or via linktr.ee/RoadToTheElectionCHCH

"My dream is of a society where it’s not exceptional or a one-off to have Deaf and disabled people in leadership roles in the arts sector and actively contributing to its culture." — Stace Roberston

Take a look at all the access features through the City Rail Link stations!

"So perhaps businesses need to stop asking themselves: “Are we accessible?”. That question can be surprisingly difficult to answer. Instead, ask: 'What can we tell people about our accessibility?'". — Jonny Wilkinson

Takiwaatanga is a reo Maaori word for autism that was created in 2017 by Keri Opai, and means “in my/his/her/their own space and time.".

Free Ministry for Women webinar (with Whaikaha) features a panel with Anne Hawker, former President of DPA and the first female President of Rehabilitation International, alongside Ronelle Baker. They'll share practical advice on pathways to leadership, board opportunities, and building confidence.

🗳️ Your vote counts, get ready to have your say! 📅 Sun 25 Oct, midnight: last day to enrol 📅 Mon 26 Oct: voting starts, vote early 📅 Sat 7 Nov: Election Day, voting ends 7PM Enrol or update your details: tinyurl.com/2s45b4ea

4 of 6 Ministry of Transport proposals are moving ahead: a clear national purpose statement, stronger incentives for wheelchair-accessible vehicles, a review of standards & safeguards for TM providers, and a new public transport concession.

The Waitangi Tribunal this week released Hauwhaikaha — the disability system report, which found that tāngata whaikaha Māori received culturally unsafe services that further marginalised them and did not adequately respond to them either as Māori and disabled.

Using specialised technology, Jacob Lane controls his DJ software by sucking and blowing into a device that moves a cursor across the screen. He also uses buttons operated with his chin to trigger effects and control functions such as play and pause.

The Electoral Commission has published Access 2026, accessibility action plan for 2026 General Election. It sets out 20 actions to support Deaf and disabled people, tāngata Turi, tāngata whaikaha Māori, and whānau/carers to enrol, vote, work at, or stand in the election. 🔗 elections.nz/access2026

5 candidates confirmed for the Vote for Inclusive Futures: National Disability Election Forum, 7 Oct 🗳️ 🟢 Kahurangi Carter (Greens) 🔴 Priyanca Radhakrishnan (Labour) 🔵 Rima Nakhle (National) ⚫ Jenny Marcroft (NZ First) 🔷 Qiulae Wong (TOP) Register to attend or submit questions: tinyurl.com/4u5pum6a

Bryce Dinneen is the founder and Chairperson of Wish4Fish Charitable Trust, which helps disabled people get out on the water, and enjoy the ocean, fishing and freedom.

"We must refrain from erasing disability from someone’s legacy when we are mourning them. We must ensure that people are remembered as they were." — Kitty Wasasala

"If Parliament is going to rebuild disability support in legislation, it should build in the strongest possible protections, accountability and disabled people’s involvement." — Jonny Wilkinson

"Until Aotearoa builds enough of those [accessible] homes, the Government’s proposed power to tell people sleeping on our streets to move on leaves one question unanswered, Move on to where?" — Dr Huhana Hickey

A free, sensory-friendly festival connecting neurodivergent children, young people and their families with support services is coming to Tauranga next month. Spectrum Connections Charitable Trust is preparing for NeuroFest 2026, which will bring together more than 25 organisations and services.

Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission has launched a new set of resources to support more inclusive emergency preparedness, response and recovery across Aotearoa New Zealand.

WHAT SHOULD WE ASK THE CANDIDATES? Help shape our Meet the Candidates event. Tell us what disability issues matter most to you. Survey open to all, even if you can't attend. Please share! 🔁 👉 tinyurl.com/4fnfbnp

🗳️ Every vote shapes the future of disability rights in NZ. Join IHC's Vote for Inclusive Futures event and hear directly from political candidates on what they'll do for disabled people. When: Wed 7 Oct, 4pm Where: Te Wharewaka o Pōneke, Wellington & online. Register: tinyurl.com/4u5pum6a

"I just love audio described shows and I learn something new every time I go, and because it matters to me, I want everyone to know what’s available.” — Mary Schnackenberg

Dr Huhana Hickey and CCS Disability Action have written analysis on the DSS Bill. We acknowledge it's a step in the right direction, but issues from our submission remain unaddressed. CCS: tinyurl.com/2wvjzfdb Huhana: tinyurl.com/5xcx23ds DPA: tinyurl.com/3mxrh3jb

Our President Elect Juliana Carvalho did a Tedx Talk! 🎉 Through humour, energy, and powerful storytelling, Juliana challenges perspectives, inspires resilience, and advocates for a more inclusive world.

Would you be able to manage for 3 days in an emergency? Join DPA and your local Civil Defence Emergency Management team to start creating your own emergency plan. Christchurch: tinyurl.com/3u72y69w Dunedin: tinyurl.com/muxr9k2c

"We have the evidence now. The question is no longer what the problem is. It is whether the people most affected get to help fix it." — Debbie Ward, CCS National Disability Leadership Coordinator

When reading through internal documents from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), The D*List found all the best arguments for keeping the committee - arguments made by the DIA itself.

"New Zealand needs a stable, rights based route to essential disability equipment and community participation. Lottery grants may supplement that system, but they should not be the last door left open when health and disability services do not meet a person’s needs." — Dr Huhana Hickey

According to the latest New Zealand Health Survey, 4.3 percent of adults reported living with Long Covid - roughly 185,000 people.

"As climate impacts become more frequent and severe, the disabled community must be at the forefront of work to adapt, as key stakeholders and agents for change." — Raven Cretney

OIA documents reveal the Minister of Internal Affairs was repeatedly given advice to keep the specialised committee, but she chose to cut it six months later.