Yuchen Zheng was accompanied by a disability assist dog named Echo upon boarding an AT bus in August 2023 but was incorrectly told the dog needed a muzzle to use the service.

Removal of assist dog from bus prompts Auckland Transport apology

Auckland Transport has apologised after a passenger was denied a bus ride with an unmuzzled disability assist dog three years ago.

rnz.co.nz

“When access rights are understood and respected, disabled people can get on with their day without having to explain or justify their right to be there.” — Paula Tesoriero, Whaikaha Chief Executive

New ID card launched for disability assist dogs | Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People

whaikaha.govt.nz

Filmmaker Jared Flitcroft hopes that NZSL moves beyond accessibility and into authorship, where Deaf people aren't simply included in cinema, but help redefine what cinema can be.

NZSL belongs on the big screen

Filmmaker Jared Flitcroft hopes that NZSL moves beyond accessibility and into authorship, where Deaf people aren't simply included in cinema, but help redefine what cinema can be.

thedlist.co.nz

Kitty Wasasala delves into The Kids From O.W.L, a superhero spy show from 80's about disabled kids with computerised wheelchairs and stun guns.

A history of disabled characters on New Zealand television

Kitty Wasasala delves into The Kids From O. .L, a superhero spy show from 80's about disabled kids with computerised wheelchairs and stun guns.

thedlist.co.nz

"Deaf and disabled people are adaptable, resilient, clever and creative, with many ways to navigate the world and create better access." – Katie Querin, Arts For All Activator, Arts Access Aotearoa

What Crip Camp teaches us about arts accessibility

Reflecting on Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, Arts For All Network members explore accessibility, disability leadership and creating more inclusive arts experiences.

artsaccess.org.nz

Invercargill's new regional museum is being built with accessibility as a design requirement, not an afterthought.

Museum Designed With Disabled Visitors in Mind

Invercargill's new regional museum is being built with accessibility as a design requirement, not an afterthought. The Museum of Southland — due to open to the public in 2027, with construction sched...

whatsoninvers.nz

Ministry of Social Development's latest Child Poverty in New Zealand report shows disabled children are significantly over-represented in hardship. Nearly 60% of children living in material hardship live in households where at least one member is disabled. Full report: tinyurl.com/37bfkm8a

Children With Intellectual Disabilities Experiencing Worst Of Child Poverty In NZ

IHC says disability must be at the centre of any credible child poverty strategy and that children with intellectual disability require explicit attention rather than being hidden within broader disab...

scoop.co.nz

DSS is running a survey on further improvements to disability support. Have your say by completing the survey, attending a workshop, or making a submission. Survey: tinyurl.com/y2yut45v

A few weeks ago, turi leadership - organised through CCS Disability Action - launched some beautiful and powerful signs for two waiata: Tōku Reo Tōku Ohooho and Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi, and a karakia for Rūaumoko.

Launch of NZSL waiata celebrates Turi Māori community

Turi Māori leaders and kaumatua come together to address the lack of accessible Māori language and cultural resources for the Deaf community.

thedlist.co.nz

Trish Harris's new book, Out of the Box, is an essential read celebrating Deaf and disabled "artists, activists and adventurers" who have, writes Trish, "broken out of the box and claimed their space."

How to move mountains: the stories of Rodney Bell and Maia Marshall-Amai

An artist and an athlete who have 'broken out of the box and claimed their space'.

thespinoff.co.nz

DLC is running 2 hui ahead of the election to hear what matters most to disabled people, whānau & communities. 📍MacFarlane Park Centre, Mairehau, Christchurch 🗓️ Fri 24 July, 10am-12pm 🗓️ Fri 21 August, 10am-12pm Your voice matters — come share it. #NZElection #DisabilityRights

Disabled Aucklanders have been given a central role in deciding how $200,000 in Auckland Council climate adaptation funding is allocated for the first time, with six disability-led projects selected in the grant process.

Auckland.Scoop » Disabled Aucklanders Help Shape City’s Emergency Plans

auckland.scoop.co.nz

One in 12 disabled adults in New Zealand missed a GP appointment in 2023/24 because of a transport problem. That is a finding from a new report by CCS Disability Action, which begins to count the cost of journeys that never happen.

1 in 12 Disabled Adults Miss GP Visits Due to Transport – New NZ Report — CCS Disability Action

A new CCS Disability Action report reveals how transport barriers lead to missed GP appointments, unmet health needs, and hidden costs across New Zealand’s health system.

ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz

With the support of Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha, Own Your Online have created alternate formats of two practical guides to make our online safety advice more accessible. Explore alternate formats of Five quick steps to online security: ownyouronline.govt.nz/alt

For individuals | Own Your Online

Unfortunately you are viewing this website on an outdated browser which does not support the necessary features for us to provide an adequate experience.

ownyouronline.govt.nz

In 'Out of the Box', an illustrated book for readers aged 12+, author Trish Harris shares the stories of 25 Deaf and disabled New Zealanders – artists, activists and adventurers – who have broken open the box and claimed their space. Find more details at oup.nz/library/out-...

Out of the Box - Otago University Press

‘Deaf or disabled people get put in a box. It’s frustrating, it’s tiring and it’s boring. I want that box to be broken open!’—Mojo Mathers In Out of the Box, an illustrated book for readers aged 12+, ...

oup.nz

When disabled people are empowered to participate fully, our democracy becomes fairer, stronger, and more representative. Together, we can create systems where everyone belongs and every voice matters. 💙 📽️ Catch the full webinar recording here: linkly.link/2lIdY

Mānawatia a Matariki from all of us at Disabled Person’s Assembly! This is a special time of remembrance, celebration and hope for the future. It is a chance for us to reflect, share kai and reconnect. Learn how to sign "Matariki" and "mānawatia a Matariki" in NZSL. ➡️ tinyurl.com/3wfjbmyk

“Disabled people must be treated with dignity and respect as contributors to their communities, and not simply as liabilities.” — Prudence Walker, Disability Rights Commissioner

‘Dignity, not cost’: Human rights warning over immigrant health rule

The Disability Rights Commissioner says New Zealand’s immigration rules can discriminate against disabled people, and supports recommendations they be amended.

stuff.co.nz

"Most of us have spent a lifetime adapting, compromising and finding ingenious workarounds. What we value isn’t perfection. It’s agency." — Jonny Wilkinson

Jonny Wilkinson: Disabled people have always been great at adapting

OPINION: New disability law plans could shift control away from those it supports.

nzherald.co.nz

Happy Disability Pride Month! This year's theme is "The World Works Better With Us". You experience this daily. Disability-led advocacy and design created changes many now rely on: curb cuts, captions, audiobooks, voice dictation. What accessibility feature makes the world better for you?

"Disabled people have spent decades fighting for disability supports based on rights, choice, and inclusion. Instead of providing what has been asked for, this Bill creates a framework more focussed on reducing risk to the Crown than on creating the types of systems that lead to good lives." Dr Bex

Legislation must embed disabled peoples rights

Trust is not enough when history tells us otherwise

drbex.substack.com

"My hope is that NZ Police will treat the Disability Roadmap 2026 as a living commitment: one that is informed and led by disabled people, properly resourced, and taken seriously at every level of the organisation." — Debbie Ward, National Disability Leadership Coordinator, CCS Disability Action

Building safer, fairer policing for disabled people: analysis on the NZ Police Disability Roadmap 2026 — CCS Disability Action

Debbie Ward from CCS Disability Action examines NZ Police’s new Disability Roadmap 2026, its promise for disabled people, and what must happen to turn words into action.

ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz

Ricky Andrews is behind a petition seeking individualised disability support. It calls for the community services card, disability allowance and supported living payment to be assessed on an individual basis, not including a partner's income. Sign the petition here: tinyurl.com/3tbfkvhy

Why is my partner expected to pay my bills?

Ricky Andrews says he knew his life would change when sickness meant he had to give up work.

rnz.co.nz

If you’re planning to be a candidate in the upcoming general election and have a disability, the Election Access Fund Te Tomokanga — Pūtea Whakatapoko Pōtitanga is available to support you. Find out more about the Fund and how to apply here: elections.nz/getting-invo...

Amy Taylor, DPA Kaituitui for Ōtepoti Dunedin, joins WEKA — a free peer support & wellbeing group running since 2018 — to talk about DPA's work advocating for disabled people. 📅 Mon 29 June 2026 📍 160 Crawford St, Dunedin

"One of the largest population groups in New Zealand is effectively missing from many of the spreadsheets used to make decisions about health funding, planning, performance and service design." — Jonny Wilkinson

Jonny Wilkinson: Disability data blind spot leaves major gaps in NZ health system

Opinion: Disability affects 17% of New Zealanders yet remains largely unrecorded.

nzherald.co.nz

Hutt City Council are seeking Expressions of Interest from people who would like to join a new Age and Accessibility Advisory Group. Applications are due by 5pm, 26 June 2026. More info: tinyurl.com/2rc4adpb

Be part of making our city more accessible and age-friendly

We are seeking Expressions of Interest from people who would like to join a new Age and Accessibility Advisory Group.

tinyurl.com

Environment Canterbury Regional Council are reviewing the bus and ferry network within Christchurch and the surrounding townships in Selwyn and Waimakariri. Complete the survey 👉 ecan.govt.nz/metroreview Feedback closes at midnight on Wednesday 24 June 2026.

Public transport network review

Help shape the future of public transport We're reviewing the bus and ferry network within Christchurch and the surrounding townships in Selwyn and Waimakariri. We want to hear from you. Your feedback...

ecan.govt.nz

"As tāngata whaikaha and whānau hauā, we are not problems to be solved. We are descendants of our ancestors, holders of knowledge and experience, and contributors to our communities. Our diversity is part of the natural human condition" - Dr Huhana Hickey

Whānau Hauā and Disability: Two Worldviews, One Question of Mana

dr Huhana Hickey

substack.com

Disability Support Services want to hear from you. They are asking people who receive DSS funding, and support or advocate for those who do, to take part in their consultation period. For information about how you can have your say go to: www.tinyurl.com/5bm2937s