Foundation for Equity and Research New Zealand

🌟 The Team at FERNZ Is Back! 🌟 After a well-deserved break, the team at FERNZ is back and ready to dive into 2025! We’re taking the time to get settled back into work and prepare for an exciting year ahead filled with growth, collaborations, and meaningful change. Here’s to a year of making a difference together! 💚 #Fernz #foundationforequityandresearchnewzealand #equity #inclusion #disabilityaction #poriruacommunityactiongroup #huttvalleycommunityactiongroup #kapiticommunityactiongroup #karoricommunityactiongroup #wairarapacommunityactiongroup #likeandfollow #visitourwebsite #Inclusiveleadership #disabilityawareness #disability #accessibility #disabilityrights #tangataturi #tāngatawhaikaha #tāngatawhaikahamāori #equitynotequality #FERNZ2025 #NewBeginnings #Growth #Impact #Collaboration

🌟 Big Things Coming for FERNZ in 2025! 🌟 2025 is set to be bigger and better! We’re gearing up to drive change, embrace growth, and tackle challenges head-on. Here’s what’s on the horizon: 🌱 Growing our Wellington regions CAG's ✨ Launching new CAGs 📚 Publishing more papers and articles challenging inequity 💪 Tackling inequities head-on The journey continues, and we’re ready to make an even bigger difference. Join us! 💚 #Fernz #foundationforequityandresearchnewzealand #equity #inclusion #disabilityaction #poriruacommunityactiongroup #huttvalleycommunityactiongroup #kapiticommunityactiongroup #karoricommunityactiongroup #wairarapacommunityactiongroup #likeandfollow #visitourwebsite #Inclusiveleadership #disabilityawareness #disability #accessibility #disabilityrights #tangataturi #tāngatawhaikaha #tāngatawhaikahamāori #FERNZ2025 #Growth #Collaboration #Impact

🌟✨ Happy New Year from all of us at FERNZ! ✨🌟 Whether you’re celebrating in a big way with loved ones or enjoying a quiet moment of reflection, we hope the New Year brings you everything you need to feel inspired, supported, and fulfilled. Thank you for being part of our journey this past year – your support, kindness, and connection mean the world to us. Our year wouldn’t have been the success it was without you, and for that, we are truly grateful. We’re so excited to see what 2025 brings and to continue sharing the journey with you. Wishing you a safe, joyful, and inspiring New Year! Here’s to health, happiness, and plenty of moments to make you smile. 🥂🌟 The team at FERNZ 🌿❤️ #Fernz #foundationforequityandresearchnewzealand #equity #inclusion #disabilityaction #poriruacommunityactiongroup #huttvalleycommunityactiongroup #kapiticommunityactiongroup #karoricommunityactiongroup #wairarapacommunityactiongroup #likeandfollow #visitourwebsite #Inclusiveleadership #disabilityawareness #disability #accessibility #disabilityrights #tangataturi #tāngatawhaikaha #tāngatawhaikahamāori #equitynotequality #happynewyear #equity

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉 We are delighted to announce that our Chairperson, Associate Professor Dr. Tristram Ingham, has been recognized in the New Year Honours List 2025 with a KSO for services to survivors of abuse in care https://buff.ly/3W0F9PP Tristram served as a member of the kaupapa Māori panel for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. The panel was established to ensure Māori survivors’ experiences were properly acknowledged and that the inquiry adhered to a Te Tiriti o Waitangi framework. Through his mahi, he amplified the voices of Māori and disabled communities, ensuring their experiences were acknowledged and addressed. He prioritized survivors’ needs, advocated for justice, and pushed for systemic reforms to address failures and prevent future abuse. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Tristram Ingham on this well-deserved honour! #TristramIngham #KSO #NewYearHonours2025

🎄✨ Merry Christmas to All ✨🎄 As we celebrate today, let’s take a moment to remember that Christmas means different things to different people. For some, it’s a joyful time with loved ones, enjoying meals, and twinkling lights. For others, it can be a day of reflection, challenges, or quiet solitude. However you spend Christmas, may you find something happy in today. With aroha, The team at FERNZ🌿❤️

🌟 That's a Wrap, 2024! 🌟 As we close the chapter on an incredible year for FERNZ, we want to thank you all for being part of our journey. Your support has meant the world to us, and we’re so excited for what’s ahead! 💖 Stay safe, and we’ll see you all in 2025! #Fernz #foundationforequityandresearchnewzealand #equity #inclusion #disabilityaction #poriruacommunityactiongroup #huttvalleycommunityactiongroup #kapiticommunityactiongroup #karoricommunityactiongroup #wairarapacommunityactiongroup #likeandfollow #visitourwebsite #Inclusiveleadership #disabilityawareness #disability #accessibility #disabilityrights #tangataturi #tāngatawhaikaha #tāngatawhaikahamāori #equitynotequality

🌟Reflecting on 2024 with the Kāpiti CAG 🌟 Established in August 2024, the Kāpiti Community Action Group (CAG) is the newest addition to FERNZ’s network, bringing together passionate individuals to drive positive change in their community. 🎉Highlights from Kāpiti CAG’s first few months: ✅Actively working to identify key issues to focus on in 2025. ✅Welcomed a guest speaker from the Kāpiti Impact Hub at their December meeting, providing valuable insights into the hub’s initiatives. ✅Hosted a guest advocate from Australia who shared her experiences and advocacy journey, inspiring the group with fresh perspectives. The Kāpiti CAG is off to a great start, and we can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make in the year ahead!

🌟 Reflecting on 2024 with Wairarapa CAG 🌟 🎉 2024 Highlights: ✅ Hosted a stall alongside TAMA at the inaugural Wairarapa Disability Expo. This was a valuable tool for raising awareness of FERNZ and the Wairarapa CAG. ✅ ✅ Identified accessibility issues within local communities and began exploring practical solutions—stay tuned for updates! ✅ Highlighted inequities in the healthcare system. The CAG are actively working with healthcare representatives to advocate for improvements. ✅ Built strong relationships within the community, strengthening collaboration and support. ✅ Provided feedback to the Karori and Porirua CAGs on the design of the "Thank You for Making Accessibility a Priority" and Accessible Parking cards. Founded in May 2024, the Wairarapa Community Action Group (CAG) unites members from across the region to address equity challenges and advocate for meaningful change. It’s been a great beginning for the Wairarapa CAG, and we’re eager to carry this momentum into 2025 as we continue driving positive change.

🌟 Reflecting on 2024 with Porirua CAG 🌟 🎉 2024 Highlights: ✅ Met with Mayor Anita Baker to discuss local priorities and strengthen partnerships with council leadership. ✅Established in May 2024, the Porirua Community Action Group (CAG) has had a remarkable year, making significant strides toward creating a more inclusive and equitable city. ✅ Spoke to a Porirua City Council meeting. ✅ Successfully advocated for the Hidden Disabilities initiative to be rolled out at key city locations, including Pātaka, Te Rauparaha Arena, Council offices, and the library. ✅ Participated in a mobility parking photo shoot to raise awareness about the importance of accessible parking spaces. ✅ Pip represented the group in a 1 News story, highlighting local accessibility issues and raising public awareness. ✅ Advocated for improved visibility of bollards outside Pātaka, resulting in planned enhancements to ensure they are safer for everyone. Established in May 2024, the Porirua Community Action Group (CAG) has had a remarkable year, making significant strides toward creating a more inclusive and equitable city. We’re proud of the progress made in just a few short months and grateful for the support of our community and local leaders. Here’s to even greater achievements in 2025!

🌟 Reflecting on 2024 with Hutt Valley CAG 🌟 🎉 2024 Highlights: ✅ Advocated for equitable parking solutions with a local shopping mall, ensuring spaces accommodate diverse needs. ✅ Identified an issue with the placement of beach mats at Days Bay beach and advocated for swift changes to improve safety and accessibility. ✅ Hosted Councillor Andy Mitchell to discuss ways local authorities support equitable initiatives in the Hutt Valley. ✅ Welcomed Ya’el Friedlander, Senior Community Facilitator (HCC) for Rainbow, Elders, and Disability communities, to explore inclusive projects and initiatives. What a year it’s been for the Hutt Valley Community Action Group! From advocating for better accessibility at Days Bay to fostering connections with local leaders, we’ve been working hard to make the Hutt Valley more inclusive and equitable for everyone. Thank you to everyone who has supported and collaborated with us this year. Together, we’re making the Hutt Valley stronger, more inclusive, and more accessible. Here’s to even more progress in 2025!