Foundation for Equity and Research New Zealand

🎄✨ 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!

🌟 Reflecting on 2024 with Karori CAG 🌟 🎉 2024 Highlights: ✅ Designed "Thank You for prioritising accessibility;' cards. These cards are designed to be given to individuals and vendors that help priortise accessibility and are a great hit will all the CAG's. ✅ Made submissions on key equity based issues and collaborated with local organisations to lessen inequities and drive positive change. ✅ Advocated for making the Karori Farmers Market more accessible. This resulted in the ground be compacted and the laying of astro turf, benefitting the entire community. ✅ Advocated for improvements to a local accessible bathroom, ensuring it is user-friendly. As the FERNZ longest-established Community Action Group (CAG), the CAG has had a great year working toward a more inclusive Karori while addressing inequities in the wider community. The CAG enjoys meeting at accessible venues across Karori, strengthening connections and raising the group’s profile. Thank you to everyone who supported Karori CAG this year. Together, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive Karori. Here’s to even more progress in 2025! 🌟

As the festive season unfolds here in Aotearoa, it’s a time of joy for many, but for others, it can be a season of challenges. This is our opportunity to uphold the values of manaakitanga and show aroha to those who need it most. Let’s make this season brighter for our vulnerable whānau: 🌟 Ensure holiday events and gatherings are inclusive and accessible for all. 🌟 Share kindness in small, meaningful ways—every gesture counts. 🌟 Spend time with those who might feel isolated—kaumātua, neighbours, or friends. 🌟 Take time to listen—it costs nothing but can mean everything. Together, we can create a community where everyone feels the warmth of connection and care. Let’s make this a season of inclusion, compassion, and aroha. #Fernz #foundationforequityandresearchnewzealand #equity #inclusion #disabilityaction #poriruacommunityactiongroup #huttvalleycommunityactiongroup #kapiticommunityactiongroup #karoricommunityactiongroup #wairarapacommunityactiongroup #likeandfollow #visitourwebsite #Inclusiveleadership #disabilityawareness #disability #accessibility #disabilityrights #Manaakitanga #AotearoaKindness #FestiveSeasonCare #CommunityLove

A huge thank you to the following organizations for their generous support in 2024: 🎉 Four Winds Foundation 🎉 Hutt Mana Charitable Trust 🎉 Nikau Foundation 🎉 Te Pou Consumer Leadership Development Grant 🎉 The Lion Foundation 🎉 Trillian Trust 🎉 Trust House Foundation 🎉 Wellington Community Fund These grants have made it possible to produce banners for our Community Action Groups (CAGs), provide digital connectivity for members, offer learning activities to members, support attendance at workshops and seminars, and empower the amazing work our CAGs are doing. ✨ Your support means the world to us and is helping create real change. Thank you for being part of this journey! ✨

This year’s theme, "Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now," calls on all of us to act decisively to ensure that human rights are upheld—not just for today, but for generations to come. As we mark this historic moment, we are reminded of its powerful message: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." But the work is far from done. Human rights remain under threat in many parts of the world. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres reminds us: "Human rights are under assault [...] This year’s theme reminds us that human rights are about building the future — right now [...] We must stand up for all rights — always." Let’s honor the legacy of 1948 by continuing to stand up for equality, dignity, and justice for all, because a world where human rights flourish is a world where humanity thrives. Background: Today in 1948, in Paris, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)—a document that set out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected. The document was drafted in the aftermath of World War II, and affirmed the inherent dignity and equal rights of every individual across the globe.