Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People

Access Matters Aotearoa is hosting Kōrero for Change - a series of courageous conversations around key areas of life where individuals in New Zealand encounter disabling experiences. The fourth webinar on Wednesday 11 December will be focusing on Emergency Preparedness. You can find out more information and register here: https://bit.ly/3YVbGI0 Video description: An NZSL interpreter in front of a white wall signing information about the webinar and inviting people to attend.

Today Whaikaha supported Vaka Tautua to bring together members of the Pacific disability community and supporters to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event was an opportunity to celebrate Pacific leadership and acknowledge the innovation that is happening in the sector. At the event, Whaikaha Chief Executive Paula Tesoriero thanked thank the Pacific disability community for their ongoing contribution to our work.

Yesterday, on the 1 December 2024 Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People became a standalone ministry. This morning Paula Tesoriero took part in a Mihi Whakatau for Whaikaha kaimahi (staff) transitioning to Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to work on Disability Support Services. Over on our website, Paula has shared a statement about what this means for Whaikaha and the work ahead. https://bit.ly/3B3pk3P Image description: Paula Tesoriero standing behind a lectern speaking at the Mihi Whakatau event. People are sitting on two sides of the room in front of her (MSD staff and Whaikaha staff) and an NZSL interpreter is on the right. Colourful flowers are displayed in front of the lectern and a kete is on a small table next to them.

The Halberg Foundation has established a new award for people whose contributions have made a lasting impact on disability sport communities in New Zealand.   The Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award, named in honour of the late Olympic gold medallist, is seeking nominees who have made a positive difference in the lives of disabled young people through sport, and display the values of inclusion and empowerment that Sir Murray lived throughout his life.   For more information and details on how to nominate people visit their website: https://lnkd.in/gA7nhmgS

This morning the Prime Minister and some public sector leaders apologised to survivors of abuse in care. Today has been an important and challenging today for survivors, disabled people, Deaf, tāngata whaikaha Māori and tāngata Turi across Aotearoa New Zealand. Whaikaha Chief Executive Paula Tesoriero MNZM has recorded a message in support of these apologies and to acknowledge the survivors. Alternate formats and a transcript of the video are available on our website: https://bit.ly/3UNMkuf Video description: Paula Tesoriero is standing in front of an office window with trees outside with an NZSL interpreter. On the table next to her there is a copy of one of the volumes of the report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care of the State and Faith-based Institutions. It is called Whanaketia –Through Pain and Trauma, From Darkness to Light, it has a dark green cover with white text.

Tomorrow (Tuesday 12 November) a formal public apology will be made to survivors of abuse in care at Parliament by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon. You can livestream the event from 9:45am via this link: https://bit.ly/3Aq7fNb The pre-apology event will be at 9:45am, where 7 Chief Executives of Government agencies will deliver their apologies. The Prime Minister will then deliver the national apology in the House of Representatives at 11:30am. More information: https://bit.ly/3Aq30Bf For people wanting to access wellbeing support prior to and after the apology event, a helpline, Safe to Talk is available 24/7: Phone 0800 044 334 Free txt 4334 Email support@safetotalk.nz

The Ministry of Justice - New Zealand wants you to have your say on the Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010. Remote participation is when one or more court users are allowed to use audio-visual or audio-only technology to participate in a court proceeding instead of being in the courtroom in person. It may be a better option for people with accessibility concerns. The law is being reviewed because it was written 14 years ago and there have been many changes to technology and how courts are run since then. Find out more, including a plain language summary on the Ministry of Justice website: https://lnkd.in/gu4JmpiF

The Disabled Artists Theatre Festival (DAT Fest) returns for its third year from November 2 to 17 at Te Auaha in Wellington. For tickets, workshop registration and transport options visit datfest.nz Image description: a group of people participating in a workshop on a black stage. There is a mix of people standing, and in wheelchairs. Some of the people are reaching out to hold each others hands and shoulders in a circle formation. https://bit.ly/3UvndMy

We acknowledge the passing of Kaumatua Maaka Tibble MNZM (Ngāti Porou). A man of great strength who will be missed by many. We were honoured that Matua Maaka gifted us the name Whaikaha to be the te reo Māori name of our Ministry in 2022 when we launched. You can read the tribute from our Chief Executive Paula Tesoriero MNZM on our website: https://bit.ly/3AgE9zC Image description: NZSL interpreter Darrel Firth, Paula Tesoriero and Maaka Tibble seated on a stage at the launch of the NZSL name for Whaikaha in 2023. They are smiling and laughing together. A purple Whaikaha stand up banner is behind them and Maaka is in a suit and holding a long silver and black cane.

Disability Support Services (DSS) wants your feedback on how services should be best provided in the future. As a first step, they have launched a survey for the disability community to share their thoughts. Further and broader community engagement and consultation will be held in early 2025. In this video, Chris Bunny, head of the Disability Support Services Taskforce explains more about the survey. You can complete the survey here: https://bit.ly/3Uua3j7 The survey closes on Friday 22 November. For more information, including alternate formats visit https://bit.ly/48yUs7G Video description: Chris Bunny (Head of Disability Support Services Taskforce) standing in an office, speaking to camera with an NZSL interpreter on the right.