Human Rights Commission
Media Release
17 October 2003
Human Rights Commission welcomes People First New Zealand
Human Rights Commissioner Robyn Hunt today welcomed the establishment of People First New Zealand as an independent
organisation of people with intellectual disabilities speaking for themselves.
People First New Zealand was launched at a function at Parliament last night and aims to help change stereotypes
associated with intellectual disability.
People with an intellectual disability have waited a long time for this day, Ms Hunt says. "The organisation will help
to promote the rights of people with intellectual disabilities and work to increase access and choice in areas such as
housing and education."
People First groups have been active in New Zealand at a local level for almost 20 years. Eighteen months ago IHC
working with several other organisations and people with intellectual disabilities began the process to establish the
new national organisation.
The Human Rights Commission is currently developing the New Zealand Action Plan for Human Rights (NZAPHR). When
completed the plan will show how well New Zealand is doing in terms of human rights and provide a set of recommendations
on areas that need improving.
People First New Zealand CEO Bernadette Moses and member Denise Bennett have taken part in the Disability Sector
Advisory Group, which provides advice on disability issues to the Commission as part of the development of NZAPHR.
The Commission is also carrying out an Inquiry into the accessibility of public transport for disabled people.
Information on the Inquiry can be found at www.hrc.co.nz/Inquiry
Ends