top of page

Ka aha mātou
What we do

On this page you will find information about:

What we do

​We lead change in Waitaha/Canterbury, consistent with the EGL Approach, so that disabled people and their whānau/families have greater choice and control over their supports and lives. 

How we do it

We have three key objectives - to Listen, to Empower and to Amplify. See more about these below.

We are guided at all times by the Enabling Good Lives (EGL) Vision and Principles and Whānau Ora. We are also guided by the principles of collective leadership and decision-making as well as the Te Tiriti O Waitangi and the Social Model of Disability.

Each month (excluding December) we meet in-person. See our meeting notes here.

Addressing inequity

Along with addressing systemic inequity faced by all disabled people, we acknowledge that the Disability Support System does not yet respond to the needs of Māori, Pacific and Rainbow disabled people as it could. As a Leadership Group we want to help resolve that inequity.

Our 3 key objectives 

listen_edited.png
LISTEN

Listen to and strengthen the voice of our community

Disabled, Whānau and Provider Representatives have strong disabled networks, and regularly meet with their community to ensure the voice of that community is gathered.

They then take that voice to the monthly WRLG meeting.

​​

Find out more using the links below:

 

​

​

empower_edited.png
EMPOWER

Empower choice and control to live a good life

Promote opportunities for learning and growth and thinking differently about what life can look like

amplify_edited_edited.png
AMPLIFY

Amplify the voices of our community and advocate for change

  • Collaborate with other disability organisations, providers and the wider disabled community in Waitaha

  • Connect with other Regional Leadership Groups across New Zealand to lead change 

  • Meet and communicate with Ministers, officials and other leaders to advocate for change 

  • Make Submissions

How we led change in 2024

listen_edited.png
empower_edited.png
amplify_edited_edited.png
LISTEN

Listen to and strengthen the voice of our community

EMPOWER

Empower choice and control to live a good life

AMPLIFY

Amplify the voices of our community and advocate for change

  • Monthly meetings for disabled people
     

  • Regular community meetings with whānau of disabled people
     

  • Facebook page for disabled people 
     

  • Facebook page for whānau of disabled people 
     

  • Hosted Strengthening Our Voices Hui - creating a collaborative space for people to discuss and better understand the changes to disability supports services and health system (20 participants)

  • Partnered with DPA and Aspire Canterbury to host Auckland Disability Law running free information sessions on disability law
     

  • Had a stand at Next Steps Expo (500 visitors)
     

  • Regular newsletters to our disabled and whānau database (sign up at http://eepurl.com/i0dx3w )

  • Hosted an Equitable Health Hui where other disability leaders, including DPO’s and service providers. Outcome is inclusion of accessible information and improved staff training included in Te Whatu Ora Work Plan 

​

Regular collaboration with: 

  • Disability Leadership Canterbury 

  • NEGL and other Regional Leadership Groups 

  • Disability Steering Group/Te Whatu Ora  

  • Disabled Persons Assembly NZ 

  • Auckland Disability Law 

  • Great Scott Communications 

  • Aspire Canterbury  

  • EGL Christchurch 

  • Access  

​

Regular external communication with Ministers and other officials both locally and nationally 

  • Executive Team Whaikaha 

  • DSS Taskforce members 

  • NEGL and other Regional Leadership Groups 

  • Health New Zealand – Southern 

  • Minister Simmons 

  • Minister Upston 

bottom of page