What we know about the changes to disability funding
Plus: Hei te tau tītoki to our kaimahi Pelenakeke as she travels to NYC, and plenty of news and events to get you through the weekend
Auē, what a week! It’s been a particularly big one for our team, as we say haere rā to one of our kaimahi Pelenakeke Brown, who is off to New York City. Pelenakeke has been supporting the development of our events and activations for 2024, and one of the creative minds behind Deepen*1. We will deeply miss the āhurutanga that she offers in her presence, and know she will be doing even more amazing things as she continues her artistic practice in the USA.
And while we wait for new updates every day, how are you feeling about the sudden and confusing changes to Ministry of Health funding announced by the government? We were feeling pretty confused ourselves, so we’ve tried to make sense of what we know so far: what’s happening, why it matters, who said what, and what each of us can do to influence change. Read the explainer on our website, or join the discussion on Instagram or Facebook.
D*List editor Olivia Shivas has landed in Pōneke this week attending the 2024 Wheelchair Rugby Paralympic Qualification Tournament so the team are holding fort with this newsletter edition. If you’re heading along and spot Olivia be sure to say go over and say hi! All games will be live-streamed on Youtube and on Sky Sport Select / Sky Open. Those in Pōneke wanting to watch in person you can find out more information regarding tickets and schedules here. NB: Tickets are available in person at the venue (NZCIS) only, with a limit of 300 people on a “first come” basis. Disabled people can attend free. Accessible parking is available at NZCIS (Use Gate 1).
We really enjoyed the new campaign released this week for World Down Syndrome Day 2024 #AssumeThatICan. “If we have positive assumptions about people with Down Syndrome, we’ll give them more opportunities. And maybe these positive assumptions will become reality.” You can watch the video here.
D*List contributor Etta Bollinger has written a compelling piece for RNZ on Why we can’t let the disability support changes happen. “For disabled people and whānau, the infrastructure of our everyday lives is being thrown into turmoil by a minister working in our names and a ministry we fought to establish.”
It was interesting to see that the role and function of disability host agencies will be considered as part of a disability support funding review.
🖥️ Exploring our current theme of technology and digital living, D*List contributing writer Chris Ford asks: Technology is better than it’s ever been, so why are we going back to the office? Chris challenges this trend sharing his own work-from-home experiences, pros, cons, and workspace setup. As a hybrid team ourselves, we’d love to hear more about your workspace setup and any technology hacks you may use to get through the work day when working from home. You can either reply to this email directly or send one to kiaora@thedlist.co.nz.
🇼🇸 As mentioned in a couple of newsletters back, award-winning artist Lusi Faiva is performing her autobiographical show AIGA, at the very accessible Te Pou Theatre until Sunday as part of Auckland Arts Festival. A couple of the team were lucky enough to be at the opening to witness it, and you can read Olivia’s experience of the show here. Be sure to get your tickets before they’re gone!
🥊 Ryze Fitness Adaptive Boxing Experience - A tagata sa’ilimalo-led initiative, creating a pathway to sporting excellence for tagata sa’ilimalo to pursue their aspirations in a contact sport. This is an accessible, ticketed event held on the evening of Saturday 23rd March. Featuring adaptive exhibition bouts, entertainment and other opportunities throughout the evening. Tickets are available here or you can contact AJ on 02108431757 for further information.
📃 Petition to reverse funding changes - Sam Whitford, a parent of an autistic child, has created a petition on change.org “to reevaluate the recent changes to Whaikaha Purchasing Guidelines for Individualised Funding” which at the time of publishing this article has over 22,000 signatures.
✅ The Disabled Person’s Assembly (DPA) wants to know how these recent disability funding changes will affect you. They will be talking with Whaikaha, and want to advocate on behalf of people affected. If you’d like to share your thoughts and experiences, you can do so by filling out their survey.
✊ If you want to join others mobilising against the government's disability funding changes, a protest is being held this Saturday 23 March 11am–12 noon, outside the office of Christopher Luxon MP, at 122 Millhouse Drive, Northpark, Auckland. This protest has been called to let the government know that disabled people and our whānau feel betrayed by the changes they have made to disability funding. NZSL interpreter available. Contact Nicola on 0210358513 for more information.
And that’s a wrap! We understand these are pressing times for many so kia kaha whānau mā and we leave you with this whakatauki…
“Ki te kotahi te kākaho, ka whati; ki te kāpuia, e kore e whati”
“When we stand alone we are vulnerable, but together we are unbreakable”
- The D*List Team ✴️
The other creative mind being the also recently departed now travelling overseas Beth Awatere!