Make it Easy Kia Māmā Mai

02/06/2026

We’re inviting disabled people and their whānau and support persons to have their say on our proposal to make sure basic cash services are available for everyone to access.

Alternate formats are now available to help you access information about the proposal and survey questions in a way that best meets your needs.

Information is available in:
• Easy Read
• Large Print
• Audio
• Braille
• New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL).

We want to make sure the proposal works for everyone, so it’s important we hear from you. Public consultation is open until 31 July 2026. Find the alternate formats here: https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/money-and-cash/access-to-cash/information-in-alternate-formats

01/06/2026

The Government has introduced a Disability Suppport Services Bill to Parliament.

There is new a Easy Read from the Ministry of Social Development NZ about the Disability Support Services Bill called:
Factsheet: Government introduces the Disability Support Services Bill.

This Easy Read will tell you things like:
- What Disability Support Services is
- What the Disability Support Services Bill will do
- What this means for disabled people right now
- How to have your say about the Disability Support Services Bill.

If you want to tell the government what you think about the new Disability Support Services Bill you will need to do so before Friday 12 June 2026.

You can find this Easy Read factsheet and other alternate formats at https://www.disabilitysupport.govt.nz/improving-dss/dss-bill/factsheet

15/05/2026

Today is Pink Shirt Day!

Pink Shirt Day is about reducing bullying, celebrating diversity and creating supporting, inclusive and welcoming communities.

A couple of years ago, our Make it Easy service translated information about Pink Shirt Day into Easy Read for the NZ Mental Health Foundation.

On the Pink Shirt Day website there is Easy Read on:
• What Pink Shirt Day is and how to take part
• What is bullying?

Our Make it Easy team also celebrated Pink Shirt Day by wearing Pink to our fortnightly translator meeting! Check out the awesome photo of our team below!

Find PinkShirt Day Easy Read at: https://pinkshirtday.org.nz/resources?keyword=easy+read&whanau=

14/05/2026

Pink Shirt Day Aotearoa is tomorrow! Pink Shirt day is all about standing up to stop bullying.

Grab your Easy Read about Pink Shirt Day from https://bit.ly/42ySEcx

We have Easy Read on:
What is bullying / what to do if you are being bullied
What Shirt Day is and how to take part.

Wear Pink and Stand Up, Stand Together and Stop bullying!

11/05/2026

Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission considers Emergency Management Bill No. 2 as an opportunity to ground Aotearoa's emergency management system in disability rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi perspectives in advocating for a fair and just emergency management system.

This page provides the Commission's full submission and summary from March 2026 with alternate formats:

accessible and inclusive emergency management systems are needed for Aotearoa

08/05/2026

For many disabled people, a vehicle is an important part of daily life.

It helps with things like getting to appointments, picking up groceries or medication, and staying connected with others.

Access to fuel matters for disabled people’s independence and wellbeing.

We’ve added a new page to our website that brings together Government fuel information in alternate formats. This includes in-work tax credit increases, fuel saving tips, and mileage rate increases for home and community support workers.

We’ll update the page as new information becomes available. You can find the link in the comments 🔗

Image description: a close-up of a hand holding a green fuel pump nozzle at a service station. The nozzle is resting in the pump holder, with black hoses running vertically beside it. A yellow fuel nozzle is in the background.

20/04/2026

Because of the heavy rain and flooding, the Wellington Region is now in a State of Emergency.

What you should do now:
• Move away from low areas where flooding can happen
• Stay off the roads unless you really need to leave
• Listen to emergency services and do what they say
• Stay at home if it is safe
• Keep away from floodwater and damaged places - floodwater can hide lots of things that can hurt you
• Do not walk drive or swim in floodwater
• Go to higher ground if the water starts getting higher
• Leave if you feel unsafe. do not wait to be told to do so
• Get ready for power cuts by charging any devices and making sure you have torches and spare batteries
• Check on neighbours, whānau and anyone who needs help

If you need help:
• Call 04 499 4444 for welfare support

You can find Easy Read information about floods and emergencies here:
https://lnkd.in/g3_H4nDN

Please stay safe in the Wellington Region.

09/04/2026

Cyclone Vaianu could bring some tough weather for NZ this week.

MetService New Zealand has a strong wind and heavy rain watches in place for the whole North Island. This means there will likely be a lot of wind and rain and it could get worse.

NZ Civil Defence / NEMA has Easy Read to support you to get ready for the bad weather and for emergencies on their Easy Read website at https://er.getready.govt.nz/

You can find Easy Read about how to get ready for a storm at https://er.getready.govt.nz/emergency/storms

It is important to make sure you can leave where you live quickly if it becomes unsafe to stay. This is a good time to check you have an emergency kit and grab bag.

You can find an Easy Read about what things you should have to be ready for an emergency at https://er.getready.govt.nz/prepared/supplies

Warnings Update - TROPICAL CYCLONE VAIANU ❗ 🌀

⚠️ 🟡 Strong Wind Watches for the North Island (Sat – Mon) 💨
⚠️ 🟡 Heavy Rain Watches for the North Island (Sat – Sun) 🌧️

As clarity in the forecast increases, it is highly likely that Severe Weather Warnings for both severe gales and heavy rain will be issued for regions expecting the worst of the weather. 🟠 🔴

More warning info: metservice.com/warnings

NZ Civil Defence

26/03/2026

Disability Support Services has shared Easy Read information about changes to flexible funding from 1 April 2026.

The March / April 2026 fact sheet explains changes to Individualised Funding, Carer Support, and some Enabling Good Lives budgets.

These changes may affect how you use your funding.

You can find the Easy Read and other formats on the Disability Support Services website at https://bit.ly/4lRsZo4

05/03/2026

Whaikaha, in collaboration with Creative HQ, is piloting Access Activator to find, fund and grow accessibility solutions from across New Zealand.