Weekly update: 4 April 2025
Kia ora tatou,
Hello to all of us,
For some years now aimee whitcroft has put all the magic gadgetry into this mail out to make it make sense to you and be as accessible as we can. She also designed our refreshed website for maximum accessibility. Today she moves on to other things (aimee put in here what wonderful things you are doing!) It’s my opportunity to say what a dynamic, committed, fun, and extremely knowledgeable person you are and to thank you for your professionalism in the service of the deafblind community. I will miss you so stay in touch because you are a beautiful human being!
[aimee here, as I assemble the newsletter, saying that it's been an absolute honour and privilege, and I'm not leaving you all and our readers and whānau. I'll be around, always - I love you all so much! Tearing over a bit, heh.]
Cheryl, Board Secretary and administrator, we now pass this communication into your hands, knowing you will also give it your all as you have since coming on board with us last November. The show goes on with sparkles!
Well, it’s Local Body Elections again this year. I always get a little indignant that material provided is not in my format for voting. Below is a link for those of us who want to make the change in this respect a real thing! The time is now because this is a change that has needed to come for some years and because the time is always now to make the change. Please see below.
Just in case you skip over the link below I really do want to draw your attention to the fact that we're excited to announce that registrations are now open for the upcoming Kōrero for Change | Employment webinar, hosted by Access Matters Aotearoa Trust, with support from Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People.
An inclusive workforce drives innovation, diversity, and stronger communities. Yet, barriers—whether physical, digital, or attitudinal—continue to exclude talented individuals from contributing their skills. True accessibility isn’t just about meeting compliance standards; it empowers everyone to thrive.
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WBU Global Voice Podcast
If Blindness and Low Vision world wide sparks your interest I have just asked my Alexa to “play WBU Global Voices podcast”. It’s new and I’m have given it a try so over to you!
If Deaf and Hard of Hearing is more in your line of interest then we really welcome anything you might want to send in for distribution to our community.
If Usher Syndrome is one of your identity threads then we are interested in disseminating information about that too and learning ourselves!
Ngā mihi mahana,
Warm regards,
Amanda
In this week's newsletter
Auckland: information around the 2025 local elections, standing as candidate and voting
Putting Patients First: Modernising health workforce regulation
Registrations open for Kōrero for Change employment webinar
Registrations are now open for the upcoming Kōrero for Change employment webinar, from Access Matters Aotearoa Trust and with support from Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People.
9 April 2025, 9am to 12pm, online via Zoom.
Find out more, and register for the webinar (Zoom)
Auckland: information around the 2025 local elections, standing as candidate and voting
From the Auckland Council Disability Advisory Panel.
In the next few months, we will be raising awareness for the 2025 local elections, providing local elections civic education through our community partners programme (organisations that work with us on a regular basis), and we are also expanding our reach to various interested community groups/service providers via the Electoral Commission network. We will also be working with Partners to actively engage with their diverse communities to encourage standing as a candidate and voting.
We will be holding candidate information sessions, for anyone interested in standing for elections. The first event will be a FREE webinar: Become a candidate in Auckland's Local Elections 2025.
Candidate information sessions (Vote Auckland)
As part of the programme, we have created eight short, animated videos, which are being translated into 7 languages including NZSL.
- Why be a candidate (YouTube)
- How to be a candidate (YouTube)
- What would I do if elected (YouTube)
- Why do we have a council (YouTube)
- What are the Auckland local elections (YouTube)
- Why vote in Auckland elections (YouTube)
- Enrolling to vote (YouTube)
- How to vote (YouTube)
For more information you can visit voteauckland.co.nz. The website is regularly updated and more customer-friendly upgrades are coming up.
Electoral Reform Working Group to review how local elections are held: inclusion of disability related access in submission opportunity
From the Auckland Council Disability Advisory Panel.
Important submission opportunity below for individuals and organisations. Disability access-related aspects are being picked up on such as proposing to extend the Electoral Access Fund for disabled persons to include local government elections, and methods of voting. Some of what’s being proposed, needs strengthening and doesn’t go far enough; here is our opportunity. There has been a proposal to extend dictation voting to local government voting. In some council areas there is already the opportunity for staff to assist those who’re unable to vote via the print / hard copy form, in case people are not okay with family and friends doing so, and hopefully this is already the case in other regions.
The timeframe is short though.
At Auckland Council level we’re having an Elections working group which includes our Disability Advisory Panel representatives, so, some of us hear directly from the Electoral Commission already, and we're hoping this is the case at other levels.
See details below, which includes a summary of the 5 main topics up for possible legislative changes.
Electoral Reform Working Group to review how local elections are held
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ, and advocacy organisation for local government sector) has set up an Electoral Reform Working Group to review how local elections are held, with the objective to help increase participation in local elections. The working group have identified five key themes for improvement and proposed recommendations in a draft paper released in March. The paper is open for consultation until 28 April. Links to paper and submission forms, if you are interested in making a personal submission, follow for your information.
- Draft positions paper, including recommendations for consultation (PDF 664 KB)
- Online submission form (SurveyMonkey)
- Paper feedback form (PDF 257 KB)
An LGNZ final recommendations paper will be released in July.
Electoral Reform Working Group set up by LGNZ
Focus: advocacy work to strengthen local government’s democratic mandate and increase participation in local elections through 5 key issues.
- How well the public understands local government and why it matters
- Understanding the candidates and their policies
- Voting methods
- How elections are run and promoted
- The possibility of moving to four-year terms.
1. Timeline
- Issues paper Oct 2024
- Sets out 5 key issues for consideration in local electoral reform
- Includes possible options for the future and open questions for submissions
- Consultation open till Jan 2025.
- Draft position paper March 2025
- Outlines draft positions of working group across key issues
- Focus on effecting change – factors that can be influenced and gain buy-in across the sector
- Includes summary of feedback received on issues paper and draft recommendations
- Open for consultation till 28 April.
- Position paper July 2025
- Will be launched at LGNZ conference in July
Will include feedback received on draft positions paper and final recommendations for Local electoral reform, including legislative changes.
2. Key recommendations
- 1 - How well the public understands local government and why it matters
- Add responsibility in LGA for Secretary for LG to support public understanding of Local government and its impact on people’s lives; councils engaging with schools
- Mandate for councils to engage with schools to educate on local government and opportunities for youth to participate
- LGNZ, Minister of Local Government, DIA and councils should create an annual Local Government Week where councils showcase what they do, where their investment goes, and why local government matters.
3. Key recommendations
- 2 - Understanding the candidates and their policies
- Add requirement in Local Electoral Act for a website that provide info about candidates:
- 150-word biography (as per the current candidate booklet);
- answers to standard questions on policy views and priorities - these questions could be set by a neutral body such as the Electoral Commission or in primary legislation;
- a short video statement.
- Stronger mandate for Councils to lead ‘meet the candidate’ events, either directly running them or funding politically neutral organisations to do so
- Extend the Election Access Fund to candidates for local elections to address barriers faced by disabled people who want to stand.
- Add requirement in Local Electoral Act for a website that provide info about candidates:
4. Key recommendations
- 3 - Voting methods
- Move to booth voting for all local elections - similar to parliamentary elections - preferably by the 2028 local elections or the 2031 local elections at the latest
- Until then, councils should continue to expand availability of alternative vote drop-off points such as boxes at supermarkets, and government should be encouraged to contribute to this financially.
- If still postal voting in 2028, Local Electoral Act should be amended to enable overseas voters to use the electronic voting (same as central government elections).
5. Key recommendations
- 4 - How elections are run and promoted
- Amend Electoral Act and Local Electoral Act to put the Electoral Commission in charge of administering and promoting local elections.
- The Electoral Commission to be required to engage with councils on the running of local elections
- Local elections should utilise the same branding as central government elections, i.e. the ‘orange man’
- Funding for the Electoral Commission’s new role should be covered in part by central government and in part by imposing a levy on councils, to be set by Cabinet via secondary legislation and require consultation with local government.
- Amend Electoral Act and Local Electoral Act to put the Electoral Commission in charge of administering and promoting local elections.
Key recommendations
- 5 - The possibility of moving to four-year terms
- Local and central government should move to a four-year term with elections spaced two years apart.
- Amend Local Electoral Act so that the fixed election day avoids school holidays
- Amend local government legislation to align key planning, accountability, and representation processes to a four-year cycle, e.g. Long-term Plan, Regional Land Transport Plans, Regional Public Transport Plans, and Representation Reviews.
Putting Patients First: Modernising health workforce regulation
From Te Tāhū Health Quality & Safety Commission.
Have your say on improving health workforce regulation.
The Government is reviewing health workforce regulation to help make sure all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare.
Consumers of health services are invited to have their say in helping to improve health workforce regulation.
The workforce is our health system’s greatest asset and plays a vital role in improving the health outcomes of New Zealanders. However, New Zealand faces challenges with shortages across a range of professions, and growing demand from an ageing population with more complex needs.
To meet our future needs, we need to look at ways of doing things differently. Better regulation that is responsive, puts patients first, and maximises the potential of our health workforce can help us to address these challenges.
As part of the review, a discussion document has been developed which outlines how workforce regulation could be improved and what this would mean for patients.
You can read the discussion document and one-page summary on the Ministry of Health website.
[Putting Patients First: Modernising health workforce regulation (Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora)(https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/putting-patients-first-modernising-health-workforce-regulation)
The Government wants to hear your views on:
- Patient-centred regulation: Faster wait times, better outcomes, and a system that truly puts patients first.
- Streamlined regulation: Using resources and administering the rules in the most cost-effective way possible, ensuring value for money for taxpayers and better outcomes for patients.
- Right-sized regulation: The level of regulation should depend on the level of risk to public safety involved.
- Future-proofed regulation: Modernised and adaptive regulation that ensures patients receive the care they need while supporting the workforce to respond to the needs of all New Zealanders.
Making your submission
The consultation is open until 11.59pm Wednesday 30 April 2025. Please make your submission using the online submission form.
Putting Patients First: Modernising health workforce regulation (Ministry of Health - Manatū Haorua)
If you have any questions, please contact workforceregulation@health.govt.nz.
National Federation of the Blind online training
From the BlindDiscuss mailing list.
Experts at the Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Accessibility offer training events to share best practices in web accessibility and access technology. Below is a list of the events by date. We host conferences, seminars, and accessibility boutiques.Maryland Department of Disabilities Logo
Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Accessibility
Accessibility Boutiques and CENA seminars are offered by the National Federation of the Blind thanks to the support of state of Maryland through the Nonvisual Accessibility Initiative grant administered by the Maryland Department of Disabilities.
Online Meeting Platform Seminar
April 16, 2025, from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. eastern via Zoom.
These days, almost every business uses online meeting platforms daily. Platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams have gone through many stages of accessibility, come learn about the updates and new features that this software offers. We will cover:
- Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams
- The accessibility of each platform
- Changes and software updates
Register for the online meeting platform seminar (Zoom)
Events, trainings, and accessibility boutiques (National Federation of the Blind)
Kōtuinga Kiritaki Consumer Network EOI
From Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission.
The EOI for the two vacancies has been drafted to align with the EOIs for Te Kāhui Mahi Ngātahi and Ngā Reo Māhuri and is consistent with previous EOIs.
If you have any feedback, please call DJ or me.
All three EOIs will go live on Friday 4 April and be promoted in the April CHFA newsletter, also on 4 April.
Job opportunity: financial administrator
From People First NZ.
People for Us is a peer-monitoring service led by disabled people. They are looking for a Financial Administrator to join the team in Wellington. This role (up to 30 hours per week) involves managing budgets, financial planning, payroll and compliance. They encourage applications from disabled people or those with strong connections to the disability community.
Apply by 8 April 2025.
For the job description and alternate formats, visit the link below, or contact Melissa Van Tongeren at melissavantongeren@peoplefirst.org.nz.
Job ad: People for Us financial administrator (People First NZ)
Affordable low vision device leasing options
Pacific Vision is offering affordable lease options for low vision devices - find out more below.
Lease programme (Pacific Vision)
New events
Auckland audio described Bluey's Big Play
From Audio Described Aotearoa.
Spark Arena, Auckland.
So far there have been no bookings for the audio description for this event. If you know of people who want to take their children along please can you ask them to book this week as the company has brought the deadline forward to 4 April for bookings and otherwise they will cancel the AD.
For the first time ever, hit theatre show Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show will visit Aotearoa following a global tour across Australia, UK, Ireland, Singapore, Spain, Abu Dhabi and North America. Audiences of all ages will get to see Bluey, her younger sister Bingo and Mum & Dad embark on their first live theatre show, featuring brilliantly created puppets, live actors, and iconic sets. Based on an original new story written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, the theatrical adaptation contains music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush.
- When: Sunday, 27 April, 10am audio described show.
- Where: Spark Arena, 42/80 Mahuhu Crescent, Parnell, Auckland 1010.
- Run time: 50 minutes, no interval.
- Tickets: Discounted tickets at $35.95 + booking fees are available until Friday 4 April.
To book: call Ticketmaster on 09 970 9700 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or you can email groups.newzealand@ticketmaster.co.nz.
When booking, provide the code "AD Bluey" and ensure you communicate any special requirements you may have.
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Hamilton audio described Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra
From Audio Described Aotearoa.
Star-crossed Lovers: Force of Destiny "May the force/fourth be with you".
Musical fairy tales, romance, inter-galactic battles and so much more!
Featuring Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra in a concert for all the family to enjoy. Experience New Zealand's favourite classical saxophonist Simon Brew in the starring roles of conductor and soloist, plus beautiful solos from concertmaster Tony Hong-Che Wu and the joint winner of University of Waikato's 2024 Concerto Competition, Sitiveni Palei on trumpet. With well-known orchestral music spanning the centuries, the 2024 Arts Foundation NZ Te Tumu Toi Laureate - Claire Cowan's Orchestral Suite from "Hansel and Gretel" and as the "May the 4th" finale - ever-popular Star Wars themes.
Conductor: Simon Brew.
Soloists: Simon Brew - Saxophone, Tony Hong-Che Wu - Violin, Sitiveni Palei - Trumpet (University of Waikato 2024 Concerto Competition joint winner).
Programme
- Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet, No 13 Dance of the Knights "Montagues and Capulets".
- Georges Bizet, Chanson du Toreador from "Carmen Suite no 2 for trumpet".
- Beethoven, Romance no 2 for Violin.
- Verdi, Force of Destiny.
- Interval.
- Alexander Glazunov, Concerto in E flat major for alto saxophone and string orchestra, Op. 109.
- Claire Cowan, Hansel and Gretel Suite Selection.
- John Williams, Yoda's Theme and Imperial March from Star Wars Suite.
Location, dates and tickets
- When: Sunday, 4 May, 1:30pm touch tour, 2:30pm audio described show.
- Where: Concert Chamber, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Gate 1, University of Waikato, Knighton Road, Hamilton 3216.
- Run time: 1 hour, 35 minutes, including a 20 minute interval.
- Tickets: Adult $32, Senior $27, Student with ID $5, Child under 18 years free.
A free companion ticket is available for blind and low vision patrons.
To book: please contact Catherine Polglase at Orchestra's Central Trust by calling 021 129 7346 or emailing artistic@orchestras.org.nz.
Catherine will reserve tickets on your behalf which can be paid for on the day of the performance when collecting your tickets from the box office.
Event reminders
Remember to check out new documentary series Sight Unseen, from Able and NZ On Air, which talks with vision-impaired people around Aotearoa New Zealand. Audio descriptions accompany each of its 5 episodes - there are around 180,000 New Zealanders who are vision impaired.
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Check out our calendar of events for reminders of all the other events coming up, and updated dates for our regional peer-to-peer gatherings.
Calendar / events (Deafblind Association NZ)
Other newsletters
Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA) Information Exchange: 4 April 2025
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The D*List
The D*List website is an online culture magazine that creates space for disabled people to tell their own stories through features, columns and news reporting. This week, they ask "Don't throw us under the bus", plus breaking free of neurotypical validation.
Link to weekly update below.
The D*List Delivered (Substack)
Following is a link to have a browse of The D*List website or sign up to receive their weekly newsletter.
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Be Seen be Heard be Connected weekly update, and mailing list
You can find our weekly Seen Be Heard Be Connected updates (ie our newsletter) on our website, at the following link.
Our weekly updates (Deafblind Association New Zealand)
You can also sign up for our weekly newsletter, and / or our mailing list DBANZ Discuss, at the links below. Please feel free to spread the word 😊
Feedback request and other reminders
Students seeking your feedback about audio description and AI
A team of students have trained an AI model to automate parts of the audio description process for films. They know most synthetic audio description falls short - flat narration, awkward timing - so they’ve focused on making their TTS sound less robotic. It’s still rough, but they're improving it weekly. They're now looking for people to test it and provide feedback, which you can do using the forms and short film clip below. They’ll use the feedback to refine the tool, and will publish updates openly.
- Link to the first form - please fill out before watching
- 300 movie clip (YouTube)
- Link to the final form - please fill out after watching
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"Improving the sustainability of Disability Support Services" paper - alternate formats available
Alternate formats for the Cabinet paper on 'Improving the sustainability of Disability Support Services' are now available on the MSD website.
Improving the sustainability of Disability Support Services (MSD)
This paper contains Cabinet decisions for next steps to improve the sustainability of Disability Support Services. It follows the recommendations from the Independent Review of Disability Support Services.
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The Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 - alternate formats, and have your say
Phase Two of the Inquiry primary focus is reviewing key decisions made by the New Zealand Government in response to COVID-19 during 2021 and 2022, about vaccines, lockdowns, testing and tracing technologies, and public health materials (eg masks).
The audio can also be found on TellMe under option 522.
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Nominations are still open for the World Blind Union scholarships!
Find out more about the 3 scholarships and 2 funds (World Blind Union)
You can also check out open nominations and available roles in our 21 Feb update.
21 February 2025 weekly update
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Survey about online safety for young disabled people
All is for All would like to invite you, you whānau, and support workers (if applicable) to participate in a survey about your experiences navigating online and social media spaces and to learn about the types of training and learning opportunities you would like to see delivered to support young disabled people and their support networks with learning about online and social media safety.
Find out more in our 21 February 2025 weekly update
The survey is short and should only take 10 minutes to complete. We value your input and perspective, and your participation in the survey would be greatly appreciated.
Online safety and social media survey (All is for All)
If you have any questions or feedback about the survey, please do not hesitate to contact Natalie Robinson by emailing natalie@allisforall.com.
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Research about the education and employment of deafblind people in low / middle-resource countries
Deafblind International’s Global Research Initiative coincides with a research project on the education and employment of individuals living with deafblindness around the world.
The Université de Montréal are currently looking for persons living with early-onset deafblindness (while being a child or youth) to participate in interviews about their experience growing up deafblind. The goal of the project is to tell the stories of persons living with deafblindness, and to learn from the experiences, so we can do better.
Find out more in our 21 February 2025 weekly update
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National Housing Survey
The Urban Advisory longitudinal study so there is no foreseeable closing date. The survey asks how people make their housing choices and what they want to see happen with housing in the future, with the intention of helping New Zealand better respond to housing needs and demand.
Completed surveys are eligible for entry into a quarterly prize draw to win a $200 Prezzy Card. It is an online survey through Qualtrics and is expected to take less than 30 minutes to complete.
The website link below includes frequently asked questions, an info pack and a contact email address.
New Zealand's Housing Survey (The Urban Advisory)
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Public library use and accessibility
Blind Low Vision NZ Client Training and Engagement Senior Advisor Tom Smith asks: "Is there anybody willing to be interviewed about their use of public library services and accessibility?"
Email Tom for details, at tsmith@blindlowvision.org.nz.
Ongoing events
No Labels on Wellington Access Radio
You can listen the show on Wellington Access Radio on Tuesday just after 1pm, or the following Tuesday at the same time. If you miss the scheduled show, you can check it out later online at the link below.
No Labels (Wellington Access Radio)
Or you can subscribe to the show via your preferred podcast player to check out this episode or previous episodes of the show.
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Blind Spot, Radio Southland
Monthly show hosted by Carolyn Weston
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Disability Disrupters podcast
From Disability Responsiveness NZ, the podcast features news, views and interviews with disabled people from around the world.
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Entertainment with Able
Able is a not-for-profit organisation working towards a more inclusive Aotearoa, believing everyone should be able to access news, entertainment and culture. Funded by NZ On Air, theyre Aotearoas leading provider of media access services, including captioning services, subtitling and audio description.
Listings are available at the following browser links.
A link to Able's website to subscribe to the weekly newsletter with listings and picks of the week follows.
Deafblind Association NZ access to TellMe
See TellMe numbers for your area
End of report and this weeks update.
Amanda Stevens
Executive Officer
Taringa Turi Kāpō Rōpū Deafblind Association New Zealand