Disability community protest funding halt outside minister’s office
By Louisa Steyl
The Southland Times March 28, 2024, • 02:20pm
Mike Peters explains why Disabled United are protesting
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https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350229398/disability-community-protest-funding-halt-outside-ministers-office
Disabled United organiser Mike Peters is urging Kiwis around the country to mobilise in protest of changes to funding that give many living with disabilities their freedom. VIDEO CREDIT: KAVINDA HERATH / STUFF
Members of Southland’s disability community say they will continue protesting until a pause on funding is reversed.
The group is urging people with disabilities to mobilise around the country.
People with disabilities want to be consulted on decisions that impact them.
“I’ve lost my sight, what else are you going to take from me?”
“Not here for a pedicure.”
“We shouldn’t be penniless but Penny-less.”
The message from those gathered outside Disabilities Minister Penny Simmonds’ Invercargill office on Thursday was clear: they were there to fight for their rights.
Around 30 members of Southland’s disability community picketed outside the minister’s electorate office protesting a pause on disability funding that’s essentially left them without the tools that give them independence.
Last week, Whaikaha, the Ministry of Disabled People, announced on Facebook that it was pausing individualised funding while it made changes to its purchasing rules and equipment modifications services.
The announcement came without warning, “blindsiding” many.
This individualised funding gives people with disabilities a set budget to pay for the things or services they need to live independently – recognising that this looks different for every person.
Members of Southland's disability community picketed outside Disabilities Minister Penny Simmonds’ office, vowing there would be more to come.
KAVINDA HERATH / SOUTHLAND TIMES
But Disabled United organiser Mike Peters said it was the coalition government’s error to fix.
“We need to focus on getting the cuts reversed, ” he said.
Carol Fearon was among the protesters who gathered outside Penny Simmonds’ office to speak out against funding changes
KAVINDA HERATH / SOUTHLAND TIMES
Speaking to the protesters, Peters said Disabled United was ready for a long fight and would not give up.
“Sometimes you start off small, but you keep going,” he said.
"We need to mobilise up and down the country. We will change this. We will win.”
Peters urged leaders to come forward, saying Thursday’s protest would be the first of many.
“We need to be doing this in Winton, and Gore, and Tuatapere,” he said.
“Disabled people live everywhere. Town and country.”
If changes to funding were needed, the Government should be discussing them with all members of the disabled community, Peters said, adding that those impacted by decisions should be involved in making them.
Green Party co-convenor for Invercargill and Southland Gordon McKewen read a statement on behalf of Green Party spokesperson for disability issues Kahurangi Carter.
“These budget cuts, implemented without consultation or consideration for those directly impacted, reveal a callous disregard for the well-being and autonomy of disabled individuals and our families,” Carter said.
Cabinet has approved some additional funding to the ministry until the end of the financial year, but Simmonds said this wasn’t enough to reverse cuts.
“Even with the additional funding, there is still a real risk of them running out of funding,” she said.