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Disability support providers are calling on the Government to show the same support for disability workers as it does to landlords, says Disability Support Network CEO Peter Reynolds. “The pay equity settlement for care and support workers has been frozen for months, with the Government saying it can’t afford to fund it. So, imagine our …

Welcome to the Graduate Diploma in Disability Sector Leadership Scholarship in partnership with the Open Polytechnic NZDSN and the Open Polytechnic have partnered to offer up to 50 fully-subsidised, scholarship places in this programme. To take advantage of this is simple.  You need to first enquire with the Open Polytechnic to confirm you meet the …

NZDSN secured a contract to provide free health and safety training for a limited number of disability support service providers. Why Health and Safety?  There are obligations on Board members and CEOs under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSAW Act).  These obligations sit on top of the obligations to provide a quality support …

Comment by Peter Reynolds, CEO New Zealand Disability Support Network “The government’s below-inflation minimum wage increase will make life harder for disability care and support workers, for disability support providers to recruit staff and ultimately the disabled Kiwis they care for,” said New Zealand Disability Support Network CEO Peter Reynolds. Disability support providers deliver much-needed support to hundreds of …

The disability sector had hoped to see a commitment from the Government to fund pay equity for care and support workers in today’s Mini Budget, but has been left empty-handed, says New Zealand Disability Support Network CEO Peter Reynolds. “The 65,000 Kiwi care and support workers deserve fair pay for the help they give to …

New Zealand Disability Service Network media release 20 December 2023 New data shows disability service providers are struggling to meet demands for their services, and over a third are operating at a loss, meaning there are no guarantees for disabled New Zealanders seeking support. A December New Zealand Disability Service Network member survey showed: Alarmingly, …

 Jonathan Mosen (NZDSN Chair), Fletcher Tabuteau (Capital GR) and Peter Reynolds met with Minister Simmonds for 15 minutes Tuesday morning.  Also attending was Amanda Bleckmann from Whaikaha. We didn’t go through the BiM in detail, although noted the Minister had been through our document, made notes and had a number of questions. We commented that …

Otago Daily Times: The worry of wage expectations under a new government 18th December 2023 To date, there have been no Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) claims in the disability sector. Their removal was predictable, as it was well-signalled ahead of the election. The repealing of the FPA legislation and suspension of any funding towards FPA …

The new National-led coalition has announced its Cabinet and portfolio line-up.  Hon Penny Simmonds has been appointed Minister of Disability Issues.  Unfortunately, this appointment is outside Cabinet – not a good endorsement for the disability sector.  Read the following media statement from our CEO and the interview on Morning Report. …

By Peter Reynolds, New Zealand Disability Support Network CEO  11 December 2023 I’m holding my breath – hoping for better Accessibility legislation that delivers world class support for all disabled New Zealanders. There’s work to do before we get there. Earlier this year, the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill was crafted and sent to Select …