Finding Common Ground
Building disability leadership for collective impact
We're creating a Declaration of Disabled People’s Rights in Aotearoa New Zealand!
Want to be part of this? Sign up below!
Yes, I'm in!On this page
About the Finding Common Ground initiative
We are a group of organisations and people working together, including Disabled Persons Assembly NZ (DPA), National Enabling Good Lives (NEGL) and Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa (TAMA).
Together, we are building a shared declaration of disabled people’s rights — grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, UNCRPD and Enabling Good Lives — to shape change ahead of the 2026 General Election and beyond.
This is an initiative led by tāngata whaikaha Māori, Deaf and disabled people.
Join us to share your vision for disability rights in Aotearoa New Zealand.
We are grateful to receive funding for this important mahi from Foundation North and J R McKenzie Trust.
Why this kaupapa matters now
We, as disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori, have long advocated for our rights, dignity and inclusion.
Despite this, too many decision makers continue to exclude or ignore our voices. The 2024 cuts to disability support and roll back of services caused real harm for our communities that we do not want to see repeated.
A strong collective declaration of disability rights in Aotearoa New Zealand will provide a powerful tool for holding decision makers accountable.
Finding Common Ground answers a clear call from the disability communities to:
- strengthen unity across disability and whānau networks
- elevate disabled voices and lived experience
- create a shared platform that influences decision making and public conversations
- assert disability rights in ways that honour Te Tiriti and recognise the diverse communities in Aotearoa.
With this declaration, we aim to amplify existing advocacy within the disability community through shared purpose and strong collaboration.
Meet the steering group
The steering group was set up to guide the kaupapa and secure funding.
It includes representatives from:
- Disabled Persons Assembly (DPA)
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- Kera Sherwood-O'Regan (co-chair)
- Juliana Carvalho
- Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa (TAMA)
- Bernadette Huatau Jones (co-chair)
- Tristram Ingham
- National Enabling Good Lives (NEGL)
- Gordon Jackman
You can contact them via their respective groups.
How you can get involved
We want this declaration to reflect the voices and priorities of disabled people and our wider communities.
The team at Tātou-Tātou (www.tatoutatou.org) is supporting engagement through surveys and focus groups to inform the drafting of the declaration.
Open survey (coming soon)
A short survey will gather high-level ideas and priorities. The survey will be open for completion by disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, whānau, family and carers.
You're also welcome to share the survey widely with your networks.
Online focus groups
Tātou-Tātou will facilitate small online workshops for deeper discussion. These groups are for people who are confident sharing ideas and thinking in detail.
Help us spread the word!
Please share this webpage with your networks and sign up to receive updates.
If you have any questions, please contact the Finding Common Ground team by email: findingcommonground@dpa.org.nz
Yes, I'm in!
Key milestones
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Feb
Finding Common Ground takes shape
Our first Finding Common Ground hui was held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Tāngata whaikaha Māori, Deaf and disabled leaders, parents, whānau and carers came together to connect, share whakaaro, and explore how we could strengthen our collective impact.
- One of the strongest ideas to emerge was a call for a clear, shared declaration of disabled people’s rights in Aotearoa.
- The declaration is intended as a practical tool that the sector can use to push disability rights onto the political agenda in the lead up to the 2026 General Election, and for post election campaigning and advocacy.
There was also a call for a steering group to be set up.
This hui was generously funded by J R McKenzie, Foundation North and Spectrum Foundation.
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Mar
Steering group - guiding kaupapa and securing funding
A steering group has been set up to guide the kaupapa and secure funding.
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Dec
Funding secured
We are grateful to receive funding for this important mahi from:
- Foundation North
- J R McKenzie Trust
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Mar
Drafting the declaration begins
The draft declaration will be developed through surveys, focus groups and engagement that will be:
- shared across our collective networks
- open for your feedback and input
- refined before being finalised.
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May
Disability leaders hui
DPA is hosting a meeting of organisation leaders across the community and disability sector.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
A statement of our rights that we want upheld in law and in practice.
Some examples of declarations are:
Finding Common Ground is for:
- disabled people
- tāngata whaikaha Māori
- whānau / family members and carers
You do not need to be part of an organisation to take part. You do not need to agree with everyone else. People with different experiences, perspectives, and priorities are welcome.
What people share will help shape the content and direction of the Declaration.
Feedback from surveys and discussions will be reviewed and brought together to identify shared themes, priorities, and areas of agreement. This will guide the drafting and finalising of the declaration.
We plan to be open about how input is used as the kaupapa progresses.
You can register your interest to receive updates about Finding Common Ground.
Updates may include:
- opportunities to share feedback
- information about hui or online discussions
- progress updates as the declaration develops
You can choose how and when you stay involved.