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4 | InTouch AUTUMN 2025 NEWS ROUNDUP DPO Key Messages: Nov – Dec 2024 Disability Rights Commissioner The DPO Coalition met with the Prudence Walker Disability Rights Commissioner and Frances Anderson Principal Advisor Human Rights Commission. The Disability Rights Commissioner shared information about her time at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), about the disability issues raised and the opportunity to meet with other Disability Rights Commissioner from around the world. We discussed the upcoming Conference of State Parties meeting in New York, June 2025 and received an update from her regarding the Human Rights Commission’s strategic and business plans. The Coalition look forward to engaging with the Disability Rights Commissioner and her fellow Commissioners in 2025. Health and Disability Commissioner The Coalition met with Rose Wall Deputy Commissioner Disability, and Esther Woodbury Principal Advisor, Disability from the Health and Disability Commission. We discussed the process undertaken for the review of the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994, and the Code of Rights 1996. The The DPO Coalition meets with a wide range of agencies. The objective of our meetings with officials is always to get improved outcomes for disabled people. South Island Coffee Groups All Coffee Groups are subsidised by grants and donations. Nelson: Pie’s Peanut Butter Cafe. For dates and information, please contact Kevin on 03 544 7586 or Jane 027 205 5586. Blenheim: Revival Cafe. For dates and information please contact Emma 021 246 4983 or Jane 027 205 5586. Rangiora: The last Wednesay of the month at Rangiora RSA at 2.00pm. To RSVP please contact Bruce on 027 449 9794. Papanui: First Saturday of the month Columbus Cafe, Mitre 10 Mega, Harewood Road at 10.00am. To RSVP, please contact Mike on 021193 2287. Eastside - Parklands: Third Monday of the month at the Open Book Cafe, Parklands Library at 10.00am. To RSVP, please contact Helen on 027 432 5305. Riccarton: Second Saturday of the month at Moko Cafe, inside the Bush Inn Mall, Waimairi Road at 10.00am RSVP to Vivienne 022 304 6840. Dunedin: Last Friday of the month Nicholls Garden Cafe, South Dunedin at 2.00pm. To RSVP, please contact Emma on 027 331 7352. report and submissions will be made available on the Health and Disability Commissioner website in due course. The Coalition reiterated our concerns about the provision of disability support services. The Coalition looks forward to continuing to work with the Deputy Commissioner Disability on their upcoming work programme. Maritime New Zealand The Coalition met with Maritime New Zealand to discuss their progress towards improving the design, construction and equipment rules for domestic commercial vessels for disabled people. The Coalition were impressed with the quality of work done by Maritime New Zealand. We look forward to continuing to work with them on this project. I.Lead The Coalition met with a delegation of three people from the National I.Lead Committee. We heard a summary of the disability report cards that they developed. These report cards are available on the I.Lead website ( https://www.ilead. org.nz/report-cards/ ) . The Coalition looks forward to developing our relationship with I.Lead and having regular meeting opportunities. Payments NZ The Coalition had an initial meeting with Payments NZ, the industry body that looks after standards relating to payments in New Zealand. The purpose of the meeting was to establish a relationship and discuss ways of engaging with the disability community going forward. The Coalition is looking forward to the workshop with Payments NZ early in 2025 where payment challenges