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Minister for Disability Issues Tariana Turia welcomed the release today of the recommendations from the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“The Government will take on board the advice from the United Nations Committee and intends to formally respond in early 2015,” says Minister Turia.

There are many reasons why I am so pleased to be with you tonight.

First and foremost it is a great pleasure to have watched the progress of the New Zealand Disability Support Network since I officially launched it four years ago in 2010.

I launched the network having been in the job of Minister of Disability Issues just one short but frenetic year.  

Minister for Disability Issues Tariana Turia welcomed the release of the second report of the Independent Monitoring Mechanism on Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ‘Making disability rights real - Whakatūturu ngā Tika Hauātanga,’ today.

The Minister for Disability Issues says the consultation report on Access to Buildings for People with Disabilities reflects the voice of the disabled community, is responsive to their needs and recognises that for a society to be fully inclusive, then disabled people must be treated as equal participants.

I am so glad to be able to join with you today in celebrating the success of the Disability Action Plan and your commitment to take it further.  

Ever since my valedictory speech last Thursday, I have been even more aware of the significance of certain achievements and experiences I have gathered during my eighteen years in Parliament.   It is absolutely clear to me that the progress that I have watched so keenly in the disability sector has been one of those ‘stand-out’ moments for me of my time here.

Tēnā koutou. Ka mihi au ki te kaupapa o Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori. He taonga motuhake tēnei nō tātau, nō te motu. Kia kaha tātau ki te ako i te kupu o te wiki. Kia ora.

My acknowledgments firstly to:

I am so very pleased to have the opportunity to join you again.  

Thank you, Henare Mason and Ngāti Whatua, for the warmth of your welcome to us all.

I congratulate the Deputy Commissioner Disability, Rose Wall and the Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill for this excellent initiative. From the look of your programme there are some fabulous features of this day ahead.

The Minister for Disability Issues Tariana Turia has congratulated disabled New Zealander Jai Waite on winning the prestigious international Apollo Award for the editing of a documentary about a man with a disability. Jai received the award in Singapore as part of the Broadcast Asia Conference.

The Minister for Disability Issues Tariana Turia has announced that Robert Martin will be New Zealand’s candidate for the election in 2016 for the 2017 – 2020 term of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Minister Turia presented New Zealand’s statement to the Seventh Conference of States Parties on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in New York on 10 June 2014.

The Hon. Tariana Turia will represent New Zealand at the 2014 Global Summit of Women in Paris and at the United Nations on Disability Issues. Minister Turia has left for London this week for a series of meetings and site visits with representatives from Government and the community in areas of housing, inequality and family violence prevention.

The Minister for Disability Issues Tariana Turia has announced the Disability Action Plan 2014-2018 today. The new plan is a collaborative effort between government agencies and representatives from Disabled People’s Organisations (DPO’s).

“I am pleased with this new collaborative approach. The Disability community is taking a leading role in policy, planning and  implementation. Priority actions will now be developed in consultation with them along with government agencies and other disability sector experts,” says Minister Turia.

The establishment of the New Zealand Sign Language Board is underway with Minister for Disability Issues Tariana Turia announcing further details today. The Government has committed $6 million over four years to promote and maintain New Zealand Sign Language in Budget 2014.

Minister for Disability Issues Tariana Turia congratulates Deaf Aotearoa today on the launch of e-book Hairy Maclary during New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The new e-book is a translation of the much-loved story of Hairy Maclary into New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and was developed by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with Deaf Aotearoa. It is the first digital resource of its kind.

Budget 2014 confirms a range of measures to support New Zealanders who live with disabilities, Disabilities Issues Minister Tariana Turia says.

It includes:

“Celebrate - Communicate - Connect is the theme of this year’s New Zealand Sign Language week and I encourage all of us to celebrate this unique way of communicating and connecting with the Deaf community,” says Minister for Disability Issues, Tariana Turia.

Ka nui te mihi rawa atu ki a koutou kua tae mai nei ki te tautoko i te kaupapa o te hunga hauā.  Tēnā koutou.

I am really pleased to be here at this breakfast this year to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day.  

And I want to mihi to all our parliamentary colleagues.  It is so wonderful to see that you have all come today because this is such a significant issue and one that we should be really aware of to understand and to be sure that we progress the issues on behalf of people living with autism.

Minister for Disability Issues Tariana Turia is saddened at the passing of Beverley Grammer, a passionate advocate for the disability community.

“Beverley worked tirelessly so that those who lived with disability and their families have access to information and resources that enable them to manage their own lives and participate fully in the community,” says Minister Turia.

Minister for Disability Issues, Tariana Turia says it has been distressing to hear of the untimely passing of Patrick Wikiriwhi Thompson (Ngāti Pāoa/Ngāti Whangaunga).

Disability Commissioner, Paul Gibson - Your President, Shelley Waters, National Executive Officer, Zandra Vaccarino,  members and supporters of the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association.

My parliamentary colleagues, distinguished guests, friends, family and people with Down Syndrome.

When I think about the ritual of high tea images of tiered cake stands - fine-bone china, dainty sandwiches, lace doilies and fancy pastries come to mind.

But the other day I read a quote about a simple cup of tea - and I just have to share it:

Minister for Disability Issues Tariana Turia has congratulated Attitude Pictures who have been awarded the online broadcast rights for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

Attitude Pictures is collaborating with NZ On Air, ACC and TVNZ to make coverage of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games possible.

“Attitude Pictures has continually produced high quality television. Programmes made by the disability community about issues that are important to them,” says Minister Turia.

I want to firstly acknowledge my colleague Mojo Mathers and also Rose Wall, Health and Disability Commissioner, Paul Gibson, Disability Rights Commissioner with the Human Rights Commission and Dame Beverley Wakem, our Ombudsman.

It feels good to be amongst friends. I want to recognise those in this room who have played such a key role in bringing this report to fruition.

I welcome representation from right across the disability community, disability sector organisations, government officials and families and friends.

The Minister for Disability Issues Tariana Turia says International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an important day for recognising the rights of disabled people and the need to change attitudes and behaviours towards those who live with disability.

Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all is the theme for International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2013.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson and Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia today announced terms of reference and timeframes have been set for a review into building access for disabled people.

The review will look at how the Building Act and Building Code’s provisions relating to access for people with disabilities are being implemented when buildings are first constructed or altered.

The Minister for Disability Issues, Tariana Turia has reiterated her call for all public transport companies to review their policies and provide staff training immediately following further reports of incidents of discriminatory treatment of disabled people and those with pushchairs.

“I was very alarmed at news reports that disabled passengers and those with children and pushchairs are experiencing discrimination while trying to board buses in the Hutt Valley and Wellington,” says Minister Turia.