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I am honoured to have the opportunity to open the 64th Annual Conference of the Amputees Federation of New Zealand.

As Minister for Disability Issues I welcome every opportunity to meet the people who are at the forefront of providing services and advocacy for disabled people.

This event, in bringing together representatives from each of the nine district amputee societies is a good chance to hear about your priorities and to share some of the ideas we are working on.

I am so pleased to be here today, to join with and celebrate the collaboration that characterises the New Zealand Disability Support Network.

This is a very auspicious occasion – the first conference for this vital support network. You have embarked on a remarkable journey since you launched on the 14th April 2010, and I want to mihi to you as the Minister of Disability Issues, for the initiative you have taken.

Changing attitudes is the key to ensuring people with disabilities are treated equally, says Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia.

Mrs Turia says she is deeply disappointed and saddened by recent comments from a media commentator criticising disabled sportspeople.

“Disabled people should not have to put up with such derogatory comments"

“We should be enabling people to participate in all aspects of life rather than marginalising them because they have a disability,” says Mrs Turia.

Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia is welcoming the historic delivery of the Treaty of Waitangi Day celebrations in New Zealand’s three official languages –te reo Maori, English and New Zealand Sign Language.

“Waitangi Day is a very important day in New Zealand for the very first time more than 7,000 deaf New Zealanders will be able to follow and understand the proceedings in New Zealand Sign Language.”

I want to firstly acknowledge the significance of this moment; and to recognise a number of individuals and organisations who will be associated with this day.

And so I stand here today, to honour the words, the commitment and the inspiration provided by:

Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia is welcoming the release of a report on the human rights of disabled people in New Zealand.

The report, Disability Rights in Aotearoa New Zealand, was written by the Convention Coalition, which is a collaboration of New Zealand’s disabled peoples’ organisations.

The Coalition comprises the Disabled Persons Assembly, Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand Inc, Deaf Aotearoa NZ, Ngati Kapo, Nga Hau E Wha and People First New Zealand.

I want to acknowledge Anthony Hill, the Health and Disability Commissioner and Tania Thomas, Deputy Commissioner Disability for your kind invitation to speak at this hui.

I am pleased to be part of what can only be described as a stellar cast of speakers.

There is nothing quite as enticing as a conference promo that suggests this will be a “conference like never before”.

I can well believe it.

Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia has welcomed a photographic exhibition in Parliament showing the experiences of disabled people and their families in other countries.

The Access for All exhibition will be on display in Parliament’s foyer until Monday December 13 and has been organised by CBM, an international disability and development organisation working to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Employers in the state sector have been recognised for going the extra mile for staff with significant disabilities.

Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia presented the Mainstream Awards at a ceremony in Wellington today.

Newlands College was named the 2010 Employer of the Year in recognition of their success in providing high quality supported employment.

The Minister for Disability Issues, Hon Tariana Turia, is inviting public comment on a draft government report on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

I want to thank Michael Barnett, the Chair of the EEO Trust, for according me the privilege of being able to share a few words in this very exciting night.

E rere kau mai te awa nui, mai te kahui maunga ki Tangaroa;

Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au.

Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia today announced further measures to promote, protect and monitor the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilit

A new system that enables deaf and hearing impaired people to contact the emergency 111 service by text was launched by Police Minister Judith Collins in Auckland today.

This is a most appropriate time to be thinking about the theme of transitions.  Over the last week all of our communities have experienced a transition of varying degree.

Disability Issues Minister Tariana
Turia has today welcomed the release of the Start Strong Draft Framework for
Action report.

Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia is encouraging New Zealanders to support World Arthritis Day by taking the time to better understand the impact of this incurable disease.

I am absolutely delighted to be part of this inaugural Access Tourism New Zealand Conference; and I want to congratulate the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute and the Auckland University of Te

When I looked at the list of those attending today's consumer consortium meeting, I was greatly pleased at the range of organisations represented -

• Autism New Zealand;

There is a particular anthem that you might hear at weddings; at funerals, at school graduations and even at football matches.  

Talofa lava, kia orana, malo e lelei, fakaalofa lahi atu, ni sa bula vinaka, talohi ni, tena koutou katoa.

There could be few conferences that are more inviting than one that is advertised as being ‘a delightfully invigorating event'.

The launch of the first of the Matangi Trains on Thursday September 9 has been welcomed by the Acting Minister for Disability Issues Pansy Wong.

Civil Defence Minister John Carter has today launched a DVD designed to give potentially life-saving advice on emergency planning to the deaf and hearing impaired.