Members

All of the work that we do is for the People First members.


To be a People First NZ member you need to be a person with a learning (intellectual) disability and be over 18 years old.


We have hundreds of members throughout New Zealand.

three members smiling at the camera at a meeting.

Dunedin local group meeting in 2024.

Local group meetings

Members are a part of local groups that meet once a month.

Local group meetings are run by a member and a local assistant.

Local group meetings are a safe way to:

  • learn about your rights

  • speak up about things that are important to you

  • meet people and to make new friends.


Group of people sitting in a sunny room.

Top of the South regional meeting in 2024.

Regional meetings


Three times a year, two people from each local group are chosen to attend the regional meetings.

Regional meetings are run by members and a regional coordinator.

Regional meetings are a safe way to:

  • report on what the local groups have been doing

  • raise issues or problems

  • discuss topics that will be passed on to the local groups.



How to become a member


To be a People First member you need to be:

  • a person with learning (intellectual) disability

  • over 18 years old.

It does not cost money to be a member.

Please fill out the form below if you want to become a member.

Interested?

We will contact you to give you more information about becoming a member.


Members outside of a Marae smiling on a sunny day.

Midland Regional Meeting at the Whakaue Marae in 2024.

Coming to a meeting for the first time?

At your first meeting you can ask for a membership form and privacy information if you would like to become a member.

You can read the forms and information below:



Find your local group

We have 41 groups in 6 regions throughout New Zealand with hundreds of members.

You can find a local group near you in the list below.

Map of New Zealand in green with labels showing the regions

The Northern Region local groups are:

  • Whangarei
  • West Auckland
  • South Auckland
  • Central Auckland
  • East Auckland
  • Franklin
  • North Shore

The Midland Region local groups are:

  • Hamilton
  • Te Awamutu
  • Tauranga
  • Rotorua
  • Whakatāne
  • Te Puke
  • Gisborne

Group of 6 people standing in a corridor.

Southern Taranaki group with Sir Robert Martin

The Central Region local groups are:

  • Wellington
  • Kāpiti
  • Hutt Valley
  • Whanganui
  • Manawatū
  • North Taranaki
  • Rangitīkei
  • Wairarapa
  • South Taranaki
  • Horowhenua
  • Mana


6 people sitting on chairs in a row in a meeting room.

Blenheim group meeting.

The Top of the South Region local groups are:

  • Blenheim
  • Nelson
  • Richmond
  • Kaikōura
  • Motueka


The Midsouth Region local groups are:

  • Ashburton
  • Christchurch
  • North Canterbury
  • Selwyn
  • Timaru
  • West Coast


The Southern Region local groups are:

  • Ōamaru
  • Dunedin
  • Balclutha
  • Gore
  • Invercargill