Hopefuls grilled on needs of disabled

Loren Corbett, project co-ordinator for the Northland section of the 20Percent campaign quizzes candidates at the group's Whangarei forum to hear the political parties' disabled policies. Photo / John Stone

All New Zealanders should be challenging their prospective political representatives to take on board the needs of people with disabilities, the Northland disability community says.

That challenge was laid down in Northland with Tiaho Trust's 20Percent campaign ensuring seven local candidates were grilled on the topic at a meeting in Whangarei on Wednesday and one in Kaitaia yesterday.

The 20Percent project is a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness about disability issues - such as public accessibility, funding, housing and support.

It's name is based on the percentage of New Zealanders who have a disability - although the latest statistics suggest it is closer to 25 per cent - but Northland has second highest rate of disabled people in the country at 29 per cent.

"Today is about the importance of voting on disability issues in this electorate," co-convenor and Tiaho Trust chief executive Jonny Wilkinson said in opening the Whangarei meeting in the Manaia Health building.

"Tiaho Trust is proud to be driving the 20Percent programme."

More than 70 people attended the meeting where candidates were asked what their parties intend doing about disability issues. The candidates were Shane Reti (National Whangarei), Kelly Ellis and Kelvin Davis (Labour Whangarei and Northland), Paul Doherty (Greens), Chris Leitch (Democrats for Social Credit), Clinton Dearlove (Independent), Pita Paraone (NZ First) and Kim Robinson (standing in for the Internet's David Currin).

Most candidates were able to answer empathetically about the topic due to family members living with disabilities - more personally in the case of Mr Robinson who is profoundly deaf and spoke with a sign language interpreter. The Internet Party had opened social media sites for disabled people to comment on the issues, he said.

While many of the candidates' gave poignant examples backing their party and personal lines, possibly the most grounding comment came from political maverick Te Tai Tokerau candidate Clinton Dearlove who said: "It is society that creates disabilities, it disables people who have impairments by not providing enough of what they need."