Whanganui Chronicle
  • Whanganui Chronicle home
  • Latest news
  • Sport
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Property
  • Death notices
  • Classifieds

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • On The Up
  • Sport
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Residential property listings
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology

Locations

  • Taranaki
  • National Park
  • Whakapapa
  • Ohakune
  • Raetihi
  • Taihape
  • Marton
  • Feilding
  • Palmerston North

Media

  • Video
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-Editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

Weather

  • New Plymouth
  • Whanganui
  • Palmertson North
  • Levin

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Whanganui Chronicle

CCS returns to Whanganui

By Anne-Marie McDonald
Whanganui Chronicle·
20 Sep, 2016 04:06 AM2 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

CCS Disability Action CEO Kim Willetts and Les Gilsenan from Whanganui Disability Resource Centre unveil the new sign in Churton St. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY.

CCS Disability Action CEO Kim Willetts and Les Gilsenan from Whanganui Disability Resource Centre unveil the new sign in Churton St. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY.

CCS Disability Action has a presence in Whanganui for the first time in 16 years.

The disability advocacy organisation was formally opened in Churton St on Tuesday morning at a ceremony attended by around 50 people, including members of Whanganui's disability community, staff from social agencies, senior members of CCS Disability Action, and deputy mayor Hamish McDouall.

CCS Disability Action - a nationwide organisation - merged with the Whanganui Disability Resources Centre.

Whanganui kaumatua John Maihi and Mita Davies opened the ceremony with a karakia and mihi, which were followed by speeches.

Robert Martin, a disability advocate and a member of the United Nations' Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, told the gathering he believed the presence of CCS Disability Action in Whanganui would "open doors and opportunities for people".

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

David Matthews, CEO of CCS Disability Action, said while a lot of good work had been done in recent years, people with disabilities still faced difficulties in finding suitable housing, employment and education.

"It is not good enough that buildings still have signs up saying, 'Wheelchair access is around the back'," Mr Matthews said.

He said a new disability strategy for New Zealand would be coming out soon.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"This strategy can't sit on the shelf gathering dust; it must be part of everyone's daily thinking. It is a challenge for everyone, especially those seeking office in the upcoming elections."

Mr Matthews said the presence of CCS Disability Action would bring a "more powerful advocacy" to Whanganui.

Other speakers at the opening included Mr McDouall, Les Gilsenan from the Whanganui Disability Resource Centre, CCS Disability Action president Kim Willetts, and the former chair of the Whanganui Disability Resource Centre Mike Ward.

Former Minister for Disability Issues Dame Tariana Turia was expected at the event, but was held up due to other commitments.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Whanganui Chronicle

Whanganui Chronicle

Ngāti Ruanui files urgent Waitangi Tribunal claim over mining project

02 Jul 10:42 PM
Whanganui Chronicle

Why Whanganui is in for a warmer than normal winter

02 Jul 09:14 PM
Whanganui Chronicle

How a white picket fence symbolises a significant Whanganui family

02 Jul 06:00 PM

There’s more to Hawai‘i than beaches and buffets – here’s how to see it differently

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Whanganui Chronicle

Ngāti Ruanui files urgent Waitangi Tribunal claim over mining project

Ngāti Ruanui files urgent Waitangi Tribunal claim over mining project

02 Jul 10:42 PM

The claim alleges breaches of Treaty principles in fast-track approvals process.

Why Whanganui is in for a warmer than normal winter

Why Whanganui is in for a warmer than normal winter

02 Jul 09:14 PM
How a white picket fence symbolises a significant Whanganui family

How a white picket fence symbolises a significant Whanganui family

02 Jul 06:00 PM
Rangitīkei fencer regains Golden Pliers title

Rangitīkei fencer regains Golden Pliers title

02 Jul 06:00 PM
From early mornings to easy living
sponsored

From early mornings to easy living

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • Whanganui Chronicle e-edition
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Subscribe to the Whanganui Chronicle
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • NZME Events
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP