🚨 Our Submission on the Local Government (System Improvements) Amendment Bill 🚨
Parents of Vision Impaired NZ (PVI) has made a submission to Parliament on the proposed changes to local government. We have several concerns about this Bill.
Why?
Because this Bill:
❌ Removes councils’ responsibility for the “four well-beings” (social, economic, environmental, cultural), which have been of benefit to disabled persons and families
❌ Narrows council priorities to “core services” like roads & water – and means that accessibility and building accessible facilities takes a back seat
❌ Excludes disabled voices from decision-making
❌ Undermines accessibility, inclusion & community participation
❌ Recentralises control without providing extra funding
Disabled children, families, and communities depend on councils for accessible transport, inclusive playgrounds, safe footpaths, libraries, and community facilities. Cutting these supports risks increasing isolation and reducing opportunities for disabled people to live ordinary lives in their communities.
PVI calls for local government reform that prioritises inclusion, accessibility, and adequately funded local decision-making.
The image below is from a local dog park that is well used and enjoyed by a range of persons (and good doggos!). These types of facilities are deprioritised under this Bill.
📄 Read our full submission here:
