News and media

IHC is the voice for intellectual disability in New Zealand. We regularly comment in the media on a range of topics to advocate and stand up for the rights of disabled people. We also share people’s stories through several publications, including our flagship magazine, Strong Voices.

We have a great resource for journalists with some tips on writing about disability and disabled people, including appropriate language to use.

If you have a media enquiry or want to tell your story, please email ihccomms@ihc.org.nz or call 027 807 7740.

Government report ignores our most vulnerable
Media release
March 14, 2024
IHC New Zealand is dismayed that a new Government report, billed as a “nationwide picture of the population’s health,” ignores the 47,000 people with intellectual disability in New Zealand.
IHC says no to boot camps
Media release
March 5, 2024
IHC New Zealand says the Government’s introduction of juvenile boot camps for youth offenders will unfairly target young people with intellectual disability.
‘Anguish about the outdated, non-responsive and inadequate Ministry funding for disabled students to succeed is palpable’
Media release
February 28, 2024
IHC New Zealand says families of students with intellectual disability are at breaking point as more and more principals are being hamstrung by limited funding.
Intellectually disabled community hidden from government statistics
Media release
February 26, 2024
IHC New Zealand is calling on the Ministry of Health to specifically include data on the outcomes of people with intellectual disability in its reporting.
Retirement of Ralph Jones, IHC Group Chief Executive
February 23, 2024
Ralph Jones, IHC Group Chief Executive, has given notice of his retirement to take effect on 30 September 2024.
Children with intellectual disability 7 times more likely to be uplifted
Media release
February 22, 2024
IHC New Zealand echoes the Chief Ombudsman’s call for the Government to make changes to Oranga Tamaraki so that our most vulnerable children are protected.
IHC proud to announce judges of Art Awards and new Holdsworth Trust Scholarship Award for studios
Media release
February 20, 2024
IHC is proud to announce the judges for the 2024 IHC Art Awards, including artist Michel Tuffery who will judge the new Holdsworth Trust Scholarship Award for art studios.
Proposed benefit changes will batter New Zealand families living with intellectual disability
Media release
February 19, 2024
IHC Director of Advocacy, Tania Thomas, says the Government is making decisions about benefits on the fly and not on evidence, which is putting intellectually disabled New Zealanders at serious risk.
Opportunity for new Government to lift achievement rates for intellectually disabled students
Media release
January 24, 2024
IHC New Zealand says although NCEA achievement rates for students with intellectual disability are rising, overwhelmingly there is a massive struggle for these students to access quality education at their local school.
Despite stark warnings, intellectually disabled Kiwis neglected by Government for another 20 years
Media release
December 18, 2023
New Zealanders have long life expectancies, but new research from IHC shows that intellectually disabled New Zealanders die up to 20 years earlier than the rest of the population.