The 2026 Wairarapa Disability Expo was held on Saturday 28th February and attracted several hundred exhibitors and visitors from across Wellington region and Manawatu. It opened with a stirring Mihi Whakatau (welcome) from Taki Peeke from Te Ao Marama Aotearoa and rousing kapa haka performance from IDEA Services Te Roopuu Manaaki. Standing in for Carterton Mayor, Steve Cretney, Deputy Mayor Grace Ayling captured the essence of the expo’s purpose in her opening remarks: “In rural regions like ours, it’s estimated that around 20 percent of the population lives with a disability. That translates to around 2,000 people here in Carterton District and about 10,000 across the wider Wairarapa. But those numbers only tell part of the story. When you consider that most disabled people have parents, siblings, partners, children, carers, and friends providing support, disability touches almost every household in our region in some way. This isn’t about “a small group over there.” This is about our community. All of us.
“And we need to be careful with the word “disability.” It can be a fraught term. Living with a disability does not mean lacking ability. Every disabled person brings strengths, talents, skills, hopes and aspirations. There are challenges, yes, but there is also enormous contribution, creativity, resilience and leadership.
“That’s why the work of organisations like Good Lives Wairarapa, People First, the FERNZ Action Group and many other grassroots groups is so important. Their mission isn’t simply to “provide services.” It’s to walk alongside disabled people and their families, to remove barriers, to build on strengths, and to support people to live the lives they choose.
“Which brings us to this year’s wonderful tagline: “Living our best lives.”
“What I love about that phrase is that it recognises something very simple and very powerful, we all want the same things. To belong. To contribute. To feel valued. To have opportunities. To live with dignity and independence. To be part of our community, not on the margins of it.
“As Deputy Mayor, I’m here to represent you all however I am best able to. Alongside our neighbouring mayors and councillors of the Wairarapa we all want to know how we can best support you and these grassroots organisations who serve our disabled community. Because when we strengthen support, we are not just helping individuals, we are strengthening the whole region. The Wairarapa disabled community is an integral part of who we are. Our future is stronger when everyone can participate fully and live their best possible life.”
The expo included 43 exhibitors representing the organisations that support the disability community across the region.
As well as the performance by Roopuu Manaaki, there were lunchtime dance performances by Stardust and Alex Walsh.
A series of workshops covered a wide range of topics including the latest update from Whaikaha – the Ministry of Disabled People, WREMO’s newly developed emergency preparedness resource for disabled people, how individualised funding works and dealing with workplace discrimination.
One exhibitor, Lisa Atkins, from New Zealand Community Living commented: “it was great to see so many different organisations represented. It was really valuable being able to gather information, make new connections, and see how we can work alongside others in the sector. We truly appreciate being included in the Expo, and we would love the opportunity to attend again next year.”
With such strong support from the community, the Wairarapa Disability Expo is now set to be a regular annual event. Keep in touch with developments and other disability issues by registering with Good Lives Wairarapa – goodliveswairarapa@gmail.com – or follow us on Facebook.