Kiwi Access Card launched by Hospitality NZ

The Office of Disability Issues is one of a number of agencies which has been supporting the work, which will benefit disabled people. In explaining the significance to the wider community of the new Kiwi Access Card, Minister for Disability Issues the Hon Carmel Sepuloni said: “The new Kiwi Access Card will have a positive impact for disabled people who do not have, cannot afford, or are not eligible for a driver licence or passport. The Kiwi Access Card will allow disabled people to be able to prove who they are so that they can do things like open bank accounts, make hire purchases and pick up prescriptions.”

According to Blind Citizens NZ national president Jonathan Godfrey, the new Kiwi Access Card will have a particularly positive impact for the blind. “If you have ever been asked for proof of identification, then perhaps you will have some understanding of how challenging this can be for blind people,” Godfrey said.

He added: “I can’t wait to get my Kiwi Access Card. It’s a huge milestone and for blind, deafblind and vision impaired people, this will be the first time many of us will have a dedicated form of identification that we can fit in our wallet or purse.”

You can read Hospitality NZ's press release at www.hospitality.org.nz/news/kiwi-access-card-launches-on-14-january-replacing-the-18-card