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Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People View our
NZSL name

Refresh of the New Zealand Disability Strategy

Kia hiwa rā kia hiwa rā. Kia kōkiri ake, kia mataara.  He karanga atu ki te ao whānui, ki te ao whaikaha.  Haere mai ōu whakaaro rangatira ki tēnei kaupapa whakahirahira nau mai e te iwi e. 

Be watchful, be alert. Rise up, come forward, be counted, be alert. A call going out to the world, to the disabled world. We welcome your chiefly thoughts to this important discussion. We welcome all. 

Draft New Zealand Disability Strategy for consultation (DOCX 246KB).  Scroll down for the draft strategy in alternate formats.

Alternate formats for this page

Audio

Audio copy of the Refresh of the New Zealand Disability Strategy webpage (MP3 2.4MB)

Braille

Braille copy of the Refresh of the New Zealand Disability Strategy webpage (BRF 5KB)

Easy Read

Easy Read copy of the Refresh of the New Zealand Disability Strategy webpage (DOCX 7.5MB)

Easy Read copy of  the Refresh of the New Zealand Disability Strategy webpage (PDF 2.2MB)

Large Print

Large Print copy of the Refresh of the New Zealand Disability Strategy webpage (DOCX 268KB)

Large Print copy of the Refresh of the New Zealand Disability Strategy webpage (PDF 353KB)

Read the draft strategy 2026-2030

The draft New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030 is for five years. We are now asking for feedback on this draft.

The draft New Zealand Disability Strategy for consultation (DOCX 246KB).

NZSL

NZSL page for the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030

Audio

Part 1 Introduction to the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy Audio (MP3 1.7MB)

Part 2 Background to the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy Audio (MP3 6.2MB)

Part 3 Vision and principles of the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy Audio (MP3 3.8MB)

Part 4 Priority outcome areas of the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy Audio (MP3 19MB)

Braille

Part 1 Introduction to the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy Braille (BRF 4KB)

Part 2 Background to the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy Braille (BRF 14KB)

Part 3 Vision and principles of the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy Braille (BRF 9KB)

Part 4 Priority outcome areas of the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy Braille (BRF 47KB)

Easy Read

Part 1  Introduction to the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy Easy Read (PDF 1.7MB)

Part 2 Background to the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy Easy Read (PDF 3.1MB)

Part 3 Vision and Principles of the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy Easy Read (PDF 8.8MB)

Part 4 Priority outcome areas of the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy Easy Read (PDF 9.6MB)

Large Print

Part 1 Introduction to the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy Large Print (PDF 309KB)

Part 1 Introduction to the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy Large Print (DOCX 264KB)

Part 2 Background to the New Zealand Disability Strategy Large Print (PDF 406KB)

Part 2 Background to the New Zealand Disability Strategy Large Print (DOCX 271KB)

Part 3 Vision and principles for the New Zealand Disability Strategy Large Print (PDF 334KB)

Part 3 Vision and principles for the New Zealand Disability Strategy Large Print (DOCX 267KB)

Part 4 Priority outcome areas for the New Zealand Disability Strategy Large Print (PDF 487KB)

Part 4 Priority outcome areas for the New Zealand Disability Strategy Large Print (DOCX 171KB)

How to have your say

There are lots of ways to have your say on the draft strategy:

Accessible online platform

Audio and large print are also available on the platform.

Attend a hui/meeting

Other ways to provide feedback

  • make a three-minute video on videomail.io external URL and email it to us
  • email us for a consultation toolkit you can use at your organisation.

Feedback form

Our email is: disabilitystrategy@whaikaha.govt.nz

The closing date to provide your feedback is Sunday 28 September 2025.

Why we need a disability strategy

The strategy gives direction to government agencies on issues disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau say are important. It shows where change is needed so they can lead, thrive, and take part fully in their communities.

By having a vision for the future and clear actions for the Government to take, the strategy is also important to how New Zealand gives effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

You can find information about the convention on this page.

We will also use the strategy to measure progress towards improving the lives and upholding the rights of disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori.

What has happened so far

During the first half of this year we:

  • did targeted engagement with disabled people’s organisations, tāngata whaikaha Māori groups and family/whānau representatives to refresh the vision and principles of the strategy
  • established working groups to develop goals, outcomes, actions, and the case for change in the priority outcome areas of:
    • education
    • employment
    • health
    • housing
    • justice.

You can find more information about the working groups on our website.

What happens next

Once the consultation is complete, feedback will be reviewed, and the draft will be updated to a final strategy.

This document will then go to Cabinet for approval.

Cabinet is the central decision-making body of the Government. Meetings are attended by key government ministers.

The aim is to publish the strategy in early December.

Useful links

The existing New Zealand Disability Strategy guides the work of government agencies on disability issues. It will be replaced by the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030.

Data insights were created as part of our work towards refreshing the strategy. You can find data insights in education, employment, health, housing and justice on our website. 

Cabinet papers on the New Zealand Disability Strategy are on our website. Alternate formats are available on the page.