New Zealand Disability Strategy Update - September 2026
First 6-month update on the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2036 now available.
Nau mai, haere mai.
Welcome to Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People.
About 1 in 6 New Zealanders are disabled. We work across government, businesses, and communities to improve outcomes for them.
We focus on things that make a tangible difference to disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, and their families and whānau, whether that means working with partners to get more people into employment or making New Zealand more accessible.
Disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori make an important contribution to society and the economy. We have a huge opportunity for that to grow even further.
Whaikaha does not provide direct support to disabled people or their families. For more information about services and support available, visit Disability Support Services.
News from Whaikaha
Labour market statistics for disabled people: June 2026 quarter
Stats NZ’s 'Labour market statistics: June 2026' quarter provides a picture of the New Zealand labour market.
First revision of accessibility design standard in 25 years
The revision of NZS 4121 Design for access and mobility - Buildings and associated facilities, gets underway this month.
About Whaikaha
Get to know Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, our role in Government, and our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Find resources on collecting and using disability data and recent updates from across New Zealand.
The New Zealand Disability Strategy gives direction to government agencies on issues disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau say are important.