Whaikaha Update - August 2026
Deputy Chief Executive Rebecca Elvy shares updates about our work to improve accessibility and updates on the disability and NZSL strategies being put into action.
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
NZSL Board and Te Rōpū Kaitiaki welcome new members
Three new members have been welcomed to the New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Board.
Community grants announced to strengthen disability leadership
A total of $1.7 million in grants to support disability leadership, governance and engagement has been distributed by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha across 2025/26.
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.