Strategic Intentions Tauākī Whakamaunga Atu
Chief Executive foreword
The Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha is pleased to set out our strategic intentions from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2028. In our strategic intentions, we commit to our Ministry vision of disabled people thriving in New Zealand, and we show how we will achieve that vision by driving real and meaningful change with disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau.
In 2024, the Government undertook an Independent Review into Disability Support Services. As part of the response to the review, Cabinet agreed the Ministry would become a standalone public service department from December 2024, with a system stewardship role for disability issues across government. Our strategic intentions lay out how we will play this stewardship role to deliver on Government priorities.
Our work is evidence informed, and we know there is much to be done. Data from the 2023 Household Disability Survey shows that one in six New Zealanders, or 17 percent, are disabled, with some populations experiencing higher rates of disability and poorer outcomes. This data also shows many disabled people continue to face barriers, leading to inequitable outcomes compared to non-disabled people. The removal of these barriers creates opportunities, not just for disabled people themselves, but for all of New Zealand.
The Ministry has six strategic outcomes: accessibility, education, employment, health, housing and justice. We are leading on several government priorities, including the New Zealand Disability Strategy, which has education, employment, health, housing and justice as its five outcome areas. Our other major work programmes are the New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Strategy refresh, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) response, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care response, the Accessibility Work Programme, work to create employmen opportunities in the public service, and our Reshaping our Ministry project.
We are also supporting cross-government priorities, including the Government Targets, by providing second opinion advice, offering expertise on disability, and by brokering opportunities for disabled people to have input into public policy. At the same time, as part of our system steward function, we keep an overview of other major issues that are important to disabled people, such as transport and developments in technology.
The Ministry will continue to work with disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau to drive meaningful change. Their perspectives, experiences and voices are integral to creating a better future for us all. We know that everyone has a role in improving the lives of disabled people, and we will keep building relationships across central and local government, business and industry, and the community to make change together.
Our ability to deliver our work rests on a strong and well-performing Ministry. I will continue our work embedding the Ministry’s operating model to make sure we have the appropriate capability and systems to ensure our success.
I look forward to leading the Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha to deliver on our strategic intentions, and our contribution to a New Zealand where disabled people thrive.
In signing this information, I acknowledge that I am responsible for the information on strategic intentions for the Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha. This information has been prepared in accordance with section 38 and section 40 of the Public Finance Act 1989.
Paula Tesoriero MNZM PLY Te Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive
Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha