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.
The Ministry receives funding to strengthen the development of disabled leaders, the disability community, including Deaf and disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, whānau, families, and support organisations.
The grants for the 2025/26 financial year will grow leadership capability, increase understanding of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), strengthen community governance, and improve engagement with government decision-making.
Deputy Chief Executive Rebecca Elvy says the funding reflects a strong commitment to disabled people and their communities.
“Supporting disabled people and the organisations that represent them is central to meeting our UNCRPD commitments. This funding helps communities lead, strengthens their voice, and builds capability that will make a real and lasting difference.”
“It is pleasing to see this investment reaching a wide range of groups this year, including those who have not always had the same opportunities.”
In 2026/27, Whaikaha will again offer the Community Capability Development Grants programme.
Grants allocated
Funding for 2025/26 has been distributed across 3 key areas.
NZSL Community Grants
A total of $250,000 has been allocated to support New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and Deaf and Tūri Māori community development. This funding is guided by Deaf leadership through the NZSL Board.
Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) Grants
Approximately $1 million has been allocated to support collective voice led by disabled people.
Conditional grant funding agreements have been signed with:
- Disabled People’s Organisations Coalition (comprising 7 organisations)
- Changing Minds Trust
- Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand
- Deafblind Association NZ
- Te Ao Mārama Aotearoa Trust (TAMA Trust)
- Te Roopu Waiora
- Kāpō Māori Aotearoa.
Community Capability Grants
A total of $446,000 has been allocated to support leadership, governance, and engagement across the disability community.
This includes support for work such as the New Zealand Disability Strategy and targeted community-led initiatives.
The following organisations received one-off grants to build leadership and governance capability:
- Complex Care Group Trust
- Disabled Older People’s Group
- FASD‑CAN
- Inclusive Education Action Group
- I.Lead
- NZ Down Syndrome Association
- Neurodiversity Coalition
- National Disabled Students’ Association
- Pacific Inc Ltd (Le Va)
- Parents of Vision Impaired
- Parent/Family/Whānau Network
- Rare Disorders NZ.