Explaining the Disability Support Services move to MSD
Whaikaha is being established as a standalone government department.
We will work across government to improve outcomes for more than one million disabled people in New Zealand.
We will provide disability system leadership across government and focus on removing barriers and bringing about societal changes that improve the lives of disabled people.
Our responsibilities and functions will include:
- Providing leadership and stewardship that aligns priorities and focus for disability issues across government
- Strategic policy advice across government which relates to disabled people
- Monitoring the effectiveness of government services for the disability community
- Assisting the government to engage and manage its relationships with disabled people
- Providing a centralised source of government disability information and advice
Following the recommendations from the Independent Review, Disability Support Services external URL has transferred to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
Disability Support Services commissions a range services that supports approximately 50,000 disabled people and their carers each week. It also funds equipment and home and vehicle modifications for approximately 100,000 people each year
- More information on Disability Support Services is available on their website external URL .