National Pacific Disability Approach released

Following widespread consultation across the country, the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha has today released a document to contribute to the wellbeing goals and aspirations of the Pacific disabled community.

The National Pacific Disability Approach – Atoatoali’o was officially blessed and released at an event in Auckland celebrating the work that has gone into co-designing the approach with the community.

As part of the development, a series of community talanoa (conversations) were held around the country and attended by more than 1000 Pacific community leaders, disabled people, their aiga, carers, and advocates.

Programme Lead Tofa Suafole Gush highlighted the significant contribution from Pacific communities in developing the Atoatoali’o.

“There was such wonderful participation from Invercargill to Auckland and I really want to acknowledge the input from everyone in developing the ‘Atoatoali’o.”

“It was important that this approach was done in the correct way to ensure the final result was grounded in lived experiences and cultural contexts.”

“Atoatoali’o was chosen as it is the Samoan word referring to a setting where everyone fits in or sits perfectly in a circle, which really reflects the approach we took and the importance of community that shone through during the process,” Suafole Gush said.

The priorities and actions from Atoatoali’o will feed into the refresh of the New Zealand Disability Strategy, which is a main focus for the Ministry this year.

More information on Atoatoali'o (including in alternate formats) can be found on the National Pacific Disability Approach webpage.

Cover image of the Atoatoali'o National Pacific Disability Approach document