Public consultation on draft New Zealand Disability Strategy open
New Zealand’s current disability strategy 2016-2026 is 10-years-old and needs refreshing.
Scroll down to find information in: Audio, Braille, Easy Read, Large Print and NZSL.
The disability strategy is an important guide to achieve meaningful, positive change for disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau.
The draft New Zealand strategy talks about things that matter to the disability community. It also includes a draft set of actions for change, where it is needed most, so disabled people can lead, thrive and take part fully in their communities.
How to have your say
Find the draft strategy for consultation on the page refresh of the New Zealand Disability Strategy.
There are a lot of ways for people to have their say on the strategy including online feedback forms and online and in-person meetings.
Find dates, times, locations and how to register for in-person and online meetings on this page of our website.
You can provide feedback on the whole draft strategy or on individual sections depending on your interest.
Consultation closes on Sunday 28 September 2025.
What’s in the strategy
The draft strategy is in four main parts:
- the background describes how things are going for disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau, what is improving, and what still needs to change.
- the vision and principles. The vision sets out the future disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau tell us they want. The principles are the values, ideas and commitments that underpin the strategy.
- priority outcome areas with actions in education, employment, health, housing and justice. For each area there are goals and actions needed to help reach those goals.
- how we will measure success so we can know the difference the strategy is making in people’s lives.
What has happened so far
Phase one of the strategy refresh was to prepare a draft strategy for consultation. This was done using expertise from the disability community, the data and evidence on current outcomes for disabled people, and the knowledge of relevant sector leaders and government agencies.
The Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha worked with representative disability groups to refresh the vision and principles of the draft strategy.
In addition, working groups made up of disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, industry and sector representatives, and government officials were also set up. They developed goals, and actions to reach those goals, in the priority outcome areas of education, employment, health, housing and justice.
Accessible formats
Audio
Audio: Consultation open on draft New Zealand Disability Strategy (MP3 1.7MB)
Braille
Braille: Consultation open on draft New Zealand Disability Strategy (BRF 3KB)
Easy Read
Easy Read: Consultation open on draft New Zealand Disability Strategy (DOCX 6.8MB)
Easy Read: Consultation open on draft New Zealand Disability Strategy (PDF 1.9MB)
Large Print
Large Print: Consultation open on draft New Zealand Disability Strategy (DOCX 268KB)
Large Print: Consultation open on draft New Zealand Disability Strategy (PDF 353KB)
Video transcript
New Zealand’s current disability strategy 2016-2026 is 10-years-old and needs refreshing.
The disability strategy is an important guide to achieve meaningful, positive change for disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau.
The draft strategy talks about things that matter to the disability community. It also includes a draft set of actions for change, where it is needed most, so disabled people can lead, thrive and take part fully in their communities.
How to have your say
There are a lot of ways for people to have their say on the strategy including online feedback forms and online and in-person meetings.
Find dates, times, locations and how to register for in-person and online meetings on this page of our website.
You can provide feedback on the whole draft strategy or on individual sections depending on your interest.
Consultation closes on Sunday 28 September 2025.
What’s in the strategy
The draft strategy is in four main parts:
1. The background describes how things are going for disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau, what is improving, and what still needs to change.
2. The vision and principles. The vision sets out the future disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau tell us they want. The principles are the values, ideas and commitments that underpin the strategy.
3. Priority outcome areas with actions in education, employment, health, housing and justice. For each area there are goals and actions needed to help reach those goals.
4. How we will measure success so we can know the difference the strategy is making in people’s lives.
What has happened so far
Phase one of the strategy refresh was to prepare a draft strategy for consultation. This was done using expertise from the disability community, the data and evidence on current outcomes for disabled people, and the knowledge of relevant sector leaders and government agencies.
The Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha worked with representative disability groups to refresh the vision and principles of the draft strategy.
In addition, working groups made up of disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, industry and sector representatives, and government officials were also set up. They developed goals, and actions to reach those goals, in the priority outcome areas of education, employment, health, housing and justice.