Whaikaha update - December 2025
In our December update, our Chief Executive shares key milestones and progress from recent months.
You can watch a video of this update, with NZSL, captions and audio narration. A transcript is also available.
You can also read the written update.
Video update
Video transcript
My name is Paula and I'm the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha. My sign name is this [sign name] – 2 fists moving in a forward direction like a bicycle.
So much has happened since my last update. We’ve celebrated our first anniversary as a standalone agency, and I’m excited to share some of the progress we’ve made.
A big milestone this month was the launch of the refreshed New Zealand Disability Strategy. It sets the Government’s direction for the next 5 years to improve outcomes for disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori. The strategy includes actions across education, employment, health, housing, and justice.
We’ll work closely with other government agencies to deliver these actions, and report progress to Parliament every year.
Last month was a big milestone for the Deaf community. We supported the New Zealand Sign Language Board with the development and launch of its 10-year strategy. The vision is bold: NZSL is visible, valued, and embraced by all New Zealanders — part of everyday life.
We also celebrated the start of our All-of-Government Internship Programme. Thirteen interns have begun placements across 10 government agencies. It was great to meet them, and I can’t wait to see what they achieve.
Our new Accessibility Advisory Group is now in place — a diverse team with deep accessibility expertise and lived experience, selected from more than 70 applications. I’m looking forward to hearing their insights on our Accessibility Work Programme.
Two consultations are open now on issues that affect disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, and their whānau. I encourage you to have your say.
The Ministry of Social Development is consulting on a draft Action Plan for unpaid carers. It’s about recognition, wellbeing, and financial security. Have your say on the MSD website by 12 February.
The Ministry of Transport is consulting on the Total Mobility scheme, which subsidises taxi fares for disabled and older people who find public transport inaccessible. Visit the Ministry of Transport website to have your say. Consultation closes in late March.
As we wrap up the year, I want to say a big thank you for your support and engagement. Building strong relationships with the disability community remains at the heart of what we do.
I wish you all a happy and safe festive season.
We’ve got some exciting initiatives coming up in the new year, including some important work in the employment space. I look forward to sharing them with you. See you in 2026!
Written update
A word from Paula
So much has happened since my last update. We’ve celebrated our first anniversary as a standalone agency, and I’m excited to share some of the progress we’ve made.
New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030
A big milestone this month was the launch of the refreshed New Zealand Disability Strategy. It sets the Government’s direction for the next 5 years to improve outcomes for disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori. The strategy includes actions across education, employment, health, housing, and justice.
We’ll work closely with other government agencies to deliver these actions, and report progress to Parliament every year.
New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030
NZSL Strategy 2026-2036
Last month was a big milestone for the Deaf community. We supported the New Zealand Sign Language Board with the development and launch of its 10-year strategy. The vision is bold: NZSL is visible, valued, and embraced by all New Zealanders — part of everyday life.
NZSL Strategy 2026-2036 external URL
All-of-Government paid internship programme
We also celebrated the start of our All-of-Government Internship Programme. Thirteen interns have begun placements across 10 government agencies. It was great to meet them, and I can’t wait to see what they achieve.
Accessibility Advisory Group
Our new Accessibility Advisory Group is now in place — a diverse team with deep accessibility expertise and lived experience, selected from more than 70 applications. I’m looking forward to hearing their insights on our Accessibility Work Programme.
Consultations
Two consultations are open now on issues that affect disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, and their whānau. I encourage you to have your say.
- The Ministry of Social Development is consulting on a draft Action Plan for unpaid carers. It’s about recognition, wellbeing, and financial security. Have your say on the MSD website by 12 February: Draft Carers' Strategy Action Plan external URL
- The Ministry of Transport is consulting on the Total Mobility scheme, which subsidises taxi fares for disabled and older people who find public transport inaccessible. Visit the Ministry of Transport website to have your say by the end of March: Proposals to strengthen Total Mobility external URL
As we wrap up the year, I want to say a big thank you for your support and engagement. Building strong relationships with the disability community remains at the heart of what we do.
I wish you all a happy and safe festive season.
We’ve got some exciting initiatives coming up in the new year, including some important work in the employment space. I look forward to sharing them with you. See you in 2026!
Ngā mihi nui, kia koutou katoa.
Paula Tesoriero PLY MNZM
Te Tumu Whakarae – Chief Executive