Whaikaha Update - August 2026
Deputy Chief Executive Rebecca Elvy shares an update on our work to improve accessibility and support community leadership, plus updates on the New Zealand Disability and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) strategies.
You can watch a video of this update, with NZSL and captions. A transcript is also available.
Video update
Video transcript
Kia ora,
My name is Rebecca Elvy.
I am the deputy chief executive for Outreach and Innovation at Whaikaha.
My sign name is [sign name].
There has been a lot happening across Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha in recent months.
Six accessibility projects are underway, almost $1.7 million has been invested in community leadership, and updates on the New Zealand Disability Strategy and the New Zealand Sign Language Strategy have been published.
We worked with Creative HQ to help turn good ideas for improving accessibility into real world solutions.
Six projects received funding from the Access Activator programme ranging from $25,000 for early-stage ideas to $100,000 for projects ready to grow.
You can find more information about the projects and Access Activator on our website.
We have also provided $1.7 million in grants to community organisations in the last financial year.
The funding is to support disabled organisations to develop their leadership, governance and engagement skills. Funding has reached a wide range of groups.
A list of funded organisations is on the Whaikaha website.
Two strategies launched last year are now being put into action – the new 5-year New Zealand Disability Strategy and the new 10-year New Zealand Sign Language Strategy.
An update on progress for the 34 actions in the New Zealand Disability Strategy is available on our website. This includes change stories about education, employment, health, housing and justice. All the documents are in alternate formats on the Whaikaha website.
An action plan for the New Zealand Sign Language Strategy has also been published. There is a focus on early, practical actions to create momentum for the strategy.
As part of the plan, Whaikaha hosted a forum to explore how we can ensure the use of AI in NZSL translation is ethical and Deaf-led.
The action plan is available on the New Zealand Sign Language Board website.
And last but the not least. Whaikaha is on the move.
We are leaving the Aurora Centre at 56 The Terrace, Wellington and moving to Pastoral House, just down the road at 25 The Terrace.
We will update our website with the new address and details.
Written Update
A message from Rebecca Elvy
Kia ora koutou,
There has been plenty happening across Whaikaha in recent months.
Six new accessibility projects are underway, almost $1.7 million has been invested in community leadership, and new updates on the New Zealand Disability Strategy and New Zealand Sign Language Strategy have been published.
Read on for a snapshot of our recent work. We will continue to keep you informed as these projects progress.
Ngā mihi
Rebecca Elvy - Deputy Chief Executive, Innovation and Outreach
What we are working on
Access Activator backs 6 accessibility projects
Our first Access Activator programme is funding 6 projects to improve accessibility for disabled people.
We have been working with Creative HQ to help turn good ideas for removing everyday barriers into real-world use.
The selected projects are:
- āhei — supporting disabled children to take part in sport in schools
- Easy Read Mobile Library — making Easy Read resources easier to find on mobile phones
- INSIGHT Research — tools to support more autism-friendly homes
- Intermentis — an AI-powered doorstep assistant
- Veera — helping organisations improve building access.
Funding for projects ranged from $25,000 for early-stage ideas to $100,000 for projects ready to grow. A showcase of the projects was held at Creative HQ in Wellington.
Access Activator backs 6 accessibility projects external URL
Community funding reaches almost $1.7 million
Whaikaha granted almost $1.7 million to community organisations in the last financial year. The funding is supporting the disability community to develop leadership, governance and engagement skills.
Community grants announced to strengthen disability leadership external URL
Update on the New Zealand Disability Strategy
We have published new information on how government agencies are delivering the 34 actions in the New Zealand Disability Strategy.
There are ‘change stories’ about education, employment, health, housing and justice, and a 5-year ‘roadmap’ of delivery. All these documents are in alternate formats.
New Zealand Disability Strategy delivering the actions external URL
Summaries of submissions on the draft strategy are also available, including from tāngata whaikaha Māori and Māori, and Pacific people.
New Zealand Disability Strategy summary of submissions external URL .
Action plan for NZSL Strategy published
The New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Board has published an action plan for the NZSL Strategy 2026-2036.
The plan sets out what will be delivered over the next year and how progress will be tracked. The Board is focusing on early, practical actions to create momentum for the strategy. Work includes strengthening Deaf education and continuing work to create standards for NZSL interpreters.
As part of the action plan, Whaikaha hosted a forum in June on AI and NZSL. Leaders in the Deaf community came together to explore the use of AI in NZSL translation and how to ensure it is ethical and Deaf-led.
News
- Whaikaha is moving from the Aurora Centre at 56 The Terrace, Wellington to Pastoral House (Te Puāwai o Te Aroha) at 25 The Terrace.
- Whaikaha hosted a forum focused on improving the accessibility of government digital services. Government Digital Accessibility Forum 2026
- Want to have your say? Our External consultations webpage brings together consultations from across government. External consultations