Disability data and evidence resources

High quality disability data is essential to measure progress against the New Zealand Disability Strategy and our commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons (UNCRPD). New Zealand’s responsibility to collect, disaggregate, and disseminate disability data corresponds to Article 31 of the Convention.

Types of disability data and evidence

There are 3 main sources of disability data and evidence.

Administrative data

Administrative (admin) data refers to data collected by organisations for the purpose of running and monitoring programmes or services. Much of this data goes into Stats NZ’s Integrated Data Infrastructure, where it can be linked anonymously with other data sources to support research.

Survey data

Surveys are a common source of disability data. Survey data are collected directly from a sample of respondents, which is often representative of the whole country. There are a number of surveys in New Zealand that collect disability data. Many of these use the Washington Group Short Set (WGSS) of questions which allow us to compare outcomes for disabled and non-disabled people. The New Zealand Disability Survey uses a much longer set of questions and can be used to estimate disability prevalence.

Research and evaluation

Disability research and evaluation involves studying the experiences, needs, and outcomes of disabled people to inform policy, practice, and service delivery. It can include assessing programs, interventions, and systems to understand their impact on disabled people and their communities. High quality disability research and evaluation centres disabled voices, uses inclusive methodologies, and aims to promote social justice, accessibility, and human rights.

Key sources of disability data

The following surveys collect and publish disability data.

• Household Disability Survey – Stats NZ external URL
  Provides official estimates of disability prevalence as well as information about the characteristics and experiences of the disabled population. Find out more at 17 percent of New Zealanders are disabled.
• Household Labour Force Survey – Stats NZ external URL
  Since 2017, WGSS questions have been included in June quarters. This allows us to compare a broad range of labour market outcomes for disabled and non-disabled people. Find out more at Labour market statistics for disabled people – June 2024 quarter.
• General Social Survey – Stats NZ external URL
  Wellbeing statistics from the General Social Survey provide a picture of social wellbeing in the New Zealand population. The WGSS has been included since 2016, and the WGSS-enhanced short set from 2021 onwards.
• New Zealand Census of Populations and Dwellings – Stats NZ external URL
  Census data provides the official count of the people and dwellings in New Zealand. WGSS questions have been included since 2018.
• Te Kupenga – Stats NZ external URL
  Te Kupenga gives a picture of the social, cultural, and economic wellbeing of Māori in New Zealand, including information from a Māori cultural perspective.
• Household income and housing-cost statistics – Stats NZ external URL
  Income and expenditure information for households and demographic data on households and individuals in New Zealand. Find out more at Disabled children still more likely to live in material hardship.
• Child Poverty Statistics – Stats NZ external URL
  Child poverty statistics provide estimates of low income and material hardship rates for measures listed in the Child Poverty Reduction Act 2018, including for disabled children and children living in disabled households. Find out more at Disabled children still more likely to live in material hardship.
• New Zealand Health Survey – Ministry of Health NZ external URL
  The New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS) provides information about the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders. The NZHS became a continuous survey in 2011, enabling the publication of annual updates on the health of New Zealanders. WG questions have been included since 2018/19. Find out more at Disabled people experiencing poorer health and wellbeing than non-disabled people.
• Ministry of Justice – Crime and Victims Survey external URL
  The New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey collects information about New Zealanders’ experience of crime. This new survey will run every year from 2018 asking 8,000 New Zealanders from all walks of life about their experiences. It includes analysis on victimisation of disabled people.
• Patient experience | Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission external URL
  A series of national patient experience surveys that regularly collect and measure patient feedback on health care and health services to support quality improvement.
• Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey - Ministry of Social Development external URL
  New Zealand’s largest nationally representative survey looking at the health and wellbeing of young people.
• Active NZ surveys – Sport New Zealand – Ihi Aotearoa external URL
  Survey to understand participation in and attitudes towards physical activity and sport.
• Growing Up in New Zealand external URL
  Longitudinal study of child health and wellbeing, following the lives of 6000 young people and their families.
• Te Taunaki Public Service Census – Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission external URL
  Survey of all public servants working in departments and departmental agencies which captures employee experiences and demographic information to give valuable insights about capability and culture across Public Service.

Selected research and reports

• Disabled-person led Monitoring of the UNCRPD – Donald Beasley Institute external URL
• Stats NZ – Measuring inequality for disabled New Zealanders external URL
  Measuring inequality for disabled New Zealanders: 2018 compares a range of home, economic, and social outcomes for disabled and non-disabled people in New Zealand.
• Publications – Ministry of Health NZ external URL
  Disability-related publications from the Ministry of Health
• Health Quality and Safety Commission – Healthcare experience of disabled people during COVID-19 external URL
  Analysis of a patient experience survey run by HQSC in June and July 2020 looking at the experience of disabled people in Aotearoa New Zealand hospitals and primary care.
• Growing Up in New Zealand research reports external URL
  Key findings from the study about the development, health, and wellbeing of the children and their families.
• Waitangi Tribunal – Māori Health Disability Statistics Report (PDF) external URL
  This publication presents aggregated demographic information about disabled people who were allocated Ministry of Health funded disability supports during a 12-month period to September 2018. The Crown’s Brief of Evidence on disability data and measurement development external URL is also available.
• Washington Group – publications About Washington Group Tools external URL
  A list of published journal articles, books (including book chapters and proceedings) and reports that focus on the tools developed by the Washington Group.
• Department of Internal Affairs – Digital Inclusion User Insights – Disabled People external URL
  Research report into experiences of digital inclusion for disabled people, including recommendations on how to increase digital inclusion.

Collecting and using disability data

• Statistics NZ – Improving New Zealand Disability Data (PDF) external URL
  This report outlines Statistics NZ's plans to publish new data about disabled people. It provides information about the way in which the new data has been produced and why it is needed. Understanding this will help to ensure that the data is interpreted correctly and used effectively.
• The Washington Group on Disability Statistics external URL
  Washington Group home page with information on the different Washington Groups question sets, how they were developed and how they should be used.
• World Health Organization – Strengthening the collection of data on disability external URL
  Collation of information about disability data and collection with examples of a model disability survey.
• UNICEF – Three Methods for Collecting Data on Persons with Disabilities external URL
  Youtube video outlining 3 methods for collecting data on disabled people. The videos include PowerPoint presentations with links to these in the video description box.
• DRPI – Disability Rights Promotion International external URL
  A collaborative project to establish an international system to monitor human rights of disabled people.
• National Ethical Standards for Health and Disability Research external URL
  The National Ethical Standards will help all researchers including new researchers and training researchers, foster awareness of ethical principles and enhance more rapid translation of research into clinical practice and health services delivery.
• Health Research Council of New Zealand - Guidelines for Researchers on Health Research Involving Māori (PDF) external URL
  These guidelines assist researchers undertaking biomedical, public health, or clinical research involving Māori participants or issues relevant to Māori health. It is expected that all those who undertake research involving Māori will read these guidelines prior to making a submission to an ethics committee.
• Global Research Agenda for Children with Disabilities - UNICEF external URL
  A strategic framework that identifies key research priorities to guide investments, policies, and programs for the full inclusion of children with disabilities.
• National Disability Research Partnership’s Disability Research Collection (Guidance from Australia) external URL
  The Collection shares evidence and knowledge on a range of topics to help advance the rights of disabled people and improve policies and practices.