Support from other government agencies

Responsibility to meet the needs of the disabled community is shared among several Government agencies.

In addition to the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha, other agencies that have a role in funding or providing specialist disability services include Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Transport, Regional Councils & local authorities, Ministry of Social Development (MSD), Peke Waihanga – Artificial Limb Service, Oranga Tamariki, Accident Compensation Corporation, Department of Internal Affairs, and Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE).

The following list provides a wide range of disability supports but may not be exhaustive.

Ministry of Social Development

The Ministry of Social Development runs Disability Support Services external URL in addition to the programmes outlined below.

Residential care subsidy and residential support subsidy for long-term care: Residential care - Work and Income external URL external URL .

Disability-specific income support

Community participation and employment services for disabled people

MSD supports disabled people to get into work and take part in their communities with a range of services.

Peke Waihanga – Artificial Limb Service (overseen by MSD)

Peke Waihanga – Artificial Limb Service external URL external URL is a Crown Entity and specialist healthcare provider that manufactures medical devices, mainly artificial limbs, for individual patients with an integrated rehabilitation and coordination of care service, and peer support service.

Health New Zealand (overseen by the Ministry of Health)

In addition to universal health and mental health services that should be accessible to disabled people in the same way they are available to other New Zealanders, there are some services funded in the health system that are more specific to disabled people (including those with long-term health and age-related disabling conditions). This includes:

Ministry of Education

All children have the right of enrolment at their local mainstream school. Therefore, one of the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) roles is to provide specific support for disabled children or children with additional learning support needs. This may include the following.

Social and Community Housing

Disabled people are expected to have equitable access to Social and Community Housing. The following programmes support this.

  • The social housing register, means assessment, and income-related rent is administered by MSD. Social Housing is provided by Kāinga Ora and community housing providers. Community housing registrations and funding assessments are managed by the Community Housing Regulatory Authority (part of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)). A disabled person who lives in a residential facility cannot register for public housing.
    Apply for public housing – Work and Income external URL
  • Tenancy Services (MBIE) external URL provides assistance with bonds and private residential tenancy issues and hardship assistance for bonds.
  • Rent in advance and rent in arrears can be applied for through Work and Income, a part of MSD.
    Accommodation Costs in Advance Grant – Work and Income external URL
  • Tenancy disputes with community or social housing providers and private residential tenancies can be taken to the Tenancy Tribunal. Tenancy Tribunal » Tenancy Services external URL
  • Mainstream tenancy rights do not apply to funded residential services where the service provider is the owner.

Accident Compensation Corporation

No-fault personal injury cover for all New Zealanders. ACC administers support for people with injury-related needs and disabilities, dependant on individual needs and circumstances.

Oranga Tamariki

Oranga Tamariki is responsible for the care and protection of children and young people, including many with disabilities. The High and Complex Needs Unit supports whānau (including kin and non-kin caregivers) with children and young people who have high and complex needs. High and Complex Needs (hcn.govt.nz) external URL

Department of Internal Affairs

In addition to universal services, specific assistance is available with registration of assistance dogs. Guidelines for authorisation to certify disability assist dogs - dia.govt.nz external URL

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE)