Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People

Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha At Whaikaha, we want an Aotearoa where disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori are thriving.

As a Ministry we are dedicated to this goal, working with government, businesses, and communities to drive real change. We do this by investing in disability communities, providing strategic and policy advice across government, monitoring how well services are working, and identifying new, exciting opportunities to make a difference. By working alongside disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and

their whānau our work improves lives and highlights both their impact and untapped potential in contributing to our society and the economy. Our current work includes a refresh of the New Zealand Disability Strategy, the New Zealand Sign Language Strategy, creating employment opportunities for disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori in the public service, and working towards UNCRPD and the response to the Royal Commission. View our community guidelines on our website: https://www.whaikaha.govt.nz/about-us/programmes-strategies-and-studies/guidelines/social-media-community-guidelines

Community capability funding announced 🗣️ We are pleased to share that we have now distributed the full $1.7 million in ...
22/06/2026

Community capability funding announced 🗣️

We are pleased to share that we have now distributed the full $1.7 million in community grants for the 2025/26 financial year.

This funding is going directly to community organisations to support leadership, advocacy, and a stronger collective voice for disabled people across New Zealand.

It will support work led by the disability community, including organisations led by disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, families and whanau, and allies.

“Supporting disabled people and the organisations that represent them is an important part of our work” says Deputy Chief Executive Rebecca Elvy.

“This funding helps communities lead, strengthens their connections, and builds capability that will have a lasting difference.”

Importantly, this funding will go to a more diverse range of community organisations, including underrepresented groups.

To learn more about where the funding is going, check out the link in the comments 🔗

Image description: A purple graphic with text that says: Community Capability funding announced. To the right of the text has a faded tohu design, a series of parallel lines with intersecting curved elements.

A new accessible viewing platform helping Whakatane people connect with nature all started with disabled students wantin...
17/06/2026

A new accessible viewing platform helping Whakatane people connect with nature all started with disabled students wanting to support a classmate.

When their classmate, who uses a wheelchair, could not see Ōtamakaokao (Awatapu) Lagoon over thick bush, Te Mārama class from Trident High School News did something about it.

The result is a raised, four-square-metre wooden platform with wheelchair access. Now, everyone can take a view of the lagoon and the wildlife that lives in it.

The community came together with students, teachers, local groups, contractors, and volunteers all playing a part. Labour and expertise were provided by Straight Up Contracting and Glenden Farming 2007 Ltd.

The project highlights the strength of collaboration within the Whakatāne community. Groups including HALO Whakatane, the Awatapu Otamakaokao Kaitiaki and various kura have all played a role in restoring the lagoon and its surrounding habitats.

Today, the platform is more than a lookout. It is a favourite place for Te Mārama class to gather, connect and share lunch – surrounded by the nature they are helping to protect and restore.

It’s also a great example of what happens when people come together to remove barriers and create spaces where everyone can belong.

Thanks also to Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council for project funding through their Environmental Enhancement Fund.

Image description 1: Three people stand on the platform in a row using binoculars to look for wildlife in the lagoon. They have laminated cards with different bird species in front of them.

Image description 2: Te Mārama class students and teachers pose in front of the platform. There is one person in a wheelchair and the remainder are standing.

Image description 3: A raised wooden platform with a ramp on two sides. On two sides of the platform is a rail and on the other two sides are wooden benches for sitting.

Image description 4: A group of students and teachers are gathered to watch the platform being built. In the foreground is a trailer with carpentry tools and in the background is a wheelbarrow and spirit level.

12/06/2026

Why should Turi Māori lead conversations about NZSL and AI? 💭

10/06/2026

We asked young Deaf people why it is important for them to lead conversations about AI and NZSL 💭

08/06/2026

The future of AI and NZSL should be shaped by the Deaf community.

Whaikaha hosted a forum to help drive that conversation forward.

Without alternate formats, many disabled people miss out on important information and the chance to take part in decisio...
03/06/2026

Without alternate formats, many disabled people miss out on important information and the chance to take part in decisions that affect them.

We manage the all-of-government process for providing information in alternate formats.

We were pleased to support Reserve Bank of NZ to make the ‘Keeping Cash Local’ consultation information accessible to more people.

It’s about keeping basic cash services available to everyone, and you can now access the information in a format that works for you.

Have your say by 31 July – link in comments. 🔗

Image description: graphic with a white background and a heading that says “Alternate formats for Keeping Cash Local consultation available now.” A hand is holding a New Zealand $50 note across the lower half of the image. At the bottom, a pink banner lists the alternate formats: Easy Read, Braille, Large Print, Audio and NZ Sign Language.

Image credit: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

We're proud to share that our Kaihautū — Chief Advisor Māori, Ronelle Baker, has been recognised in this year’s King’s B...
31/05/2026

We're proud to share that our Kaihautū — Chief Advisor Māori, Ronelle Baker, has been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours for her service to children and disabled people.

We are also celebrating others honoured this year for their work with disabled people, including:

- Hamish John Logan Taverner
- Daniel Gerard Buckingham
- Robyn Mary Hunt (Companion of the King’s Service Order).

Congratulations to all those recognised. We are grateful for the work you do for our communities.

You can read the full list of recipients on the DPMC website - link in comments.

Image description: Ronelle Baker, wearing a dark blue shirt and a carved wooden taonga around her neck, in front of a light-coloured carved wall panel.

Today the Government released its 2026 Budget.The Government has allocated just over $84 million over a 4-year period to...
28/05/2026

Today the Government released its 2026 Budget.

The Government has allocated just over $84 million over a 4-year period to ensure the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha can continue its work to improve the lives of disabled people.

You can find out more about our budget and announcements from other agencies on our website – link in comments 🔗

Image description: purple graphic with the text ‘Budget 2026’. To the left of the text is a faded tohu design, a series of parallel lines with intersecting curved elements. Along the bottom left edge is a darker purple curved border.

What does accessibility look like in practice? At Whaikaha, it starts before someone even joins us. We design our work, ...
25/05/2026

What does accessibility look like in practice?

At Whaikaha, it starts before someone even joins us. We design our work, systems, and culture with accessibility front of mind from day one.

We were proud to share this at the Government Digital Accessibility Forum for Global Accessibility Awareness Day.

Our Deputy Chief Executive, Ginny Baddeley, talked about how we put accessibility into action - starting with recruitment. We offer different ways to apply and make sure the process works for a range of needs.

We don’t wait for people to ask for support. We check what people need early, share clear information upfront, and make sure there are no surprises. That helps people show up at their best.

Often, it’s the simple things that matter most: sharing information early, running meetings well, and making it easy for people to ask for what they need.

But accessibility doesn’t stop there. Needs can change over time, so we keep things flexible and keep the conversation open.

That’s how inclusive workplaces are built.

Ginny closed with a simple but important reminder: Ask, don’t assume. Listen, don’t defend. And start making small changes early.

What could make everyday life easier for disabled people? We asked for ideas to address accessibility barriers, and the ...
21/05/2026

What could make everyday life easier for disabled people?

We asked for ideas to address accessibility barriers, and the response was strong. Six projects are now being supported through Access Activator to help bring them to life.

That includes 2 New Zealand Paralympians helping schools make sport more accessible for disabled children, and a toolkit to support more autism-friendly homes. Other work focuses on how people plan journeys and access buildings, and understanding how accessible our streets really are.

We’re proud to be delivering Access Activator with CreativeHQ.co.nz, with funding, mentoring and delivery support.

Find out more and meet the innovators – link in comments 🔗

Image description: A purple graphic with the text “Access Activator recipients announced” at the top. Below are 3 photos of some of the recipients. The photo on the left shows Tim Young, founder of Access Quest, using a wheelchair on a suburban footpath, angled slightly away from the camera. In the middle is a headshot of Emma Foy, co-founder of Āhei, wearing glasses and facing the camera. On the right is a headshot of Laura Thompson, co-founder of Āhei, standing against a wall and facing the camera.

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