New Zealand Disability Strategy 2016-2026
On this page
The way we look at disability in New Zealand has changed
There is still more work to be done
Strategy Revision Reference Group
The way we look at disability in New Zealand has changed
Since the first New Zealand Disability Strategy was developed in 2001 there has been real progress in the lives of many disabled people and their families and whānau. A significant milestone was the development of the Convention, which New Zealand ratified in 2008.
Disabled children are growing up wanting the same things as non-disabled children and the expectations of disabled adults have changed and grown. There is also a growing recognition that disabled people are experts in their own lives, and ensuring their right to be involved in the decisions that impact on them will lead to better outcomes.
There is still more work to be done
Even though there has been progress since 2001, this revised Strategy is needed because disabled people remain worse off than non-disabled people across all social and economic outcomes. This persistent gap has a flow-on effect. When disabled people are not able to participate in society, the entire country misses out on their contribution.
Strategy Revision Reference Group
The development of this Strategy was supported by the New Zealand Disability Strategy Revision Reference Group, of whom the majority of members identify as disabled people. It is also based on what disabled people said was most important to them during public consultation in 2016.
Page last updated: