2016 Revision of the Strategy

In 2015, the Government agreed to develop a new disability strategy for New Zealand.

A Reference Group was then set up to provide advice on the engagement process to be used, and provide advice on the content of the revised strategy.

Find out more about the Strategy Revision Reference Group

An initial round of consultation was held early in 2016 to find out what people wanted the future for disabled people in New Zealand to look like.

Thousands of people visited the ‘jointheconversation.nz’ website, hundreds attended workshops throughout the country and more than 10,000 people viewed a video featuring disabled people called ‘I have a voice’.

Over 580 individuals and organisations completed an online survey and a further 35 submissions were received in other ways – including five providing feedback via video.

Based on the conversation, a draft version of a new Disability Strategy was developed. In July and August 2016, this draft was taken back to the community to see if it was on the right track.

More than 630 people attended workshops held throughout the country. The Ministry of Education hosted eight workshops and other people ran their own. More 170 submissions from individuals and organisations were received.

The Strategy was then finalised and approval sought from Cabinet.

Read the October 2016 Cabinet paper [DOCX, 52 KB]

The Strategy was launched by the Minister for Disability Issues Hon Nicky Wagner on 29 November 2016.

Read the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2016-2026