Chief Executive foreword

Greetings

Whakapuāwai rā, e whanake ana
Whakapuāwai rā, e tōnui ana
Kei runga ake, kei runga noa atu
Kia mau ki te aka matua
Kia mau ki te rākau rangatira.

Me he aka rātā ka tipu tahi
ka puāwai tahi
Kia tū kaha i ngā hihi
ō Tama-nui-te-rā.

Ka mutu
Kia whai ora
Kia whai hua
Kia whai kaha e.

E ngā manawa nui
E ngā manawa rahi
E te mea nui o tēnei ao
He tāngata, he tāngata
Tēnā koutou katoa.
Nāu mai haere mai ki te pūrongo-a-tau.

Flourish and thrive, onwards, upwards
Flourish and thrive, prosperous, prolific
Ascending skywards, commanding, prominent
Grasp the main vine, hold firm the chiefly tree.

We are like the rātā vines.
Growing together and flourishing
To stand strong in the warmth of the sun.
Furthermore, pursue these qualities

Live well, thrive abundantly, find strength.
To the steadfast, to the resilient
To the greatest thing in this world
It’s people, it’s people

Greetings to you all.

Welcome to this year’s annual report.

Reflecting on the past year

I am proud to present this Annual Report for the 2023/24 financial year, which outlines how in our second year of establishment, the Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha has continued to work with tāngata whaikaha Māori, disabled people, whānau, families, the wider disability sector and our colleagues across the public service to continue towards a non-disabling Aotearoa New Zealand.

As we reflect on the past year, I want to acknowledge the April 2024 passing of Sir Robert Martin, an important leader in our community who made an enormous contribution in New Zealand and globally. He was also the patron of My Home, My Choice, aiming to improve the way people in residential services are assisted. We continue to grieve his loss and hope that his legacy will continue through our ongoing work

This year we have focused on both improving the way disability supports are delivered and on stewarding change across government.

We strengthened our systems and built capability to better support the delivery of Disability Support Services (DSS) to 62,000 people and Equipment and Modification Services to over 47,000 disabled people.

This year we have responded to both the increased complexity and demand for disability supports, while balancing the need to manage delivery within our fiscal envelope.

Across government, we have continued to provide advice and input, invested in relationships and identified opportunities to advance the rights and interests of the disabled community.

Some key highlights

Drawing down transformation funding and establishing the Transformation Management Board to guide investments and reflect our commitment to work with the disability community to improve the disability support system.
Strengthening community engagement mechanisms, with the establishment of the Strategic Advisory Group and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Enabling Good Lives Leadership Group and the Ministry.
Developing a National Pacific Disability Plan in collaboration with Pacific families and communities.
Investing to grow disability leadership and build community capacity and capability, through the commissioning of grants for disabled-led groups and organisations.
Implementing system improvements so that disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau can have more confidence about the quality of supports they receive.
Contributing to the Crown Response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith Based Care.
Collaborating across government on matters of importance, including data, workforce development, accessibility and inclusion.
The appointment of new members to the New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Board and progressing a review of the NZSL strategy.
Strengthening and supporting the NZSL Board Turi Māori Advisory Group Te Roopū Kaitiaki, and growing their leadership contribution by including them in the Strategic Advisory Group.
Becoming an employer of choice for disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori, and leading work to improve employment rates and experiences of disabled employees in the public service.
Developing our first strategic work programme to guide the prioritisation of work as we build our capability and capacity.
Developing our organisational values in collaboration with kaimahi/staff.
Growing our capability and capacity to deliver on our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and grow Māori Crown relationships.
Developing our commissioning framework.
Forensic Coordination Services was moved under the direct management of the Ministry in March 2024. This transition has progressed well with plans underway to retender the service in 2025.

Statement of responsibility

I am responsible, as Chief Executive of the Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha, for the accuracy of this 30 June 2024 end-of-year performance information prepared by Whaikaha, whether or not that information is included in the Annual Report.

In my opinion, this Annual Report fairly reflects the operations, progress and organisational health and capability of the Ministry of Disabled People.

Paula Tesoriero MNZM PLY
Chief Executive | Te Tumu Whakarae
30 September 2024