Our story

Whaikaha was established on 1 July 2022 with a dual mandate to:

• Improve and strengthen the way disability supports are provided.
• Advance societal change to improve outcomes for disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, families and whānau.

At the time of this report, Whaikaha is a departmental agency as defined by section 2 of the Public Finance Act (1989), hosted within the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). It is an agency committed to progressing the rights and opportunities of disabled people.

The work of Whaikaha is underpinned by Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Enabling Good Lives (EGL) principles and approach.

Our Whakataukī

Me he aka rātā ka tipu tahi

ka puāwai tahi kia tū kaha i

ngā hihi ō Tamanuiterā.

Like the rātā vines growing

together and flourishing to

stand strong in the warmth

of the sun.