Appendix Two: Whaikaha establishment

Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People was created in response to the disability community asking for a Ministry which focuses on improving the lives of disabled people. The establishment was to work in partnership with the disability community, Māori and Government for a better, more independent future for disabled people and whānau in Aotearoa New Zealand.

In October 2021, Cabinet agreed to establish Whaikaha as a departmental agency, hosted by MSD, to support the shift of DSS towards a Social Model of Disability. This meant administration of a range of DSS functions and responsibility for the three Enabling Good Lives initiatives[1] would sit outside the health system. In addition, these were to be delivered by an agency with a focus on driving improved outcomes for disabled people.

The establishment of Whaikaha sees Aotearoa New Zealand as an international leader in promoting the rights of disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau.

[1] Enabling Good Lives initiatives are parts of DSS that operate in a manner more consistent with Enabling Good Lives. These sites are located in Christchurch, Waikato and Mid-central and have informed the development of and evidence base for ongoing transformation work. Detail on each of these sites can be found below.