Independent Review
About the review
As the Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha was facing cost pressures, the Minister wanted a full picture of the situation before considering any changes to the system.
The Independent Review included seven recommendations, which have been accepted by the Government.
The recommendations are unlikely to immediately impact the support disabled people or their carers currently receive. People will be consulted as we move through the process.
Cabinet also agreed to:
- transfer Disability Support Services (DSS) to a new branded business unit within the Ministry of Social Development. This will be in place by mid September, with other supporting functions for DSS moving before the end of 2024
- create a standalone department for the rest of the Ministry of Disabled People, to provide leadership and stewardship for disabled people across government by the end of 2024
- establish a cross-agency taskforce of senior officials within MSD to deliver the review’s recommendations for DSS. The taskforce will include experts in policy, finance, contract management, service delivery, risk management, auditing, and evaluation.
Work to implement the decisions from the Independent Review begins now, with initial report backs due by the end of 2024.
Update on Disability Support Services by Minister for Disability Issues, Hon Louise Upston (20 August 2024)
Video transcript
Hello everyone,
I want to give you an update and reassurance about what’s happening with Disability Support Services.
If you are a disabled person, family member, or carer of a disabled person, there is no immediate change to the support you are receiving.
For now, you will continue to get the funding, equipment, care, and the other disability support you are eligible for.
Your point of contact will continue to be your providers – your NASC, host or Enabling Good Lives site.
I also want to reassure you that you will not need to come into MSD’s Work and Income offices to receive Disability Support Services.
When Disability Support Services move to MSD before October, they will be set up as a separate business unit within MSD, separate from Work and Income.
MSD already has many disabled Work and Income clients and will continue to work with them as usual every day through Work and Income channels, supporting them on matters such as income, employment and housing. That won’t change.
We've set up a special taskforce within the Ministry of Social Development to manage the transition and urgently address the recent review of Disability Support Services or DSS. This taskforce will make sure that the record $1.1 billion funding boost to Disability Support Services in Budget 2024 is used where it’s most needed.
MSD’s Chief Executive has appointed a senior public servant, Chris Bunny to lead this important work. Not only is Chris an experienced leader, but as a parent of a child with a disability he understands the challenges you face and the importance of support.
Your voice is crucial in this process, and I’ve asked that the taskforce actively engage with you, your families, and carers on any future changes to DSS.
I’ll be receiving updates by the end of the year and will make decisions early next year about any changes to Disability Support Services.
Lastly, I want to say that the Government is committed to building a fair, sustainable, high-quality disability support system that delivers better outcomes for disabled people based on their needs.
Thank you.
View supporting documents
- View the Minister's Press Release on the Beehive website external URL
- View the Minister's Press Release on our website
- View the Independent Review Disability Support Services Phase One Report – 28 June 2024, including and feedback on the Review by Whaikaha CE Paula Tesoriero – 16 July 2024
- View Whaikaha Chief Executive's statement
- View Fact sheets:
- View Questions and Answers
- View Cabinet paper, 29 April 2024
- View Cabinet paper, 12 August 2024
- View the Rapid Assurance Review, May 2024
- View the Operational Policy and Guidelines 2024/25
About Whaikaha
Whaikaha commissions a range services that supports approximately 50,000 disabled people and their carers each week.
Whaikaha also funds equipment and home and vehicle modifications for approximately 100,000 people each year to support disabled people to navigate their everyday lives.
Alternate formats
- Audio: Minister for Disability Issues, Hon Louise Upston provides an update on Disability Support Services (MP3 1.3MB)
- Braille: Minister for Disability Issues, Hon Louise Upston provides an update on Disability Support Services (BRF 3KB)
- Large Print: Minister for Disability Issues, Hon Louise Upston provides an update on Disability Support Services (DOCX 116KB)