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Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People

The establishment of Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People (Whaikaha) enables the diverse experiences of disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, Pacific disabled peoples, their families, whānau and carers [1] to be better recognised and understood. It is also an opportunity to begin transforming the government system so disabled people, tangata whaikaha Māori and whānau have equal opportunities to achieve their goals and aspirations.

Currently many disabled people, tangata whaikaha Māori and whānau face significant barriers in achieving ordinary life outcomes. Disabled people’s voices have not been heard in a fragmented system that lacks clarity of focus and leadership. Establishing a new ministry and beginning national implementation of the Enabling Good Lives approach (EGL) are significant milestones for the disability community.

Whaikaha has three key functions during the initial stages of its establishment and consolidation:

  • Ensuring continuity of support for disabled people, tangata whaikaha Māori and whānau while furthering the work on the transformation of disability support services
  • Facilitating leadership and stewardship of disability issues across government
  • Maintaining the trust and confidence of disabled people, tangata whaikaha Māori and whānau.

In undertaking these functions, Whaikaha will work in partnership with disabled people, tangata whaikaha Māori and whānau.

As a Departmental Agency of the Crown, Whaikaha is a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi and communities so that tāngata whaikaha Māori me ō rātou whānau realise their aspirations, and to embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi into the way Whaikaha will work with and for Māori.

Whaikaha will combine a significant service delivery responsibility with the stewardship role of a population Ministry [2]. Whaikaha cannot and should not assume responsibility for disability supports, services and policies that are the responsibilities of other public sector agencies. Its role is to support other government agencies to hear and respond to the needs and perspectives of disabled people, tangata whaikaha Māori and whānau in their work and to provide strategic leadership and co-ordination across government.

These are significant responsibilities and Whaikaha’s work has just begun. It is important that Whaikaha has the time it needs to consolidate and stabilise its functions, so it can progress longer term transformation of the disability support system. This can be seen as three stages:

  • Establishment – Upon commencement, the Disability Support Services’ functions and associated staff, including Mana Whaikaha and Enabling Good Lives Christchurch, transferred from Manatū Hauora (the Ministry of Health). At the same time, the functions and staff of the Office of Disability Issues and Enabling Good Lives Waikato transferred from MSD. Ensuring continuity of services to disabled people is a priority. Aspects of Whaikaha, such as some corporate functions including accommodation, have been established on an interim basis. Engagement to ensure the voices of disabled people, tangata whaikaha Māori, whānau and their communities are reflected in Whaikaha’s work will continue to be developed as a priority.
  • Consolidation – The incoming Chief Executive will begin to develop Whaikaha’s vision and strategy in consultation with key partners. Existing services will continue and Whaikaha will develop and implement its new functions and ways of working. The priority is to ensure the functional foundations and components are in place for Whaikaha’s success and to support the work in leading disability system transformation.
  • Transformation – Leading transformative change will be a core responsibility for Whaikaha, including:
    • wider leadership and stewardship of disability issues across government to improve the experience and outcomes of disabled people, tangata whaikaha Māori and whānau
    • transformation of the disability support system (enable disabled person-directed support and the application of EGL principles).

Transformation will be undertaken in partnership with disabled people, tangata whaikaha Māori and whānau, with Māori (including iwi and hapū), and informed by the individual and collective voices of the disability community as well as input from the sector.

These priorities sit at the centre of Whaikaha’s purpose and are its major accountabilities to the disability community and government.

MSD’s Statement of Intent 2022 – 2026 provides a broad base for Whaikaha to begin to deliver on the goal of disabled people’s full participation and inclusion across multiple facets of their lives. The Government recognises Whaikaha will need to develop objectives and performance measures across broad areas of wellbeing and government priorities which are valued by disabled people, tangata whaikaha Māori and whānau.

The first 18 months of operation will enable Whaikaha to engage in partnership with disabled people, tangata whaikaha Māori and whānau on its strategic path and on the development of measures of progress with relevant agencies.

Footnotes:

1. For the purposes of brevity these groups are collectively abbreviated to ‘disabled people, tangata whaikaha Māori and whānau’.
2. For example the Ministry for Pacific Peoples or the Ministry for Women.

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