The Government’s announcement that more disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori will be able to access more flexible support is a move in the right direction, says Kaihautū Tika Hauātanga Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker.

The Government says that Enabling Good Lives will be extended to two new sites benefiting 1000 people in underserved communities over four years, and another 5400 people will experience change over four years through transforming existing disability support services.

“While we welcome the funding focus and priorities, the scale and pace for change is a bit disappointing given how long disabled people have been waiting for transformation," says Prudence.

The Government has confirmed $73.7 million over the next four years and a further $40.5m in outyears to continue to transform the disability support system, Minister for Disability Issues Priyanca Radhakrishnan has announced.

“The Enabling Good Lives (EGL) approach is a framework which guides positive change for disabled people, families, communities and governance structures,” says Radhakrishnan.

“The funding allocated was initially set aside as contingency funding prior to the establishment of Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People. I’m delighted it can now go towards making a real difference in the lives of thousands of Disabled New Zealanders.

“This Government is continuing to transform the disability system, ensuring that disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau all benefit from the EGL approach, which increases self-determination.

“This funding strengthens protections for disabled people, will extend EGL to new regions, transform existing disability support services and build community capability and leadership opportunities for disabled people.

“Disabled people should be able to have more choice and control over the decisions they make for their own lives and be able to pursue their goals like everyone else."

Prudence says she is pleased to see investment in capacity building and the priority for underserved communities as this is critical to the success of transformation.

“Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission welcomes the commitment to work in partnership with Whānau Ora which will provide tāngata whaikaha Māori with more culturally appropriate options for support.”

She says she hopes more disability support organisations commit to working in flexible and responsive ways to provide disabled people with better choice and control without waiting for a specific roll-out of the EGL approach in their area.

Prudence says changes to existing disability support services should be designed with, and led by, disabled people.

“We were also pleased to see the Budget 2023 investment in improving safeguarding for disabled people and adults at risk and that this focus has been maintained in the announcement.”

“I am proud that our Government has made a record investment in disability communities – from the establishment of Whaikaha in 2022, to committing $863.6m through Budget 2023 to help ease cost pressures on disability support services, to ending the discriminatory Minimum Wage Exemption and so much more," says Radhakrishnan.

“While this funding will make a significant difference to many, I acknowledge there is still more to be done. The drawdown of this funding is another significant step towards a national rollout of the EGL approach and transformation of our disability system."

The need to strengthen Safeguarding systems was recommended in the Commission’s 2021 reports on violence and abuse experienced by disabled people: ‘Acting now for a violence and abuse free future’ and ‘Whakamanahia te Tiriti, whakahaumarutia te tangata  Honour the Treaty, protect the person’.