Disability Support Services

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Nau mai, haere mai. Find information for disabled people, whānau, support people, and providers.

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Take part in our community consultation

Community update 5 February 2025

In this video, Chris Bunny talks about our upcoming community consultation, including signing up for workshops, making a submission or completing a survey.
Video transcript

Kia ora koutou. I'm Chris Bunny. I'm leading the work to stabilise Disability Support Services. This is my first update for 2025. 

I know last year was tough for many of you and this year we want to do better for disabled people, their whānau and carers.

With that in mind, registrations are now open for our upcoming community consultation workshops. Weve had the registrations open for a week now and its great to see people taking the opportunity to sign up. 

Consultation starts the week of the 10th of February and runs until the 24th of March. This includes in person and online workshop options. I will attend some of them myself and I am really looking forward to getting on the road and hearing from the community. 

You can also make a submission from the 10th of February – either in writing or by video – or complete a survey on our DSS website.  

We are seeking feedback on two specific issues:                   

  • how assessment and allocation processes could be made clearer  
  • options for changes to flexible funding.  

This is important mahi. Your feedback will help the Government make decisions on how to stabilise disability support services, so they are more fair, consistent, transparent and sustainable into the future. 

We want to hear from all of you, particularly the 52,000 people receiving disability support services, and their whānau, carers, and advocates.  

All of the information you need including dates and times and background information is on our DSS website – disabilitysupport.govt.nz.  

Register now to have your say. 

te wā, bye for now.

About Disability Support Services

Disability Support Services (DSS) is a business group in the Ministry of Social Development. It is responsible for providing essential support to around 50,000 disabled people and their whānau, as well as equipment and modification services for approximately 100,000 New Zealanders.

For disabled people, whānau and carers, your first point of contact is your provider, NASC, or Enabling Good Lives site.

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Quick links

  • Assessment and funding

    If you have a disability, or care for someone with a disability, there is a range of support available.

  • Support and services

    Look at the types of support available to help disabled people live good lives

  • For service providers

    Find out how to become a provider of disability support services and how you can get help with your work

  • Independent Review

    Information and updates about the Independent Review of Disability Support Services

  • Engagement

    Disability Support Services is committed to engagement and consultation with the disability community and sector on Recommendations Five and Six of the Independent Review

  • Contact us

    How to contact us and provide feedback and complaints