DSS invites disabled people, families, whānau and carers to help shape further improvements to disability support services.
The community consultation will run from Monday 8 June to Friday 31 July.
We are focusing on key service areas the disability community has said matter most to them.
Consultation key dates
- From 2 June: Read the consultation documents
- From 2 June: Register for a workshop
- From 8 June: Do an online survey
- From 8 June: Send in a submission
- From 15 June: Go to an online workshop
- From 30 June: Go to an in-person workshop in a main centre
- 31 July (5pm): Consultation ends
Building on what you have told us
Over the past two years, the disability community has shared their experiences and ideas with DSS.
That feedback has already led to changes – such as more consistent needs assessments, including carers' needs, and more choice and control for people with flexible funding.
However, we know there is more to do.
This consultation builds on what we have heard.
What we want to hear your ideas on
The consultation focuses on key areas the disability community has told us matter most:
- Outcomes that matter – being clearer about the difference DSS supports make in everyday life
- Planning for life changes – getting the right support at the right time
- Feedback and complaints – making it easier to speak up
- Carer respite – improving options for carers to take a break
- Flexibility of supports – more choice and control in services, beyond flexible funding
- Information and advice – making it easier to find and understand DSS-funded support
Read the consultation documents
You can find the full consultation documents, summary documents and factsheet about this consultation on this page:
This includes alternate formats, and te reo Māori, Tongan and Samoan translations.
Have your say
You can take part in a way that works for you.
- From 2 June: Read the consultation documents | Register for a workshop
- From 8 June: Do an online survey | Send in a submission
- From 15 June: Go to an online workshop
- From 30 June: Go to an in-person workshop in a main centre
- 31 July (5pm): Consultation ends.
You can make a submission by:
- email: DSS_submissions@msd.govt.nz
- post:
Disability Support Services
Ministry of Social Development
PO Box 1556
Wellington 6140
- NZSL:
- Use the NZSL portal external, or
- Email to nzsl_submissions@msd.govt.nz
You don’t need to respond to everything — just the topics that matter to you.
Do the online survey
You don't need to respond to every question - just the ones that matter to you.
You can choose alternate formats on the survey landing page. Once you've started the survey, you can switch between alternate formats using the green human figure at the top right of the screen.
Register for a workshop
There are multiple online workshops, as well as in-person workshops in main centres. The registration portal contains dates.
In-person workshop dates:
| Location | Date | Time |
| Auckland South | 30 June 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00 |
| Auckland Central | 1 July 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00 |
| Hamilton | 2 July 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00 |
| Palmerston North | 21 July 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00 |
| Lower Hutt | 22 July 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00 |
| Dunedin | 29 July 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00 |
| Christchurch | 30 July 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00 |
Who can take part
We want to hear from:
- disabled people who receive DSS-funded support
- their families, whānau and carers
- people who support or advocate for them.
What happens next
After the consultation closes, we will:
- review and summarise what we hear
- share a summary of feedback on the DSS website
- use your input to make improvements.
About this consultation
This consultation is part of our ongoing work to strengthen disability support services.
It builds on what we’ve already heard from the disability community and focuses on improving how services work in practice.
We know there are several changes happening for the disability community, and that taking part in consultations takes time and effort. We really appreciate people choosing to share their experiences and ideas with us.
Running this consultation now means service improvements can continue, building on what the community has said, instead of waiting longer for change and improvements that can make a difference for people.
This consultation is different from the DSS Bill
You may have noticed news and discussion about the Disability Support Services Bill.
This consultation is separate and different from the Bill.
- The Bill is a Parliamentary process to set the legal framework for DSS.
- This consultation is about improving DSS services and supports.
If you want to learn about the Bill, you can do that through the Parliament website external.