Ben O'Connell
Minister for Disability Issues Hon Louise Upston announced last week that the Ministry of Disabled People—Whaikaha will be immediately stabilised and restructured. The handling of disability support services will move to the Ministry of Social Development.
“This Government is committed to supporting disabled people, which is why we provided a record $1.1 billion funding boost to disability support services in this year’s Budget,” Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston said in a statement.
“We must now take urgent action after an independent review found the delivery of these services is in a dire state, with unsustainable spending and a lack of fairness and transparency around what support disabled people can access.
“The review found much of the problem stems from the previous government’s ‘rushed’ six-month establishment of the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha.”
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) will become responsible for delivering disability support services by October 2024.
Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker says it is very disappointing to see a key function of Whaikaha, Ministry for Disabled People, removed from it.
“I know many disabled people are anxious at the moment because there has been change after change that has affected them. It feels like we don’t know what is coming next.”
“When the lives of disabled people are truly valued and our rights fully realised, we will see a system that upholds and supports them. We’ve got to put the challenge back onto the system to identify how it will achieve dignified lives for disabled people,” says Walker.
“Disabled people have long advocated for a system that understands human rights and te ao Māori models of disability. This advocacy led to the establishment of Whaikaha in 2022,” the Human Rights Commission media statement reads.
“The reason disabled people wanted a standalone agency was to create a system that understands and truly supports disabled people, as individuals and collectively.
“Hence the holistic role of Whaikaha aimed at tackling the barriers experienced for decades in a system that has not been built for or with disabled people.”
The Government’s bombshell decision to cut disability support funding in real terms, while gutting the Ministry designed by and for disabled people without even deigning to talk with the people affected first is heart-breaking, says New Zealand Disability Support Network CEO Peter Reynolds.
“Disability support providers, who employ the hardworking New Zealanders who devote their lives to helping disabled people, were given just 15 minutes’ notice of the cuts from Minister Upston this morning, who did not take questions. This follows a report from a government-appointed panel that didn’t consult with disability support providers or disability advocates,” the NZDSN media release reads.
“Unfortunately, these announcements bear no relation to the needs of disabled people, their families and support workers – it’s all about cutting costs. It’s clear the Government thinks paying 0.5% of GDP to support disabled people is too much and wants to reduce spending as much as possible.”
The PSA said in a media statement that the Government’s decision was a “slap in the face for the disabled community”.
“It’s irresponsible for the Government to shut the door on the concept of a single agency for the disabled community, an agency it wanted, barely two years after being set up,” said Kerry Davies, National Secretary for Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Whaikaha was never given a chance to succeed. Now the disabled community will lose its strong voice to ensure support services are well funded and a joined-up disability support system so thousands of people can lead ordinary lives.”
“The PSA is also concerned that today’s announcement states that residential disability providers will not be getting a cost-of-living funding increases this year.
“This comes at a time when disability support workers are largely now on the minimum wage while they wait for this government to deliver their pay equity settlement.”
“…this is par for the course from a government which promised no cuts to frontline services. This is exactly what is happening.”
“It’s beyond disgraceful how this Government is treating our disability communities,” acting disability spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni said.
“The Government plans to leave the Ministry with minimal staff and will remove financial control. Support services worth $2 billion are also being taken from Whaikaha.
“It’s also cruel that the Government has halted the Enabling Good Lives programme. A programme disabled people have been greatly worried and vocal about being tampered with.
“This programme gives choice and control to disabled people to lead better, meaningful, and dignified lives. To halt the rollout in its tracks, is nothing short of shameful.
“Ironically, it was a National-led Government that started the programme. Labour honoured this commitment and made record investment into it”
“Given the Government is unable to reveal the savings of their devastating move to restrict disability funding in March, any claims of savings here cannot be believed. The only thing we can be sure of is disability communities will be missing out.”
“The Government is reverting to a tried, tested and failed model while neglecting the voice of disabled communities,” says the Green Party Spokesperson for Disability Kahurangi Carter.
“Once again, the Government has failed to engage and include the views and expertise of disabled people in making major changes to a Ministry tasked with supporting them.
“To shrink Whaikaha to just policy and advocacy functions, the Government is weakening its capacity to deliver, making it less effective.
“The key purpose of the Ministry for Disabled People is being diluted. This risks diminishing support and means the strong connection between delivery and policy by and for disabled people is broken.
“The Ministry is still in its infancy, and this review should be about improving it, not gutting it.
“Ultimately, this Government is prepared to sacrifice advocacy, accessibility and justice for disabled people in order to curb spending so that they can help the wealthy to get richer.”