Disability in New Zealand

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Pacific Development

Background

Pacific peoples have historically been low users of Disability Support Services. Attempts over recent years to improve their access to, and use of, disability support services have been limited. This is due partly to the lack of information about culturally responsive and appropriate disability services for Pacific peoples, and not enough development and funding plans to drive continued improvement.

In 2003, the Ministry of Health commissioned research into Pacific disability issues, and in 2005 the Pacific Island Advocacy and Support Services Report was released. Report findings and recommendations provided a basis for the development of the first Pacific disability plan called the Auckland Regional Disability Plan 2005 - 2006. As a starting point to improving disability support services, the regional plan also helped to ensure equal access to disability support services that are responsive, beneficial and satisfying for Pacific peoples with disabilities and their aiga in Auckland.

As more than two thirds of the Pacific population reside in the Auckland region, we used the Auckland plan to develop and establish a national Pacific disability strategy. A national framework will guide Disability Support Services when establishing new initiatives and enhancing existing developments for Pacific disability at a national level.

There are two key Ministry of Health strategic documents on Pacific disability. The Auckland regional interagency plan now called the Lu’i Ola Strategic Framework for Action 2009 – 2013 and the National Pasifika Disability Action Plan 2009 – 2013. Once these plans have been implemented we will look at merging them into one national plan.

National Pasifika Disability Plan 2009 - 2013

Purpose
The National Pasifika Disability Plan will:

Enhance and strengthen Ministry of Health (Disability Support Services) funded disability support services to meet the needs of Pacific peoples with disabilities, their aiga and carers through:
- Developing and establishing of new innovations
- Strengthening existing developments within Disability Support Services and the disability sector.
Highlight actions for the Ministry of Health (Disability Support Services) to meet the short term and long term needs of Pacific peoples with disabilities, their aiga and carers in New Zealand.

Progress Update – July 2009
A draft National Pasifika Disability Plan 2009 – 2013 has been developed and as part of the development process, the plan has undergone an internal review and sign off process. The new plan is now due to have a focused external feedback process for consumer, community and provider input before it is formally signed off for implementation in October 2009.

Lu’i Ola Auckland Regional Disability Project

Lu’i Ola is an interagency Auckland Pacific Regional Project which aims to better serve the needs of Pacific peoples with disabilities, their families or aiga and their caregivers. Led by government organisations, the multi-agency initiative is currently co-sponsored by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and has the endorsement of eleven local and regional government agencies.

View more information on the Lu’i Ola Auckland Regional Disability Project.

Useful links

Contact details

For more information contact Feala Afoa, Manager Pacific Development on Feala_Afoa@moh.govt.nz or (09) 5809053

Page last updated: 8 September 2009