21 Oct 2026
4 hours ago
17 views
A project to restore Northland’s largest lake, Lake Ōmāpere, will receive a $3 million grant from the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson say. “Restoring Lake Ōmāpere will contribute to a more resilient water system and economic development in the region,” Mr Jones says. The funding will support enabling work for the project including regulatory approvals, road access, the construction of a weir to control water levels, and design work for future water storage infrastructure.
01 Sep 2026
1 month ago
413 views
Disability Support Services legislation has passed its final reading in New Zealand Parliament, establishing a legal framework to improve support for disabled people and their families without changing current eligibility or entitlements. The legislation incorporates feedback from the disability community, clarifies the government's role in supporting families, ensures stronger consultation with disabled representatives, and aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Enabling Good Lives principles. The government has also committed $2.1 billion in additional funding and plans further consultations on a carers’ package to enhance consistency, fairness, and sustainability in disability support.
01 Sep 2026
1 month ago
438 views
Disability Support Services legislation, reflecting input from the disability community, was passed to provide a clearer, stronger legal framework that supports disabled people and their families while emphasizing choice, safety, and dignity. The law mandates formal consultation with disabled representatives, aligns with UNCRPD and Enabling Good Lives principles, and maintains current eligibility and entitlements without introducing new income or asset tests. The government has committed $2.1 billion in additional funding, improved service consistency and sustainability, and plans further consultations on a carers’ package to enhance support.
13 Aug 2026
2 months ago
538 views
The Social Services and Community Select Committee’s report on the Disability Support Services Bill includes amendments reflecting feedback from over 3,000 submitters, clarifying the Bill’s intent, reinforcing support for families, and ensuring disabled people have a stronger voice in decisions. The revised Bill aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Enabling Good Lives principles, providing a clear legal framework for Disability Support Services without changing current eligibility or entitlements. The Government has committed $2.1 billion in additional funding to improve consistency, fairness, and sustainability of services, with ongoing consultations planned for further improvements such as a carers’ package.
01 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1102 views
From April 1, 2026, disabled people with flexible funding will have more choice and control as purchasing rules are removed, while budgets remain at current levels and spending must align with individual funding plans. This change follows significant government investment and reforms since 2024 that stabilized the disability support system, ensuring fairer, more consistent access and stronger financial controls. Additional guidance will be provided to help manage budgets, with certain purchases requiring pre-approval, aiming to support disabled people, their families, and carers more effectively.
10 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1195 views
From April 2026, disabled people will have greater choice and control over their flexible funding without changes to their current budget allocations, as purchasing rules will be removed while still requiring spending to align with individual plans. These changes follow successful efforts since 2024 to stabilize the disability support system, including strengthened financial controls, improved needs assessments, and significant new funding to ensure sustainability and consistency. Support will be provided to help individuals manage their budgets, with some high-cost or specific purchases requiring pre-approval, reflecting feedback from the disability community and recommendations from the 2024 Independent Review.
10 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1307 views
A new nationally consistent approach to Disability Support Services (DSS) will standardize needs assessments and support allocations across New Zealand, ensuring fairness regardless of location. This change, informed by extensive consultation, includes personalized funding plans, consideration of families and carers, and greater choice for about 38,500 people with flexible funding. These improvements aim to simplify processes, enhance wellbeing, and provide a stable foundation for strengthening the disability support system long-term.
10 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1313 views
A new nationally consistent approach to Disability Support Services (DSS) will standardize needs assessment and support allocation across New Zealand, ensuring fairness regardless of location. This includes personalized funding plans, consideration of families and carers in assessments, and greater choice and control for around 38,500 people with flexible funding. The changes, informed by extensive consultation, aim to simplify processes, improve wellbeing, and provide a stable foundation for the disability support system's future.
03 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1281 views
Improvements to the disability support system will provide disabled individuals, families, and carers with more choice and control over flexible funding starting early next year. The changes aim to address feedback for greater autonomy in decision-making and to create a more transparent and sustainable system. These adjustments, informed by extensive community consultations, will standardize assessment processes, develop personalized support plans through NASCs, and offer more clarity and certainty to users of flexible funding.