The New Zealand Disability Strategy is the first government strategy to address the needs of disabled people on a cross-sectoral basis. It was developed following extensive consultation with the disability sector and launched on 30 April 2001. It presents a long-term framework to move New Zealand from a disabling to a fully inclusive society, defined as one where people with impairments can say they live in 'a society that highly values our lives and continually enhances our full participation'. 

The strategy sets out the values that must underpin all of the actions of government.  It also sets out 15 objectives.  Underneath each objective there are specific actions that set out some of the things that need to be done if those objectives are to be achieved. It is expected that these actions will inform the annual plans that all New Zealand government departments are required to produce to implement the New Zealand Disability Strategy.  Departments are required to report annually on their progress in carrying out their plans.

The values that underpin the Strategy are:

• disabled people have a meaningful partnership with Government, communities and support agencies, based on respect and equality
• we move forward from exclusion, tolerance and accommodation to a fully inclusive and mutually supportive society
• disabled people are integrated into community life on their own terms - equal opportunities are assured but individual choices are available and respected 
• the abilities of disabled people are valued not questioned 
• interdependence is recognised and valued, especially relationships between disabled people and their families, friends, whānau and other people who provide support
• human rights are practised as a fundamental cornerstone of government policy and practice
• the diversity of disabled people, including their cultural backgrounds, is recognised, and there is flexibility to support their differing aspirations and goals
• disabled people are treated equitably, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, type of impairment, and when and how the impairment was acquired
• community-based services ensure that disabled people are supported to live in their own communities and institutionalisation is eliminated
• the idea that society imposes many of the disabling barriers faced by people with impairment is widely understood, and therefore legislation, policy and other activities enhance rather than disable the lives of people with impairments
• the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi are recognised.

The New Zealand Disability Strategy is based on the social model of disability. It differentiates between 'impairments' that individuals have (physical, sensory, psychiatric, neurological, intellectual etc) and 'disability', which is the process that occurs when barriers are created by not taking account of people's impairments (assuming we can all see signs, read directions, hear announcements, reach buttons, climb stairs, have the strength to open heavy doors, and have stable moods and perceptions).

The 15 objectives of the New Zealand Disability Strategy are:

1. Encourage and educate for a non-disabling society.
2. Ensure rights for disabled people.
3. Provide the best education for disabled people.
4. Provide opportunities in employment and economic development for disabled people.
5. Foster leadership by disabled people.
6. Foster an aware and responsive public service.
7. Create long-term support systems centred on the individual.
8. Support quality living in the community for disabled people.
9. Support lifestyle choices, recreation and culture for disabled people.
10. Collect and use relevant information about disabled people and disability issues.
11. Promote participation of disabled Māori.
12. Promote participation of disabled Pacific peoples.
13. Enable disabled children and youth to lead full and active lives.
14. Promote participation of disabled women in order to improve their quality of life.
15. Value families, whānau and people providing ongoing support.

A full copy of the New Zealand Disability Strategy in a range of versions is available NZ Disability Strategy

A number of other official strategies and initiatives complement the New Zealand Disability Strategy. They include the:

• New Zealand Health Strategy
• New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy
• Māori Health Strategy
• Pacific Health and Disability Action Plan
• Pacific Provider Development Framework
• Pacific Capacity Building Strategy
• Youth Development Strategy
• Agenda for Children
• New Zealand Transport Strategy
• Pathways to Inclusion: Improving vocational services for disabled people
• New Zealand Injury Prevention Strategy
• Proposed Women's Action Plan.