What We Do
The Office for Disability Issues was established in July 2002 to provide dedicated policy support to the Minister for Disability Issues. We monitor and promote implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy, lead strategic disability policy work, and provide second opinion advice to other agencies. We have delegated responsibility from the Ministry of Social Development for administering the New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006 and section 170 (b) of the Building Act 2004. The Office is responsible for meeting formal international obligations in relation to disability issues.
Leadership on disability policy
We provide leadership across government on disability issues, which has a longer term or strategic focus.
Read more about the priorities for the Office:
Supporting the Minister for Disability Issues
Providing support to the Minister for Disability Issues in their advocacy role is an important function of the Office, and sits alongside our other ongoing work. We fulfill the ordinary functions of the Public Service for the Minister, such as providing advice for correspondence, Parliamentary questions, meetings and other briefings on issues.
Providing advice to other government agencies
We work with other government agencies to promote action in key areas impacting on disabled people. We provide advice on policy and service development that will implement the New Zealand Disability Strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
