Whaikaha update - March 2026
Deputy Chief Executive Ginny Baddeley shares updates about our work to improve employment outcomes, and a new programme to fund accessibility ideas.
You can watch a video of this update, with NZSL, captions and audio narration. A transcript is also available.
You can also read the written update.
Video update
Video transcript
Kia ora, my name is Ginny Baddeley and I’m the Deputy Chief Executive for Strategy and Enablement at Whaikaha. My sign name is this [sign name] which reflects two arms racing like you are running.
Today, I want to give you an update on the work we’re doing to improve employment outcomes for disabled people. This is a key focus in the New Zealand Disability Strategy.
One in six New Zealanders are disabled. But only 26.8 percent of disabled people are working. For non-disabled people, it’s 72.9 percent.
That’s a huge gap, and it doesn’t reflect how many disabled people want to work but still face barriers.
We’ve released new research that shows what improving employment could mean for New Zealand. If more disabled people get work, our economy could grow by around $578 million. And better access to education could add another $132 million.
There’s a real opportunity here. Employers could tap into a wider pool of talent, and many barriers could be removed through simple conversations and small changes.
To help employers, we’ve launched the One in Six website with the New Zealand Disability Employers’ Network. It has practical guidance, tools, and stories from employers who are already making changes.
This is the first action delivered from the New Zealand Disability Strategy, and more work is on the way.
I encourage you to visit OneinSix.nz
We’re also working to remove wider accessibility barriers. In partnership with Creative HQ, we’ve launched the Access Activator programme. It
supports ideas that remove barriers for disabled people.
We’re looking for practical ideas in areas like transport, digital tools and information, the built environment, and emergency management.
We encourage applications from disabled-led groups, Māori and Pasifika organisations, startups, community groups, and anyone with an idea that could make a real difference. If your idea is selected, you’ll get mentoring and project support to help develop it.
Applications close on 29 March. You can find all the information on our website.
We all have a part to play in removing barriers. Your ideas can make that happen.
Written update
A message from Ginny Baddeley
Kia ora,
I want to give you an update on the work we are doing to improve employment outcomes for disabled people. This is a key focus in the New Zealand Disability Strategy.
One in six New Zealanders are disabled. But only 26.8% of disabled people are working. For non-disabled people, it is 72.9%. That is a huge gap, and it does not reflect how many disabled people want to work but still face barriers.
Read on to learn more about the work underway to help close this gap.
Ngā mihi,
Ginny Baddeley
Deputy Chief Executive – Strategy and Enablement
What we are working on
Research shows the impact of better access to work
We have released new research that shows what improving employment could mean for New Zealand. If more disabled people get work, our economy could grow by around $578 million. And better access to education could add another $132 million.
Read the Valuing access to work report
There is a real opportunity here. Employers could tap into a wider pool of talent, and many barriers could be removed through simple conversations and small changes.
One in Six website launch
To help employers recruit , we have launched the One in Six website with the New Zealand Disability Employers’ Network. It has practical guidance, tools, and stories from employers who are already making changes.
This is the first action delivered from the New Zealand Disability Strategy, and more work is on the way.
Visit OneinSix.nz external URL
Applications open for Access Activator
We are also working to remove wider accessibility barriers. In partnership with Creative HQ, we have launched the Access Activator programme. It supports ideas that remove barriers for disabled people.
We are looking for practical ideas in areas like transport, digital tools and information, the built environment, and emergency management.
We encourage applications from disabled-led groups, Māori and Pasifika organisations, startups, community groups, and anyone with an idea that could make a real difference. If your idea is selected, you will get mentoring and project support to help develop it.
Applications close on 29 March. You can find all the information on our website: Access Activator
We all have a part to play in removing barriers. Your ideas can make that happen.
News
- We’ve created a webpage that brings together external consultations you may want to submit on: External consultations
- Telecommunications providers want customers to make sure their phones can still call 111 after the 3G shutdown: 3G Shutdown NZ – Stay Connected external URL
- The Law Commission wants to replace the outdated Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act with a new law that better supports people’s rights, autonomy and decision‑making: Review of adult decision-making capacity law external URL