Welcome to Disability Support Services

Visual Description:

White background with two people standing.

NZSL Interpreter – wearing black shirt.

Chris Bunny – Deputy Chief Executive, Disability Support Services: Wearing a green shirt.

Video:

Kia ora koutou I'm Chris Bunny.

I'm leading the work to improve Disability Support Services.

I would like to start by acknowledging the Government's recent apology following the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

It is important to recognise past abuse, and we must do all we can to prevent abuse in the future.

Our focus is now on strengthening the system to keep disabled people safe.

This is my first update to keep you in the loop on our work for you, the disabled community.

About 50,000 New Zealanders get disability support and 100,000 receive equipment or modifications to make life easier for them, their whānau and carers.

You are the reason I come to work every day.

I want a system that works for disabled New Zealanders. A system that is sustainable. A system that is fit for the future.

To do this, we need to look at the big picture to understand what is working and what is not.

Our initial focus has been on the urgent need to progress work on contracts and prices for residential support.

Now I need your input. I hope you can participate.

Our biggest and most important piece of work will kick off in the new year. Community consultation.

This engagement will ensure we are heading in the right direction to create a better system together.

But first, I encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey on our website external.

I know many of you have spent years telling us what needs changing.

To ensure we understand your concerns, I urge you to tell us again through the survey.

In my next update, I will summarise the things you feel strongly about.

Your feedback will be an important part of next year's engagement.

Please visit our website to complete the survey or subscribe to these updates.

disabilitysupport.govt.nz

There you will also find contact details external if you want to get in touch.

I appreciate you might be concerned about the future of Disability Support Services.

Please know the team and I are 100% committed to doing what we can to create a system that works for disabled New Zealanders.

Ka kite.