Webinar Recording

Our next kōrero shines a light on the systemic barriers that continue to exclude disabled people and their whānau from equitable access to social support and welfare in Aotearoa.

Social support should be about stability, dignity, and empowerment, yet for many disabled people, it is instead defined by complexity, stress, and exclusion. Despite growing awareness and reform efforts, systemic barriers remain deeply embedded across the sector. These include:

• Fragmented systems: multiple agencies and disconnected services force individuals and family/whanau to navigate complex pathways for even the most basic supports.

• Rigid eligibility criteria: assessments often focus on deficits and diagnosis rather than lived realities or aspirations, forcing people to “prove” incapacity.

• Financial inequity: income support and disability allowances fail to reflect the true costs of living with disability, leaving many below the poverty line.

• Attitudinal barriers:  ableism and mistrust continue to shape how people are treated within welfare systems, reinforcing stigma and undermining dignity.

• Exclusion from policy and design:  disabled people and carers are too often left out of decision-making, resulting in systems that don’t meet their needs or reflect Enabling Good Lives principles.

For welfare to be truly inclusive, it must be person-directed, flexible, and grounded in manaakitanga, enabling people to live good lives on their own terms.

Whether you’re a policymaker, service provider, advocate, or community member, this session will explore how we can transform social support in Aotearoa from a system of survival to one of empowerment and belonging.

Join us for this vital kōrero as we reimagine a welfare system that truly works with disabled people and their whānau... not for them.

Download the Webinar Transcript

Date: 10 December 2025

Time: 9am to 12pm

Where: via Zoom

Master of Ceremonies: Dr Rebekah Graham, Co-Chair Access Matters Aoteaora, author of Dr Bex SubStack

Speakers: Mojo Mathers MNZM, Disabled Persons Assembly; Richardo Menēndez March, Spokesperson on Social Development; Prudence Walker, Disability Rights Commissioner, Human Rights Commission; Anne Shaw, Deputy Chief Executive, Disability Support Services, Ministry of Social Development; Alistair Mason, Director of Office of the Secretary for Social Investment, Social Investment Agency; Ben O'Meara, Policy, Strategy and Partnerships, Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People; Kali Mercier, Deputy Director, Helen Clark Foundation; Dr Huhana Hickey MNZM, Disability Lawyer; Dr Rebekah Graham, Author of Dr Bex Substack and Community Psychologist; Lisa Martin, Director of Complex Care Group; Nick Ruane, Disability Rights Advocate; Latoa Halatau-Talagi MNZM, Te Pou Waiora Better Connected, Enabling Good Lives; Kiratapu Murray, General Manager, Southern Region, CCS Disability Action; Sonia Hawea, CEO Kaikaranga; Joy Lanini, National Manager Connections and Funding / Te Ara Tūtira, Your Way Kia Roha

Moderators: Lee Warn, Disability Advocate; Āine Kelly-Costello, Disability Advocate; Debbie Ward, CCS Disability Action; Patti Poa, Disabled Persons Assembly

Registration: via Zoom

Attending: Anyone who wants to gain insights, share experiences, and be part of the movement toward a more equitable and inclusive social support and welfare sector.

Programme: Word Doc, LARGE PRINT, Braille, Audio, PDF,  NZSL Intro, NZSL, EASY READ

Contact: Kimberly Graham via [email protected]