Changes to Purchasing Rules and Equipment and Modification Services

On Monday March 18, 2024, Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People announced changes to its Purchasing Rules and Equipment and Modification Services (EMS). These were effective immediately. 

We’ve complied a list of information and documents to help explain the changes.

Information from Whaikaha

• Purchasing Rules and Equipment and Modification Services
• Questions and answers: Changes to Purchasing Rules and EMS
• Paula Tesoriero, Chief Executive of Whaikaha wanted to talk directly to you, after what has been a tough week for the community – Facebook video

Information from the disability sector

• Manawanui – Facebook Livestream to answer questions about the changes
• Cerebral Palsy Society – Press Release – Whaikaha’s “draconian” and “outrageous” funding  changes will hit hard 

Give your feedback

• To provide your feedback to the Cerebral Palsy Society, take our survey.
• To provide your own feedback to Whaikaha email contact@whaikaha.govt.nz

Petition

Sign the petition – Reevaluate the Recent Changes to Whaikaha Purchasing Guidelines for Individualised Funding

Public meeting

Public meeting: Changes to Disability Funding
Priyanca Radhakrishnan MP – Labour’s spokesperson for Disability Issues
Date: Saturday 13th April 2023
Time: 1pm -3pm
Location: Hillsborough Room, Fickling Centre 546 Mt Albert Road, Three Kings, Auckland

News articles

• Newshub – Disabled community urges Minister Penny Simmonds to rethink ‘thoughtless and reckless’ funding changes
• Newsroom – Disability Ministry ‘days’ away from spending all its money
• Newshub – Whaikaha boss was aware Ministry of Disabled People was $65m over budget
• Radio NZ – Disability funding changes ‘callous’ and a broken promise, Labour says
• One News – Minister takes aim at ‘pedicures’ for carers in disability funds row
• Stuff – Parents worried their children will suffer as disability services suddenly cut
• Chris Lynch Media – Labour: Disabled community entitled to spend money their own way
• Chris Lynch Media – “Huge backwards step for our disabled community” Ministry slammed for changing funding with no notice
• Radio NZ – We got it wrong on disability announcement – Minister Penny Simmonds
• Radio NZ – Ministry apologises as 10,000 sign petition over disability funding changes