Draft Carers’ Strategy Action Plan – have your say

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is seeking feedback on the draft Carers’ Strategy Action Plan, which sets out government actions to support family, whānau, aiga or individual carers.

We encourage carers and whānau to have their say during the consultation period. The MSD has developed the plan in partnership with the Carers Alliance and an Advisory Group of organisations representing the needs of carers.

The CP Society is part of the Carers Alliance which represents the voices of carers. The Society strongly encourages members, their carers and whanau to submit their input. Every submission will count towards actions to be included in the programme of work which will be developed for all government agencies involved.

The draft Action Plan focuses on three priority areas:

• Recognition and appreciation
• Health and wellbeing
• Financial security.

Feedback will help inform the final Action Plan.

There are several ways to submit your feedback – from sending a quick email to attending online or in person workshops, answering a quick survey or sending an email.

Five hundred thousand people identified themselves as providing informal or unpaid care in Census 2023. However, the number is likely to be much higher, as many people do not recognise themselves as a ‘carer’ but may, at times, need access to targeted carer support.

Recently, many carers’ organisations have highlighted the need for stronger recognition of the role of families, whānau and carers. There’s no denying that carers are an essential part of Aotearoa’s disability support system. The Cerebral Palsy Society joins other organisations in saying that they must be represented clearly and respectfully in any national plan.

The Society stands with other organisations and carers in calling for a strategy that acknowledges their contribution and strengthens support around them.

Consultation runs until February 12, 2026.