Advocacy media releases

Government fee change hits NZ’s poorest citizens
October 29, 2025
People with intellectual disability are facing yet another financial blow following changes to the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act that remove a government subsidy for court-mandated financial examinations.
New Jobseekers rule not suitable for people with intellectual disability
October 6, 2025
The Government’s decision to means test the families of 18- and 19-year-olds before they qualify for Jobseeker support will unfairly punish young people with intellectual disability and families already struggling to make ends meet.
People with Intellectual Disability Left Behind in Poverty Crisis
September 26, 2025
The latest Ministry of Social Development social cohesion report confirms what disability advocates have long warned: poverty is deepening across Aotearoa, and disabled people are hit hardest.
IHC welcomes disability change
September 3, 2025
IHC is welcoming today’s announced changes to the disability system that will make it more consistent, transparent, sustainable and fair.
IHC welcomes Supreme Court decision confirming unfair detention for intellectually disabled man
August 15, 2025
IHC welcomes today’s Supreme Court decision that has confirmed the human rights of a man (‘J’) locked away for half of his life have been breached.
Health Plan ignores New Zealanders with the worst health outcomes
August 4, 2025
IHC is calling on the Government to stop leaving intellectually disabled people behind in health reforms.
Cost-of-living crisis deepens longstanding struggle for intellectually disabled New Zealanders
July 17, 2025
IHC says the cost-of-living crisis is worsening an already serious situation for intellectually disabled New Zealanders and their families, many of whom have faced financial hardship for years.
New research shows poverty hitting intellectually disabled New Zealanders the hardest
June 26, 2025
A new IHC report reveals that New Zealanders with an intellectual disability are twice as likely to live in hardship or severe hardship compared to the rest of the population.
IHC welcomes new learning support budget of $646 million as 'serious investment to help fix a broken system'
May 22, 2025
IHC is encouraged by the Government’s commitment to learning support with a promised injection of $644 million announced by Finance Minister, Nicola Willis in today’s Budget.
Plain Language Act Repeal Bill ‘major step backward’ for disabled community
May 16, 2025
Repealing the Plain Language Act 2022 would mark a major step backwards for people with intellectual disability to easily access important information, says IHC.
Call to end discrimination against disabled migrant children in New Zealand
April 8, 2025
Disability advocates, including IHC and New Zealand Down Syndrome Association, are calling on the New Zealand Government to reverse a deeply discriminatory immigration policy that targets children with intellectual disabilities.
Disability survey data highlights inequities that could last generations
February 27, 2025
New Government figures released today show further evidence of widespread disadvantage for people with intellectual disability.
Funded annual health checks could prevent 100+ deaths a year
February 14, 2025
Funded annual health checks for people with intellectual disability could prevent more than 100 deaths a year and significantly reduce hospital admissions, saving $16.5 million annually – more than enough to cover the $13 million cost of the checks themselves.
IHC urges collective fix to address root causes of child poverty
January 29, 2025
IHC is urging policymakers, educators and the community to come together to address the root causes of poverty and ensure that no child is left behind, including children with an intellectual disability.
IHC applauds research on barriers to banking for disabled people
January 21, 2025
IHC welcomes Westpac’s research highlighting the barriers disabled people face in accessing banking services. These challenges, which IHC has raised repeatedly over the past decade, underscore the urgent need for systemic changes to promote financial inclusion for disabled communities.
Woefully underfunded disability allowances failing intellectually disabled New Zealanders
August 1, 2024
IHC is calling for the government to triple the Child Disability Allowance and double the Disability Allowance to improve the quality of life and longevity for intellectually disabled people.
New Report Highlights Challenges and Opportunities in Residential Disability Support Services
July 17, 2024
The recent report by the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC) on complaints about residential disability support services is a crucial step towards improving the lives of intellectually disabled individuals in New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Intellectual Disability Crisis: Urgent Health Policy Reforms Needed
July 8, 2024
IHC New Zealand says specific, targeted health policies are necessary to bridge the life expectancy gap between people with intellectual disability and the rest of New Zealand.
$90 million investment for specialist schools only supports 0.6 percent disabled learners
June 14, 2024
IHC New Zealand says today’s announcement to invest $90 million into specialist schools is a win for them and the students they serve, however it’s funding that could be utilised to fix a broken system for the 99.4 percent of disabled students who attend their local mainstream school.
Budget funding an opportunity to change the lives of intellectually disabled New Zealanders
May 31, 2024
Director of Advocacy Tania Thomas says targeted support is critical for the pressing needs of this community which has the worst outcomes of all New Zealanders
Charter school funding boost is the wrong step
May 14, 2024
The coalition government’s move to boost funding for charter schools is counterintuitive.
People with intellectual disabilities shut out of tech advancements
May 6, 2024
The IHC report, From Data to Dignity, shows only 69% of people with intellectual disabilities have access to the internet.
Disabled people falling victim to the work-readiness trap
April 19, 2024
IHC New Zealand wants to see more employers cut through the red tape when hiring people, particularly those with an intellectual disability.
Lack of political will to improve lives of disabled people in New Zealand
April 9, 2024
Once again, the one in four New Zealanders with a disability are not a priority for this Government, says IHC New Zealand.
"How do disabled people live their lives when the Government presses pause?"
March 20, 2024
IHC New Zealand is asking Whaikaha to clarify changes to disabled people’s funding and what it means moving forward.

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