Whaikaha launches National Pacific Disability Approach
Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People has launched a new approach to improve disability services and support for Pacific disabled people.
May 13th, 2025
We shared back in October that the new-approach Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People is all about making our Government and ministries more accessible for our community. We’re happy to share the news that they’ve just launched Atoatoali’o – the National Pacific Disability Approach to improve disability support and services for Pacific disabled people.
The aim of Atoatoali’o is to develop systems and services that work well for Pasifika disabled people, their aiga (families), and their communities.
The newly launched approach has six key priorities:
Support Pacific disabled people to be leaders in their communities. They plan to put this focus into action by working with Government and ministries to create leadership programmes and opportunities for Pacific disabled people.
Make sure people who work in health and disability services understand the needs of our Pacific disability community.
Build awareness and understanding of disability within Pacific communities. It’s really hard to look for support if you don’t know it’s there or how to get to it.
Do all they can to ensure all Pacific disabled people and their aiga feel supported and valued. This includes working with Government and ministries to design support services with input from Pacific disabled people, ensuring services are tailored to their needs.
Advocate and drive the inclusion of our Pasifika disabled community in all research and data-collection which our Government undertakes around disability.
Work in ways that are good for Pacific disabled people, their aiga, and the whole community by embedding Enabling Good Lives (EGL) principles in all services and systems for Pacific disabled people.
Whaikaha developed Atoatoali’o based on feedback from Pacific disabled people, Pacific communities, and the wider disability sector.
Atoatoali’o is a Samoan word referring to a setting where everyone fits in or sits perfectly (atoatoa) in a circle (li’o). The name reflects the core values of inclusivity, connectedness, and balance that are foundational of Pacific cultures.
Why create a National Pacific Disability Approach?
We know that our Pasifika disability community are likely unreported as many of our systems to date have not be created with their input. This means that our Pacific community experience different challenges. By understanding these challenges, we can make sure we take the right steps to support our disability community to live good lives.
Pacific disabled people and their communities highlighted key challenges and issues they face:
Limited disability services were designed with Pacific cultural values in mind, making it hard for Pacific people to access support that aligns with their traditions and needs.
Pacific disabled people and their aiga are underrepresented in leadership and therefore have limited opportunities to influence decision make in disability services.
There is a need for better Pacific cultural competency training for heath and disability staff, as a well as more Pacific professional in the sector.
Pacific communities face difficulties navigating the disability support system, including challenges with funding and eligibility criteria.
Pacific disabled people are often underrepresented in official data, making it harder to advocate for better services.
What’s next?
Over the next five years, Whaikaha plan to workin collaboration with government agencies, service providers, non-government organisations, and the Pacific disability community. With their support, Whaikaha will drive initiatives that address the priorities outlined in Atoatoali’o.
The plan is for these initiatives to be incorporated into the next New Zealand Disability Strategy, which is the Government’s overall strategy for improving the lives of disabled people.
You can read Atoatoali’o – the National Pacific Disability Approach here. This link also includes summaries in New Zealand Sign Language, braille, audio, large print, and easy read formats.