Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum
  c/o World of Inclusion                                                                                          
78, Mildmay Grove South,
LONDON N1 4PJ    
0044 7715420727 rlrieser@gmail.com 
Website www.commonwealthdpf.org 

CDPF Brief Information on Implementation of UNCRPD Questionnaire
Will all DPOs joining the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum and/or their delegates please ensure this form is completed and emailed back. Return to rlrieser@gmail.com along with the completed application form.
1.Name of your DPO  
DPO Coalition. 
2. Name of your country
New Zealand.
3. Has your country ratified the UNCRPD and when? 
Yes. New Zealand ratified the UNCRPD on 25 September 2008.
New Zealand acceded to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on 5 October 2016.
4. What has your country done to Implement the UNCRPD?
New Zealand has established Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People as the Government focal point for the implementation of the UNCRPD.
New Zealand has an Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM), comprising three partners (the Human Rights Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the DPO Coalition) which gives direct effect to Article 33.
Other key areas of progress demonstrating implementation of the UNCRPD include a) the development of the Enabling Good Lives approach, and b) the work of the Royal Commission on Abuse in Care.
New Zealand was examined on its progress on implementation of the UNCRPD in August 2022. New Zealand was last examined on its progress in 2014. Based on the 2022 examination, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities issued 60 concluding observations for New Zealand to address.
At the time of this application, the New Zealand Government is considering its approach to progressing the concluding observations, whether it be through a refreshed Disability Strategy and/or Disability Action Plan, or another mechanism.
5. How much is your DPO involved in implementation with the Government of your country?
The DPO Coalition is closely and actively involved in the implementation of the UNCRPD alongside the New Zealand Government.
The DPO Coalition formally meets with the Minister for Disability Issues periodically (approx. 2-3 times a year), and regularly meets (up to 10 times per year) with senior Government Officials from Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People and officials from other Government departments.
6. Has your DPO been involved in producing a shadow report to go to UNCRPD Committee and how?
Yes. In the lead up to the UNCRPD Committee review, New Zealand’s Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) published the Making Disability Rights Real report. As part of preparing the Making Disability Rights Real report, the IMM sought comments from the public, and in particular the disability community. The IMM also sought comments from the Government. The report was then published in New Zealand, presented to Parliament, and sent to the United Nations.
7. What progress has been made on implementing Inclusive Education?
New Zealand has legal and binding obligations to include all learners. Inclusive education is founded in the Education and Training Act 2020, which states: “people who have special education needs (whether because of disability or otherwise) have the same rights to enrol and receive education at state schools as people who do not”.
Progress has been disappointing. The New Zealand Government continues to sustain a dual education system that segregates some disabled children in special schools, including based on parental choice. Barriers remain over the provision of reasonable accommodation and access to the human and financial resources disabled children and their schools need for inclusive education. These concerns have been raised through the 4th cycle of the Universal Periodic Review of New Zealand.
8. What progress has been made on social protection for PWD?
New Zealand’s Government provides a range of financial and social assistance to disabled people and their carers. Examples can be found here:
https://www.govt.nz/browse/health/financial-help/financial-help-for-people-with-disabilities/ 
Current settings are financially constrained. The Government has recently announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People.
9. What progress has been made in implementing employment opportunities for PWD?
In 2019, the Government launched New Zealand’s Employment Strategy, and in 2020 “Working Matters” – an Action Plan to ensure disabled people and people with health conditions have an equal opportunity to access employment was released. Since 2021, progress has been reported annually in the form of dashboards. Overall, progress is slow. The dashboards can be viewed here: https://msd.govt.nz/what-we-can-do/disability-services/disability-employment-action-plan/#TheActionPlan1 
10. What progress has been made on challenging negative attitudes and stigma to PWD?
New Zealand’s society is demonstrating better attitudes towards disabled people. New Zealand has moved away from a medical model to disability and has adopted the social model of disability. This is reflected in the majority of Government policy decision making. Over the past decade, a social movement called ‘Enabling Good Lives’ has been gaining ground. This approach gives a foundation and framework for positive change, shifting power and authority back to disabled people and their families, to increase choice and control in their lives. The Enabling Good Lives approach has been piloted by Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People in three geographical areas and plans for a national roll out are under consideration.
11. What progress has been made in achieving gender equality for PWD?
New Zealand has legislation that protects the rights of all genders of all people, including disabled people. The Human Rights Act 1993 (HRA) and the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (NZBORA) protect the right of disabled people to be free from discrimination.
In addition, the Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994 and the associated Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights protect the rights of disabled people as consumers of health and disability services. This includes the right for people of all genders to be treated fairly and without discrimination.
12. What capacity building does your DPO need? Identify areas.
The DPO Coalition requires capacity building around upholding and implementing the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The DPO Coalition is on a journey to make improvements in this area, that will be reflected in an updated Charter to be published in due course.
13. If you are the National Umbrella DPO, how do you operate democratically with other DPOs?
The DPO Coalition has good relationships with other DPOs. Any DPO can apply to be a member of the DPO Coalition. Applicants are provided with an ‘Attributes’ template. DPOs that meet the Attributes criteria are invited to join the Coalition.
14. If you are an impairment specific or have a particular focus or are a regional DPO, how do you work with Umbrella DPO?
N/A
15. If there is no national umbrella DPO, how could one be built?
N/A   
16. How does your DPO get funded?
The DPO Coalition is wholly funded by the New Zealand Government.
17. What training capacity does your DPO have?
None.
18. What regular training do you provide for PWD?
None.
19. How does your DPO involve young PWD?
Some of the DPO’s that make up the Coalition have youth sections. For example, Deaf Aotearoa has a Youth Board, which feeds into policy processes relating to young people.
20. Does your DPO have any experience working in a humanitarian disaster?
No.