Your Thoughts Count - Current Surveys & Consultations
Independent Living supports the work of the below organisations to understand how they (and other service providers) can best meet the needs of those with disabilities or mobility concerns. We encourage you to answer any survey relevant to you.
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Carers Strategy Action Plan – MSD
Cost of Living Survey
The Donald Beasley Institute (DBI) is doing a questionnaire about what disabled people think and feel about cost of living, standard of living and the cost of disability in Aotearoa.
Anyone who is disabled, takata whaikaha Māori, D/deaf, chronically ill, neurodivergent, and/or family, whānau, aiga and close supporters of people with multiple and complex disabilities are welcome to share their thoughts and experiences.
The project is commissioned by the Disabled People’s Organisations Coalition as part of the Disabled Person-Led Monitoring of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Fill out the questionnaire on the cost of living.
Using Assistive Technology?
Intopia has launched its Assistive Technology Survey 2025, which is designed to capture how Australians and New Zealanders use, access and experience assistive technology, including:
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people with disability who use assistive technology in any form
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older people who use technology to support independence or wellbeing
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allied health professionals, educators and support workers
They want to know what assistive technologies and adaptive strategies people use, which devices and browsers are most popular and what online experience is like for assistive technology users. The survey closes 6 February!
Answer the Assistive Technology Survey 2025.
Are you a carer - or do you have a support worker?
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is seeking feedback on the draft Carers’ Strategy Action Plan (Action Plan), which sets out government actions to support family, whānau, aiga or individual carers.
The draft Action Plan has been developed through engagement with:
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government agencies partnered to the New Zealand Carers’ Strategy
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the NZ Carers Alliance (the Carers Alliance), a collective of over 60 charitable and non-governmental organisations concerned with the needs of family, whānau, and aiga carers
- the Carers’ Strategy Advisory Group, which includes representatives from the Carers Alliance and non-governmental organisations that work with and represent carers.
Consultation will run until 12 February 2026.
You are welcome to provide feedback through one or more of these channels:
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Submission by email or a scanned version of your submission to CAPsubmissions@msd.govt.nz,
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by mail to: Carers Strategy Action Plan Consultation Ministry of Social Development PO Box 1556 Wellington 6140 New Zealand
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Survey, you can fill out a survey hosted on MSD’s survey page.https://consultations.msd.govt.nz/dss/action-plans-and-the-new-zealand-carers-strategy/
Do you require assistance with getting places?
The Minitry of Transport is reviewing the Total Mobility scheme to make it better for the people who use it and those who fund it.
They want to hear your thoughts on six proposals. The Discussion document sets out the proposals.
Consultation materials are available in alternate formats. These are provided at the end of this page.
Consultation is open until 22 March 2026.
What is Total Mobility?
The Total Mobility scheme helps people with long-term impairments travel when they cannot use public transport on their own. It pays part of the cost for taxis and sometimes other transport, making it easier for users to meet daily needs and take part in their community.