The Ministry of Disabled People funds a range of Disability Support Services to assist those living with a disability.  Access to most Ministry of Disabled People funded supports is via the Needs Assessment and Service Coordination agency (NASC).  In Auckland the NASC is Kaikaranga.  Anyone with a disability living in Auckland, under the age of 65yrs can self-refer to Kaikaranga for a free Needs Assessment whereby their eligibility for funded disability supports is assessed and appropriate services may be co-ordinated.   Sometimes a GP or Paediatrician will refer the family to Kaikaranga.

The Kaikaranga website is https://kaikaranga.org.nz/  or phone 278-6314.  Referral forms are available on their website.

Some examples of  Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha funded Disability Support Services include:

• Carer Support Subsidy
• Respite Care (can now be accessed via Individualised Funding once entitled to this funding)
• Home & Community Support Services (ie: Household Management and Personal Cares) Individualised Funding may be applicable to these two supports
• Behaviour Management
• Community Residential Support
• Supported Independent Living
• Equipment and Modification Services

The Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha and Kaikaranga use the following NZ Government definition of disability:

“A person with a disability is someone who has been identified as having a physical, intellectual, sensory disability, autism (or a combination of these) which is likely to continue for a minimum of six months and result in a reduction of independent
function to the extent that ongoing support is required”.  Reference – Whaikaha

NB: In order to access these funded supports the person with a disability must meet the NZ definition of disability and also meet eligibility criteria for those supports.  Further information re eligibility is available from Kaikaranga.