03/11/2026
Launch of Disabled People-Led Monitoring Report Highlights Declining Standard of Living for Disabled People and their Family, Whānau and Aiga.
Today, the Disabled People’s Organisations (DPO) Coalition released the My Experiences, My Rights: Standard of Living Report as part of the ongoing Disabled Person-Led Monitoring research mahi. This research monitors whether the New Zealand Government is upholding its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Convention).
The Donald Beasley Institute (DBI) conducts disabled person-led monitoring of the Convention on behalf of the DPO Coalition.
In the report released today, disabled people and their whānau shared stark realities of financial and material hardship due to inadequate income and increased cost of living.
One questionnaire participant states: “I live in government-enforced poverty via the Supported Living Benefit. No, they are not allowing us an adequate standard of anything.”
Key findings:
* Inadequate Income: Participants said employment was difficult to find, often inaccessible, and unstable to maintain; that government benefit and disability funding levels were too low; and that eligibility criteria and relationship status limited their access to financial support.
* Increased Cost of Living: Many participants reported severe levels of financial and material hardship across all areas of life, including housing, food, utilities, clothes, transport, healthcare, and disability-specific costs.
* Impact of Increased Cost of Living: Participants reported feeling isolated and compromising on essential needs such as food and medication. This often affected their psychosocial wellbeing.
Government Attitudes: Instead of championing change, decision-makers and public servants were seen by participants as indifferent, uncaring and as treating disability as a burden.
* Hopelessness, Dignity and Aspirations: Participants acknowledged that realising Article 28 of the UNCRPD (Adequate Standard of Living for Disabled People) requires a fundamental shift in the Government’s approach to disability. While some participants felt a sense of hopelessness, they also shared strong aspirations for a dignified life grounded in adequate income, autonomy, and basic human rights.
The above findings from Phase 1 of the monitoring project are based on an accessible online survey. In Phase 2, the monitoring team will conduct interviews and focus groups to explore the most pressing issues identified in Phase 1. This mahi continues to include tākata whaikaha, D/deaf, disabled people and their families, whānau and aiga about their experiences and thoughts on the cost of living, standard of living, and the cost of disability in Aotearoa New Zealand.
You will find the report on the Donald Beasley Institute's website. The Executive Summary is available in official languages and alternate formats: Te Reo Māori, New Zealand Sign Language, Easy Read, Braille, Large Print, and Audio.
Here is the link to the DBI website
https://www.donaldbeasley.org.nz/projects/disabled-person-led-monitoring
Description of the below graphic
Green tile with DBI logo. Text overlay reads “KEY TAKEAWAYS Government Attitudes
● Participants perceived that government officials and public servants lacked disability literacy and a willingness to act.
● Participants felt decision-makers were indifferent to disabled people's lived realities and viewed disability as a burden, and linked this to a declining standard of living.
Graphic of a person with an eye patch and a speech bubble “I think disabled people are being treated as you should be thankful you have your basic needs met and shame on you for asking”
