IN-CONFIDENCE

Kia ora Kendra

I refer to your Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request of 10 Feb 2026.

We have transferred the first part of your request to Statistics NZ (Stats NZ), and the remainder to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). This is because the information to which your request relates is not held by us but is believed to be more closely connected with the functions of these two agencies. In these circumstances, we are required by section 14 of the OIA to transfer your request.

Stats NZ will respond to your request seeking:
- The total number of individuals aged 18–30 identified as disabled in New Zealand, according to the most recent Household Disability Survey or Whaikaha administrative data.

MSD will be responsible for responding to:
- Of those supported by Whaikaha-funded Disability Support Services (DSS), how many are currently identified as:
- Non-speaking or having complex communication needs.
- Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) as their primary mode of communication.
- A breakdown of the 18–30 disabled population by primary disability type (e.g., intellectual, physical, sensory, or neurodiverse).
- Data on the number of individuals in this age group currently residing in community-based supported living versus those receiving individualised funding (IF) for home-based support."

You will hear further from these agencies concerning your request in due course.

Ngâ mihi
Sophie
Ministerial and Executive Services
Ministry of Disabled People - Whaikaha

show quoted sections

Kia ora Kendra

Thank you for your official information request which was partially transferred to Stats NZ from Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People on 12 February 2026. Your request for 'The total number of individuals aged 18–30 identified as disabled in New Zealand, according to the most recent Household Disability Survey or Whaikaha administrative data' is being considered by Stats NZ under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act).

We will respond to your request as soon as reasonably practicable and no later than 20 working days after the day we received it. Based on this, you can expect a response by 12 March 2026.

If you have any questions, please reply to this email. If anything changes that might affect your request, please let us know.

Ngâ mihi

Sam Newbold (pronouns: he/him/his)
Senior Advisor – Executive and Government Relations, Office of the Government Statistician and Chief Executive | Kaitohutohu Matua, Tari o Te Tumu Whakahaere
Stats NZ | Tatauranga Aotearoa | stats.govt.nz |
About Aotearoa, for Aotearoa
Data that improves lives today and for generations to come

show quoted sections

Tēnā koe Kendra Horne,

 

Thank you for your request regarding DSS recipients transferred from
Whaikaha on 12 February 2026, under the Official Information Act 1982.
Your request has been forwarded to the appropriate officials at National
Office to respond. You may expect a decision regarding your request to be
sent to you as soon as possible.

 

Ngā manaakitanga,

 

Official Information Team   |  Ministerial and Executive Services

Ministry of Social Development | Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora

 

Our Purpose:
We help New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent
Manaaki Tangata, Manaaki Whānau

 

This email and any attachments may contain information that is
confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended
recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or duplication of this
email and attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in
error please notify the author immediately and erase all copies of the
email and attachments. The Ministry of Social Development accepts no
responsibility for changes made to this message or attachments after
transmission from the Ministry.