3142 (2024). Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan to the Minister for Disability Issues

3142 (2024). Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan to the Minister for Disability Issues: What assurance can the Minister provide the disability sector that narrowing the funding criteria for the Purchasing Rules and Equipment and Modification Services will support improved living and wellbeing standards for people that rely on that funding?

Hon Penny Simmonds: I remain committed to the progressive realisation of the UNCRPD, including Article 19 which includes the right to choose where, with whom, and how a person lives their life in community. These rights are understood to be instrumental in achieving improved living and wellbeing standards. Progressive realisation is dependent, for all countries, on the resources available to them to commit to providing disability support. In this instance, New Zealand’s resources are constrained, and we are prioritising those supports, the absence of which would have the greatest impacts on Article 19 rights and improved living and wellbeing standards.