MEDIA STATEMENT
Hon Tariana Turia
Co-Leader of the Maori Party
Embargoed until 3pm on 20 May 2010
$100 million: Support to live their own lives
The Maori Party’s policy that disabled persons and their whanau should have access to support so they can live their own
lives has come to fruition because of the $100 million secured by Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia, who negotiated
the funding in her capacity as Associate Minister of Health and as Minister of Disability Issues.
About one in five Maori people have a disability.
“This money will go along way over the next four years to achieving some of the priorities including disabled people
having the right to participate in decision-making, to be protected by law and to have control of their lives,” she
said.
About $72 million will be used to address a range of volume and price pressures which will help ensure disabled people
continue to access similar levels and types of services.
These include:
$25.5 million for home and community support services
$3.4 million for other disability support services
$21 million for residential services for people with intellectual disabilities
$7.9 million for supported independent living
$2.7 million for respite care "Ongoing access to support is extremely important for disabled people and their families"
Associate Health Minister and Maori Party co leader Tariana Turia says.
About $1.6 million over four years will be used to reduce waiting times for adults getting cochlear implants.
About $20 million will provide more home modifications and equipment for disabled people.
In addition to these vital disability supports, Minister Turia is especially proud of $6.8m secured in focusing on
quality of life outcomes for people with disabilities.
“The initiatives announced today include $3m for a public awareness to change attitudes and behaviours; $2.34 million to
help promote, protect and monitor the rights of people with disabilities; and $1.5 million to help achieve design
standards for ‘accessible’ homes”.
END