How to have your say on the Disability Support Services Bill: A guide for disabled people, whānau, and allies
Published 26 May 2026
We have put together a guide on how you can have your say on the Disability Support Services Bill. This includes background info, why it matters, detailed instructions on how to make a submission, and what we are calling for in our submission. Click here to download our full guide (Word document, 355 KB).
Below, you’ll find a shortened version of the submission instructions from our guide with a template for quick access.
How to make your own submission
Submissions can be made here: https://www3.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/54SCSSC_SCF_E6D8596D-C177-486B-CCF2-08DEB47E5457/disability-support-services-bill
Click ‘I am ready to make my submission’ and follow the instructions.
You can submit as an individual or on behalf of an organisation. Oral submissions are more impactful if you are comfortable doing one. You can decline later if you change your mind.
Only your name will be published on the Parliament website – your address, phone number, and email are kept private. You can use a pseudonym if you prefer, but anonymous submissions are much less likely to be properly considered.
You can type your submission directly into the online form, or write it in a Word document and upload it. You can also submit by post, or as a video in New Zealand Sign Language. Te reo Māori submissions are accepted.
Your submission does not need to be long or formal. A few clear, honest paragraphs are more effective than a long document.
Submission template
Use the template below as a guide – but always write in your own words. If many people send identical submissions, they may be grouped together and treated as one.
1. Who you are
Write 2-3 sentence to introduce yourself – your name, your connection to disability (your own experience, as a parent or carer, as a professional, as an ally). You don't have to share more than you're comfortable with.
For example: I am a 20-year-old disabled person. I live in Wellington.
2. Your position on the Bill
Say clearly whether you support or oppose the Bill, or specific parts of it. Most people will want to say they support a legal foundation for DSS but are concerned about specific clauses.
For example: I [support / oppose / have concerns about] the Disability Support Services Bill as currently drafted.
I support the idea of a clear legal foundation for Disability Support Services – the current system has needed this for some time. However, the Bill as written contains a number of provisions that I believe will harm disabled people, their whānau, and the family carers who support them.
My key concerns are:
[Briefly list your 1–3 main concerns here – e.g. the "families first" clause, means testing, disregarding of the Supreme Court ruling, lack of consultation]
3. Your key points (choose 1–3 issues that matter most to you)
Use the issues described above – or write about what matters most to you personally. Back up your points with your own experience, or refer to evidence you know.
For example:
My concern: [Name your first issue, e.g. "The families first clause (Clause 8)"]
[In your own words, describe what the clause does and why it concerns you. Include any personal experience that is relevant. For example: "Clause 8 says that family members have responsibility for a disabled person's care before the government steps in. In my family's experience, [describe your situation]. I am concerned that this will mean..."]
My recommendation: [e.g. "I recommend Clause 8 be rewritten to clearly define the limits of family responsibility and to protect the right of disabled people to choose who provides their care."]
My concern: [Name your second issue, e.g. "The means-testing risk (Clause 11)"]
[In your own words. For example: "Direct disability support services has never been means tested in New Zealand. I am concerned that Clause 11(3)(f) and (g) create the legal power for a future Minister to introduce income and asset testing without a parliamentary vote. There are no safeguards in the Bill..."]
My recommendation: [e.g. "I recommend the removal of Clause 11(3)(f) and (g), which would authorise income and asset-based criteria for DSS programmes."]
[Add a third concern if you have one]
4. Your recommendations
Tell the committee what you want changed. Use the suggested recommendations listed in the template below.
For example: In summary, I recommend the Select Committee:
[List your recommendations clearly and briefly, as bullet points]
[E.g. Rewrite Clause 8 to protect disabled people's right to choose who provides their care]
[E.g. Remove Clause 11(3)(f) and (g) to prevent means testing of disability support]
[E.g. Rewrite Clauses 12–15 to restore employment rights and legal recourse for family carers]
[E.g. Ensure the substantive detail of eligibility and funding is in primary legislation, not left to regulation]
[E.g. Require meaningful consultation with disabled people and whānau before the Bill progresses]
5. Your conclusion
A brief closing paragraph restating why this matters. Use language that reflects your values.
For example: Disabled people are equal citizens. The support system this country provides them should reflect that – not return us to a charity-era idea of disability where care is a favour rather than a right. I urge the Select Committee to listen to the disability community and to make the changes needed to make this Bill genuinely rights-based.
Suggested recommendations (for reference)
You can mix and match any of these. Pick the ones most relevant to your submission.
Families first / Clause 8: Rewrite Clause 8 to clearly define the limits of family responsibility and to centre the choice and control of disabled people
Means testing / Clause 11: Remove Clause 11(3)(f) and (g), which authorise income and asset-based criteria for DSS programmes
Family carer employment rights / Clauses 12–15: Rewrite Clauses 12–15 to restore employment rights and legal recourse for family carers; ensure the right of full-time carers to fair wages
Rights framework: Ground the Bill in the UNCRPD, te Tiriti, Enabling Good Lives principles, and the social model of disability
Primary vs secondary legislation: Move substantive detail of eligibility, funding, and decision-making into the primary legislation
Consultation: Require genuine consultation with disabled people and representative organisations before the Bill progresses
Treaty obligations: Include explicit reference to and compliance with te Tiriti o Waitangi, with active engagement with tāngata whaikaha Māori
Select committee process: Extend the submission period and ensure the process is fully accessible (Easy Read, NZSL, alternate formats, supported decision-making)
Tips for a stronger submission
Write from your own experience. Personal stories carry real weight with select committees. Even a short account of what disability support means to your whānau is powerful.
Be specific. If you can name a clause (e.g. "Clause 8" or "Clause 11(3)"), do so. It helps the committee know exactly what you want changed.
Make clear recommendations. Rather than just describing a problem, say what you want done about it. Even one clear recommendation is valuable.
Keep it focused. It's better to make two or three points well than to try to cover everything.
Use your own words. The committee sees many submissions. Yours is more effective when it's genuinely yours.
You can ask to speak. When you submit, you can request an oral submission – speaking to the committee in person or via Zoom. Oral submissions are more impactful.
Include evidence if you have it. Statistics, research, policy documents, and international law (like the UNCRPD) give submissions more weight.
This is a shorter turnaround than usual. We encourage you to submit as soon as you can.
If you have any questions or would like us to consider your views in CCS Disability Action’s submission, please contact us: