Submissions

To: United Nations 
Date: October 2025 

Purpose

This report highlights the compounded discrimination faced by Māori, Pacific, Asian, and ethnic disabled communities due to colonialism and current legislation. It focuses on inequities in healthcare, housing, and income. 

Summary of DPA submission

DPA submitted this shadow report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination which is the first of its kind for the DPA, focusing on the unique and overlapping challenges faced by tāngata whaikaha Māori (Māori disabled), tagata Sa’ilimalo Pasefika, Asian, and ethnic disabled communities. 

By using an intersectional approach, the report highlights how these individuals encounter additional layers of racial discrimination, stigma, and prejudice beyond the barriers typical for the broader disabled population. 

The sources detail how colonialism and systemic racism continue to drive inequities in health, education, and economic security for these groups. For Māori disabled, the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora (the Māori Health Authority) and recent anti-Tiriti rhetoric are significant concerns that threaten equitable outcomes. Similarly, Pacific disabled communities face barriers such as lower income levels, inadequate housing, and the discriminatory "Acceptable Standards of Health" (ASH) policy, which prevents many disabled individuals from immigrating to New Zealand despite family links or climate-driven displacement. 

For the Asian and ethnic disabled communities, the submission identifies barriers including language difficulties, cultural stigmas surrounding disability, and a lack of culturally responsive services. Asian New Zealanders face higher risks of gambling harm but encounter systemic hurdles when seeking support. Refugee and migrant disabled populations often experience siloed support systems and find it difficult to access the same level of systematic health screening as quota refugees, leading to more acute health crises over time. 

To address these systemic failings, DPA provides several targeted recommendations. First, it urges the New Zealand Government to repeal the section of the Minimum Wage Act 1983 that allows for minimum wage exemption permits, as this currently allows employers to pay some disabled workers significantly less than the legal minimum. Second, the Government should commit to building at least 25% of all new public housing stock to accessible Universal Design standards to alleviate the severe housing shortage that disproportionately affects Māori, Pacific, Asian, and ethnic disabled people.