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March 08, 2026
Part Two: Waatea Question of the Day: Listeners say Government falling short for disabled whānau
Matthew Tukaki
Posted On March 8, 2026
Thousands of people across the Radio Waatea network have weighed in on the latest #questionoftheday, with the overwhelming majority saying the Government is not doing enough to support disabled whānau in Aotearoa.
The question asked listeners and followers across Waatea’s social media platforms whether they believed the Government was providing adequate support for disabled people and their families.
Just over 20,000 people engaged with the discussion across the network’s platforms. On Facebook alone, 62 people took the time to leave comments, with more than 80 percent responding that the Government is not doing enough.
The feedback from listeners paints a picture of growing frustration and concern about the state of disability support in the country.
Many respondents said they had initially been hopeful when a dedicated government ministry for disabled people was established, believing it would lead to meaningful improvements in services and access. However, several said they now feel that disabled people remain marginalised when it comes to accessing essential support.
One of the most frequently raised issues was the shortage of disability-friendly housing, with many commenters saying accessible homes remain extremely difficult to find.
Others pointed to the connection between disability, homelessness and mental health, saying people with complex needs are often left without adequate support systems.
Several commenters highlighted the reality that mental illness itself is a disability, and that many people living on the streets are struggling with untreated mental health conditions.
Others described what they see as a cycle where people without stable housing or support struggle to access services, sometimes leading them into the criminal justice system simply as a means of survival.
Some respondents suggested the country needs more residential care facilities staffed by trained professionals, including mental health and addiction specialists, to support people who are unable to live independently but still require dignity and community-based care.
While the views expressed online were often emotional and at times deeply critical of government policy, they reflect a wider concern about the availability of housing, mental health support and accessible services for disabled people and their families.
For many who responded, the core issue was not just policy but visibility – the sense that disabled people, those living with mental illness and those experiencing homelessness are still being pushed to the margins of society.
The discussion highlights how closely linked issues such as disability support, housing shortages and access to mental health services have become in Aotearoa.
Radio Waatea will continue to follow the issue and seek responses from government ministers, service providers and community leaders about what more can be done to ensure disabled whānau have the support they need to live with dignity and security.
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