A controversial government bill overhauling disability support has sparked a fierce pushback in Taranaki, with advocates requesting local mayors take a united stand against Wellington.
Representatives from Enabling Good Lives Taranaki presented to a full public gallery of aged and disability community members at the New Plymouth District Council Public Engagement Committee this afternoon. Craig Nielsen and Daniel Vanderberg used their speaking allocation to outline the impacts of the Disability Support Services Bill.
Introduced to Parliament by Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston in May, the legislation aims to provide a foundational framework for how disability funding is used. Upston recently stated the proposed laws will bring clarity and stability to the system by improving consistency and transparency.
However, the bill has drawn widespread criticism for stating families hold primary responsibility for care. It also responds to a landmark December 2025 Supreme Court ruling that recognised some full-time family carers as state employees. The new legislation effectively blocks those carers from claiming minimum wage and employment rights, stating the Crown was never intended to be their employer.
New Plymouth District Councillor Sam Bennett is heavily backing the advocates. He published an open letter asking the Taranaki Mayoral Forum to urgently write to Upston and condemn the bill.
Bennett warned the legislation risks diminishing the autonomy of disabled people while placing an unbearable burden on parents, spouses and unpaid caregivers across the region.
"Future generations will judge us not by how we treated the strongest among us, but by how we protected and supported those who needed our advocacy most," Bennett wrote in his letter.
He noted the issue is highly relevant to local government because about 50% of the New Plymouth district population either lives with a disability or is aged 65 and over. Bennett argued these residents are ratepayers who contribute heavily to the civic life of communities from the Coast to South Taranaki.
"An age-friendly community is one where people are included by design, treated with respect, and supported through collective action," Bennett said.
Minister Upston has defended the new framework. While she acknowledged the Supreme Court decision, she argued there are better ways to recognise carers than treating family members as state employees. The Government has promised to consult on a separate support package for carers in the near future.
Disability groups remain concerned that stripping legal avenues and placing the initial responsibility on families will force more people into financial hardship before any new support package arrives.
