Access Activator
A programme for those on a mission to improve access and inclusion for disabled people
Building accessible futures
We’ve partnered with Whaikaha – Ministry for Disabled People to provide a new source of funding and support for those building solutions to improve disabled people’s daily life.
If you’re working on impactful solutions that improve access and inclusion for Deaf and disabled people, Turi Māori and tāngata whaikaha Māori and their whānau in Aotearoa New Zealand, we want to hear from you.
This fund and programme are specifically focused on supporting solutions related to:
- transport
- digital and information
- the built environment
- emergency management
Note: applications have now closed. Thank you to everyone that applied.
Applications have now closed. Ngā mihi nui to all that applied. Applicants can expect to be contacted in late April 2026.
Who this is for
Are you working on an idea that will help solve access and inclusion problems – or support really good existing ideas that have struggled to get underway due to lack of funding?
This initiative is for those ready to test or deliver practical ideas quickly and demonstrate real impact in disabled people’s daily lives. Alongside Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People and Creative HQ, you’ll receive project support, learning and hands-on advice.
The programme welcomes applications from:
- Teams or partnerships that combine lived experience with delivery skills and knowledge.
- Disabled-led organisations and collectives.
- Community groups and NGOs (non-government organisations).
- Māori organisations and iwi entities.
- Social enterprises.
- Startups, and small and medium-sized organisations.
This initiative supports practical ideas that can be:
- Prototyped (a simple version made to test),
- piloted (tested with a small group),
- or scaled (expanded to reach more people).
We focus strongly on:
- Lived experience of Deaf and disabled people, Turi Māori, tāngata whaikaha Māori, and their whānau,
- equity,
- noticeable results.
Selection criteria and how to apply:
Disabled leadership and evidence of need:
Demonstrates meaningful involvement from disabled people (including Turi Māori and tāngata whaikaha Māori), clearly defines the problem, and provides credible evidence that it is real and significant.
Clear, deliverable plan:
Be accurately scoped for time and budget, showing you can deliver the project by 30 June 2026 (final report may be delivered by 31 July 2026). This includes participating in mentoring and delivery support from May to June, and completing showcase and reporting requirements between late June and July 2026.
Practical impact and equity:
Delivers an affordable, workable solution that creates measurable, positive change—either broadly across disabled communities or deeply for a defined group—while advancing equity.
Sustainability and adoption:
Shows cost-effectiveness, future funding pathways, sector alignment and a clear route to uptake and integration.
For scale-stage applications:
Provides evidence the solution works, demonstrates measurable impact for disabled people and their whānau, outlines a credible scaling pathway, and includes feedback loops for continuous improvement—aligned with UNCRPD and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
To see the full criteria, visit our FAQs below.
About Whaikaha
The Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha works to drive real and meaningful change across the disability space. This happens alongside the community, central and local government, and businesses. It focuses on things that make a tangible difference to disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori.
Frequently asked questions
How to apply?
Step 1: Visit the Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People’s Access Activator page.
Step 2: Download an application form. The form is available as a Word document, with alternate formats including audio, Braille, and large print.
Step 3: Email your completed application by 11:59pm, Sunday 29 March 2026. Applications have now closed.
What is the selection criteria?
Your application should:
- Show involvement from disabled people who will benefit from your solution.
- Clearly describe the problem you are trying to fix, and have evidence (facts, examples, research, or lived experience) that shows it is a real problem.
- Be accurately scoped for time and budget, showing you can deliver the project by 30 June 2026 (final report may be delivered by 31 July 2026)
- Show that your idea will deliver a practical and affordable solution that makes a real positive difference to disabled people.
- Benefit a large number of different disabled people, or impacts a smaller number of disabled people in a deep and meaningful way.
- Works toward equity, including addressing access for Turi Māori and tāngata whaikaha Māori.
- The team has or can access the skills needed to deliver the project.
- Think about how the project will work including:
- understanding how it fits within existing systems and what is needed for adoption.
- how cost-effective the solution is and future funding pathways
- whether any action (help) is needed from other agencies or providers
- understanding of support required by relevant sector. For example, if your solution is about making public swimming pools more accessible, you will need to talk to local councils.
Who is the funding available for?
Funding is available for solutions at two different stages of development:
Idea stage:
- You can ask for up to $25,000 in funding.
- This is for early ideas.
- You might not have created a first version yet, but you have a clear idea with a plan and are ready to build a prototype (a simple, testable version of your idea).
Scale stage:
- You can ask for up to $100,000.
- You have already tested and can show your solution works.
- Your solution is already being used, and you want to make it bigger to help more people.
Mentoring will be offered to successful applicants to support them to develop and deliver their idea through May and June 2026.
How to use the application form?
Applicants should complete all sections of the relevant application form (Idea stage or Scale stage). Each section includes guiding questions to help you understand the type of information we want to know.
Idea stage application form:
- ‘Idea stage’ application form (for up to $25,000) (word document)
- Audio ‘Idea stage’ application form (for up to $25,000)
- Braille ‘Idea stage’ application form (for up to $25,000)
- Large Print ‘Idea stage’ application form (for up to $25,000)
- New Zealand Sign Language guide to filling out the ‘Idea stage’ application form (for up to $25,000)
Scale stage application form:
- ‘Scale stage’ application form (for up to $100,000) (word document)
- Audio ‘Scale stage’ application form (for up to $100,000)
- Braille ‘Scale Stage’ application form (for up to $100,000)
- Large Print ‘Scale stage’ application form (for up to $100,000)
- New Zealand Sign Language guide to filling out the ‘Scale stage’ application form (for up to $100,000)
The sections are numbered to help those assessing the applications. You can start where you feel most confident and then build the full picture.
We encourage you to:
- Be clear and specific rather than overly detailed
- Focus on what you know now, not what you think you should promise
- Use plain language and avoid jargon where possible
- Include links or references where helpful (for example, to an existing solution, feedback or evidence).
If you need help filling out the application, or want to apply in a different format, please email outreach@whaikaha.govt.nz with what help you need. Or you can call on 0800 WHAIKAHA (0800 942 452).
What happens after you apply?
Completed application forms will be reviewed against the selection criteria. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to join a short online meeting to further discuss the proposal. You may also be contacted for follow-up questions before final decisions are made. Applicants can expect to be contacted in late April 2026.
Jonnie Haddon
GM Government innovation
When teams deliver tangible value inside existing systems, resistance drops, momentum builds and meaningful change becomes possible.
Not sure where to start?