System Transformation in the disability sector in New Zealand – Repeat Study MidCentral: 2018-2021

In October 2018 the Ministry of Health launched system transformation in MidCentral region (Palmerston North, Levin, Otaki, Foxton, Feilding and the local environments). This new system was to be based on Enabling Good Lives (EGL) which gave disabled people and their whānau greater autonomy and authority over how their support is provided. The new funding body set up in MidCentral region was called Mana Whaikaha.
In 2018 the Ministry commissioned SAMS (Standards and Monitoring Services) to conduct a baseline study of how supports were perceived in the region. This research predated the implementation of the new system and a part two, the repeat study, was undertaken in 2021. The aim of the repeat study was to provide a longitudinal review of whether improvements had occurred following the implementation of the new system.