Equipment & Access NZ

Equipment & Access NZ

Finding the Right Tools for Independence and Access

This directory connects you to services and providers for equipment, assistive technology, and accessibility modifications across Aotearoa New Zealand. Here you can find information on publicly funded support, explore different types of equipment, and locate local providers for assessments, trials, and repairs.
Finding the right tools can empower greater independence, safety, and participation in everyday life—at home, at work, and in the community.

Understanding the System: Key Agencies

Lead Government Agency for Disability Support

Whāikaha - Ministry of Disabled People is the primary government agency responsible for leading and coordinating disability support across Aotearoa New Zealand. Its purpose is to ensure disabled people and their whānau have greater choice and control over their lives and the supports they use, including funding for essential equipment and accessibility modifications.

Key Role in Equipment & Access: Whāikaha sets the strategy and funds a wide range of disability supports. This includes allocating individualised budgets for equipment (like wheelchairs, personal care, or communication aids) and home or vehicle modifications through its commissioning agencies.

Coverage: Nationwide (Aotearoa New Zealand)

Website: https://www.whāikaha.govt.nz/
General Inquiries: 0800 566 601
Email: contact@whāikaha.govt.nz

Enable New Zealand – Whaikaha Kahui Hauātanga
Aotearoa's Lead Provider for Equipment & Modifications

Enable New Zealand (ENZ) is the primary service that assesses needs and facilitates access to publicly funded equipment, assistive technology, and home or vehicle modifications for most of the country. They work on behalf of Whāikaha – Ministry of Disabled People to guide individuals through the application process for supports that enhance independence, safety, and accessibility.

Key Details & Scale:

  • Role: ENZ conducts needs assessments, sources equipment from accredited suppliers, and manages the contracting and payment for modifications. They are the central facilitator between individuals, assessors, and suppliers.

  • Coverage: Serves the North Island, South Island, and Chatham Islands. (The Auckland and Northland regions are served by Focus Trust).

  • Scope: Manages over $270 million in government funds annually, providing hundreds of thousands of items and modifications to tens of thousands of New Zealanders.

Services Include:

  • Assessments and funding for mobility equipment, daily living aids, and communication devices.

  • Management of home modification projects (from ramps to bathroom overhauls).

  • Coordination of vehicle modifications (like hand controls or hoists).

  • Administration of the Hearing Aid Scheme and Subsidy.

  • A public directory to find approved contractors, assessors, and repair services.

Contact Enable New Zealand:

  • Website: https://www.enable.co.nz/

  • Contact Centre: 0800 17 1981 (Weekdays, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM)

  • Email: information@enable.co.nz

Home Modifications

Adapting Your Living Space for Safety & Access

Home modifications are physical changes to a house or apartment to make it safer and more accessible. These can range from minor installations to major structural work, all aimed at supporting independent living.

The Modification Process:

  1. Needs Assessment: An Occupational Therapist (OT) assesses your daily activities and the property to recommend specific modifications.

  2. Funding Approval: Your local NASC (Enable NZ or Focus Trust) reviews the OT's report and approves the funding from Whāikaha.

  3. Quotes & Work: You or a project coordinator obtain quotes from ENZ-approved modification builders. ENZ manages the contract and pays the supplier upon completion.

Types of Modifications:

  • Minor: Installing grab rails, lever taps, temporary ramps, or threshold ramps.

  • Major: Constructing permanent ramps, installing stairlifts or through-floor lifts, creating level-access showers, or widening doorways. Major work often requires a building consent.

Finding a Provider: Enable New Zealand and Focus Trust maintain directories of certified builders and specialists (e.g., Accessable, Liveable Homes). You can search for "HomeMod" providers on the ENZ website.

1. Mobility & Seating Equipment
This category includes equipment that assists with movement and postural support, which is often essential for daily life and preventing secondary health issues.

  • Types of Equipment: Manual and electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walkers, standing frames, and specialised seating/cushions for pressure care.

  • Notable Providers & Services:

    • Wheelchair & Seating Services: Often accessed through hospital-based clinics (like the Buckland's service in Auckland) for complex needs. Your NASC (Enable NZ or Focus Trust) can refer you.

    • Mobility Scooter Suppliers: National retailers like Mobility Solutions and Independent Living offer sales, rentals, and assessments.

    • Specialist Seating: Companies like Altimate Medical or Permobil (often supplied through local healthcare equipment companies) provide advanced postural support systems.

How to Access: A referral and assessment are typically required for funded equipment. Start by contacting your NASC (Enable NZ or Focus Trust).

2. Daily Living & Personal Care Aids
This category includes tools and devices designed to help with personal care, household tasks, and other activities of daily living. This equipment can promote independence, safety, and dignity in the home.

  • Types of Equipment:

    • Personal Care: Long-handled sponges, dressing sticks, adapted cutlery, non-slip mats, shower chairs, and toilet frames/raisers.

    • Household Tasks: Jar openers, easy-grip kitchen utensils, kettle tippers, and adapted chopping boards.

    • Reaching & Grasping: Reachers/grabbers, magnetic pick-up tools, and key turners.

  • Notable Providers & Services:

    • Home Healthcare Retailers: Stores like Healthcare Logistics, Mobility Centre, and St John Health Shops have extensive catalogues and physical shops for daily living aids.

    • Online Marketplaces: Platforms like MyCare or the Equipment and Modifications section on the Whāikaha website provide information and sometimes direct sourcing options.

    • Occupational Therapists (OTs): A key resource! An OT can assess your specific needs, recommend the most suitable aids, and often provide them directly or guide you to the right supplier through a funded assessment.

How to Access:

  • Low-Cost Items: Many simple aids can be purchased directly from retailers or online.

  • Funded Items: For more complex or costly equipment (like an electric hoist or specialist bed), an assessment from an Occupational Therapist is usually required. Your NASC (Enable NZ or Focus Trust) can organise and fund this assessment and the approved equipment if it meets eligibility criteria.

3. Communication & Computer Access (AAC & AT)
This category covers Assistive and Augmentative Communication (AAC) devices and technology that help individuals express themselves, interact with others, and access computers or environmental controls. This technology can be life-changing for people with significant communication or physical access needs.

  • Types of Equipment & Technology:

    • Low-Tech AAC: Communication boards, books, or cards with pictures, symbols, or words.

    • High-Tech AAC: Speech-generating devices (SGDs) or tablets with specialised software (e.g., Proloquo2Go, TouchChat).

    • Computer Access: Adapted keyboards, mice, switches, eye-gaze systems, and voice recognition software.

    • Environmental Controls: Devices that allow control of lights, TVs, or other appliances via switch, voice, or other adaptive methods.

  • Notable Providers & Services:

    • TalkLink Trust: A major national service specialising in AAC and computer access assessments, training, and support for both children and adults.

    • Geneva: Provides a range of communication and assistive technology services, including assessments and device trials.

    • Ministry of Education – Assistive Technology Team: Supports school-aged students with high-cost assistive technology for learning.

    • Specialist Suppliers: Companies like Tobii Dynavox and Smartbox supply high-tech AAC devices and eye-gaze systems, often through a clinician's referral.

How to Access:

  • Assessment is Crucial: Accessing funded AAC or computer technology requires a comprehensive assessment by a specialised team, typically including a Speech-Language Therapist and an Occupational Therapist or Assistive Technology Practitioner.

  • Pathways: For adults, a referral can be made through your local NASC (Enable NZ or Focus Trust) or via a hospital-based service. For school-aged children, the Ministry of Education is a key pathway. Your therapist or NASC coordinator can guide you.

Vehicle Modifications

Adapting Your Vehicle for Safe Travel

Vehicle modifications allow a person to travel safely and independently as a driver or passenger. These adaptations are funded to enable access to a vehicle you already own or are purchasing, and the work must be completed by certified specialists.

The Modification Process:

  1. Driving or Passenger Assessment: For driving modifications, a certified Driving Assessor (often a Specialist Occupational Therapist) must assess your needs and recommend specific adaptations. For passenger modifications (e.g., a hoist), an assessment by an Occupational Therapist is required.

  2. Funding Approval: Your local NASC (Enable NZ or Focus Trust) approves the funding based on the assessor's report. Note: The vehicle itself is not funded, only the modifications.

  3. Installation: All work must be completed by a certified vehicle modification company from an approved list, such as Freedom Mobility or Adapta Vehicles.

Common Types of Modifications:

  • For Drivers: Hand controls, pedal modifications (e.g., left-foot accelerators), steering aids, and electronic gear selectors.

  • For Passengers: Wheelchair hoists (lifters), wheelchair restraint systems, swivel seats, and ramp or lift installations for wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs).

Important Related Scheme: Total Mobility

  • If driving or modified vehicle travel is not possible, the Whaikaha Total Mobility Scheme provides subsidised taxi fares to eligible people. This is administered by regional councils, not directly through Enable NZ.

Finding a Certified Provider: Enable New Zealand provides a searchable online directory of approved vehicle modification subcontractors. You can search for "VehicleMod" providers on their website.

Specialist Funding Schemes

Targeted Support for Hearing & Vision

Enable New Zealand administers several important national subsidy schemes for hearing and vision support on behalf of Whāikaha. These schemes help cover the cost of essential devices for eligible children and adults.

Hearing Aid Funding & Subsidy
This scheme provides financial assistance for hearing aids, which are crucial for communication, education, and social participation.

  • The Hearing Aid Scheme: Provides full funding for basic hearing aids for those who meet specific clinical and disability criteria.

  • The Hearing Aid Subsidy: Provides a partial subsidy (a set dollar amount) towards the cost of hearing aids for those who do not meet the full funding criteria but still have a diagnosed hearing loss.

  • The Process:

    1. Assessment: You must have a hearing needs assessment with an approved audiologist or audiometrist.

    2. Application: The hearing provider applies for funding or a subsidy on your behalf through Enable New Zealand.

    3. Scale of Support: ENZ processes tens of thousands of hearing aid payments annually, managing a significant portion of the national budget for this support.

Children's Spectacle Subsidy
This scheme helps with the cost of glasses for children and young people.

  • Eligibility: The subsidy is available for eligible children and young people up to a certain age who require glasses.

  • How it Works: The subsidy amount is paid directly to the participating optometrist or dispensing optician, reducing the out-of-pocket cost for families.

Key First Step: For both schemes, the first point of contact is a qualified health professional—an audiologist for hearing aids or an optometrist for glasses. They can confirm your eligibility and manage the application to Enable New Zealand.

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