This policy and action plan is a guide for Creative New Zealand and outlines the ways it will work inclusively for all New Zealanders, with a focus on deaf and disabled artists and arts practitioners, turi Māori (Māori Deaf), tāngata whaikaha Māori (disabled Māori) and disability communities.

To develop the policy, Creative New Zealand worked with Manga Tipua, a reference group of deaf and disabled artists, policy and disability rights advocates to understand and address barriers and access issues in Creative New Zealand’s services, information and funding.

The co-design approach was instrumental in creating a process that demonstrated a commitment to equity, deaf and disabled leadership, value and integrity – the four principles that underpin the policy.