The New Zealand Disability Support Network

What The New Zealand Disability Support Network does

The New Zealand Disability Support Network (NZDSN) is a Wellington-based non-profit peak body founded in 2010 that represents 175 disability support provider organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand. Its core function is sector representation and convening: NZDSN advocates on behalf of members with central government agencies (Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha), provides formal submissions to Parliament on legislation such as the Disability Support Services Bill, and coordinates collective responses on policy issues including pay equity and disability employment requirements. The organisation operates 14 regional networks spanning every region of New Zealand and hosts the annual NZDSN Conference, which features international and national keynote speakers.

NZDSN generates revenue through three streams: (1) tiered membership subscriptions ranging from $420 (micro providers, revenue under $500K) to $12,000 (large providers above $100M), plus associate and individual memberships; (2) administration of the Ministry of Social Development Training Fund, which distributes up to $4,500 per worker to MSD-funded Employment, Participation and Inclusion Disability Service Providers; and (3) annual conference registration, sponsorship, and exhibitor fees. Additional revenue is derived from partnership-driven services such as the Open Polytechnic Graduate Diploma in Disability Sector Leadership scholarship and the CSC Buying Group preferred-supplier arrangement.

Beyond advocacy and convening, NZDSN delivers the Provider Development Programme (workshops and communities of practice for leaders and frontline staff), workforce development initiatives, research and quality development projects, and a Providers Search Directory. The organisation employs 11–50 staff and is led by CEO Debbie Hughes (appointed March 2025) and Board Chair Samantha Lee. NZDSN's technology footprint is conventional — a content website, member portal, social channels, and email — with no proprietary AI, software products, or APIs disclosed.

Name

The New Zealand Disability Support Network

Legal name

New Zealand Disability Support Network

Website

https://nzdsn.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NZDSN is a Wellington-based non-profit peak body representing 175 disability support provider organisations across New Zealand, delivering tiered membership services, advocacy, regional networks, workforce training (including MSD Training Fund administration), and an annual sector conference.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Sector Membership Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Nonprofit peak body
• Workforce training fund
• Sector advocacy
• Membership association

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellington

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: NZDSN generates revenue through tiered membership fees based on organizational revenue size, ranging from $420 to $12,000 annually for disability support provider organizations. Individual and associate memberships are also available at lower price points.
2. MSD Training Fund Administration: NZDSN administers the Ministry of Social Development Training Fund on behalf of MSD, providing training funding up to $4,500 per person for eligible disability support workers. This fund is for MSD-funded Employment, Participation and Inclusion Disability Service Providers.
3. Conference and Event Revenue: NZDSN hosts annual conferences (NZDSN Conference) that attract wide variety of international and national keynote speakers. Revenue generated through registration fees, sponsorships, and exhibitor fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NZDSN is the national peak body for disability support providers in Aotearoa New Zealand, delivering membership-based networking, representation, advocacy, training and workforce development to its 175 provider member organisations. Its core offer spans the Provider Development Programme (workshops and communities of practice), annual conferences, regional networks, workforce development initiatives and research/quality projects. It also administers the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) Training Fund, providing up to NZ$4,500 per eligible disability support worker, and maintains a searchable Providers Search Directory for the sector.

Product overview

NZDSN is a national membership organization (not a technology product company) that provides networking, representation, advocacy, and professional development services to disability support providers in New Zealand. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected services including the Provider Development Programme (workshops and training), annual conferences, regional networking activities, workforce development initiatives, and research projects. NZDSN also administers the MSD Training Fund on behalf of the Ministry of Social Development and maintains a provider search directory for members. The core offering is membership-based access to professional development, sector representation, and peer networking rather than a software product or platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Programme Tiered organisational membership ($420 to $12,000 annually based on revenue) plus associate and individual memberships ($100-$500/year) for disability support provider organisations, non-provider organisations, contractors, IF holders and funded family caregivers. Member benefits include subsidised access to conferences, regional networks, communications, working parties and partnership discounts; full membership requires NZDSN Board approval.
• Provider Development Programme A series of workshops and training events showcasing best/next practice and innovation, with two workstreams tailored for leaders and direct service staff. Includes communities of practice, leadership mentoring opportunities, and is informed by analysis of NZDSN member needs.
• NZDSN Annual Conference Annual conference attracting international and national keynote speakers and workstream presenters covering the latest developments and innovations within the disability support sector. Available with in-person and online participation options; revenue generated through registration fees, sponsorships and exhibitor fees.
• Regional Networks Regional networking activities providing opportunities for information sharing across regions including Auckland, Taranaki/Manawatū/Wairarapa, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Northland, Nelson/Marlborough, Canterbury/West Coast, Otago/Southland and Wellington, ensuring providers are well-connected.
• Workforce Development Initiatives to develop and improve qualification pathways within the disability workforce, including advocacy for fairer remunerations.
• Research and Quality Development Projects Includes the development of practice guidelines and policy research to advance quality standards in the disability support sector.
• MSD Training Fund A training fund managed by NZDSN on behalf of the Ministry of Social Development. Employees of MSD-funded Employment, Participation and Inclusion Disability Service Providers can apply for industry-specific qualifications and training up to NZ$4,500 total (GST inclusive) across all rounds. Applications normally take 14 business days to process.
• Graduate Diploma in Disability Sector Leadership A scholarship programme in partnership with Open Polytechnic for disability support provider staff wishing to complete the Graduate Diploma in Disability Sector Leadership. NZDSN individual members receive a 10% discount on all Open Polytechnic course fees.
• Providers Search Directory A searchable directory of disability support providers across New Zealand, filterable by disability type, region and service category.

Quantifiable outcome

• 175 member organisations represented across New Zealand
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ministry of Social Development (MSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNZDSN manages the Ministry of Social Development Training Fund on behalf of MSD. The fund allows employees of MSD-funded Employment, Participation and Inclusion Disability Service Providers to apply for industry-specific qualifications and training up to $4,500 per person.
• Open PolytechniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNZDSN and Open Polytechnic have established a scholarship for disability support provider staff wishing to complete the Graduate Diploma in Disability Sector Leadership. NZDSN individual members receive a 10% discount on all Open Polytechnic course fees.
• CSC Buying GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCSC Buying Group is a preferred supplier for NZDSN members, offering not-for-profit group purchasing with exclusive discounts on everyday business costs including vehicle maintenance, appliances, technology, and outdoor activities. CSC Buying Group donates to various charities and organisations under camping, disability, and poverty & children's services.
• Workforce Futures Fund | Tahua Rāngaimahi AnamatacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNZDSN is involved in supporting the Workforce Futures Fund which will open for applications to disability sector workforce development projects. $15m is available across the life of the fund to support workforce development in eight specified industries.
• My Life My VoiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWith support from the Workforce Futures Fund, My Life My Voice developed an AI use policy template free for any organisation to use. NZDSN facilitates access to this resource for members.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• People First New Zealand: NZ self-advocacy organization led by and for people with learning disabilities. Operates in a similar advocacy space to NZDSN but from a rights-holder perspective rather than provider-side; co-signed joint DSS Bill statement.
• Disabled Persons Assembly New Zealand: NZ's national disabled people's organization focused on advocacy and rights-based representation. Complements NZDSN's provider-side representation with consumer-side advocacy; co-signed the joint DSS Bill media statement.

Broad incumbents

• Te Pou o te Whakaaro Nui: New Zealand's workforce development center for mental health, addiction, and disability sectors. Comparable workforce development and training mission, with broader health/mental health focus than NZDSN's disability support remit.

Direct peers

• National Disability Services (NDS) Australia: Australia's peak body for disability service providers, the closest international analogue to NZDSN. Operates a similar membership, advocacy, workforce development, and policy submission model for the Australian NDIS provider ecosystem.
• Inclusion New Zealand: New Zealand disability advocacy and inclusion organization supporting people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Comparable in NZ focus area, advocacy orientation, and constituent base to NZDSN's mission.
• Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG): UK membership body for voluntary sector disability and social care providers. Closely comparable model: tiered membership, sector representation, workforce development, and policy advocacy for nonprofit disability providers.
• Home and Community Health Association: New Zealand's peak body representing home and community support services providers, including those serving disabled and older people. Closely comparable membership/advocacy model within a partially overlapping provider ecosystem.
• ANCOR (American Network of Community Options and Resources): US national membership association for disability service providers, with comparable advocacy, training, and policy functions. Represents hundreds of provider organizations across the United States serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NZDSN
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-zealand-disability-support-network
• Xx.com/NZDSN

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The New Zealand Disability Support Network