Needs Assessment and Service Coordination services

If you or someone you care for needs support because of a disability, you’ll need to talk to a Needs Assessment and Service Coordination service (NASC).

NASCs are organisations contracted by the Ministry of Health to work with disabled people and their family, whānau, aiga, or carers, to:

identify their strengths and support needs
outline what disability support services are available
determine their eligibility for Ministry-funded support services.

NASCs allocate Ministry-funded disability support services and help with accessing other supports. These services are then delivered by their respective service providers.

NASCs are contracted by the Ministry’s Disability Support Services unit. It’s their job to ensure that the support and services allocated to you are fair, and fit within the disability support services budget.

What’s involved in a needs assessment

A needs assessment looks at your abilities, resources, goals and needs. The NASC will work to you to identify which of these is most important.

The goal of the needs assessment is to figure out how to maximise your independence so that you can participate as fully as possible in society.

Who’s eligible for a needs assessment

Needs assessment is available for people who meet the Ministry’s definition of disability. The Ministry funds services for people with a physical, intellectual and/or sensory impairment or disability that is

likely to continue for a minimum of 6 months
reduces your ability to function independently, to the extent that ongoing support is required.

In addition, a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder may also be eligible for a needs assessment. These are usually for people under the age of 65.

Disability support services for people with mental health needs or age-related needs are generally funded by District Health Boards.

Visit Am I eligible for Ministry-funded support services? to find out more.

Getting a needs assessment

In most cases, you need a written referral before a needs assessment can take place. You can get a referral form from a NASC. You can refer yourself, or any other person or organisation can make the referral for you, as long as they have your agreement.

Once the NASC has your referral, it reviews your eligibility for Ministry of Health-funded disability support services. They’ll make an appointment to see you with any family, whānau, aiga or carer you would like to have with you.

If you don’t meet the eligibility requirements for Ministry of Health-funded disability support services, then the NASC will help you to find other services that may be able to help.

Find more information

You can get more information from your local NASC. You can find a list of NASCs below, or you can ask your doctor or health professional to refer you.

If you live in Palmerston North - MidCentral region you can find information for the system operating in this area at https://manawhaikaha.co.nz/contact-us/.

Contact details for your local NASC

NASCs are listed from north to south below.

**Whangarei – Northland**
Service Name: NorthAble – Matapuna Hauora
Street address	40 John Street, Whangarei
Phone	09 430 0988
Fax	09 438 9468
Email	[email protected]
Client groups	Under 65 years
Region	N

**Auckland**
Service Name: Taikura Trust
Street address	Building 1, Level 1, 570 Mt Wellington Highway, Mt Wellington
Postal address	PO Box 132324, Sylvia Park, Auckland 1644
Phone	09 278 6314 0800 TAIKURA (824 587)
Fax	09 270 6500
Email	[email protected]
Website	Taikura Trust
Referrals (email)	[email protected]
Client groups	Under 65, Auckland
Region	N

**Gisborne – Tairawhiti**
Service Name: L.I.F.E. Unlimited Charitable Trust
Street address	105 Disraeli Street, Gisborne
Postal address	PO Box 146, Hamilton 3240
Phone	06 863 2836
Fax	06 867 9354
Email	[email protected]
Client groups	Under 65, Tairawhiti
Region	M

**Waikato**
Service Name: Disability Support Link
Street address	CBD Waiora, Level 1 KPMG building, 87 Alexandra Street, Hamilton CBD
Postal address	Private Bag 3200, Hamilton 3240
Phone	07 839 8883
Fax	07 839 1225
Email	[email protected]
Client groups	All
Region	M

**Tauranga – Bay of Plenty**
Service Name: Support Net Kupenga Hao Ite Ora Tauranga
Street address	510 Cameron Rd, Tauranga
Postal address	PO Box 2121, Tauranga 3140
Phone	07 571 0093
Fax	07 571 0277
Email	[email protected]
Client groups	All
Region	M

**New Plymouth – Taranaki**
Service Name: Access Ability Taranaki
Street address	36 Devon Street West, Level 1, Kings Building, New Plymouth
Postal address	PO Box 8377, New Plymouth 4340
Phone	0800 758 700
Fax	0800 895 177
Email	[email protected]
Client groups	All
Region	M

**Hawke’s Bay**
Service Name: NASC Hawke’s Bay
Street address	Gate 9, McLeod Street, Hastings
Postal address	PO Box 9014, Hastings 4156
Phone	06 870 7485
Fax	06 870 7481
Email	[email protected]
Client groups	All/Hawke's Bay
Region	C

**Whanganui**
Service Name: Access Ability Whanganui
Street address	244 Victoria Ave, Whanganui 4500
Phone	0800 758 700
Fax	0800 895 177
Email	[email protected]
Client groups	All
Region	C

**Masterton – Wairarapa**
Service Name: Focus
Street address	Blair Street, Masterton
Postal address	PO Box 96, Masterton 5840
Phone	06 946 9813
Fax	06 946 9826
Email	[email protected]
Client groups	All, Wairarapa
Region	C

**Lower Hutt & Upper Hutt – Hutt Valley**
Service Name: L.I.F.E Unlimited
Street address	5 Bouverie St, Petone
Postal address	PO Box 33145, Petone 5046
Phone	04 569 3102
Email	[email protected]
Client groups	Under 65
Region	C

**Wellington – Capital & Coast**
Service Name: Capital Support
Street address	Kenupuru Hospital Raiha Street, Porirua 5022 Wellington
Postal address	PO Box 50215, Porirua 5240
Phone	04 230 6400
Fax	04 918 2173
Email	[email protected]
Client groups	Under 65, Wellington/Kapiti
Region	C

**Nelson – Nelson-Marlborough**
Service Name: Support Works
Street address	281 Queen Street, Richmond
Phone	03 539 3976
Fax	03 539 3983
Email	[email protected]
Client groups	All/Nelson/Marlborough
Region	S

**Christchurch – Canterbury**
Service Name: LifeLinks
Street address	42 Buchan Street, Sydenham, Christchurch
Postal address	PO Box 2379, Christchurch 8023
Phone	03 365 9593 or 0800 866 877
Fax	03 365 5244
Email	[email protected]
Client groups	Under 65 DSS
Region	S

**Otago**
Service Name: Access Ability Otago/Southland
Street address	Ground Floor, Burns House, 10 George Street
Postal address	PO Box 966, Dunedin 9054
Phone	0800 758 700
Fax	0800 895 177
Email	[email protected]
Client groups	Under 65, Otago/Southland
Region	S

Other sources of information

A disability information and advisory service can also help you find your local NASC and give you more information.

The New Zealand Federation of Disability Information Centres (NZFDIC) has several member organisations throughout New Zealand.

Find a disability information centre near you
Call them on freephone 0800 NZFDIC (0800 693 342)