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.
Street address | 40 John Street, Whangarei |
---|---|
Phone | 09 430 0988 |
Fax | 09 438 9468 |
northable@northable.org.nz | |
Client groups | Under 65 years |
Region | N |
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 |
info@taikura.org.nz | |
Website | Taikura Trust |
Referrals (email) | referrals@taikura.org.nz |
Client groups | Under 65, Auckland |
Region | N |
Street address | 105 Disraeli Street, Gisborne |
---|---|
Postal address | PO Box 146, Hamilton 3240 |
Phone | 06 863 2836 |
Fax | 06 867 9354 |
nasc@lifeunlimited.net.nz | |
Client groups | Under 65, Tairawhiti |
Region | M |
Street address | Level 2, Monckton Bldg, Rostrevor St, Hamilton |
---|---|
Postal address | Private Bag 3200, Hamilton 3240 |
Phone | 07 839 8883 |
Fax | 07 839 1225 |
dsloffice@waikatodhb.health.nz | |
Client groups | All |
Region | M |
Street address | 510 Cameron Rd, Tauranga |
---|---|
Postal address | PO Box 2121, Tauranga 3140 |
Phone | 07 571 0093 |
Fax | 07 571 0277 |
SupportNetBOP@bopdhb.govt.nz | |
Client groups | All |
Region | M |
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 |
contact@accessability.org.nz | |
Client groups | All |
Region | M |
Street address | Gate 9, McLeod Street, Hastings |
---|---|
Postal address | PO Box 9014, Hastings 4156 |
Phone | 06 870 7485 |
Fax | 06 870 7481 |
nasc.hb@hawkesbaydhb.govt.nz | |
Client groups | All/Hawke's Bay |
Region | C |
Street address | 244 Victoria Ave, Whanganui 4500 |
---|---|
Phone | 0800 758 700 |
Fax | 0800 895 177 |
wanganui@accessability.org.nz | |
Client groups | All |
Region | C |
Street address | Blair Street, Masterton |
---|---|
Postal address | PO Box 96, Masterton 5840 |
Phone | 06 946 9813 |
Fax | 06 946 9826 |
focus@wairarapa.dhb.org.nz | |
Client groups | All, Wairarapa |
Region | C |
Street address | 5 Bouverie St, Petone |
---|---|
Postal address | PO Box 33145, Petone 5046 |
Phone | 04 569 3102 |
referrals@lifeunlimited.net.nz | |
Client groups | Under 65 |
Region | C |
Street address | Kenupuru Hospital Raiha Street, Porirua 5022 Wellington |
---|---|
Postal address | PO Box 50215, Porirua 5240 |
Phone | 04 230 6400 |
Fax | 04 918 2173 |
capitalsupport@ccdhb.org.nz | |
Client groups | Under 65, Wellington/Kapiti |
Region | C |
Street address | 281 Queen Street, Richmond |
---|---|
Phone | 03 539 3976 |
Fax | 03 539 3983 |
support.works@nmdhb.govt.nz | |
Client groups | All/Nelson/Marlborough |
Region | S |
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 |
office@lifelinks.co.nz | |
Client groups | Under 65 DSS |
Region | S |
Street address | Ground Floor, Burns House, 10 George Street |
---|---|
Postal address | PO Box 966, Dunedin 9054 |
Phone | 0800 758 700 |
Fax | 0800 895 177 |
otago@accessability.org.nz | |
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)