Source: IHC New Zealand
2 September, 2026
The Carers Alliance of 60 national NGOs have welcomed the Government’s commitment to a new Mahi Aroha Carers’ Strategy Action Plan.
More than a million New Zealanders care for friends and family members who are frail, unwell, or have a health condition or disability. It’s a role we can all expect to have or rely on during our lives, but one that can also take a financial and wellbeing toll on carers, says Alliance co-chair Janine Stewart.
“The new Strategy and its rolling Action Plan take New Zealand into the future, with multiple agencies committing to valuing and supporting carers.”
There have been past Action Plans since 2008, with the Alliance partnering with successive governments to shape priorities to better support family carers. It’s work that will never be done, says Stewart, with family carers providing vital frontline support conservatively valued at $17.6 billion a year (Infometrics).
“Community care and ageing in place wouldn’t work without family carers,” she says.
The Carers Alliance has encouraged the Government to do more to value and recognise carers who, despite their important role, can feel invisible and isolated. It has also recommended that government prioritise actions in the new Plan that improve carers’ mental, physical, and financial wellbeing.
Two thirds of carers experience depression and anxiety, over half have a health condition or disability themselves, 80% say they are lonely, and most are unable to do full-time paid work due to caring commitments.
The Carers Alliance hopes the new Action Plan will deliver new supports to sustain family carers, including more options for respite.
“All carers need wellbeing breaks so they can stay well themselves and keep going,” Stewart says.
Cabinet’s approval of the new Action Plan provides a welcome roadmap for carers into the future across agencies such as Health, MSD, Oranga Tamariki, and ACC, she says.