In August 2004 the Ministry of Education, Special Education embarked on a nation-wide community engagement on special education.
Public meetings took place around the country in August, September and October last year. At these meetings the Ministry shared local and national information about special education services and resources and sought feedback on four key questions: what aspirations people had for children and young people with special education needs; what was working well in special education; what wasn't working so well; and asked what are the priorities for change.
About 5000 people attended 395 meetings throughout the country.
After the meetings each of the sixteen Ministry of Education, Special Education district managers wrote a report that shares the feedback gathered in their district and the resulting local actions that that are being undertaken. A national report that gathers feedback themes from around the country and national actions for the future has also been written and summarised