The purpose of this article is to review literature related to the impact of policy and legislation on Maori children with special needs. The historical perceptions of disability for Maori will be discussed and the impacts of western influences and policy will be reviewed. The article investigates relevant studies and literature, both national and international, previously carried out in these areas and other corresponding areas of research. It synthesises the main points relating to this review, enabling the reader to gain an awareness of a set of special needs and disability issues as they relate to a specific New Zealand population. These include concepts of disability, Maori and disability issues and special needs education and support provisions for Maori. (Contains 1 figure.)