Every question, every answer, every source

Your vote can have a real bearing on the policies that shape your ability to live independently. Given that you rent, have a mobility impairment, and rely on accessible transport and support services, it may help to assess parties on two connected questions:

• Can I participate in the election accessibly? This includes accessible voting places, alternative voting methods, transport to voting locations, and help with voting if needed.
• What would their policies mean for my everyday independence? This includes disability rights, accessible housing, tenants' security, public transport, disability support services, and the ability to make your own decisions about how you live.

You can investigate both using official election information, disability-rights resources, and each party's published policies. You do not need to disclose your impairment to a political party to compare its policies.

1. Check your accessible voting options

New Zealand's 2026 general election is on Saturday 7 November 2026. Voting opens on Monday 26 October. The Electoral Commission has published a dedicated accessibility plan for this election. Access 2026: accessibility action plan for the 2026 General ElectionCan't get to a voting place?

Find a voting place you can physically access

Use the official accessible voting places directory. It identifies full, partial and non-accessible venues. Check entrance ramps, internal access, parking, uneven surfaces and proximity to public transport, rather than relying on the venue name alone. Accessible voting places

Ask for help marking your voting paper

You can have a friend, family member or electoral official assist you. They can read your paper and mark it as you direct, but cannot tell you whom to vote for. Need help to vote?

Ask about telephone dictation voting

If your physical disability makes it difficult or impossible to mark your voting paper without assistance, the telephone dictation service may be an option. Registration opened on 5 October and closes at noon on election day; voting through the service runs from 21 October until 7 pm on 7 November. You must register, even if you have used the service before. Can't get to a voting place?

If you cannot travel to a voting place

The Electoral Commission explains how to authorise someone to collect voting papers for you. Contact it to discuss the arrangements that apply to your circumstances. Can't get to a voting place?

For individual advice, contact the Electoral Commission on 0800 36 76 56. Ask about the accessibility of a particular venue, any assistance available, and whether your transport arrangements will work with its opening hours.

You can also read the Commission's Access 2026 accessibility action plan, available in accessible Word, Easy Read, large print, audio, Braille and New Zealand Sign Language formats. Access 2026: accessibility action plan for the 2026 General ElectionAccessible voting places

2. Compare party policies on disability rights and independent living

A useful starting point is the 2026 disability policy comparison published by The Spinoff. It summarises several parties' announced policies and records, including disability support, accessibility standards, transport and income support. Treat it as a starting point, then check each party's own policy statements for details and updates. How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?Disability Policies of NZ Political Parties

Here are the issues worth examining in light of your priorities.

Your independent-living policy checklist

Use these questions to compare any party, without relying on campaign slogans.

Disability rights and legal protection

• Would the party introduce enforceable accessibility standards?
• Would it protect disabled people's autonomy, dignity and right to participate equally?
• Would it involve disabled people in designing laws and services?

Accessible rental housing

• Would it increase the supply of accessible, affordable rental homes?
• Would it require accessible design in new housing?
• What would it do about reasonable modifications, housing quality, rent affordability and security for tenants?

Accessible transport

• Would it improve wheelchair-accessible buses, trains, stations and stops?
• Would it maintain or increase funding for Total Mobility taxi subsidies?
• Would it improve the availability and reliability of accessible transport in both urban and rural areas?

Support services and financial independence

• Would it provide predictable funding for personal assistance, equipment and other disability supports?
• Would it protect your choice and control over how support is used?
• Would it address disability-related living costs and income support eligibility?

3. Where to compare parties' actual policies

These resources let you investigate current proposals across parties rather than relying on summaries alone.

Policy.nz — 2026 election policy comparison

Compare parties' positions on disability, housing, renting, transport and infrastructure. You can explore individual proposals and see which parties have announced them. Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026

Disabled Persons Assembly NZ — 2026 Disability Scorecard

DPA, CCS Disability Action and Your Way Kia Roha have asked seven major parties 10 questions covering disability rights, support funding, accessibility legislation and participation in policy-making. At the time of checking, the responses were still being collated, with publication expected in the following weeks. Check back for the parties' recorded answers, including any that decline to respond. Disability Scorecard for 2026 General Election » Disabled Persons Assembly NZ

The Spinoff — disability policies at the 2026 election

A useful overview of disability-related proposals and records. For example, it reports that Labour has promised to replace the current disability support legislation, while the Greens have announced proposals concerning accessibility standards, accessible housing, income support and Total Mobility subsidies. These are party commitments, not guarantees of future implementation. How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?

4. How to assess what a policy would mean for you

When reading a party's proposals, distinguish between an expressed principle and a specific commitment.

For example, a party saying it supports independent living does not necessarily tell you whether it would fund personal assistance adequately, make more rental properties accessible, or increase the Total Mobility subsidy. Look for concrete details:

• What will change? For example, an accessibility law, a funding increase or a change to rental standards.
• Who qualifies? Check whether the proposal covers people with your support needs and financial circumstances.
• When will it happen? Look for implementation dates and measurable targets.
• How will it be funded and enforced? Look for published costs, accountability mechanisms and ways to challenge non-compliance.
• What is the party's record? Compare its proposals with relevant legislation, previous decisions and actual delivery, while allowing for the difference between being in government and opposition.

It is also worth checking the positions of your local electorate candidates, not just the national party platforms. Under New Zealand's MMP system, you have two votes: a party vote and an electorate vote. Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026

5. A practical next step

Start with the Policy.nz disability comparison, then check its housing and transport sections. Use the DPA scorecard when the responses are published, and verify specific promises on the parties' official websites.

For your situation, I would keep four priorities in front of you as you compare the evidence: accessible rental housing, reliable accessible transport, adequate and flexible support services, and enforceable disability rights. You can decide how much weight to give each one.

You do not have to settle everything at once. It is reasonable to ask parties directly what they would do to help renters with mobility impairments live independently, and to request answers in an accessible format.