# Question 48: I have a long-term health condition that limits my ability to work. I rely on income support and need regular medical appointments. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. What do parties propose about supported employment and flexible work for people with health conditions?

Collected 26 October 2026

[NZ Election 2026 · Edition 6 study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/6)

## ChatGPT

Answer ID: 024b6b80-2122-46f1-8d3c-e78ecd6a1e79

# New Zealand 2026 election: supported employment and flexible work

If a long-term health condition limits how much you can work, there are several distinct policy issues worth comparing before the 2026 New Zealand general election: whether you can receive support to find and keep suitable work, how your benefit changes if you work part-time, whether employers can accommodate medical appointments and fluctuating health, and what happens if you cannot work consistently.

These issues are connected, but they are not the same. A party might favour employment programmes while also proposing stricter benefit obligations, for example. It is worth looking at both the employment support itself and the financial security you would have if your health prevented you from working more.

## What the parties are proposing

The following comparison covers the main parties discussed in disability-policy reporting ahead of the election. It reflects information available as of 26 October 2026. The election is scheduled for 7 November 2026, so policies and announcements may still change. [Party policies, simplified: Employment](https://www.thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-employment/)[How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?](https://panel.thespinoff.nz/politics/30-09-2026/how-do-the-different-parties-fare-on-disability-issues-this-election)

| Party | Supported employment and workplace flexibility |
| --- | --- |
| Labour | Proposes systemic changes to help disabled people enter open employment. It also proposes defining reasonable accommodation in the Human Rights Act and treating refusal to provide it as discrimination. It would end annual benefit renewals for people with verified permanent disabilities. [Disability](https://www.labour.org.nz/disability) |
| Green Party | Proposes making the public service a leader in disability-responsive employment, with resources and training to meet access needs and counter ableism. It supports abolishing the minimum-wage exemption for disabled workers. [Party policies, simplified: Employment](https://www.thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-employment/)[Manifesto 2026](https://www.greens.org.nz/manifesto_2026) |
| National Party | Says it will continue supporting employment strategies under the New Zealand Disability Strategy, including meaningful work and careers for disabled people. Its wider welfare policy emphasises employment programmes and stronger work expectations for some benefit recipients. [Party policies, simplified: Employment](https://www.thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-employment/)[A firm, fair and affordable welfare system](https://www.national.org.nz/policies/walfare) |
| ACT New Zealand | Has described its approach as removing employment barriers, encouraging flexible workplaces and tailoring support to individual circumstances. However, in its response to the disability-employment questions, it did not provide specific policies. Its separate disability approach includes tighter medical certification for health-related benefits. [Party policies, simplified: Employment](https://www.thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-employment/)[How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?](https://panel.thespinoff.nz/politics/30-09-2026/how-do-the-different-parties-fare-on-disability-issues-this-election) |
| Te Pāti Māori | Proposes resourcing the Enabling Good Lives approach to support meaningful employment pathways for disabled whānau. It also supports abolishing the minimum-wage exemption for disabled workers and raising the minimum wage to the living wage. [Party policies, simplified: Employment](https://www.thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-employment/) |
| New Zealand First | Says it prioritises economic independence and meaningful employment for disabled people, but did not provide specific current or future employment policies in response to the disability-employment questions. It has separately proposed annual minimum-wage increases for the next three years. [Party policies, simplified: Employment](https://www.thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-employment/)[Our Policy](https://www.nzfirst.nz/policy) |
| The Opportunities Party (TOP) | Did not respond to the employment questions. It has separately supported abolishing the minimum-wage exemption for disabled workers and has proposed a universal citizen's income alongside a disability allowance. [Party policies, simplified: Employment](https://www.thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-employment/)[How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?](https://panel.thespinoff.nz/politics/30-09-2026/how-do-the-different-parties-fare-on-disability-issues-this-election) |

Important distinction: These are not seven equally detailed employment plans. Some parties have made specific commitments, while others have given broad statements or have not provided detailed answers. A lack of a published proposal does not necessarily mean a party opposes a measure. [Party policies, simplified: Employment](https://www.thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-employment/)[How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?](https://panel.thespinoff.nz/politics/30-09-2026/how-do-the-different-parties-fare-on-disability-issues-this-election)

## What matters most for your situation

Because you rely on income support and need regular medical appointments, I would look beyond general promises to create jobs. Four practical questions may help you compare the policies.

### 1. Can you work around your health needs?

Look for commitments on:

- Flexible start and finish times, reduced hours and gradual returns to work.
- Remote or hybrid work where the job permits it.
- Time off for medical appointments and treatment.
- Adjustments when symptoms fluctuate or you have a flare-up.

Labour's proposed reasonable-accommodation changes are directly relevant to workplace adjustments. ACT has spoken about flexible workplaces, but the employment response did not specify what arrangements it would introduce. The other parties' statements summarised above do not establish a detailed guarantee of flexible hours or medical-appointment flexibility. [Party policies, simplified: Employment](https://www.thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-employment/)[Disability](https://www.labour.org.nz/disability)

### 2. Would you get practical help to find and keep a job?

Ask whether a party would fund or expand:

- Individual employment coaching and ongoing support after you start work.
- Help for employers to make workplace adjustments.
- Job and Training Support Funds, including eligibility and funding levels.
- Supported employment that recognises your actual capacity rather than assuming you can work standard full-time hours.

Labour's proposal for systemic change towards open employment, the Greens' disability-responsive public-service employment and Te Pāti Māori's support for Enabling Good Lives point to different approaches. However, the published employment responses do not establish a comparable, detailed funding commitment from all three. [Party policies, simplified: Employment](https://www.thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-employment/)[Disability](https://www.labour.org.nz/disability)

### 3. Could working part-time leave you worse off financially?

This is especially important if you can work some weeks but not others. Check each party's proposals for:

- How much benefit income you can retain as your earnings increase.
- Whether medical and disability-related costs remain covered when you work.
- Whether a short period of work affects your eligibility for ongoing support.
- Whether benefit reviews take account of permanent conditions and fluctuating capacity.

Labour specifically proposes ending annual benefit renewals for people with verified permanent disabilities. National's published welfare policy, by contrast, proposes reduced payments from April 2028 for people who have received Jobseeker for two of the previous three years; the policy needs to be considered in light of which benefit and obligations apply to a particular person. [Disability](https://www.labour.org.nz/disability)[A firm, fair and affordable welfare system](https://www.national.org.nz/policies/walfare)

Do not assume that a proposal concerning Jobseeker applies in the same way to the Supported Living Payment. Your current benefit type matters.

### 4. Would you have enough income if you cannot work?

The broader disability-support and income policies also matter:

- The Greens have proposed more accessible, timely income support to cover disability-related living and medical costs. [How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?](https://panel.thespinoff.nz/politics/30-09-2026/how-do-the-different-parties-fare-on-disability-issues-this-election)[Manifesto 2026](https://www.greens.org.nz/manifesto_2026)
- TOP has proposed a citizen's income of up to $370 a week, alongside a disability allowance and needs-based top-ups. This would replace existing benefits, including the Supported Living Payment, so the proposed transition and total support would need careful examination. [How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?](https://panel.thespinoff.nz/politics/30-09-2026/how-do-the-different-parties-fare-on-disability-issues-this-election)
- Labour proposes stronger disability rights and a rights-based framework for disability support services. [Disability](https://www.labour.org.nz/disability)

## Where to verify the details

These resources provide further information as you assess the parties' commitments:

- [The D\*List — 2026 employment-policy comparison](https://www.thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-employment/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- [Disabled Persons Assembly NZ — 2026 disability election scorecard](https://www.dpa.org.nz/news-and-information/latest-news/disability-scorecard-for-2026-general-election/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- [Labour — disability policy](https://www.labour.org.nz/disability?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- [Green Party — 2026 manifesto](https://www.greens.org.nz/manifesto_2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- [National — welfare policy](https://www.national.org.nz/policies/walfare?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

The Disabled Persons Assembly scorecard identifies questions about Job and Training Support Funds, benefit penalties for disabled people in relationships, disability rights and meaningful participation in policy decisions. These are useful areas to check when the parties' responses are available. [Disability Scorecard for 2026 General Election » Disabled Persons Assembly NZ](https://www.dpa.org.nz/news-and-information/latest-news/disability-scorecard-for-2026-general-election/)

## A final consideration

You do not have to choose between being supported to work and being supported when you cannot work. A useful way to assess each party is to ask whether its policies would let you work within your health limits without putting your essential income, treatment or access to support at risk.

If you want to narrow the comparison, one detail would help: which income support do you currently receive — the Supported Living Payment, Jobseeker Support with a health condition or disability, or another payment? The relevant policy differences can vary considerably depending on that.

## Gemini

Answer ID: 02e2e07d-bc2d-482c-81c7-36bd3b067c05

For voters navigating long-term health conditions, managing income support, and balancing regular medical appointments, the major political parties approaching the 2026 New Zealand general election offer distinct approaches to supported employment, benefit rules, and flexibility. 

The proposals generally fall into two broad philosophies: one focusing on tighter welfare obligations, fiscal constraint, and targeted assistance, and the other emphasizing rights-based welfare reform, higher baseline support, and the removal of work sanctions.

---

### **Overview of Party Approaches**

#### **The Green Party & Te Pāti Māori**
* **Employment & Workplace Barriers:** Frame employment policy around removing structural and workplace barriers rather than requiring disabled people or those with health conditions to adapt. They support expanded, funded supported employment pathways, fair pay (including ending sub-minimum wage exemptions for disabled workers), and better employer support to retain staff.
* **Welfare & Flexibility:** Propose major welfare overhauls. The Greens advocate for abolishing benefit sanctions, increasing main benefits toward livable incomes/Guaranteed Minimum Income frameworks, and individualising benefit entitlements so eligibility is independent of a partner's income. Te Pāti Māori similarly advocates for removing financial penalties, work-test obligations, and doubling baseline support.

#### **The Labour Party**
* **Employment & Support:** Generally approaches disability and health-related support through a rights-based, equity-focused lens aligned with *Enabling Good Lives* principles. Focuses on building up individualised funding and choice.
* **Healthcare & Cost Relief:** To assist with ongoing medical appointments and costs, Labour’s platform includes initiatives like introducing the *Medicard* system (providing three free GP or nurse visits per year), removing the $5 prescription fee, and expanding free health screenings.

#### **The National Party**
* **Welfare & Obligations:** Focuses heavily on the fiscal stability of support systems, economic management, and nationally consistent assessment structures. National places emphasis on work-test expectations for benefit recipients, introducing measures like random drug testing for Jobseeker beneficiaries, and increasing non-entitlement or stand-down periods for those leaving employment without good reason.
* **Flexibility:** While emphasizing obligations, their disability support framework signals a focus on restoring some flexibility and choice within funded individual packages alongside a refreshed national disability strategy.

#### **ACT New Zealand**
* **Welfare & Medical Certification:** Focuses on tightening eligibility and reducing reliance on state income support. ACT proposes requiring independent medical certification for health and disability benefits alongside phased reassessments of existing recipients, and has proposed reductions in overall disability funding growth vectors. They emphasize strict alignment between benefit management and employment outcomes.

---

### **Key Considerations for Your Vote**

When evaluating which party aligns with your situation, you may want to weigh:
1. **Work Expectations and Sanctions:** Whether you prefer a system that removes work-test obligations and penalties for fluctuating health (Greens, Te Pāti Māori) versus a system that applies stricter work-test obligations, monitoring, or medical re-certifications (National, ACT).
2. **Financial Security and Partner Income:** Whether you are impacted by partnered means-testing (where a partner's income affects your support), which some parties pledge to individualise.
3. **Medical and Access Costs:** How parties plan to alleviate the indirect costs of managing a health condition, such as through subsidized primary care, free GP visits, or prescription charges.

*Are there specific aspects of income support or healthcare access that are most crucial to your decision-making?*

## Google AI Mode

Answer ID: 8098ebe0-e3ea-4d5f-9072-51efd9a2a32e

For the **_2026 New Zealand general election_** , political parties have taken varied approaches to income support, disability frameworks, and employment flexibility for people with long-term health conditions and disabilities.

An overview of major party positions regarding supported employment, workplace flexibility, and welfare support reveals distinct philosophical approaches:

1\. National Party

 * * **Approach to Frameworks:** National has not released a standalone disability manifesto for 2026, instead addressing disability and health through broader economic and system-consistency measures. Their focus centers on the financial stability of Disability Support Services (DSS), establishing national consistency in assessment/allocation, and implementing the refreshed _New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026–2030_.

 * **Employment & Flexibility:** Rather than launching a new specific disability employment package, National’s platform relies on general economic management, training health workforces to improve access, and encouraging pathways into work through standard market mechanisms rather than major benefit overhauls.

 *

2\. Labour Party

 * * **Approach to Frameworks:** Labour takes a rights-based approach and has pledged to repeal recent government disability support legislation, aiming to rebuild the system in direct partnership with disabled people and tāngata whaikaha. [Disability Responsiveness New Zealand]

 * **Employment & Flexibility:** Labour emphasizes targeted transition support and public sector leadership in inclusive hiring. Their broader industrial relations policies focus heavily on strengthening worker protections, pay equity frameworks, and narrowing the disability wage gap.

 *

3\. Green Party

 * * **Approach to Income Support:** The Greens have the most explicitly rights-based and comprehensive policy platform for income support. They propose moving toward liveable benefit rates matched to the living wage, individualising benefit entitlements so a partner’s income does not restrict support, and abolishing standard benefit sanctions.

 * **Employment & Flexibility:** The Greens advocate for making the public service a leader in disability-responsive employment and support the abolishment of minimum wage exemptions for disabled workers.

 *

4\. ACT New Zealand

 * * **Approach to Income Support:** ACT focuses on individual choice, reducing government spending, and targeting support based strictly on individual circumstances. In their fiscal plan, they emphasize tightening criteria for health and disability benefits via independent medical certifications and phased reassessments to separate those who cannot work from those who can work with support.

 * **Employment & Flexibility:** ACT emphasizes removing legislative and regulatory barriers to employment and encouraging flexible workplaces, while maintaining that long-term safety nets remain preserved exclusively for those with genuine, enduring inability to work.

 *

5\. Te Pāti Māori & The Opportunities Party (TOP)

 * * **Te Pāti Māori:** Emphasizes tāngata whaikaha Māori self-determination (_tino rangatiratanga_), culturally grounded and Māori-led support services, and fairer income standards.

 * **The Opportunities Party (TOP):** Focuses on structural income reforms (such as exploring a universal basic or citizen's income approach) and supports ending the minimum wage exemption for disabled employees.

 *

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know which aspect is most critical for your situation:

 * **Income support and benefit rates**
 * **Workplace accommodation and flexible rights**
 * **Medical assessment requirements**

I can provide more detailed information on how those specific policies align with your needs.

## AI Overviews

Answer ID: 7e678113-c7f9-4fb7-9476-cd82fea407a7

Ahead of the **2026 New Zealand General Election** , political parties offer fundamentally different approaches to supported employment, income assistance, and workplace accommodations for individuals navigating long-term health conditions.

The major parties stand on distinct platforms regarding work flexibility, support systems, and healthcare navigation:

Policy Comparison for the 2026 Election

Party| Supported Employment Approach| Flexible Work & Workplace Protections| Income Support & Appointment Access
---|---|---|---
**National Party**| **Phased execution** of the [New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026–2030](https://www.whaikaha.govt.nz/assets/NZDS-26-30-Implementation-Docs-+-Alt-formats/NZDS-26-30-Employment-Change-Story-Plain-English.pdf), aiming to expand disability-confident hiring through government agency initiatives.| Relies on existing standard flexible work frameworks; prioritizes regional, nationally consistent assessments for general system stability.| Focused on long-term fiscal discipline within health and benefit allocations. Tightened medical certification checks for health-related benefits.
**Labour Party**| **Targeted legal expansion** through the Enabling Good Lives initiative, mandating that public agencies draft explicit employment targets and impact assessments.| Promises to **amend the Human Rights Act** to explicitly define 'reasonable accommodations'—ensuring that an employer's denial of flexible adjustments constitutes unlawful discrimination.| Vows to **repeal the Disability Support Services Act 2026** to build a co-designed, rights-focused model. Will end annual benefit renewals for verified permanent conditions and offer three free GP visits under 'Medicard'.
**Green Party**| **Rights-led inclusion** , advocating for enforceable, universal workplace accessibility legislation to actively transition health-restricted individuals into tailored job roles.| Supports heavy worker protections, universal flexible schedules, and a full repeal of modern benefit sanctioning rules to insulate vulnerable employees.| Proposes a systemic overhaul to **extend ACC into a universal scheme** covering income support and treatment for all illnesses and long-term disabilities, alongside expanding completely free healthcare.
**ACT Party**| **Private-sector reliance** , emphasizing smaller government and direct, individualized funding packages over state-directed employment strategies.| Proposes a **'golden handshake' rule** to simplify employment relationship termination and seeks to shorten personal grievance filing limits to 90 days.| Prioritizes tightening medical oversight and eligibility audits for health-related welfare benefits to curb overall government spending.

If you plan to prioritize these issues when voting, it may be helpful to think about:

 * Whether you prefer a **rights-based legal mandate** for job accommodations or a **market-driven model** with individual choice.

 * How each party's healthcare policy impacts your ability to schedule **routine medical appointments** without financial strain.

If you would like to explore this further, let me know if you want to look at how specific parties plan to handle the **Jobseeker Support (Health Condition or Disability) allowance** , or if you want information on **current employment rights** under existing law.