Your guide to accessible voting in New Zealand’s 2026 general election

You can assess your voting options and compare parties’ disability policies without compromising your independence or relying on campaign promises alone. Given your priorities—accessible transport, support services, and being able to continue renting and living independently—there are two useful things to investigate: how you can vote accessibly, and what each party proposes to change in the areas that affect your daily life.

I’d suggest using official election information for voting arrangements, then checking party policies against your own needs and disabled people's rights.

1. Check your accessible voting options first

The 2026 general election is on Saturday 7 November 2026. Advance voting opens today, Monday 26 October. You do not need to wait until election day to vote. Can't get to a voting place?Access 2026: accessibility action plan for the 2026 General Election

Find a voting place that meets your mobility needs

The Electoral Commission lists 2,449 fully or partially accessible voting places nationwide. Check the accessibility rating, entrance, ramps, parking and proximity to public transport before travelling. A “partially accessible” venue may not suit your particular mobility needs.

Find accessible voting places

Accessible voting places

Ask for assistance with your voting paper

You can have a trusted person or electoral official help you read or mark your voting paper according to your instructions. They cannot choose your vote for you.

Read the official guide to voting assistance

Need help to vote?

If you cannot get to a voting place

You can authorise someone to collect your voting papers. If that is not practical, contact your electorate manager to discuss arrangements for getting papers delivered and collected.

Options if you cannot travel to vote

Can't get to a voting place?

For practical help: call the Electoral Commission on 0800 36 76 56. Explain what you need, such as step-free entry, wheelchair access, accessible parking, a nearby public transport stop or an alternative to travelling to a voting place. Ask them to confirm the arrangements for your chosen venue.

2. Compare party policies against your needs

Rather than relying on general statements about inclusion, look for specific commitments, funding, deadlines and legal protections.

The following is a useful starting point based on election coverage and party responses available as of 26 October 2026. It is a factual overview, not a ranking or recommendation.

Sources: The D*List's party-policy summary, published 23 October 2026, and The Spinoff's disability-policy overview, published 30 September 2026. Party policies, simplified: Disability policyHow do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?

Disabled people's rights and legal protection

Ask whether a party supports disability rights legislation, enforceable accessibility standards and alignment with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

• The Greens have committed to a disability rights law with enforceable accessibility standards.
• Labour has committed to repeal and redraft the Disability Support Services legislation with disabled people and their representatives involved.
• Te Pāti Māori has opposed the legislation and emphasised self-determination and Enabling Good Lives.
• National and ACT have defended the legislation, emphasising consistency, transparency and individualised support.

Sources: Party policies, simplified: Disability policy

Accessible transport

This is especially important if your independence depends on being able to reach shops, medical appointments, work or community activities.

Check whether parties propose:

• Reliable wheelchair-accessible buses and other public transport.
• Affordable, available Total Mobility taxi services.
• Better access to transport stops, stations and travel information.
• Funding and measurable targets to improve accessibility.

The Greens have proposed restoring the Total Mobility taxi subsidy to 75%, following a reduction to 65%. Check the current details and each party's wider transport commitments before drawing conclusions. How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?

Accessible rental housing

Since you rent, look beyond policies that focus only on home ownership or new public housing.

Ask parties about:

• More affordable, accessible rental homes.
• Universal design standards for new housing and renovations.
• Support for necessary home modifications.
• Security of tenure and protection from discrimination.
• Accessible social housing and transparent allocation processes.

The Greens have specifically advocated for accessible, affordable housing and stronger universal-design standards. For other parties, check whether their housing policies address disabled renters directly rather than assuming general housing measures will meet your needs. How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?Disability Policies of NZ Political Parties

Disability support and financial independence

Investigate commitments on:

• Stable funding for personal care and home-based support.
• Choice and control over how support funding is used.
• Disability Allowance and Supported Living Payment settings.
• The financial effects of partner income testing.
• Access to equipment, respite, and community participation.

Ask what would change in practice, how it would be funded, and whether eligibility rules would change. The parties have expressed different positions on the Disability Support Services legislation, but their wider proposals for services and financial support need to be checked individually. Disability Scorecard for 2026 General Election » Disabled Persons Assembly NZParty policies, simplified: Disability policy

3. Use disability-led election resources

These sources can help you move from broad party statements to more specific questions about your rights and independence.

Disabled Persons Assembly NZ (DPA NZ)

DPA, CCS Disability Action and Your Way Kia Roha have asked seven major parties about ten disability-policy issues, including accessibility legislation, support services, income support and disabled people's involvement in policymaking.

Check the 2026 Disability Scorecard update

The page currently says the responses are being collated, so check whether the completed scorecard has been published. Disability Scorecard for 2026 General Election » Disabled Persons Assembly NZ

The D*List

Its 23 October election summary records party responses on the Disability Support Services Act 2026, including differences over rights-based legislation and consultation with disabled people.

Read the simplified disability-policy comparison

Party policies, simplified: Disability policy

The Spinoff

Its September 2026 overview discusses disability funding, accessibility standards, benefits, housing and transport across several parties.

Read the wider party-policy overview

How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?

For the most reliable comparison, cross-check media summaries against the parties' own published policies. A party's voting record and actions in government can also help you assess whether its commitments have been implemented.

4. A checklist for deciding what matters to you

Use this checklist while reading party policies or watching election debates.

Your personal policy checklist

0 of 6

Accessible transportReliable accessible public transport, affordable door-to-door travel and clear delivery targets.

Secure, accessible rentingAffordable accessible rentals, modifications, tenure protections and housing discrimination safeguards.

Support to live independentlyPredictable personal care and disability funding, with choice and control over services.

Income and everyday costsDisability-related expenses, benefit adequacy, eligibility rules and financial independence.

Enforceable rightsAccessibility standards, anti-discrimination protections and accountability when services fail.

Disabled people's participationMeaningful consultation with disabled people and disability-led organisations.

Reset Copy checklist

When comparing policies, ask three questions about each issue:

1. What exactly is promised? Is it a specific policy change or a general aspiration?
2. How will it work? Is there a proposed budget, timeline, eligibility rule or enforceable standard?
3. What evidence supports it? Has the party delivered something similar, supported relevant legislation or explained why its approach would work?

You can also look at your local electorate candidates' positions as well as national party policies. Your electorate vote and party vote serve different purposes, and both can be informed by these issues.

5. Where to start today

Given that advance voting is now open, I would take these steps in order:

• Check your enrolment and identify a voting place with the level of accessibility you need.
• If travelling is difficult, contact the Electoral Commission promptly about alternative arrangements.
• Read the DPA scorecard update and The D*List comparison.
• Compare the parties on transport, accessible rental housing, support services and enforceable rights, using the checklist above.

The central question is not just whether a party says it supports disabled people. It is whether its proposed policies would give you the practical resources, legal protections and reliable services to continue living independently in a home you rent.