New Zealand 2026 election: Healthcare and disability support compared

For someone who rents, has a mobility impairment and wants to live independently, the most important differences between party policies may be less about healthcare in general and more about whether you can reliably get the support, transport, accessible housing and income you need to remain independent.

The general election is scheduled for 7 November 2026. As of 25 October, some parties have published specific disability commitments, while others have yet to publish a comprehensive disability policy. The comparison below distinguishes announced commitments from areas where policy detail remains limited. Which Party Should I Vote For? Your Guide to the 2026 ElectionDisability Policies of NZ Political Parties

The key differences at a glance

This is a comparison of policy approaches, not a ranking of parties or a prediction of what a future government would deliver.

Party	Healthcare and disability services	Housing, income and accessibility
National	Emphasises funding stability, more consistent support assessments and some flexibility in disability support funding.	Limited specific 2026 commitments identified for accessible private rentals, disability income reform or accessible transport.
Labour	Proposes repealing the current Disability Support Services legislation and developing a rights-based replacement with disabled people.	At least 25% of new Kāinga Ora homes to be accessible; stronger disability rights and an end to annual benefit renewals for people with verified permanent disabilities.
Green Party	Emphasises equitable healthcare, fewer cost barriers and greater choice and control over disability supports.	Supports universal design in new housing, stronger renter protections, higher income support and enforceable accessibility standards.
ACT	Emphasises individual choice, direct or individualised funding and reducing bureaucracy; less detail is available on disability-specific healthcare guarantees.	Limited specific 2026 commitments identified on accessible rental housing and transport accessibility.
New Zealand First	Disability is addressed mainly through broader health and seniors policies; detailed disability-specific commitments are limited.	Limited specific commitments identified for accessible rentals, disability income reform and enforceable accessibility standards.
Te Pāti Māori	Emphasises Māori-led healthcare, holistic wellbeing and self-determination for tāngata whaikaha Māori and whānau hauā.	Supports stronger accessibility protections and accessible housing and transport, with a focus on Māori-led and community-based solutions.
The Opportunities Party (TOP)	Focuses on wider system reform and healthcare access, rather than a comprehensive standalone disability-services programme.	Proposes broader income-system reform and supports more accessible housing and accessibility reforms.

This overview draws on a 2026 disability-policy comparison published by the Deafblind Association New Zealand, which notes that some descriptions reflect parties' wider policy directions rather than formal election pledges. Disability Policies of NZ Political PartiesDisability

What the differences could mean for your daily life

1. Disability support services and personal assistance

If you rely on support workers, help with everyday activities, respite or individualised funding, the key question is whether your support will be adequate, predictable and flexible enough to let you make your own decisions.

• National: The current government's approach has included additional disability-services funding, more consistent national assessments and some restoration of flexibility in how allocated funding can be used. The unresolved question is how far future policy would protect individual choice and prevent gaps in support.
• Labour: Has pledged to repeal the current Disability Support Services legislation and develop a rights-based replacement with disabled people, carers and disability organisations.
• Greens: Emphasise the Enabling Good Lives approach, greater control over your own supports and fewer bureaucratic restrictions.
• ACT: Emphasises individual choice, individualised funding and reducing bureaucracy. The important detail to check is how its approach would safeguard access for people whose needs cannot be met within limited funding.
• Te Pāti Māori: Emphasises self-determination, whānau involvement and Māori-led services.
• New Zealand First and TOP: Their published disability-specific commitments provide less detail on the future structure and guarantees of Disability Support Services.

Sources: Disability policy comparison and Labour's disability policy. Disability Policies of NZ Political PartiesDisability

2. Access to healthcare

For you, healthcare access could mean getting to GP appointments, accessing specialists and rehabilitation, obtaining mobility-related equipment, and receiving treatment without costs becoming a barrier.

The distinction to investigate is between parties' general promises to improve the health system and specific commitments to equitable, accessible healthcare for disabled people.

• Labour's disability policy focuses on legal rights, accountability and the Enabling Good Lives principles, alongside its wider health policies.
• The Greens emphasise reducing cost barriers, accessible and culturally appropriate care, and equity in health outcomes.
• Te Pāti Māori emphasises Māori-led healthcare and holistic wellbeing, particularly for Māori disabled people.
• National's disability approach is more closely centred on the stability and administration of disability support services, with disability-related healthcare largely addressed through its general health policies.
• ACT, New Zealand First and TOP have less clearly defined, comprehensive disability-specific healthcare programmes in the material reviewed.

These are differences in published policy emphasis, not guarantees of shorter waiting lists, cheaper treatment or better individual clinical outcomes. Disability Policies of NZ Political PartiesDisability

When examining each party's full health platform, look specifically for commitments on affordable primary care, specialist waiting times, accessible health facilities, disability-informed clinical care, rehabilitation and funding for disability-related equipment.

3. Accessible transport

Accessible transport is particularly important when independent living depends on being able to reach healthcare, shops, work and social activities without relying on another person.

Look for explicit commitments on:

• Public transport that is accessible to people with mobility impairments.
• Funding and availability of Total Mobility services and accessible taxis.
• Affordable fares for disabled people and people receiving income support.
• Accessible stops, stations, footpaths and pedestrian crossings.
• Reliable transport options outside major urban centres.

The Greens' published policy direction includes enforceable accessibility standards covering transport. Te Pāti Māori supports embedding accessibility in transport and public spaces. For several other parties, the current disability-policy comparison identifies gaps in specific transport commitments. Disability Policies of NZ Political PartiesWhere do the parties stand? A low carbon, healthy transport system

A useful distinction: a general promise to increase public transport funding does not necessarily mean more wheelchair-accessible vehicles, improved door-to-door transport or increased Total Mobility subsidies. Those details need to be checked separately.

4. Renting and staying independent

Because you rent, accessible housing policy matters even if you do not intend to buy a home.

• Labour: Has specifically committed to requiring at least 25% of new Kāinga Ora homes to be accessible. This is a public-housing construction commitment, not a guarantee that private rentals will become accessible. Disability
• Greens: Support universal design requirements for new housing, more accessible homes and stronger renter protections. Disability Policies of NZ Political Parties
• TOP: Supports housing and Building Code reforms intended to improve accessibility. Disability Policies of NZ Political Parties
• Other parties: The material reviewed contains less detail on enforceable requirements for accessible rental housing.

Also examine whether a party proposes support for home modifications, assistance with disability-related housing costs, accessible social housing allocations and protection against losing suitable housing when your needs change.

5. Income support and the cost of disability

If your budget must cover rent, transport, equipment, prescriptions and other disability-related expenses, changes to income support can be as important as changes to services.

The Greens propose broader income-support reform, including a Guaranteed Minimum Income approach and changes to partner-income testing. Labour has committed to ending annual benefit renewals for people with verified permanent disabilities. For other parties, the published material contains less detail on comprehensive disability-specific income reform. Disability Policies of NZ Political PartiesDisability

Questions worth checking include whether a party would:

• Increase the Disability Allowance and make it easier to claim.
• Change the rules for Supported Living Payment and partner-income testing.
• Improve assistance with transport, equipment and home modifications.
• Protect access to support when a person's circumstances or living arrangements change.

Where to verify the latest commitments

Disabled Persons Assembly NZ — 2026 election scorecard

An especially relevant resource for checking disability rights, support funding, accessible transport and enforceable accessibility standards. Its published update said party responses were still being collated, so check for the completed scorecard.

Labour — Disability policy

Specific commitments on disability legislation, benefit renewals and accessible Kāinga Ora housing.

Deafblind Association NZ — Party policy comparison

A cross-party overview covering National, Labour, ACT, the Greens, New Zealand First, Te Pāti Māori and TOP, including areas where detailed commitments are missing.

A practical way to make your decision

I would suggest comparing each party against four concrete outcomes rather than relying on general statements about disability inclusion:

1. Continuity of care: Can you count on the support workers, equipment and healthcare you need?
2. Freedom to travel: Will accessible transport be available and affordable when you need it?
3. Housing security: Will you have realistic options for an accessible rental and help to adapt your home?
4. Financial independence: Will your income and disability-related assistance cover essential costs without making you more dependent on others?

One final point: published commitments are not the same as funded, implemented policy. Check proposed funding, eligibility criteria, implementation dates and whether the policy would be enforceable.

Your vote is your decision. The aim is to identify which parties' documented commitments address the specific barriers that affect your independence, while being clear about what remains uncertain.