Every question and original answer

For the 2026 New Zealand general election, there are several parties with policies that directly address accessible transport, disability rights and independent living.

The biggest differences are around the Total Mobility Scheme, public transport fares, enforceable accessibility standards, accessible rental housing and the funding of disability support services.

I've compared the published positions of the seven main parties using information available as at 31 October 2026, drawing particularly on disability-sector organisations CCS Disability Action and The D*List.

The election is scheduled for 7 November 2026. Policies may still change before polling day.

1. Accessible public transport: what each party proposes

The Total Mobility Scheme is particularly important if you cannot independently use ordinary public transport. Its subsidy helps eligible disabled people and older people pay for taxi and other approved transport services.

Party	Public transport and mobility policies
Green Party	Restore Total Mobility subsidy to 75%, increase accessible vehicle availability, and provide free public transport for Total Mobility users.
Labour	Cap weekly public transport fares at $20 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and $10 elsewhere. Has not committed to restoring the 75% Total Mobility subsidy.
Te Pāti Māori	Make public transport free for everyone within five years, prioritising disabled people if introduced in stages. Supports restoring the 75% Total Mobility subsidy.
National	Retain the 65% Total Mobility subsidy. Develop a national concession proposal for Total Mobility users, potentially including free companion fares. Review provider standards and wheelchair-accessible vehicle funding.
ACT	Supports retaining the 65% Total Mobility subsidy, arguing that it is more financially sustainable. Supports practical measures to remove mobility barriers.
New Zealand First	Proposes improving the national rail network and regional connections. Has not made a specific commitment to increasing Total Mobility subsidies.
The Opportunities Party (TOP)	Proposes free public transport for everyone. Has not provided a specific commitment to restoring the Total Mobility subsidy.

Sources: The D*List's October 2026 transport comparison and CCS Disability Action's election analysis. Party policies, simplified: TransportElection 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis

What these differences mean in practice

Total Mobility subsidy

The subsidy was reduced from 75% to 65% on 1 July 2026. The Greens and Te Pāti Māori propose restoring it to 75%.

Accessible buses and trains

Cheaper or free fares are useful, but they do not automatically make buses and trains physically accessible. Vehicle access, ramps, lifts, reliable boarding arrangements and accessible stations matter too.

Companion travel

National is proposing to investigate a national Total Mobility concession that could include a free companion fare. This could be important if you need someone to accompany you.

2. Accessibility rights and mobility infrastructure

This is another important distinction between parties.

Accessible transport is not just about fares. It includes whether you can get from your home to the bus stop, board a vehicle, use a station, access a footpath and complete your journey without needing someone to intervene.

Here are the main proposals.

Party	Accessibility commitments
Green Party	Introduce disability rights legislation with enforceable accessibility standards covering transport, public infrastructure and services.
Te Pāti Māori	Implement recommendations for effective accessibility legislation and support the Accessibility Standards Bill.
New Zealand First	Introduced the Accessibility Standards Bill, which aims to establish accessibility standards for public buildings, transport hubs and other infrastructure.
Labour	Progress incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into law and recognise denial of reasonable accommodation as discrimination.
National	Continue the Access Activator initiative and work with Whaikaha on practical accessibility improvements.
ACT	Supports practical changes to remove barriers, focusing on measurable outcomes rather than additional regulation.
TOP	Supports designing public spaces, buildings and services with disabled people in mind.

Party policies, simplified: AccessibilityElection 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis

An important distinction: Supporting accessibility in principle is not the same as committing to enforceable standards.

For example, enforceable standards could eventually mean clearer requirements for:

• Wheelchair access to public transport.
• Accessible pedestrian crossings and footpaths.
• Lifts and ramps at transport facilities.
• Accessible public buildings and facilities.
• Consistent accessibility requirements across regions.

3. Housing and renting: can you remain independently housed?

Because you rent, housing policy deserves particular attention.

An accessible home is not necessarily affordable, and an affordable rental is not necessarily accessible.

The parties have different proposals concerning accessible public housing, rental protections and housing costs.

Green Party

• Increase accessible public housing.

• Introduce universal design standards for public and private housing.

• Strengthen Healthy Homes Standards.

• Support safe, accessible and affordable housing in the community of your choice.

  Election 2026: Political Parties Policy AnalysisHow do parties rate on their disability policies?

Labour

• Require at least 25% of new Kāinga Ora builds to meet accessible design standards.

• Ban no-cause evictions.

• Limit rent increases to once every 12 months.

• Strengthen landlords' responsibilities to address serious hazards.

  Election 2026: Political Parties Policy AnalysisHow do parties rate on their disability policies?

Te Pāti Māori

• Ensure all new government builds accommodate disabled people.

• Introduce universal rent control, linking increases to inflation except where significant improvements are made.

• Repeal no-cause evictions.

• Increase funding for Sustaining Tenancies, which supports people at risk of losing their homes.

  Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis

The Opportunities Party

• Raise rental property standards under Healthy Homes.

• Expand housing choices, including community and social housing.

• Extend some home energy improvement support to eligible rental properties.

  Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis

National, ACT and New Zealand First have not identified equivalent specific commitments to minimum accessible social housing targets in the 2026 election comparisons.

How do parties rate on their disability policies?Disability Policies

4. Disability support services and independent living

Transport and housing are only two parts of independent living.

You may also depend on:

• Personal care and home support.
• Mobility equipment and assistive technology.
• Disability-related financial assistance.
• Reliable access to health services.
• Support workers and community services.

One significant election issue is the Disability Support Services Act 2026.

Here is where the parties stand:

Party	Disability support direction
Green	Rights-based disability legislation, improved income support and Enabling Good Lives.
Labour	Repeal the Disability Support Services Act and replace it with a rights-based framework developed with disabled people and carers.
Te Pāti Māori	Invest in Enabling Good Lives and develop Māori-led disability services.
National	Continue implementing the Disability Strategy 2026–2030 and retain the current legislative framework.
ACT	Supports the Disability Support Services Act and individualised support based on assessed needs.
NZ First	Supported the Disability Support Services Act; no detailed standalone disability policy identified.
TOP	Proposes a Citizen's Income and additional disability support, alongside a simpler system for accessing services.

Party policies, simplified: Disability policyHow do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis

For someone who wants to remain independent, the distinction between funding a service and giving disabled people genuine choice over how that service is delivered is particularly important.

5. What deserves particular attention when comparing the parties?

Here is a practical checklist you can use when examining their policies.

Your concern	What to look for
Affordable accessible transport	Total Mobility subsidy and public transport concessions
Wheelchair-accessible transport	Number of accessible vehicles and availability in your region
Independent travel	Enforceable accessibility standards for buses, trains and stations
Getting to transport	Accessible footpaths, crossings and bus stops
Keeping your rental	Rent increases, eviction protections and tenancy support
Finding an accessible home	Minimum accessible social housing targets
Staying independent at home	Personal care, home support and equipment funding
Financial independence	Disability Allowance and other income support

6. Where to read the actual policy comparisons

These are useful resources from disability organisations rather than party campaign advertising.

• CCS Disability Action – Election 2026 policy analysis. Covers housing, transport, accessibility, health and disability support.
• The D*List – Transport policy comparison. Particularly useful for Total Mobility and public transport costs.
• The D*List – Accessibility policy comparison. Explains accessibility legislation and standards.
• The D*List – Disability policy scorecard. Compares parties on housing, disability rights, transport and funding.
• The D*List – Disability support policy comparison. Covers the Disability Support Services Act.

My suggestion: examine three commitments particularly closely

I wouldn't base your decision simply on which party promises the cheapest public transport.

For your circumstances, three questions are especially relevant:

1. Can you afford to travel independently? Look at Total Mobility, wheelchair-accessible taxi availability, companion fares and public transport concessions.
2. Can you remain in an accessible rental? Look at rent protections, accessible housing supply and assistance for tenants who need modifications.
3. Can you retain control over your support? Look at disability funding, personal care, equipment and the ability to choose how your support is delivered.

A party can have a generous public transport policy but offer little detail about accessible vehicles or independent living support. Those are different policy questions.

One final point: The policy comparisons above describe what parties have announced, not guarantees that the proposals will be implemented. Funding, legislation, timelines and regional delivery will all matter.

If you would like, I can also put together a more focused comparison of the parties based on one central question: which policies would help a disabled renter remain living independently, with affordable transport, suitable housing and reliable support services?