2026 New Zealand election: Healthcare, disability support and independent living

For someone with a mobility impairment who rents and wants to remain independent, there are several important issues to examine when comparing the parties.

The key question is not simply which party promises more healthcare funding. It is whether its policies would help you to:

• Access affordable GPs, specialists, prescriptions and hospital treatment.
• Keep disability support funding that meets your actual needs.
• Choose your own carers and manage your support arrangements.
• Travel independently using accessible public transport and mobility services.
• Find and retain accessible rental housing.
• Participate in society without having to repeatedly fight for reasonable accommodations.

I've compared the main parties contesting the 2026 election, using published party positions and responses to disability-sector questions available as at 30 October 2026.

One important distinction: some parties have detailed disability policies, while others have made commitments through their general health, housing or transport policies. A policy announcement is also not the same as an implemented service.

1. Disability support: the biggest policy difference

A particularly important issue is the Disability Support Services (DSS) Act 2026, which became law in September 2026.

The legislation and the future of disability support funding have become significant election issues.

Party	Position on DSS Act
National	Introduced and passed the legislation. Supports its approach to stability and national consistency.
Labour	Promises to repeal and replace it with rights-based legislation developed with disabled people and carers.
Green Party	Opposed the legislation and proposes stronger disability rights protections.
ACT	Supported the legislation; emphasises individual choice and targeting support according to individual need.
NZ First	Supported the legislation.
Te Pāti Māori	Opposed the legislation; supports Māori-led disability services and Enabling Good Lives.
TOP	No clear position on the Act identified in its responses.

Sources: disability-sector policy comparisons by The D*List and Disability Responsiveness New Zealand.

What this could mean for independent living

The differences are particularly relevant if you receive individualised funding, home support, personal care, respite or equipment.

• National emphasises consistent assessments, financial sustainability and some restoration of flexibility in funding.
• Labour proposes a different legislative framework, with greater emphasis on rights, consultation and safeguards.
• The Greens emphasise Enabling Good Lives, disability rights and income support that recognises disability-related costs.
• ACT emphasises individualised support and reducing administrative barriers.
• Te Pāti Māori emphasises self-determination and coordinated Māori-led services.

A useful question to put to every candidate is: Will I be able to retain the support hours, personal assistance and funding I need to live independently, and what happens if my needs increase?

2. Healthcare access and affordability

There are differences in how parties approach healthcare costs, medicines and accessibility.

Party	Relevant healthcare commitments
National	Disability Strategy 2026–2030 includes health as a priority. Proposes training health workers to make services easier for disabled people to use.
Labour	Three free GP visits annually, free prescriptions, free maternity scans and free cervical screening for eligible age groups, with a proposed capital gains tax funding package.
Greens	More health funding, accessible public healthcare, mobile clinics, stronger Pharmac funding and work towards free primary and dental care.
ACT	Close the medicines funding gap with Australia, expand pharmacists' ability to treat conditions and introduce 24-hour prescription collection lockers.
Te Pāti Māori	Establish a Māori-led Mana Hauā Authority, increase Pharmac funding, and invest in free primary and dental care, medication delivery and mobile clinics.
NZ First	Supports a universal healthcare system with access based on clinical need.
TOP	Proposes a 10-year cross-party health and education plan; limited specific disability-health commitments identified.

Sources: The D*List healthcare comparison and CCS Disability Action's election analysis.

Issues worth considering in your circumstances:

• Whether GP visits and prescriptions are affordable.
• Whether you can access specialists without long delays.
• Whether hospitals and clinics have accessible examination equipment and facilities.
• Whether physiotherapy, rehabilitation and occupational therapy are adequately funded.
• Whether disability-related health costs are recognised separately from ordinary healthcare costs.
• Whether services can accommodate your transport and mobility requirements.

One important distinction: a promise to make primary healthcare cheaper does not necessarily guarantee funding for rehabilitation, mobility equipment or personal support.

3. Accessible transport and Total Mobility

Particularly important

This is one of the clearest areas of difference between the parties.

The Total Mobility Scheme subsidises taxi and other approved transport for eligible people who cannot use public transport independently.

As of 1 July 2026, the subsidy was reduced from 75% to 65%. This is particularly significant if you depend on taxis or wheelchair-accessible vehicles for medical appointments, shopping and everyday activities. Party policies, simplified: TransportParty policies, simplified: Transport

Here is how the parties compare:

Party	Transport position
National	Retains the 65% Total Mobility subsidy. Proposes reviewing provider standards and considering a national concession, including free companion fares.
Labour	Caps public transport fares at $20 weekly in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and $10 elsewhere.
Greens	Restores the Total Mobility subsidy to 75%, increases mobility vehicle availability and provides free public transport for Total Mobility users.
ACT	Supports retaining the 65% subsidy, arguing that the previous rate was financially unsustainable.
Te Pāti Māori	Promises free public transport within five years, with disabled people among the first groups to benefit.
NZ First	Has not provided a specific response on Total Mobility, although it proposes improvements to the national rail network.
TOP	Publicly supports free public transport but has not provided a detailed response on Total Mobility.

Party policies, simplified: TransportParty policies, simplified: TransportElection 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis

An important distinction: Free buses and trains do not necessarily help someone who cannot physically access them or cannot travel independently on them.

For your circumstances, I would look particularly closely at:

• The percentage of taxi fares subsidised.
• Availability of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
• Whether companions can travel free.
• Whether accessible transport is available outside normal business hours.
• Whether transport providers are required to meet enforceable accessibility standards.

A lower public transport fare is useful only if the service is accessible and practical for you to use.

4. Accessible rental housing and tenancy security

Because you rent, housing policy deserves particular attention.

You may need more than affordable rent. You may also need permission to install accessibility modifications, a suitable bathroom, step-free access, sufficient turning space and security against having to move unexpectedly.

The parties have different approaches:

Party	Housing and rental commitments
National	Focuses on increasing housing supply and expanding housing options. No specific accessible rental housing target identified.
Labour	At least 25% of new Kāinga Ora homes to meet accessible design standards; proposes limiting rent increases to once every 12 months and ending no-cause evictions.
Greens	Universal design standards for public and private housing, more accessible public housing and stronger rental standards.
Te Pāti Māori	All new government housing to be accessible; proposes rent control and ending no-cause evictions.
ACT	Focuses on encouraging rental investment and increasing housing supply; no specific accessible housing commitment identified.
NZ First	Focuses on social housing access and warmer homes; no specific accessible housing target identified.
TOP	Proposes stronger rental standards and additional social and affordable housing.

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

For a renter, I would investigate three particularly practical questions:

1. Can you install ramps, handrails, bathroom modifications or other accessibility equipment without unreasonable landlord resistance?
2. Who pays for modifications, and can you take equipment with you if you move?
3. What protection do you have against eviction or rent increases that make your accessible home unaffordable?

A commitment to accessible new public housing is worthwhile, but it does not necessarily improve accessibility in existing private rental properties.

5. Disability rights and accessibility legislation

This issue affects much more than buildings. It can determine whether transport providers, government agencies, healthcare services and other organisations must make reasonable adjustments.

The main differences are:

• Greens: Propose disability rights legislation with enforceable accessibility standards covering transport, public infrastructure, digital services and other areas.
• Te Pāti Māori: Supports accessibility legislation and implementing recommendations for a more comprehensive accessibility framework.
• Labour: Proposes defining reasonable accommodation in the Human Rights Act and recognising denial of reasonable accommodation as discrimination. It also proposes incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into law.
• National: Supports practical accessibility initiatives and the 2026–2030 Disability Strategy, but has not committed to equivalent enforceable accessibility legislation.
• ACT: Supports practical removal of barriers and measurable accessibility outcomes, but has not committed to the proposed comprehensive disability rights legislation.
• NZ First: Has an Accessibility Standards Bill in the members' ballot.
• TOP: Supports designing public spaces and services with disabled people, but has not committed to equivalent enforceable legislation.

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

This matters because voluntary accessibility improvements and legally enforceable standards are different things.

A voluntary commitment may depend on individual organisations choosing to make improvements. Legislation can create clearer obligations and avenues for challenging discrimination.

6. What are the biggest differences overall?

The following is a factual summary of the policy approaches, not a ranking or recommendation.

Issue	Main policy distinction
Disability funding	National emphasises financial sustainability; Labour and Greens propose rights-based changes.
Individual choice	ACT emphasises individualised support; Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori emphasise Enabling Good Lives.
Healthcare costs	Labour proposes free GP visits and prescriptions; Greens and Te Pāti Māori propose broader free healthcare services.
Medicines	ACT, Greens and Te Pāti Māori have specific Pharmac-related commitments.
Taxi subsidies	Greens and Te Pāti Māori support restoring the 75% subsidy; National retains 65%.
Public transport	Greens and Te Pāti Māori propose free transport for specified groups or everyone; Labour proposes weekly fare caps.
Rental security	Labour and Te Pāti Māori propose stronger tenancy protections; Greens propose broader housing accessibility requirements.
Accessibility rights	Greens and Te Pāti Māori support enforceable accessibility legislation; Labour proposes related human rights reforms.

7. Questions I would put to candidates before voting

Party manifestos can sound positive while leaving important practical details unanswered.

For someone relying on accessible transport and disability support, these are useful questions to ask your local electorate candidates, regardless of party.

Disability support

• Will you protect individualised funding and support hours?
• Will disabled people have a meaningful say in how their funding is allocated?
• Will you guarantee continuity of support if funding arrangements change?

Healthcare

• Will you improve access to affordable specialists, rehabilitation and physiotherapy?
• Will you fund accessible healthcare facilities and equipment?
• How will you reduce the additional medical costs associated with disability?

Transport

• Will you restore the Total Mobility subsidy to 75%?
• Will you increase the supply of wheelchair-accessible taxis?
• Will you guarantee accessible public transport and companion travel?

Housing

• Will you increase the supply of accessible rental properties?
• Will you strengthen tenants' rights to make reasonable accessibility modifications?
• Will you improve protection against rent increases and eviction for disabled tenants?

Independent living

• Will you protect the right to live independently rather than being pushed towards residential care?
• Will you ensure adequate personal care and home support?
• Will you provide accessible emergency and backup support if a regular carer is unavailable?

8. Independent resources to help you decide

These organisations have produced particularly relevant election information.

CCS Disability Action – 2026 election analysis

A detailed comparison of party policies across health, housing, welfare, transport and accessibility, published 30 October 2026.

Read the full analysis

The D*List – Party policies simplified

Direct questions to political parties on disability support, healthcare, transport and accessibility.

Disability policy · Healthcare · Transport

Disabled Persons Assembly – Disability Election Scorecard

A non-partisan resource coordinated with CCS Disability Action and Your Way | Kia Roha.

Read about the election scorecard · Read the published scorecard announcement

Electoral Commission – Voting information

Accessible voting arrangements, telephone dictation voting and voting information.

Official voting information

The general election is scheduled for Saturday 7 November 2026.

My suggested way of assessing the policies

I would pay particular attention to four things when reading the final manifestos:

1. Security of support: Will you be able to continue receiving the personal assistance and funding you depend on?
2. Freedom of movement: Will accessible transport remain affordable and available when you need it?
3. Housing security: Can you remain in a suitable rental property without losing independence because of cost or accessibility barriers?
4. Enforceable rights: If a service provider refuses to accommodate your disability, will you have meaningful legal protection?

These are practical measures of whether a policy supports independent living, rather than simply promising to improve disability services.

One further question that would help narrow the comparison: Are you primarily dependent on wheelchair-accessible taxis through Total Mobility, accessible buses and trains, or a combination of both?

That distinction would help identify which transport commitments are most relevant to your ability to remain independent.