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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 say about disability rights and fair treatment when dealing with government services?
For your vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election, I would look at more than whether a party says it supports disabled people. The important question is whether its policies would make everyday life more secure, accessible and fair when you need to deal with government agencies.
Given what you've described, there are four particularly important areas:
- Income security: Whether you can receive adequate financial support if your health condition prevents you from working, without unreasonable reassessments or punitive sanctions.
- Fair treatment by government: Whether agencies such as Work and Income (MSD) treat disabled people with dignity, respect medical evidence and provide accessible ways to challenge decisions.
- Healthcare access: Whether regular appointments, specialist care, prescriptions and other disability-related health needs are affordable and accessible.
- Disability rights: Whether disabled people have enforceable rights, meaningful involvement in policy decisions and protection from discrimination.
I'll distinguish between parties' stated positions and the practical implications of their policies. A party expressing support for disability rights does not necessarily mean it has committed to the funding or legal changes needed to deliver them.
1. How the main parties compare
The following reflects policies and commitments available as at 1 November 2026. The strongest comparison comes from disability organisations' election analysis, including CCS Disability Action and The D*List, rather than relying solely on parties' own promotional material.
Labour Party
New Zealand Labour Party
Labour is proposing several changes directly relevant to people who rely on long-term health-related income support.
- Fewer benefit reviews: End annual benefit renewals for people with permanent, medically verified disabilities.
- Stronger disability rights: Amend the Human Rights Act to define reasonable accommodation and recognise refusal to provide it as discrimination.
- Government accountability: Require government agencies to assess their policies against the Enabling Good Lives approach.
- Disability services: Repeal the Disability Support Services Act 2026 and replace it with rights-based legislation developed with disabled people, carers and their organisations.
- Healthcare costs: Introduce three free GP visits annually through a Medicard and restore free prescriptions for funded medicines.
- Accessibility: Require at least 25% of new Kāinga Ora homes to be accessible.
What this could mean for you: Labour's proposal to end annual reviews for people with permanent disabilities is particularly relevant. It could reduce the administrative burden and uncertainty of repeatedly proving an enduring condition.
Its proposed reasonable-accommodation protections could also improve how government agencies are required to treat disabled people.
The important distinction is that Labour is promising changes, not that these protections are already in place. Election 2026: Political Parties Policy AnalysisElection 2026: Political Parties Policy AnalysisParty policies, simplified: Disability policy
Green Party
Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
The Greens have one of the most explicitly rights-based disability policy platforms.
Their proposals include:
- Income support: Easily accessible and timely financial support covering disability-related living and medical costs, regardless of relationship status or the cause of disability.
- Stronger rights: A disability rights law based on Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
- Accessibility: Enforceable accessibility standards.
- Healthcare: Increased health funding and more accessible public healthcare.
- Support services: Greater choice and control for disabled people over their support arrangements.
- Fair treatment: Oppose disability-related discrimination and barriers to participation.
The Greens also opposed the Disability Support Services Act 2026, arguing that disabled people and their communities were not adequately consulted.
What this could mean for you: Their proposed income support is particularly relevant if your medical condition creates ongoing costs that ordinary benefit payments do not adequately cover.
Their emphasis on enforceable rights could also be important if you believe government agencies should be legally accountable for treating you fairly, rather than relying on goodwill or administrative discretion. Election 2026: Political Parties Policy AnalysisParty policies, simplified: Disability policyHow do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?
National Party
New Zealand National Party
National's approach emphasises financial sustainability, consistent disability support services and getting people into employment where possible.
Its position includes:
- Supporting the Disability Support Services Act 2026, which establishes a legislative framework for disability support funding.
- Continuing the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026–2030.
- Promising improvements to consistency, transparency and sustainability in disability services.
- Restoring some flexibility in disability support funding following criticism of earlier restrictions.
- Continuing investment in disability support services.
National's legislation was controversial because disability advocates raised concerns about consultation, disabled people's choice and control, and the powers given to ministers.
National argues that the legislation improves fairness and transparency without changing current eligibility or entitlements.
What this could mean for you: National's approach prioritises maintaining a financially sustainable support system, but it has not made the same specific commitment as Labour to ending annual benefit renewals for people with permanent disabilities.
You should also be aware that National proposes further welfare conditions for some Jobseeker recipients, including random drug testing and possible financial sanctions. These proposals concern Jobseeker Support and should not automatically be assumed to apply to Supported Living Payment recipients. Party policies, simplified: Disability policyDisability Policies of New Zealand’s Political Parties – 2026Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis
ACT Party
ACT New Zealand
ACT emphasises individual responsibility, more targeted assistance, reducing bureaucracy and directing government support towards people it considers genuinely in need.
Its welfare policies include:
- Requiring independent medical certification for health and disability benefits through MSD-approved doctors.
- Using defined criteria for medical assessments.
- Reassessing existing recipients of Jobseeker Support for Health Conditions or Disabilities and Supported Living Payment.
- Allowing long-term arrangements for people with genuine, enduring disabilities or health conditions.
- Supporting greater individual control over disability services.
ACT argues that independent certification would make assessments more consistent and objective.
What this could mean for you: There are two sides worth considering.
The potential advantage is that long-term arrangements could provide stability for people with enduring conditions.
The potential disadvantage is that mandatory reassessment could create additional stress, paperwork and uncertainty, even for people already receiving support.
If you depend on medical evidence from your regular GP or specialist, it is worth considering ACT's proposal to transfer formal certification to an MSD-approved doctor, although your existing doctors could still provide supporting medical information. ACT New ZealandElection 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis
Te Pāti Māori
Te Pāti Māori
Te Pāti Māori places considerable emphasis on dignity, self-determination and the rights of disabled Māori and their whānau.
Its disability-related commitments include:
- Investing in the Enabling Good Lives approach.
- Establishing a Māori-led authority to design, oversee and deliver disability services for Māori.
- Giving disabled Māori and their whānau a central role in decision-making.
- Removing barriers to disability assessments, funding and service delivery.
- Upholding the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
- Ensuring government buildings are accessible.
Te Pāti Māori opposed the Disability Support Services Act 2026, raising concerns about potential means-testing and the absence of a sufficiently rights-based approach.
What this could mean for you: Its emphasis on shifting decision-making power towards disabled people and away from central government agencies is particularly relevant to questions of autonomy and fair treatment.
Its proposals also recognise that disability support should respect people's dignity and individual circumstances, rather than treating everyone as though they have identical needs. Election 2026: Political Parties Policy AnalysisParty policies, simplified: Disability policy
New Zealand First
New Zealand First
New Zealand First has fewer detailed disability-specific commitments in its 2026 election platform.
One significant initiative is its proposed Accessibility Standards Bill, which aims to identify and remove barriers in public buildings, transport, education and public services.
Other points:
- The party supported the Disability Support Services Act 2026.
- It has advocated practical improvements to accessibility.
- It has not set out a similarly detailed disability income-support programme to those proposed by the Greens or Labour.
What this could mean for you: Its accessibility proposals could improve your ability to use public services and facilities. However, there is less published detail about how it would address benefit reassessments, income adequacy and the rights of people with long-term health conditions. Establishing an Accessible New Zealand for everyoneParty policies, simplified: Disability policyDisability Policies of New Zealand’s Political Parties – 2026
The Opportunities Party (TOP)
The Opportunities Party
TOP has a different approach to income security.
Its major proposal is a universal citizen's income:
- Up to $370 per week for adults.
- A proposed additional universal disability allowance of approximately $6,000 annually.
- Additional needs-based assistance.
- Continued disability-specific support for things such as transport and assistive technology.
The idea is to reduce the complexity and conditionality of the existing welfare system.
What this could mean for you: This could be significant if you want more predictable income without repeated eligibility checks.
However, the details of how the proposed payments would interact with existing disability assistance, housing support and other entitlements need careful examination. TOP did not respond to The D*List's disability policy questions, so there is less evidence of a detailed disability-rights position. How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?Party policies, simplified: Disability policy
2. Which parties address fair treatment by government agencies most directly?
This is an especially important issue because receiving a benefit is not simply a financial transaction. You may have to explain your medical circumstances, attend assessments, provide documentation, respond to MSD requests and challenge decisions.
Here is how the parties' approaches compare:
| Issue | Parties with notable commitments |
|---|---|
| Ending unnecessary annual medical reviews | Labour |
| Legally enforceable disability rights | Greens |
| Defining reasonable accommodation as a legal protection | Labour |
| Independent medical assessments | ACT |
| Greater disabled people's control over decisions | Greens, Labour, Te Pāti Māori |
| Māori-led disability services | Te Pāti Māori |
| National accessibility standards | Greens, NZ First |
| Universal income security | TOP |
| Financial sustainability of existing disability services | National |
One important distinction: there is a difference between promising better customer service and giving people enforceable legal rights.
For example, Labour's proposed Human Rights Act amendment and the Greens' proposed disability rights legislation go further than simply asking MSD staff to behave respectfully. They seek to establish clearer legal obligations.
Party policies, simplified: Disability policyElection 2026: Political Parties Policy AnalysisDisability Policies of New Zealand’s Political Parties – 2026
3. Five questions I would prioritise when deciding how to vote
Based on your circumstances, I would pay particular attention to these questions.
- Will I have to keep proving that I am unwell?
If your condition is permanent or long-term, does the party want to reduce repetitive medical assessments? Will it recognise established medical evidence?
- Will my income support be enough to live on?
Does the party propose increasing benefits, Disability Allowance or other assistance to reflect the actual costs of living with a disability?
- Can I receive support without being penalised for my circumstances?
Consider whether the party supports removing partner-income penalties, improving access to additional assistance and reducing unnecessary eligibility restrictions.
- Will government agencies be legally accountable for unfair treatment?
Look for commitments around:
- Accessible complaint and appeals processes.
- Reasonable accommodations.
- Independent oversight.
- Protection against discrimination.
- Involvement of disabled people in decisions affecting them.
- Will I be able to access healthcare consistently?
Consider GP appointment costs, prescription charges, specialist waiting times, transport costs and access to ongoing treatment.
These are not minor policy details. They can directly affect your ability to maintain your health and financial independence.
4. Independent resources worth consulting before election day
There are some particularly useful sources that are not produced by political parties themselves.
CCS Disability Action
Its October 2026 analysis compares parties on disability, welfare, healthcare, accessibility and housing.
Read the 2026 election policy analysis
Disabled Persons Assembly NZ
Its 2026 election work asks parties about disability rights legislation, benefit penalties, accessibility, income assistance and disabled people's involvement in government decisions.
Read the Disability Election Scorecard information
**The D*List**
Its accessible party-policy explanations include parties' responses about the Disability Support Services Act.
Read the simplified disability policy comparison
The Spinoff
An additional independent overview of disability policy and party records.
How do the different parties fare on disability issues?
5. My overall assessment
Based on the published commitments, there are some meaningful differences:
- Labour: Particularly relevant if your priorities are fewer repeated medical reviews, stronger protections against unfair treatment and changes to disability support legislation.
- Greens: Particularly relevant if you prioritise comprehensive disability rights, stronger income support and enforceable accessibility standards.
- Te Pāti Māori: Particularly relevant if you value self-determination and disabled people's control over decisions and services.
- TOP: Worth examining if you favour a different approach to income security through a universal citizen's income.
- ACT: Worth examining if you favour individualised assistance and objective medical assessments, while considering the implications of mandatory reassessments.
- National: Emphasises financial sustainability and consistency in disability services, with a different approach to legislation and welfare administration.
- New Zealand First: Has some accessibility commitments but less detail on long-term disability income security.
This isn't an endorsement of any party. The important thing is to compare actual commitments, their funding and their likely effects on your circumstances.
One final point: The 2026 election is scheduled for 7 November. Some parties may still clarify or publish further commitments, so check the latest material before voting.
One question that could help narrow this down
Of all the issues we've discussed, which concerns you most?
- A. Keeping my Supported Living Payment or other income support secure without repeated medical assessments.
- B. Being treated fairly, respectfully and consistently by MSD and other government agencies.
- C. Having enough money to cover everyday living expenses and additional medical costs.
- D. Accessing affordable GP appointments, specialists, prescriptions and ongoing treatment.
- E. Strong legal disability rights and protection against discrimination.
You can choose more than one. I can then compare the parties more closely against those priorities, including where their promises differ from their voting records.
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