New Zealand 2026 election: accessible transport and independent living

Your question raises two important but connected issues: being able to get around independently and having the support, housing and services needed to remain independent while renting.

For the 2026 general election, I would compare parties on more than whether they promise accessible buses. The practical questions are:

• Can you board public transport independently, including if you use a wheelchair, walking frame or mobility aid?
• Are buses, trains, stations, stops and footpaths accessible?
• Are wheelchair-accessible taxis and community transport affordable and available?
• Can you access disability support without excessive waiting, cost or administrative barriers?
• Can you remain in your rental home, including if it needs accessibility modifications?

It is also important to distinguish between an announced 2026 election policy, an existing government policy and a party's historical position. They are not necessarily the same.

1. Accessible public transport: what the parties would change

This is particularly relevant if you depend on Total Mobility, accessible taxis or public buses to attend appointments, shop, work or participate in your community.

Policies and party positions reported in October 2026.

Green Party

Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand

The Greens have announced several specific transport commitments:

• Restore the Total Mobility taxi subsidy from 65% to 75%.
• Increase the number of accessible mobility vehicles to meet demand.
• Provide free public transport for Total Mobility users.
• Provide free bus and train travel for children, students, apprentices, Community Services Card holders and people aged 25 and under.
• Cap other adult bus and train fares at $2 per journey.
• Introduce enforceable accessibility standards covering transport and public infrastructure.

What this could mean: Lower costs for accessible taxi journeys, better availability of mobility vehicles and stronger legal requirements for accessible transport.

Sources: CCS Disability Action and The D*List. Election 2026: Political Parties Policy AnalysisParty policies, simplified: TransportParty policies, simplified: Accessibility

National Party

New Zealand National Party

National has proposed:

• Keeping the Total Mobility subsidy at 65%, rather than restoring it to 75%.
• Developing a national purpose statement for Total Mobility.
• Reviewing provider standards and safeguards.
• Asking officials to develop a national public transport concession for Total Mobility users, potentially including free companion fares.
• Reinvesting Crown savings to address public transport funding shortfalls.

What this could mean: More consistent Total Mobility arrangements and potentially cheaper travel for someone who needs a support person to accompany them. However, the taxi subsidy itself would remain below its former 75% level.

National has also proposed an Auckland public transport safety initiative, although this is geographically specific rather than a nationwide accessibility commitment.

Sources: The D*List and CCS Disability Action. Party policies, simplified: TransportElection 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis

Labour Party

New Zealand Labour Party

Labour's main announced transport commitment is:

• Cap public transport fares at $20 per week in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
• Cap fares at $10 per week elsewhere in New Zealand.

Labour has not confirmed whether it would restore the Total Mobility subsidy to 75%.

What this could mean: Lower regular public transport expenses, particularly if you use buses or trains frequently. However, the fare cap does not by itself guarantee accessible vehicles, accessible stops or affordable wheelchair taxis.

Source: The D*List's October 2026 party policy comparison. Party policies, simplified: Transport

Te Pāti Māori

Te Pāti Māori

Its transport commitments include:

• Making public transport free for everyone within five years.
• Ensuring disabled people are among the first groups to receive free public transport if the policy is introduced in stages.
• Embedding accessibility in transport, housing and public spaces.

What this could mean: Reduced or eliminated public transport fares, with disabled passengers prioritised in the rollout. The published commitments are less specific about accessible taxi subsidies, vehicle numbers and implementation standards.

Source: The D*List. Party policies, simplified: TransportParty policies, simplified: Accessibility

ACT Party

ACT New Zealand

ACT has defended the reduction of the Total Mobility subsidy to 65%, arguing that it is necessary to keep the scheme financially sustainable.

It has also said it supports:

• Removing unnecessary barriers to mobility.
• Effective and accessible services.
• Practical accessibility improvements and measurable outcomes.

It has not announced a specific commitment to restore the 75% taxi subsidy or a detailed transport accessibility programme.

What this could mean: The existing subsidy arrangement would continue, with an emphasis on financial sustainability and practical improvements rather than a stated increase in transport assistance.

Source: The D*List. Party policies, simplified: TransportParty policies, simplified: Accessibility

New Zealand First

New Zealand First

Its transport policy focuses on:

• Maintaining and improving the national rail network.
• Improving regional rail connections.
• Removing network bottlenecks.

NZ First has also put forward an Accessibility Standards Bill, intended to incorporate accessibility into new schools, transport hubs and public buildings.

However, it has not provided a clear commitment to increase Total Mobility subsidies or expand accessible taxi availability.

What this could mean: Potential improvements to accessible infrastructure, but less certainty about direct financial help with your everyday transport costs.

Sources: The D*List and The Spinoff. Party policies, simplified: TransportHow do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?Party policies, simplified: Accessibility

The Opportunities Party (TOP)

The Opportunities Party (TOP)

TOP is campaigning for free public transport for everyone.

It also supports:

• More accessible information and communication.
• Services that accommodate different access needs.
• A proposed citizen's income and additional disability allowance, while retaining specific disability support such as transport funding.

TOP did not provide detailed responses to all the transport questions put to parties by The D*List.

What this could mean: Potentially lower everyday public transport expenses, but you would want clarification on whether free travel would include accessible alternatives such as taxis.

Sources: The D*List and The Spinoff. Party policies, simplified: TransportHow do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?

2. At-a-glance transport comparison

Party	Total Mobility subsidy	Public transport fares
Greens	Restore to 75%	Free for Total Mobility users; $2 adult cap
National	Retain 65%	Considering a national concession and companion fare
Labour	No confirmed increase	$10–$20 weekly cap
Te Pāti Māori	No specific increase confirmed	Free for everyone within five years
ACT	Retain 65%	No specific fare concession announced
NZ First	No specific increase confirmed	Rail network investment
TOP	No specific increase confirmed	Free public transport for everyone

The Total Mobility subsidy is a government contribution towards eligible taxi journeys, not a guarantee that a wheelchair-accessible vehicle is available. A proposed fare concession is also not necessarily the same as free accessible taxi travel.

Source: The D*List's direct party comparison, October 2026. Party policies, simplified: Transport

3. Housing and renting: can you remain independent?

Transport is only part of independence. If you rent, the availability of accessible housing, permission to make modifications, affordability and security of tenure can be just as important.

Here is what the parties have indicated.

Party	Housing commitments relevant to disabled renters
Greens	Universal design standards for new housing, more accessible public and community housing, and stronger renter protections.
Labour	At least 25% of new Kāinga Ora builds to be accessible.
Te Pāti Māori	Accessible government housing designed around the needs of different whānau, alongside investment in Māori housing.
TOP	More accessible public housing and Building Code reform to encourage accessible homes.
National	Housing supply initiatives, but no specific accessible-housing requirement identified.
ACT	Market-led housing supply, without a specific accessible-housing standard identified.
NZ First	General housing supply and support for older people remaining at home; no clear disability-specific accessible-housing target identified.

Sources: CCS Disability Action and The D*List's housing comparison. Election 2026: Political Parties Policy AnalysisHow do parties rate on their disability policies?

Two distinctions matter when you rent:

• An accessible new-build target does not necessarily help you find an accessible private rental immediately.
• A general promise to increase housing supply does not guarantee that homes will have accessible bathrooms, step-free entrances, suitable door widths or enough room to manoeuvre mobility equipment.

The Greens have specifically identified universal design in both public and private housing. Labour has a measurable target for accessible Kāinga Ora construction. Te Pāti Māori has also addressed accessibility in government housing.

The D*List's October 30 comparison identifies the Greens and Te Pāti Māori as supporting improvements to renter rights or costs, while National does not. Labour's position was recorded as unclear on that particular question. How do parties rate on their disability policies?Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis

4. Disability support and the ability to live independently

This is another important area to investigate before voting.

You may depend on support for everyday activities, personal care, household tasks, equipment, getting to appointments or managing your home.

The parties have different approaches to disability support funding.

Green Party

• Supports the Enabling Good Lives approach, which emphasises choice and control.
• Supports more individualised disability funding.
• Wants to reduce administrative barriers to accessing support.
• Supports improved income assistance, including reforming partnered means testing.
• Supports disability rights legislation and enforceable accessibility standards.

The Greens' proposals address both the financial and practical barriers to living independently. Disability Policies of New Zealand’s Political Parties – 2026How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?

Labour

Labour has promised to:

• Repeal the Disability Support Services Act 2026.
• Develop replacement legislation in partnership with disabled people, carers and disability organisations.
• Require government agencies to produce Enabling Good Lives impact assessments and targets.
• End annual benefit renewals for people with verified permanent disabilities.
• Amend the Human Rights Act to recognise denial of reasonable accommodation as discrimination.

For someone relying on ongoing support, the benefit-renewal commitment and proposed changes to disability legislation are particularly relevant. Election 2026: Political Parties Policy AnalysisParty policies, simplified: Disability policy

National

National's approach has focused on:

• Financial stability of disability support services.
• More consistent assessment and allocation nationally.
• Some restoration of flexibility in individualised funding.
• Continued investment in disability support services.

National has not published a comprehensive standalone disability manifesto for this election.

An important distinction is that National's existing government decisions and funding commitments are not all new election promises. Disability Policies of New Zealand’s Political Parties – 2026How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?

ACT

ACT emphasises:

• Individual choice and control over funding.
• Reducing bureaucracy.
• More direct, individualised funding arrangements.
• Financial accountability and smaller government.

It has not set out a comprehensive disability rights or accessible-housing programme for 2026. Disability Policies of New Zealand’s Political Parties – 2026Party policies, simplified: Accessibility

Te Pāti Māori

Te Pāti Māori places emphasis on:

• Māori-led disability support services.
• Self-determination and choice for tāngata whaikaha Māori.
• Accessible housing and community participation.
• Disability support that recognises the needs of whānau.

Its approach is based on the principle that disabled people should have control over decisions affecting their lives. Disability Policies of New Zealand’s Political Parties – 2026Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis

New Zealand First

NZ First has not published a comprehensive standalone disability support programme for this election. Its disability-related commitments are less detailed than those of parties with specific disability platforms. Disability Policies of New Zealand’s Political Parties – 2026How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?

TOP

TOP proposes wider income reform through a citizen's income and a separate disability allowance, with additional needs-based assistance.

It has also proposed a 'Tell Us Once' system, so people with ongoing support needs do not have to repeatedly provide the same information or undergo unnecessary assessments.

Its proposals are relevant to financial independence and reducing administrative difficulties, although you should check how existing disability-specific payments and entitlements would transition under its proposed system. How do the different parties fare on disability issues this election?Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis

5. The issues I would check particularly carefully

For your circumstances, these are useful questions to put to every candidate, regardless of party.

Issue	What to ask candidates
Accessible taxis	Will you restore or increase the Total Mobility subsidy?
Vehicle availability	How will you ensure accessible taxis are available when needed, including outside major centres?
Public transport	Will buses, stops, stations and travel information have enforceable accessibility requirements?
Companions	Will a support person be able to travel free with someone who needs assistance?
Rental housing	Will you increase accessible private and public rental housing?
Home modifications	Will renters be able to get necessary accessibility modifications without unreasonable delays or costs?
Support services	Will you protect individualised funding and continuity of essential support?
Income	Will disability-related costs be adequately recognised in benefit and income support arrangements?

One particularly important question is whether a party's transport policy covers people who cannot use an ordinary bus or train at all. A cheap bus fare is not much help if you cannot board the bus.

6. What the differences mean for your circumstances

Here is a neutral way to organise the policies around the things that affect independent living.

Your priority	Party commitments to examine
Lower accessible taxi costs	Greens' 75% Total Mobility subsidy proposal
More accessible transport options	Greens' mobility vehicle expansion and accessibility standards
Lower everyday bus and train costs	Greens, Labour, Te Pāti Māori and TOP
Free companion travel	National's proposed national concession
Accessible rental housing	Greens, Labour, Te Pāti Māori and TOP
Stronger legal accessibility rights	Greens, Labour, Te Pāti Māori and TOP
Greater control over disability support	Greens, Labour, ACT and Te Pāti Māori
Less repetitive disability assessments	TOP and Labour
More adequate disability income	Greens and TOP, with different income-reform models

These are areas of policy emphasis, not an overall ranking of parties. Some commitments are more developed than others, and some remain proposals without detailed implementation plans.

7. Where to check the policies before voting

I recommend looking at disability-led organisations' election resources, rather than relying exclusively on party advertising.

• CCS Disability Action – Election 2026 policy analysis. Covers accessibility, transport, housing and disability support.
• The D*List – Simplified transport policies. Particularly useful for comparing Total Mobility and public transport fares.
• The D*List – Disability policy comparison. Covers housing, disability rights and support.
• Disabled Persons Assembly – 2026 disability election scorecard. A disability-community resource examining commitments across parties.
• Disability Responsiveness New Zealand – Party policy report. A broader party-by-party analysis.

The election is scheduled for 7 November 2026, so check for policy updates before casting your vote.

My suggested next step: assess the practical impact

I would encourage you to judge each party against one central question:

Will its policies make it easier for me to afford, access and maintain the support and housing I need to live independently, without having to rely on other people unnecessarily?

Three particularly important things to investigate are:

1. Whether you could afford to travel to essential appointments and activities.
2. Whether suitable rental housing would be available if you had to move.
3. Whether your disability support and funding would remain reliable and flexible.

Those questions go beyond political promises and focus on what changes you might actually experience in everyday life.

You deserve to be able to participate in your community, make your own decisions and live independently, regardless of your mobility impairment.