Party policies, simplified: Disability funding

The General Election day is approaching on Saturday November 7. We reached out to political parties National, Labour, Te Pāti Māori, ACT, New Zealand First, the Green Party, and The Opportunity Party with the same questions across housing, transport, disability policy, funding, healthcare, education, employment and accessibility.

Here’s what parties had to say about disability funding and whether they would re-establish the Lottery Individuals with Disabilities Committee. We’ve also researched their welfare policies.

This year, the National-led government removed the ring-fencing around the Lottery Grant: The Individuals with Disabilities Fund. The specialist committee that assesses applications for these funds was also disestablished. The National Party is not currently considering further changes in this space. They say they are “committed to continue supporting [the disabled] community”, and are firstly

“[fixing] the basics of an economy which has been weighed down by debt inherited from a previous Labour government.”

Te Pāti Māori and the Green Party would re-establish the Lottery Individuals with Disabilities Committee if elected. Labour is opposed to the disestablishment but did not say whether they would re-establish the committee. NZ First did not answer any of our questions on funding. TOP did not answer any of our questions.

ACT says they would “assess the new structure against the outcomes rather than assume the old committee structure was the only way to deliver them.” They said: “what matters is that disabled people can still access funding for the things they need and the decisions are informed by appropriate expertise.”

Welfare*

In 2025, the National government passed the Social Security Amendment Bill which introduced benefit sanctions to shift more people off Jobseeker Support. CCS Disability Action says that with significant barriers that prevent disabled people from accessing the Supported Living Payment, many disabled people find themselves on Jobseeker support with medical exemptions, despite being medically assessed as unable to work.

In their National’s welfare policy announcement:

• Random drug testing for Jobseeker beneficiaries will be introduced, starting with 10,000 tests in the first year.

• They will “provide more intensive, work-focused support for 30,000 work-ready jobseekers” who have been on Jobseeker for more than a year.

• From April 2028, they will lower the rate of payment for those who have received Jobseeker for two of the previous three years.

• National will double the non-entitlement period for those leaving employment “without good and sufficient reason”

• National will increase the welfare stand-down period for those on a Residence Visa by three years

Labour says they are “committed to building a society that is accessible and inclusive and also ensuring that disabled people and carers who need additional funding to participate in society are able to access meaningful support.” They did not provide any further policy.

Te Pāti Māori will prioritise whānau-centred support for disabled communities and “ensure disability support is not isolated from wider health, mental wellbeing, and social services.” Some of the changes they will make to the welfare system include:

• Doubling baseline benefit levels to meet the upper range of Welfare Expert Advisory Group (WEAG) recommendations

• Removing financial penalties, sanctions and work-test obligations

• Individualising benefits so that eligibility is not dependent on relationship status

• Ensuring grants do not need to be repaid

• Ensuring Special Needs Grants recognise cultural costs

ACT believe: “people should not be written off when work or greater independence is possible, while ensuring long-term support remains for people with genuine, enduring disabilities who cannot work.” In their Fiscal Plan, ACT plans to “bring disability benefits under control” by requiring independent medical certification against clear criteria for health and disability benefits, with phased reassessment for existing recipients. “Consistent assessment helps distinguish those unable to work from those who can work with support, protecting the safety net and reducing avoidable dependency.” Between 2028-2031, ACT would cut $653 million in disability funding. ACT will also introduce a five-year welfare stand-down for those on a Residence Visa.

If elected, the Green Party would provide “easily accessible and timely income support to meet all disability-related living and medical costs, regardless of relationship status or cause of disability.” Some of the changes they will make to the Social Security System include:

• Abolishing the benefit sanctions introduced by the current National government

• Working towards matching the minimum wage to the living wage.

• Reducing tax rates for low and middle income earners and increasing benefits to liveable rates

• Individualising benefit entitlements, meaning that partners’ income is not factored into the entitlement criteria

• Extending ACC to cover income support and treatment for injuries, disability and illnesses regardless of origin

• Banning attachment orders against beneficiaries

The cost will be paid by introducing a super-rich tax of 2.5% on net wealth over $10 million.

From policy on NZ First’s website, the party will implement a 10-year welfare stand-down period for all visa holders, meaning non-citizens will be ineligible for jobseeker, accommodation supplement, or any other benefits during their first 10 years in New Zealand.

TOP will introduce a ‘Citizen's Income’ where almost all adults will get up to $370 paid into their account weekly paid for by introducing a Land Value Tax. This form of universal basic income will replace most benefits, while additional support including disability, child, housing and single parent supports are paid automatically to households “on the basis of simple criteria.”

Responses about past policies, or generic statements without indication of the party’s own intention, actions or policies have been excluded.

Summary by party

*indicates policy found outside of questionnaire responses or policy announced after the party’s response was submitted.