Party policies, simplified: Disability policy

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 are the party stances on the Disability Support Services Act 2026.

This year in September the Disability Support Services Bill passed into law. When the Bill was introduced by the National Party in May to purportedly bring clarity and stability to the Disability Support Services system, no consultation had been had with disabled people, and the Bill overruled a Supreme Court ruling that recognised family carers as employees of the Government. The Select Committee process was criticised by eight national disability organisations as being inaccessible, giving speakers five minute slots in three and half days of hearings. Following Select Committee hearings, changes were made to the Bill, including repealing the expectation that family members had the first instance of responsibility for the wellbeing of family members.

A National spokesperson says it is “an important piece of legislation which helps strengthen support for disabled people and those who care for them.” Previously, DSS hadn’t been operating within a legal framework. They said that the new legislative framework for DSS “doesn’t change current eligibility, entitlements or support, or introduce income or asset testing where it is not currently used.” Instead it “will improve consistency, fairness, transparency and sustainability, building on our work after the 2024 Independent Review.”

National will “continue making further improvements” and soon begin consulting with key stakeholders on a carers’ package. The National Party will “see to fruition” the New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026-2030 which includes “meaningful, measurable actions to improve the lives of disabled people.”

ACT supported the DSS Bill because “the amended version provides greater consistency, transparency and security than the system it replaces.” Going forward, ACT’s approach is to “remove barriers, target support according to individual need, give people greater control over the services they receive, and build a stronger economy capable of sustainably funding support for those who need it.”

Te Pāti Māori voted against the DSS Bill as it “could open the door to means-testing for disability support, and it does not take a rights-based approach to disability support.” The party will “invest in the Enabling Good Lives kaupapa” and “[ensure] that places and funding are more accessible” to open up new opportunities for disabled people to thrive. They say that they are committed to a future where Tangata Hauā and Whānau Hauā live with dignity, autonomy and belonging. 

The Green Party opposed the DSS Bill, saying it “was introduced without consultation with disabled communities, despite acknowledging that the proposals were sensitive and directly affected disabled people and carers.”

If elected, the Greens will introduce disability rights law based on Te Tiriti with enforceable accessibility standards. They will also abolish the Acceptable Standards of Health requirements so that migrants and refugees “are not discriminated against based on their health conditions or disabilities.”*

Labour have committed to repealing the DSS Bill and redrafting it with input from disabled people, their whānau, carers and representative organisations to “ensure that it is a rights-based Bill” and that disabled people are supported to access the services they need.

Although they agree that there needs to be a legislative framework for DSS funding, Labour say the bill “was drafted without any input from disabled people and carers, will increase uncertainty for disability communities and has the potential to significantly change the relationship between disabled people, carers and the State."

The Labour Party says they will demonstrate an “ongoing commitment” to the UNCRPD, the Enabling Good Lives Approach, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.  At the D*List’s Disability Debate*, Labour representative Priyanca Radhakrishnan said Labour is prioritising the amendment of the Human Rights Act to define ‘reasonable accommodations’ and to recognise that denying that is discrimination.

NZ First voted for the passing of the DSS Bill* but did not comment on general policies for disabled communities. TOP did not respond to our questions.

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.