Healthcare and Access to Care
Healthcare and Access to Care in the NZ Election 2026
Healthcare is one of the most important election issues for disabled people, older New Zealanders, people living with sickness or long-term health conditions, carers, families and whānau.
Access to timely, affordable and appropriate healthcare can have a major effect on a person’s independence, wellbeing and quality of life. The decisions made by the next government will influence hospitals, general practices, specialist services, community care, disability healthcare, mental health support and the health workforce.
What Healthcare Issues Matter Most?
Many New Zealanders are concerned about long waiting times, difficulty enrolling with a GP, the cost of appointments, delays in receiving specialist treatment and shortages across the health workforce.
These pressures can have an even greater impact on disabled people, older people and those living with chronic illness. Some people require regular appointments, accessible medical facilities, specialist treatment, rehabilitation, home support, medical equipment or help travelling to healthcare services.
Affordable appointments, enrolment availability, after-hours care and access to local medical services.
Timely access to surgery, specialist appointments, diagnostic testing and emergency treatment.
Accessible services, informed medical care, communication support and equal treatment for disabled people.
Primary care, home support, dementia services, rehabilitation, aged care and help to remain independent.
Earlier intervention, counselling, crisis support, community services and shorter waiting times.
Recruiting and retaining doctors, nurses, specialists, carers, support workers and allied health professionals.
Questions Political Parties Should Answer
Ahead of the 2026 General Election, voters deserve clear information about how political parties intend to improve healthcare and access to care.
- How will GP appointments become more affordable and easier to access?
- What action will be taken to reduce hospital and specialist waiting times?
- How will healthcare services become more accessible for disabled people?
- What support will be available for older people who want to remain in their own homes?
- How will mental health and addiction services be improved?
- What will be done to address shortages of healthcare and support workers?
- How will rural and regional communities receive fair access to healthcare?
- How will disabled people, patients, carers and whānau be involved in healthcare decisions?
Our goal is to make election information easier to understand.
As political parties release their healthcare policies, this page will be updated with information about their proposals, commitments and priorities. We will also examine what those policies could mean for disabled people, older New Zealanders, people living with sickness, carers, families and whānau.
Explore more information in our NZ Election 2026 Disability Issues section and compare the disability policies of New Zealand political parties .
