New Zealand fund supports disabled election candidates
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
In New Zealand, the Electoral Commission provides funding through the Election Access Fund to help disabled people run for parliament.
The fund addresses financial barriers that can prevent people with disabilities from campaigning effectively. Mojo Mathers, the country’s first Deaf MP, introduced the bill that created the fund in 2020, and it opened in 2022. Before the 2023 election, the fund awarded $45,375 to four candidates.
In the current election cycle, eight applicants have already received $68,139.29 to cover costs like transport and assistive technology. Neelu Jennings, a legally blind disability advocate, used a grant to hire an assistant for transport and venue coordination during her 2023 campaign, allowing her to participate on equal footing with other candidates. The fund covers costs related to seeking selection with a political party or campaigning as an independent.
Applicants must demonstrate a long-term disability, lasting six months or more, that creates barriers to candidacy. The Electoral Commission assesses applications with input from a panel of disability sector experts. The Election Access Fund has gained international recognition and is currently nominated for a 2027 Zero Project Award.
