The Fund can be used for selection and campaigning activity costs related to your disability and which non-disabled individuals do not face.
Examples of selection and campaigning activities
Selection activities you need help with could include:
- filling in forms
- being interviewed
- going to party events to meet party members
- going to party and branch meetings – in person and online
- going to party conferences
- attending training provided by the party.
Campaigning activities you need help with could include:
- participating in “meet the candidate” public meetings
- participating in candidate fundraising events
- attending events including meeting cultural requirements
- giving speeches, debating, answering questions
- sending emails, writing social media posts
- knocking on doors and meeting residents
- making phone calls
- posting fliers in letter boxes
- meeting people on a street corner, at a shopping mall, an event like at a farmers' market, or anywhere the public gathers
- putting up election hoardings (signs).
Like all candidates, you may need volunteers or paid staff to do some activities like leaflet drops and phone calling. If you are expected to do some of this work yourself, the Fund may be able to pay someone to complete the part of the work you are unable to do.
Examples of disability-related costs
The Fund can cover additional disability-related activity costs you may have, not incurred by people without a disability. This may include items in the following list, or it might be something not listed. If you are unsure, please ask us or include it in your application.
Equipment and technology:
- adaptive equipment, such as Braille readers and aids for processing sound
- special computer software, such as speech to text and spell checking
- voice recorders
- modified seating if standing for long periods is challenging
- equipment for venues with limited accessibility, such as portable ramps and mobile hoists.
Communication:
- New Zealand Sign Language interpreter
- translation of material into an alternate format, for example, when a community group sends a list of questions for candidates to answer. Material from your political party is not funded (refer to “What costs are not funded”).
Personal assistance:
- A person or people to help with:
- personal care related to your disability that is needed to undertake campaign activities
- getting around (for example, a driver)
- reading and/ or writing
- note taking
- understanding written material or explaining what is being said at meetings
- travel, accommodation, and expenses for a personal assistant to accompany you.
Travel, accommodation, and venues:
- accessible taxis to events or meetings
- extra costs of accessible accommodation
- accommodations for service animals
- site assessments to check venue accessibility.
Other:
- extra costs to get back on track when things go wrong, such as fixing or replacing equipment that fails, paying for a replacement assistant, or sign language interpreter if someone is sick.
A note on funding
Everyone’s costs will be different depending on their disability-related needs, the type of activities they will be doing and where they are standing for election.
You are required to provide the Commission with a budget based on actual and reasonable costs. Your application and budget are reviewed by a panel who assist the Commission to make funding decisions.
The Commission can assist you with the application process and give you guidance on what is reasonable for common items like accommodation, travel, and food allowances for traveling assistants.
Resources
For more information on becoming a candidate: