You can apply to the Fund if you meet the following eligibility criteria.
1. You are a disabled person, with a long-term (lasting or expected to last 6 months or more) physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairment which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder your full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
2. You are seeking to be a candidate, or to be selected as a candidate, in a parliamentary general election or by-election and you face barriers to doing so, as a consequence of your disability, and which non-disabled individuals do not face.
3. You meet the requirements to be a candidate under the Electoral Act 1993, at the time of application, including being:
- a New Zealand citizen
- currently registered as an elector if aged 18 years old or over; and
- not otherwise disqualified for registration as an elector under that Act.
4. You are seeking to be a candidate in a by-election, and you will be 18 years of age by nomination day for the by-election, or
5. You are seeking to be a candidate in the general election, and you will be 18 years of age by nomination day for the general election or, until nomination day is known, by the day the current Parliament expires.
To confirm that you are eligible to apply you will need to:
- sign a legal declaration in the application form that says you meet the eligibility criteria
- send us a copy of either an email or letter to your party secretary saying that you are seeking selection, or your public announcement that you are standing as a candidate.