NZAS has released its 2026 Pre-Election Manifesto, calling on political parties to recognise hearing, ear and balance health as a national health priority and support coordinated action across prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
Hearing, ear and balance health affects people throughout their lives – from children’s learning and participation, through their working life, and older people’s independence and connection with their communities.
Yet there remains a disconnect between the impact these conditions have on New Zealanders and the attention they receive within health policy. Audiology also continues to be viewed too narrowly through the lens of hearing aids and devices, rather than the full scope of clinical care the profession provides.
NZAS is asking political parties to:
- Make ear, hearing and balance health a national prevention and early intervention priority – Develop a more coordinated approach across prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
- Improve equitable access to publicly supported services – Ensure access does not depend on income, geography, age, disability, ethnicity or the ability to navigate complex funding pathways.
- Fund the full scope of audiology care – Recognise that audiology extends beyond hearing devices to include diagnostic assessment, paediatric care, tinnitus management, vestibular and balance care, auditory processing support, rehabilitation and follow-up.
- Make better use of the audiology workforce – Better integrate audiologists and audiometrists across primary, community and specialist health services to improve access and reduce unnecessary pressure elsewhere in the health system.
- Strengthen national leadership, data and accountability – Improve visibility of unmet need, access gaps, workforce distribution and health outcomes, while supporting strong professional standards and clinical governance.
The manifesto also calls for the next Government to develop a national ear, hearing and balance health plan, improve equitable access to assessment and rehabilitation, support integrated community-based care, and invest in the audiology and audiometry workforce.
NZAS wants to work constructively with all political parties and the next Government to develop a more coordinated approach to hearing, ear and balance health.
