New Zealand’s accessibility laws
Gain a clear understanding of New Zealand's digital accessibility requirements and learn what your organization must do to meet them. Whether you’re in the public or private sector, Deque can help you create digital experiences that are compliant and inclusive of everyone, including over 1.1 million New Zealanders with disabilities.
What are New Zealand's digital accessibility laws and standards?
New Zealand’s commitment to inclusion is reflected in its Human Rights Act 1993 and the Bill of Rights Act 1990, which ensure equal access to digital services for people with disabilities. Additionally, by ratifying the UNCRPD and adopting the Web Accessibility Standard 1.1 (aligned with WCAG 2.1 AA), New Zealand demonstrates its dedication to creating digital experiences that welcome everyone.
Disability and digital accessibility in New Zealand
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17% of New Zealand’s population has a disability.
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33% of organizations are unaware of WCAG, and another 33% are aware but lack a detailed understanding.
Why digital accessibility is right for your organization
The benefits of offering accessible products and services are wide-ranging and include:
Equality and inclusion
Being accessible ensures that everyone, including individuals with disabilities, can fully engage with your organization’s digital properties.
Trust and loyalty
Prioritizing accessibility demonstrates your commitment to your users, customers, and community. Accessibility builds credibility and leads to increased trust and loyalty.
Innovation and competitiveness
Developing advanced accessibility solutions gives your organization a competitive edge. Building products and services that meet or exceed accessibility standards, such as WCAG 2.1, sets you apart from organizations that have not made appropriate investments in digital accessibility.
The risks of non-compliance
Failure to comply with the Human Rights Act 1993 and Bill of Rights Act 1990 can have serious consequences for your organization, including:
Fines
Organizations risk legal action and financial damages through Human Rights Review Tribunal claims under the Human Rights Act 1993.
Lawsuits
Non-compliance can lead to legal action from individuals or advocacy groups, damaging your organization’s reputation and negatively impacting your bottom line.
Loss of business
Inaccessible platforms can exclude a large portion of your audience, leading to lost revenue and other business opportunities.
Choose Deque for digital accessibility in New Zealand
Regional experts
Deque has offices and employees worldwide with deep knowledge of local guidelines.
Strategic Consulting
Our Principal Strategy Consultants help build, run and improve the world’s largest digital accessibility programs.
Trusted and proven tools
Our axe accessibility testing tools are the defacto global standard with 875,000+ installs
Frequently asked questions
New Zealand’s Human Rights Act 1993 guarantees equal access to digital services, while the Web Accessibility Standard 1.1 mandates WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance for all government websites.
Yes. The Human Rights Act prohibits digital discrimination against people with disabilities across all sectors. While the Web Standard specifically applies to government agencies, private organizations that align with WCAG 2.1 AA can also reduce legal risks while serving New Zealanders who benefit from accessibility features.
WCAG compliance ensures your digital content meets both New Zealand’s legal expectations and global best practices. This inclusive approach benefits all users while protecting your organization from complaints to the Human Rights Commission.