New Zealand’s Human Rights Act 1993 prohibits discrimination on various grounds, including access to information and services. Complementing this, the New Zealand Government Web Accessibility Standard ensures that digital content is inclusive and usable by everyone, including people with diverse abilities.

The Human Rights Act mandates equal access to services, which extends to digital content and communication. The Web Accessibility Standard aligns with the international WCAG 2.1 guidelines at Level AA, requiring government websites to be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users. This includes alt text for images, proper contrast ratios, keyboard navigation, and accessible forms.

All New Zealand government agencies and public service departments must adhere to the Web Accessibility Standard. While private sector compliance is not currently mandatory, organizations are strongly encouraged to follow the same principles to foster inclusive user experiences and avoid potential discrimination claims under the Human Rights Act.

ContentA11y specializes in transforming digital platforms into fully accessible, regulation-compliant environments. From auditing government websites to remediating inaccessible documents and providing alt text, ARIA labels, and keyboard-friendly design, our team ensures full alignment with New Zealand’s accessibility standards. We help your content reach every user — whether neurodivergent, using assistive technology, or navigating in alternative ways.