New Zealand National Party
Economy & Tax
Where things stand now
New Zealand's economy has been through a period of high inflation (which peaked at 7.3% in 2022) and elevated interest rates. Inflation fell back to around 3% by early 2026 but is now rising again — forecast to exceed 4% in the June 2026 quarter, driven partly by Middle East conflict oil-price effects. The Official Cash Rate sits at 2.25% (held since November 2025, down from a 5.50% peak), and with inflation climbing the RBNZ split 3–3 on a hike in May 2026 and has signalled the next move is likely up. GDP growth remains sluggish. Tax brackets have not been substantively reformed since 2010 aside from National's 2024 adjustments. GST sits at 15%. There is no capital gains tax (excluding the bright-line test on property). Government debt has risen significantly post-COVID.
What New Zealand National Party plans to do
- Keep income tax rates at current reduced levels and oppose new taxes
- Continue Investment Boost - 20% upfront tax deduction for business assets
- Expand FamilyBoost childcare subsidy (up to $120/week, eligibility expanded to households earning up to $229,000/year)
- Pursue new free trade agreements (India, GCC, UAE)
- Make KiwiSaver compulsory for all workers - 6% employee + 6% employer by 2032, $1,500 Baby Boost at birth
- Fast-track large infrastructure and development projects
- Prioritise free trade talks with seven new markets (Brazil, Switzerland, Argentina, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Uruguay, EFTA)
How this changes NZ
Aims to stimulate growth through lower taxes and reduced regulation, encouraging business investment and exports. GDP growth targeted through trade expansion and construction activity rather than public spending.
Who benefits
Middle-income earners (via tax cuts), businesses (via Investment Boost and reduced red tape), exporters, families with young children (FamilyBoost), property developers (fast-track consents).
Housing
Where things stand now
New Zealand remains one of the least affordable housing markets in the developed world. The median house price is roughly 7-8x median household income. The social housing register stood at 19,704 applicants as at March 2026, down from a peak above 25,000 in 2022. Homelessness remains a persistent issue. Building consent numbers have slowed. The bright-line test was reduced from 10 to 2 years by the current government. The Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) allowed up to three homes on most residential sites; councils have been able to opt out since the 2024 RMA amendment.
What New Zealand National Party plans to do
- Require councils to zone land for 30 years of housing demand
- Reform Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act to unlock greenfield development
- Allow councils to opt out of MDRS but maintain supply targets
- Increase social housing stock through community housing providers
- Accept more overseas building products to reduce construction costs
- Overhaul the building consent system - remote inspections the default (bill introduced July 2026)
How this changes NZ
Focuses on unlocking land supply and reducing building costs rather than demand-side intervention. Would likely increase new housing starts in greenfield areas and reduce consent delays.
Who benefits
First home buyers (more supply = lower prices over time), developers and construction sector, councils (new funding tools), renters in social housing.
Health
Where things stand now
New Zealand's public health system faces significant pressures: long emergency department wait times, a GP shortage (particularly in rural areas), growing surgical waitlists, and workforce retention challenges. Pharmac's budget has been criticised as insufficient. The Māori Health Authority was disestablished by the current government. GP visit fees have been rising, with some exceeding $60-70. COVID-era free prescriptions were reversed (now $5 per item).
What New Zealand National Party plans to do
- Train and recruit more GPs and nurses domestically
- Expand cancer screening (lower bowel screening age, extend breast screening)
- Fund more elective surgeries to clear waitlists
- Roll out digital health clinics in rural areas
- Invest in new hospital builds and upgrades
- Pass a new Mental Health Act - the biggest reform in over 30 years (passed July 2026)
- Boost Pharmac funding by $54 million for medicines (Budget 2026)
- Fund up to three days' post-natal hospital stay ($34 million, Budget 2026)
- Establish a national children's palliative care service ($15.5 million, Budget 2026)
How this changes NZ
Increases healthcare workforce and capacity within the existing public system. More people would get diagnosed earlier through expanded screening. Rural access improves through digital clinics.
Who benefits
Patients on surgical waitlists, people in screening age brackets, rural communities, cancer patients (faster access to new medicines).
Education
Where things stand now
Student achievement in literacy and numeracy has declined in international assessments (PISA). Truancy rates are at record highs. The government has reintroduced structured literacy and numeracy programmes. Teacher shortages persist, particularly in STEM and te reo Māori. First-year fees-free study (introduced 2018) was moved to the final year of study by the coalition in 2025, then scrapped entirely in Budget 2026. Charter/partnership schools have been reintroduced.
What New Zealand National Party plans to do
- Embed structured literacy and numeracy teaching across all schools
- Build new schools and upgrade existing ones to meet population growth
- Maintain cell phone bans in schools
- Support partnership/charter schools alongside public schools
- National Literacy Guarantee - every child reading by age 8
- Replace NCEA with new national qualifications (confirmed March 2026)
- Double Trades Training Academy places and expand Youth Guarantee (Budget 2026)
How this changes NZ
Shifts teaching methods toward evidence-based structured literacy. More school infrastructure. Greater school choice for parents through charter schools.
Who benefits
Children struggling with literacy/numeracy (structured teaching), parents (more school choice, device-free classrooms), communities with growing populations (new schools).
Climate & Environment
Where things stand now
New Zealand has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050 under the Climate Change Response Act. Agriculture accounts for roughly 50% of gross emissions (primarily methane). The ETS price has been volatile. Renewable electricity generation is around 88% (2024, MBIE). Native biodiversity continues to decline. Freshwater quality in many rivers and lakes remains poor. The current government removed agriculture from the ETS and slowed some climate policies.
What New Zealand National Party plans to do
- Keep agriculture out of the ETS - use technology-based emission reductions
- Invest in renewable energy (including offshore wind via Electrify NZ)
- Supercharge EV infrastructure with more charging stations
- Practical farm environment plans instead of blanket regulation
- Reduce agricultural emissions through science (split-gas approach to methane)
- Energy security package - Genesis investment and a Gas Transition Loan Guarantee Scheme (Budget 2026)
- Home Energy Fund - low-interest, rates-repaid loans for household solar, batteries, insulation and heat pumps
- Data centre compact - require hyperscale operators to demonstrate 'additionality' by funding new generation capacity rather than drawing from the existing grid
- Solar on Schools - $30 million pilot installing solar panels on 500 schools, with batteries and energy management systems for selected sites
How this changes NZ
Maintains farming profitability while pursuing emissions reductions through technology rather than carbon pricing. Energy transition accelerated through renewable investment but timeline is less aggressive. Data centre rules aim to grow the grid rather than strain it. Schools programme delivers real-world renewable energy education alongside cost savings.
Who benefits
Farmers (no carbon costs), rural communities, EV owners, renewable energy industry, electricity consumers (more generation = lower prices long-term), data centre sector (clear rules for investment), schools (lower energy bills, ~$8,000/year savings for larger schools).
Law & Order / Justice
Where things stand now
Reported crime rates, particularly ram raids, retail crime, and youth offending, rose significantly in 2022-2023. The government responded with tougher sentencing, gang legislation, and increased police powers. New Zealand's prison population reached a record 11,255 in March 2026, with June 2026 Justice Sector Projections forecasting around 15,200 by 2036. Māori are disproportionately represented in the justice system (over 50% of the prison population). Youth offending and fleeing driver incidents remain significant public concerns.
What New Zealand National Party plans to do
- Modernise sexual consent law - consent must be actively communicated; silence or inaction is not consent
- Continue gang crackdown - ban insignia, seize assets
- Mandatory minimum sentences for serious violent offenders
- More frontline police and youth aid officers
- Combat methamphetamine through an action plan
- Prioritise victims in sentencing decisions
- Scrap 'good character' sentencing discounts for all sexual offences - judges will no longer be able to reduce sentences based on an offender's previously good character
How this changes NZ
Shifts justice system toward deterrence and punishment. Gang activity disrupted through financial penalties. More police presence in communities.
Who benefits
Victims of crime, communities affected by gang activity, retail workers (reduced ram raids), police (more resources).
Immigration
Where things stand now
Net migration surged to record levels in 2023-2024 (over 130,000 in one year) before moderating. The Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme has been criticised for enabling exploitation. Skilled worker shortages persist in healthcare, construction, and tech. The government has been tightening immigration settings and raising salary thresholds for work visas. The parent visa category remains heavily oversubscribed.
What New Zealand National Party plans to do
- Boost parent visa category to reunite families
- Use immigration to fill critical skill shortages (doctors, nurses, trades)
How this changes NZ
Targeted immigration to fill workforce gaps. Parent visas help retain skilled migrants who want family nearby.
Who benefits
Migrant families (parent reunification), healthcare and construction sectors (skilled workers), communities with workforce shortages.
Welfare & Cost of Living
Where things stand now
Cost of living pressures remain a top voter concern despite inflation moderating. Food prices, rents, and insurance costs have risen significantly. Around 216,000 people receive Jobseeker Support (MSD, 2025 — including both the Work Ready and Health Condition/Disability categories). Superannuation is set at 65 with NZ Super paid universally. Childcare costs are a barrier to workforce participation. The government introduced the FamilyBoost childcare subsidy and income tax cuts in 2024.
What New Zealand National Party plans to do
- Continue FamilyBoost childcare payments (up to $120/week)
- Increase rates rebates for seniors on fixed incomes
- Use economic growth to reduce cost pressures organically
- No new taxes that would increase living costs
How this changes NZ
Targets specific cost pressures (childcare, rates) rather than broad welfare increases. Relies on economic growth and low inflation to improve living standards over time.
Who benefits
Families with childcare costs, seniors/retirees, workers (via tax cuts keeping more of their income).
Māori / Te Tiriti
Where things stand now
Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Treaty of Waitangi issues are a major political fault line. The current government has pursued policies to limit race-based policy distinctions, including disestablishing the Māori Health Authority and proposing a Treaty Principles Bill (which was defeated). The Waitangi Tribunal continues to hear historical and contemporary claims. Māori socioeconomic outcomes remain below national averages across most indicators. Te reo Māori revitalisation efforts continue but face funding pressures.
What New Zealand National Party plans to do
- Oppose co-governance arrangements in public institutions
- Voted to allow the Treaty Principles Bill to select committee but voted it down at second reading
- Disestablished the Maori Health Authority - health services based on clinical need not ethnicity
- Implementing English as default language in government communications (NZ First coalition agreement requirement)
- Review references to Treaty principles across legislation
How this changes NZ
Shifts away from Treaty-based co-governance toward a universal service model. Maori-specific governance structures removed or wound down. Public sector use of te reo reduced.
Who benefits
Those preferring uniform public services. Critics argue Maori communities lose targeted support addressing historical disadvantage and that te reo revitalisation is set back.
Infrastructure & Transport
Where things stand now
New Zealand faces a significant infrastructure deficit estimated in the tens of billions. Roads, public transport, water infrastructure (three waters reform was reversed), and housing infrastructure all require major investment. The government has prioritised road building and fast-tracked major projects. Public transport usage grew post-COVID in major centres but remains underfunded. The 30-year National Infrastructure Plan was released in 2025.
What New Zealand National Party plans to do
- Fast-track major road, port, energy and housing projects
- Launch $7 billion+ in infrastructure investment
- Reform local water management (replacing Three Waters)
- Streamline resource consent processes
How this changes NZ
Accelerates infrastructure delivery by cutting planning and consent timeframes. Roads and highways prioritised. Water infrastructure kept under local council control.
Who benefits
Commuters and freight operators (better roads), construction industry, councils (water infrastructure funding), regional economies (port upgrades).
Foreign Affairs & Defence
Where things stand now
New Zealand maintains its nuclear-free stance and independent foreign policy. Defence spending has historically sat around 1.3% of GDP, below the NATO 2% benchmark, but the April 2025 Defence Capability Plan committed roughly $12 billion over four years and set a path toward around 2% of GDP by the early 2030s. Geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific have increased focus on defence capabilities. New Zealand is part of Five Eyes. Relations with China (NZ's largest trading partner) require careful balancing. The AUKUS security pact (which NZ is not part of) has reshaped regional dynamics. New Zealand has free trade agreements with China, the EU, and the UK.
What New Zealand National Party plans to do
- Strengthen defence relationships, particularly in the Indo-Pacific
- Expand international trade opportunities
- Support veterans with better services
- Maintain independent foreign policy while deepening alliances
How this changes NZ
NZ would be a more active security partner in the region while pursuing trade diversification. Defence spending likely to increase gradually.
Who benefits
Defence personnel and veterans, exporters (new trade deals), NZ's strategic position in the Indo-Pacific.
Other / Party-specific
Where things stand now
Various policy areas that don't fit neatly into the main categories, including hunting and fishing regulation, paid parental leave, animal welfare, democratic reform, arts and culture, and disaster recovery frameworks.
What New Zealand National Party plans to do
- Extend paid parental leave from 26 to 30 weeks by 2029, and allow both parents to take paid leave at the same time
- Protect public access to hunting and fishing areas
- Allow flexible sharing of paid parental leave between parents
- Social Investment Fund to target spending at those most at risk
- Faster disaster recovery framework for affected communities
How this changes NZ
Various quality-of-life improvements. Social investment approach uses data to direct funding where it has most impact.
Who benefits
Hunters and fishers, new parents (flexibility), vulnerable populations (targeted social investment), disaster-affected communities.