Election 2026: Labour pledges $7m for kids off screens, NZ First backs Canterbury rail

Labour, New Zealand First and National each set out new election pledges on Sunday, 18 October, as campaigning continued ahead of Election 2026.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters spoke in Christchurch, where he pledged a 12-month trial of commuter rail in Canterbury if the party is re-elected, according to RNZ. He said the ambition was train travel from Rolleston to central Christchurch in around 20 minutes, instead of up to 50 minutes by road. The party also pledged to bring back the Southerner Train connecting Christchurch with Dunedin and Invercargill if re-elected.

Labour pledged $7 million per year to get children off screens by making after-school activities more affordable and supporting online safety for children. The party said the funding would provide grants for children to take part in sport and recreation and support community groups running after-school sport and activities.

National said it would remove the right to silence when a child is murdered if re-elected. Justice spokesperson Paul Goldsmith announced the party would make it an offence under the Crimes Act to fail to disclose information to police when present where a child under 12 was killed. The proposed offence would carry a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.