Election 2026: where the main parties stand on money, tax and public services
New Zealanders vote on Saturday 7 November in the general election. Polling places are open from 9.00am to 7.00pm, and preliminary results will be released progressively from 7.00pm on election night. Voting began on Monday 26 October.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins, the opposition leader, said Labour hoped to form a Labour-led government before Christmas, Reuters reported. A poll published on 3 November had National on 30 percent and Labour on 29 percent, Reuters reported. Cost of living, housing, jobs and public services have dominated the campaign, according to Reuters.
RNZ's Caucus analysis says that whatever the shape of the next government, changes to KiwiSaver and supermarkets, more solar panels, infrastructure spending and medicines can be expected. The analysis compared what a National-led coalition and a Labour-led coalition would prioritise in the next term.
National aims to return the budget to surplus by 2028/29. Labour aims to do so a year later. National wants core Crown spending and revenue, meaning government spending and the income it collects, below 30 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), the total value of goods and services produced in the economy. Labour wants them no higher than 33 percent of GDP.
Labour plans to introduce a Capital Gains Tax and to maintain public services, including three free GP visits. Mr Hipkins has said he will resign rather than introduce more taxes beyond the Capital Gains Tax.
New Zealand First and ACT agree with National that reducing debt should come ahead of tax cuts. National, ACT and New Zealand First all support a lower corporate tax rate. National and New Zealand First support making KiwiSaver compulsory. RNZ reports that centre-right coalition partners have expensive policies, including buying back the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ), estimated at $10 billion to $20 billion-plus, and taking tax off KiwiSaver, estimated at $2.4 billion.
ACT proposes shrinking government from 40-odd ministries to 19. The Greens want a budget surplus by 2029/30, while proposing new taxes and more spending. Policies the Greens have proposed, which RNZ cites, include Kiwimart and a Youth Jobs Guarantee.
RNZ's analysis reports a good chance that a centre-right coalition would abolish the Waitangi Tribunal, which hears claims under the Treaty of Waitangi, and the Climate Change Commission, which advises the government on climate policy. It also reports shared enthusiasm among centre-right parties for growing the mining sector and lowering electricity prices.
