The Greens are promising action over food prices.
RNZ
The election campaign is heating up, with parties announcing a raft of new policies on Sunday, less than nine weeks out from the general election.
Politicians targeted superannuation, supermarkets, climate change and the housing market in their latest announcements throughout the day.
Here’s everything you need to know about politicians’ latest pledges.
Greens announce ‘KiwiMart’ plan
The Green Party has revealed its plan to establish a publicly-owned supermarket chain to break up the duopoly and drive down food prices.
The initiative is part of its ‘Affordable Kai’ policy, which would cost more than $6 billion over four years.
“We’re not short of supermarkets, we’re short of competition,” co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said.
“As experts have noted, divestment – that is, buying already existing stores – is key to breaking up the duopoly.”
Plans to lure an existing chain to NZ had failed, she said, and further action was needed.
Foodstuffs and Woolworths would be forced to sell 120 stores and two distribution centres into public ownership, Swarbrick said.
That would require new legislation, she added.
Winston Peters says the cost of NZ Super for migrants is a “ticking timebomb” for the country.
RNZ / Baz Macdonald
NZ First promises citizens-only superannuation
New Zealand First will restrict superannuation to citizens from 2029.
Leader Winston Peters said the cost of NZ super for migrants was a “ticking timebomb” for the country.
“How is it fair that the tax burden of supporting seniors now goes to paying for the full retirement of someone who has migrated to our country and only lived and paid taxes for sometimes less than half of the time compared to those who have worked their whole lives here?” he said on Sunday.
“If you want to get NZ Super then you need to sign up, be proud enough of New Zealand, and show full commitment to our country and become a citizen.”
The party does not support other changes to entitlements or eligibility, or raising the retirement age to 67.
ACT vows to end ‘political virtue signalling’ over climate change
ACT leader David Seymour said the country’s approach to dealing with climate change was broken and sending the country broke.
On Sunday he announced the party’s plan to change that by ditching the net zero emissions target, repealing the Zero Carbon Act and cutting carbon tax if elected.
“A small trading nation can’t ignore climate policy, but overdoing it backfires and puts unnecessary costs on Kiwi businesses and households,” he said on Sunday.
The party’s climate change spokesperson Simon Court said ACT would also seek a “better deal” for New Zealand under the Paris Agreement, regarding treatment of methane and CO2.
“If they’re not prepared to be reasonable, maybe we should look at pulling out,” he said.
National eyes easier path to homeownership
National has vowed to help more people buy their first home by expanding access to the First Home Loan scheme run by Kāinga Ora
It allows buyers to purchase their first home with a 5 percent deposit, rather than 20 percent which most banks require.
If re-elected, National said it would increase the income threshold so anyone earning less than $300,000 combined could access it – whether that was single or combined income.
“Right now, a junior doctor on $100,000 can’t access the scheme,” housing spokesperson Chris Bishop said.
“Nor can a young couple, like an electrician on $85,000 and a teacher on $78,000, or two friends who have just graduated from police college and are earning $77,000 each.”