That\u2019s the headline of the pamphlet in the letterbox.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But from their own measures is that true?\u00a0<\/p>\n
In November 2026, we can tick the box that gives our own answer.<\/p>\n
Is this National-led government changing New Zealand for the better?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Like the previous government, the current government has set itself targets to achieve over things it has a fairly high degree of control. They released a set of these indicators<\/a> in September.<\/p>\n Not coincidentally, National also distributed a pamphlet in November to most New Zealand letterboxes claiming that it was getting the country back on track.<\/p>\n They will of course go to the 2026 election using their track record for voters and pundits to determine if they have improved New Zealand or not. So the measures and the claims have political weight.<\/p>\n They have set 9 targets.\u00a0<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Shorter stays in emergency departments<\/p>\n Their target is 95% and they are achieving 74%.\u00a0<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Shorter wait times for elective treatment.\u00a0<\/p>\n Their target is 95% and they are achieving 64%, but this is better than it was.\u00a0<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Reduced child and youth offending.\u00a0<\/p>\n Their target was a 15% reduction in child and youth serious offending, and they are tracking well for this measure. Notice that there is no mention of child poverty reduction targets, which the Labour government was tracking as its own measure.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Reducing violent crime.\u00a0<\/p>\n Their target was 20,000 fewer victims of assault, sexual assault, or violent crime. Their target is on track.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fewer people on the JobSeeker Support benefit.\u00a0<\/p>\n Their target was a reduction of 50,000, and they are definitely not meeting this one.<\/p>\n 6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Increased student attendance.\u00a0<\/p>\n Their target is 80% of students are present for 90% of term. There is improvement, and better visibility of the data needed.<\/p>\n 7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0More students at expected curriculum levels.\u00a0<\/p>\n Their target is 80% of Year 8 students hitting the mark in reading , writing, and maths. Not looking good on this one yet.<\/p>\n 8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fewer people in emergency housing<\/p>\n The target is on track for this one. To achieve it they simply pushed the poor out, and made it nearly impossible to get in.<\/p>\n 9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Reduced net greenhouse gas emissions<\/p>\n The target is total net emissions of no more than 290 megetonnes to 2025, and 305 megatonnes and 305 to 2030.<\/p>\n Target is on track. Until you compare it to the much higher and more ambitious target that Labour set in the previous government.<\/p>\n Of the 9 targets they set themselves, they are performing well in numbers 3, 4, 8, and 9. That\u2019s 4 out of the 9 they set to achieve.<\/p>\n In the pamphlet that they sent to peoples\u2019 letterboxes, we can just go through the real headlines.<\/p>\n \u201cReduced wasteful\u00a0 spending, cutting inflation, and driving down mortgage rates.\u201d<\/p>\n The Crown\u2019s net debt is $186.5 billion. That\u2019s 42.8% of the entire NZ economy. It was about $175 billion when they took office.<\/p>\n Inflation and mortgage rates are indeed down. Government income is way down. The entire economy is down.<\/p>\n \u201cDelivered tax relief\u201d<\/p>\n If anyone noticed, it would be a surprise, because it had no effect either for households or on the economy overall.<\/p>\n \u201cIntroduced investment boost\u201d<\/p>\n New Zealand business investment intentions continue to be terrible<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n