National 53%<\/p>\n
Labour 3%<\/p>\n
Act 30%<\/p>\n
Green Party 1%<\/p>\n
New Zealand First 3%<\/p>\n
Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori 0% <\/p>\n
Opportunity Party 2%<\/p>\n
Unsure 8% <\/p>\n
Party policies were rated on a 1-5 scale where 1 = \u201cvery poor\u201d and 5 = \u201cvery good\u201d. <\/p>\n
Herald Mood of the Boardroom 2026 Election Survey.<\/p>\n
What they are saying<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery party is playing to its perceived base at the expense of a cohesive policy suite,\u201d – Mining CEO<\/p>\n
\u201cBusiness should be able to depend on National policy to be dependable and easily understood. The supermarket and banking fiascos have raised questions as to where they stand for business,\u201d- Don Braid, Mainfreight <\/p>\n
NATIONAL<\/p>\n
Christopher Luxon.<\/p>\n
\u25cf Make KiwiSaver compulsory for workers, lifting combined employer and employee contributions to 12% by 2032. 3.99<\/p>\n
\u25cf Ban commercial fishing in all 12 Hauraki Gulf High Protection Areas. 3.97<\/p>\n
\u25cf Allow qualified engineers to sign off building work without a council inspection. 3.87<\/p>\n
\u25cf Allow rooftop solar to be installed without a consent. 3.85<\/p>\n
\u25cf Create a specialist national Building Consent Authority for large commercial buildings. 3.78<\/p>\n
\u25cf Return to surplus in 2028\/29 and reduce debt below 40% of GDP. 3.72<\/p>\n
\u25cf Reduce core Crown expenditure towards 30% of GDP. 3.69<\/p>\n
\u25cf Raise the interest rate for overseas-based student loan borrowers to 6.6%, with penalties for sustained default. 3.62<\/p>\n
\u25cf Government loans for home solar. 3.57<\/p>\n
\u25cf Raise the income cap for 5% deposit First Home Loans to <\/p>\n
$300,000. 3.51<\/p>\n
\u25cf Extend paid parental leave from 26 to 30 weeks by 2029 ($327.4m over four years). 3.40<\/p>\n
\u25cf Reduce the student loan repayment rate from 12c to 10c for borrowers who stay in New Zealand. 3.33<\/p>\n
\u25cf No new taxes if re-elected. 3.30<\/p>\n
\u25cf Pursue breaking up Foodstuffs so New World and Four Square become one supermarket chain and Pak\u2019nSave another. 1.83<\/p>\n
What they are saying<\/p>\n
\u201cThe right instincts and no nerve. A government that knows what needs doing and has spent three years not doing it. The strongest policies attack the real barriers to growth: no new taxes, fiscal discipline, faster building approvals and less regulatory nonsense,\u201d \u2014 Education CEO.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir supermarket position is their \u201coil and gas ban\u201d moment,\u201d \u2014 Energy CEO.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo new taxes? Good line for a T\u016b\u012b billboard,\u201d \u2014 Cameron Bagrie, Economist.<\/p>\n
ACT<\/p>\n
David Seymour. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n
\u25cf Expand the conditions pharmacists can treat, including ordering blood tests. 4.01<\/p>\n
\u25cf Consolidate 43 government departments into 19, with 18 ministers instead of 28. 3.98<\/p>\n
\u25cf Lift pharmaceutical spending by one percentage point of the health budget a year until parity with Australia. 3.93<\/p>\n
\u25cf Build a $2b cancer centre with Auckland and Christchurch campuses, funded primarily by donations. 3.78<\/p>\n
\u25cf Remove the cap on the number of pharmacies one pharmacist can own. 3.71<\/p>\n
\u25cf Three strikes for burglary: a minimum three-year sentence with no parole on a third conviction. 3.46<\/p>\n
\u25cf Remove the $33,000 annual cap on donation tax credits. 3.36<\/p>\n
\u25cf Add a property rights clause to the Bill of Rights Act. 3.22<\/p>\n
\u25cf Add parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law and equality before the law as principles in the Constitution Act. 3.15 <\/p>\n
\u25cf Remove tax on KiwiSaver earnings and end government contributions. 3.07<\/p>\n
\u25cf Allow ministers to directly appoint public service chief executives. 3.05<\/p>\n
\u25cf Limit the use of tikanga in court decisions to where Parliament expressly allows it. 2.99<\/p>\n
\u25cf Replace permanent residents\u2019 indefinite travel rights with a five-year travel facility requiring 730 days in New Zealand in any rolling five years. 2.97<\/p>\n
\u25cf Repeal M\u0101ori employment and engagement requirements in the Public Service Act and Crown Entities Act. 2.72<\/p>\n
\u25cf Introduce noise cameras to immediately fine cars over a decibel limit. 2.49<\/p>\n
What they are saying<\/p>\n
\u201cThe strongest package of any party, including the majors, and the only one trying to change and improve how this country is governed. Every other party is arguing about how to divide the money inside the same bloated system. Act is the only one asking why the system costs so much,\u201d \u2014 Education CEO.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe a number of natural National voters will vote Act this time as they see National as becoming anti-business and needs a stronger coalition partner to keep them making decisions in the long term economic interests of New Zealand, \u201d \u2014 Company chairperson.<\/p>\n
NZ FIRST<\/p>\n
Winston Peters.<\/p>\n
\u25cf Compulsory KiwiSaver from birth, with a kick-start payment. 3.54<\/p>\n
\u25cf Return 50% of mining royalties to the regions where mining occurs, for infrastructure. 3.25<\/p>\n
\u25cf Cut the tax rate for small businesses from 28% to 20%. 3.15<\/p>\n
\u25cf Disestablish Auckland Council\u2019s Independent M\u0101ori Statutory Board. 2.79<\/p>\n
\u25cf A $1b national survey of energy, geothermal and CO2 storage sites, with a framework to develop them. 2.74<\/p>\n
\u25cf Hold a referendum on the M\u0101ori electorates. 2.67<\/p>\n
\u25cf Kiwi Kids Grant: a universal $5000 a year for each of a family\u2019s first three children. 2.48<\/p>\n
\u25cf Break up the electricity gentailers into separate generation and retail companies. 2.35<\/p>\n
\u25cf Leave the Paris Agreement on climate change. 2.10<\/p>\n
\u25cf Split Foodstuffs into two national co-operatives to compete with Woolworths. 1.76<\/p>\n
\u25cf Buy back BNZ and merge it with Kiwibank to create a Crown-owned bank (NZ First estimates $7.5b-$15b; other estimates are up to $24b). 1.42<\/p>\n
What they are saying<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the best practical packages of all minor parties, with one piece of fantasy economics attached. This is a far more serious offering than anything from the Greens or Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori. The standouts are a 20% tax rate for small business, returning mining royalties to the regions that generate them, breaking up the electricity gentailers, and dealing with the M\u0101ori electorates and Auckland\u2019s Independent M\u0101ori Statutory Board,\u201d \u2014 Education boss.<\/p>\n
OPPORTUNITY<\/p>\n
Qiulae Wong. Photo \/ Sylvie Whinray <\/p>\n
\u25cf Expand sustainable aquaculture. 3.34<\/p>\n
\u25cf A one-year cooling-off period before ministers and senior officials can take lobbying roles. 3.33<\/p>\n
\u25cf Record all lobbying communications with ministers in official systems, subject to the OIA. 3.09<\/p>\n
\u25cf Phase out bottom trawling and put cameras and observers on commercial fishing vessels. 2.95<\/p>\n
\u25cf Low-interest electrification loans for households. 2.72<\/p>\n
\u25cf Create a Ministry of Energy, merging regulators\u2019 functions. 2.67<\/p>\n
\u25cf Consolidate electricity distribution (lines) companies. 2.61<\/p>\n
\u25cf A renewable energy capacity investment scheme, with government dividend revenue ring-fenced. 2.46<\/p>\n
\u25cf Simplify income tax to three brackets: 28% up to $50,000, 34% up to $200,000, and 39% above. 2.45<\/p>\n
\u25cf Cap donations at $30,000 per donor, per party, per electoral cycle. 2.35<\/p>\n
\u25cf Replace main benefits, including NZ Super, with a $19,400 annual payment to every adult resident. 1.47<\/p>\n
\u25cf Annual land value tax of 1.75% on urban land and 0.5% on rural land. 1.31<\/p>\n
What they are saying<\/p>\n
\u201cPolicy headlines only, unsure on all of the above for implications of an integrated policy system changes and implementation,\u201d \u2014 Infrastructure boss.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany sensible and useful policies,\u201d \u2014 F&B chairperson.<\/p>\n
LABOUR<\/p>\n
Chris Hipkins. Photo \/ Sylvie Whinray <\/p>\n
\u25cf Allow small businesses to fully write off up to $10,000 of new equipment from July 1, 2027. 3.37<\/p>\n
\u25cf Return to surplus by 2029\/30 and reduce net debt to around 20% of GDP over time. 3.08<\/p>\n
\u25cf Require retirement villages to repay departing residents within three months. 3.08<\/p>\n
\u25cf Establish a NZ Future Fund to invest Crown assets and capital in New Zealand infrastructure and businesses. 2.97<\/p>\n
\u25cf Guarantee a public health job for every New Zealand-trained graduate nurse ($525m over four years). 2.82<\/p>\n
\u25cf No increase to fuel taxes or road user charges during the next Parliament. 2.64<\/p>\n
\u25cf Require large companies to pay small business invoices under $25,000 within 15 days and publish their payment times. 2.46<\/p>\n
\u25cf 28% capital gains tax on residential and commercial property sold after July 1, 2027, excluding the family home, farms, shares and businesses. 2.38<\/p>\n
\u25cf Allow core Crown revenue and expenses to rise to 33% of GDP. 2.12<\/p>\n
\u25cf Reinstate school boards\u2019 obligation to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 2.08<\/p>\n
\u25cf Wipe 10% of student loan balances for those who have not benefited from fees-free, live in NZ and have kept up with their repayments. 2.05<\/p>\n
\u25cf Reinstate the Reserve Bank\u2019s dual mandate. 1.85<\/p>\n
\u25cf Reverse the coalition\u2019s pay equity changes (Treasury estimated reversal at about $11b). 1.84<\/p>\n
\u25cf Force Woolworths and Foodstuffs to split their businesses separating their supermarket chains from their wholesale arms. 1.81<\/p>\n
\u25cf Remove Investment Boost (the 20% upfront deduction on new business assets). 1.78<\/p>\n
\u25cf Reinstate Fair Pay Agreements (industry-wide minimum pay and conditions). 1.71<\/p>\n
What they are saying<\/p>\n
\u201cLabour tends to listen more and collaborate to jointly invest. As a small country we cannot stay in the world of non-intervention. Government is required to help support businesses on the global stage to build New Zealand advantage,\u201d \u2014 Transport CEO.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo confidence that policy commitments can be executed without material impacts on levels of debt and not convinced surplus by 29\/30 will be achievable on that basis. Essentially some commitments positive but no clear explanation as to how policy initiatives will be funded,\u201d \u2014 Entertainment and leisure industry boss.<\/p>\n
GREENS<\/p>\n
Chl\u00f6e Swarbrick and Marama Davidson. Photo \/ Sylvie Whinray<\/p>\n
\u25cf Phase out bottom trawling and review the Quota Management System. 3.00<\/p>\n
\u25cf Protect at least 30% of New Zealand\u2019s marine area. 2.82<\/p>\n
\u25cf Zero-interest home solar loans ($428.7m over four years). 2.65<\/p>\n
\u25cf New national freshwater standards and stronger wastewater discharge rules. 2.53<\/p>\n
\u25cf 5% withholding tax on profits large tech firms send offshore. 2.40<\/p>\n
\u25cf Expand Warmer Kiwi Homes ($969.8m over four years). 2.37<\/p>\n
\u25cf Restore the previous locally made school lunch programme and expand it to a further 400 schools ($2.2b over four years). 1.99<\/p>\n
\u25cf Legislate a right to healthy food and create a national food strategy. 1.94<\/p>\n
\u25cf Income tax cuts for salary and wage earners ($10.01b). 1.89<\/p>\n
\u25cf Phase out synthetic nitrogen fertiliser and reduce stocking rates on a catchment basis. 1.76<\/p>\n
\u25cf Reinstate the ban on interest deductions for residential landlords. 1.65<\/p>\n
\u25cf A 2.5% \u201csuper-rich tax\u201d on net worth above $10m, excluding the family home. 1.62<\/p>\n
\u25cf Reverse the bright-line test changes. 1.51<\/p>\n
\u25cf Capital acquisitions tax on assets and gifts worth more than $1m, excluding the family home. 1.51<\/p>\n
\u25cf Establish KiwiPower, a government-owned entity providing electricity firming capacity ($980.6m over four years). 1.40<\/p>\n
\u25cf Increase the company tax rate to 33% for the largest companies (turnover above $30m). 1.39<\/p>\n
\u25cf Nationalise 120 Woolworths and Foodstuffs supermarkets and two distribution centres to create a government-owned competitor, KiwiMart ($2.8b). 1.15<\/p>\n
What they are saying<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the Greens and Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori, it was good to see their policies in one place … frightening,\u201d \u2014 Greg Gent, Dairy Holdings.<\/p>\n
TE P\u0100TI M\u0100ORI<\/p>\n
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi. Photo \/ Mark Mitchell <\/p>\n
\u25cf Make the first $30,000 of income tax-free. 2.26<\/p>\n
\u25cf Tax on profits transferred offshore. 2.01<\/p>\n
\u25cf Ban seabed mining. 1.86<\/p>\n
\u25cf Vacant house tax. 1.63<\/p>\n
\u25cf Land-banking tax. 1.50<\/p>\n
\u25cf Stamp duty on residential property sales, with first-home buyers purchasing under $1m exempt. 1.48<\/p>\n
\u25cf Entrench Te Tiriti o Waitangi and prohibit Cabinet decisions that breach it. 1.43<\/p>\n
\u25cf Create a M\u0101ori-led education authority. 1.46<\/p>\n
\u25cf Targeted kai tax credit to offset GST on food. 1.44<\/p>\n
\u25cf Establish a Te Tiriti commission as an Officer of Parliament to enforce Treaty obligations. 1.36<\/p>\n
\u25cf Increase the company tax rate to 33%. 1.33<\/p>\n
\u25cf Wealth tax of 1.5% on net assets above $2m, rising to 2.5% above $10m. 1.28<\/p>\n
\u25cf Assert M\u0101ori rights and authority over fresh water. 1.27<\/p>\n
\u25cf New top income tax rates: 39% from $90,001, 42% from $180,001 and 48% above $300,000. 1.23<\/p>\n
What they are saying<\/p>\n
\u201cThe party seeks to undermine the authority of the very institution they wish to be part of,\u201d \u2014 Company director.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe uncertainty is largely around execution,\u201d \u2014 Infrastructure boss.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"National 53% Labour 3% Act 30% Green Party 1% New Zealand First 3% Te P\u0101ti M\u0101ori 0% Opportunity…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":639428,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[2246,160177,36086,138,64375,5903,71,30689,26477,27878,117,111,43,139,69,22388,10269,19257,90460,8822,223,80],"class_list":["post-639427","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-zealand","tag-2246","tag-attracted","tag-boardroom","tag-business","tag-ceos","tag-election","tag-from","tag-heralds","tag-leaders","tag-mood","tag-new","tag-new-zealand","tag-news","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-participation","tag-policies","tag-rate","tag-respondents","tag-survey","tag-the","tag-zealand"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/639427","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=639427"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/639427\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/639428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=639427"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=639427"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=639427"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}