Mark Mitchell: Police Minister on National promising to launch a new Auckland Transport police team

National's promising a dedicated Auckland Transport police team to compliment the newly opened City Rail Link, if re-elected.  It's pledging an additional $7 million per year through Budget 2027, to recruit 50 sworn officers for this role.  Police Minister Mark Mitchell joined the Weekend Collect…

Chris Bishop: Housing Minister on National promising to expand access to first home loan scheme

National is promising to expand access to the 5 percent first home loan scheme.  If elected it says it will increase the income cap for eligibility so more people can access the scheme.  Singles and group buyers would be able to get it if they make $300,000 a year or less.  National Party Housin…

Cameron Luxton: ACT conservation spokesperson on the party's proposed changes for fisheries

ACT wants harsher penalties for anyone flouting fisheries rules to protect our ocean resources.  The party's promising a suite of changes if re-elected to Government.  These includes stricter shellfish catch limits, setting up a district management area for the Hauraki Gulf and permanently ending…

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on National's new plan for student loan payments

Consequences for New Zealanders overseas who default on their student loans are being proposed under National's new policy. If elected, local graduates would keep more of their pay each fortnight, while overseas borrowers could face an extra one percent interest on their loans. Finance spokespers…

David Seymour: ACT Party leader on the party's plan to refocus the constitution around Parliamentary sovereignty

ACT wants to refocus our constitution around Parliamentary sovereignty if re-elected to Government. The Party says its new 'equal rights for all' policy will rein in what it's calling 'activist judges' and prevent vague Treaty of Waitangi clauses.  It will clarify Parliament has final say - and a…

Barbara Edmonds: Labour finance spokesperson on the party outlining their new fiscal plan

Labour's staying tight-lipped on whether it would make more cuts to the public service if elected, but assures it's focused on protecting it. The party's latest election promise sets out to achieve surplus by 2030, and reduce net debt to 20 percent of GDP over time. It will aim to keep Government…

Qiulae Wong: Opportunity leader on the party's plan to regulate political donations

The Opportunity Party's launched a policy to regulate lobbying and cap political donations. The party, which is not in Parliament, is campaigning on imposing a $30,000 per donor per party - for each electoral cycle and having only registered voters allowed to donate. Opportunity leader Qiulae Won…

David Seymour: ACT Party leader on the party's plan to 'good employer' requirements from public service legislation

The ACT Party's promising a reset in government agencies, ending what it call 'race-based hiring' if re-elected. It includes removing 'good employer' requirements from public service legislation, while also prohibiting agencies from resourcing any cultural or spiritual practices in the workplace. …

Barbara Edmonds: Labour's finance spokesperson responds to National's budget responsibility rules

Labour says there's nothing new in National's budget responsibility rules. National's Nicola Willis unveiled the details today - promising a surplus by 2028/29 and reducing Government spending to 30 percent of GDP.  Labour's finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds says this is part of their current …

Nicola Willis: Finance Minister on National's new plan to get things back to surplus

National's promising to stick to three spending guardrails if it returns to Government, and is calling on other parties to follow suit.  The party's promising a return to surplus in 2028/29  - and bending debt below 40 percent of GDP.  It's also promising to reduce the size of Government, bringin…