Search studies, brands and more…⌘ KExplore research

Evidence · NZ Election 2026

Every question, every answer, every source

Everything the study collected, as it was collected on 5 October 2026. Read any answer in full, or download the tables behind every figure in the study.

questions
174
voters the questions were written as
32
answers collected, of 820 planned
815
answers compared like for like
800
pairs of national and town answers
124
answers with sources recorded
774
answers that showed a link
304

01

Every question, with its answers

Each question was written as a voter would ask it and went to all four assistants. Some were also asked from a town. Open a question to read every answer to it in full.

Showing 20 of 174 questions

Show all 174

02

The tables behind the study

Every figure on the study page comes from these tables. They are CSV files, which open in any spreadsheet.

  • Questions

    nz-election-2026-questions.csv

    One row per question.

    Question id, report reference, question, voter, issue, towns it was also asked from, answers per assistant

    174rows

    Download questions (CSV)

  • Answers

    nz-election-2026-answers.csv

    One row per answer, with its full text.

    Answer id, question id, assistant, town, words, parties named, showed a link, websites recorded as sources, compared like for like, full text

    815rows

    Download answers (CSV)

  • Sources by answer

    nz-election-2026-sources.csv

    One row for each website recorded as a source of an answer.

    Answer id, question id, assistant, town, website, publisher type

    4,216rows

    Download sources by answer (CSV)

  • Checks against official sources

    nz-election-2026-checks.csv

    One row per statement checked.

    Check, answer id, assistant, what the answer said, verdict, what the source says, source, date

    17rows

    Download checks against official sources (CSV)

  • Who to vote for: coding

    nz-election-2026-guidance.csv

    One row per answer to the eight questions that asked who to vote for.

    Answer id, question id, assistant, what the answer did, the words that show it

    32rows

    Download who to vote for: coding (CSV)

  • Location and national answers

    nz-election-2026-towns.csv

    One row per question asked both nationally and from a location, for each assistant.

    Question, town, assistant, both answer ids, parties named nationally and from the town, same parties

    124rows

    Download location and national answers (CSV)

Use these tables to trace findings back to the original questions and answers. The full text of each answer is also on this page, under its question.

03

Read in full and checked

Some answers were read in detail or checked against official sources. Those appear on the study page, beside the findings they support.

ChatGPT · No location

I rent with my partner and work rostered hours that change from week to week. Our pay can drop unexpectedly, but rent and bills don't. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. If rent security and having enough money left each week are my biggest priorities, which party would you recommend I vote for, and what are the trade-offs?

Given your priorities, the most useful way to decide is to compare how each party would protect you from a rent shock versus how much disposable income you would have when your rostered pay is low. I can’t tell you which party to vote for or rank them for you, but I can show you the policy trade-offs that bear directly on your situation.

The biggest differences

Party Rent security Money left when income drops Main trade-off
Green Would cap rent increases at 2%, end no-cause evictions, strengthen rental standards and substantially expand public housing. Greens announce plan to end homelessness & fix housing crisis - Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand Proposes a $10,000 tax-free income threshold, which it says would cut income tax for 96% of people. Greens commit to tax the super-rich and large corporates fairly, cut income tax for 96% - Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand Strongest direct intervention in renting, but its higher taxes on very high incomes/assets and landlords could have wider economic and housing-market effects.
Labour Plans to restart Kāinga Ora housebuilding and provide reliable funding for community housing, but its published 2026 policies are less extensive than the Greens' proposed rent controls. Labour's 2026 Election Policies Focuses on lowering household costs, including cheaper public transport, healthcare and prescriptions. It also proposes a 28% tax on post-1 July 2027 gains from investment property, excluding the family home. Labour's 2026 Election Policies More emphasis on reducing ordinary household expenses and fiscal restraint than direct rent regulation.
National Current government policy is moving support toward private renters through higher Accommodation Supplement maximums, but social-housing eligibility and rents are being tightened. Changes to housing support | Work and Income Its central tax position is no new taxes, leaving more of earned income in workers' pockets. 2026 Election Policy | National Party Less intervention in private rents; the current social-housing reforms explicitly prioritise work/independence and have increased some social-housing rents. Delivering fairer social housing | National Party
ACT Supports shifting housing assistance toward private renters; it welcomed the Budget's higher Accommodation Supplement and higher social-housing contributions. ACT New Zealand Generally favours lower taxes and a smaller state, so the approach is more about retaining earnings than expanding income support. Less protection against landlords raising rents or ending tenancies than the Greens' proposal; more reliance on market housing and targeted assistance.
Opportunity (TOP) Its housing policy is built around changing housing taxation and increasing supply rather than rent caps. Policy - The Opportunity Party This is the unusual one for someone with highly variable earnings: it proposes a $19,400-a-year citizen's income for every adult, paid fortnightly, while abolishing/replacing several existing benefits. What are the Opportunity party's land tax and 'citizen's income'? It's a much more radical tax/welfare redesign. The proposed higher income-tax rates and land-value tax mean the headline $19,400 cannot be treated as simply “free extra money”; your actual outcome depends heavily on your income and circumstances.

How I'd think about your particular situation

There are really two different kinds of insecurity in what you've described.

1. “Could my rent suddenly become unaffordable?”

The Green proposal is unusually direct: a 2% annual rent-increase cap plus ending no-cause evictions is specifically aimed at rental stability. Greens announce plan to end homelessness & fix housing crisis - Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand

The other approaches are more indirect: build more housing, change landlord taxation, increase Accommodation Supplement, or rely on market supply. Those could affect affordability, but they don't provide the same explicit protection against an individual landlord raising your rent.

2. “What happens in a bad roster/pay week?”

This points in a somewhat different direction.

Opportunity's proposed citizen's income is specifically designed to provide an income floor regardless of employment circumstances. It would pay adults $19,400 annually, or roughly $373 per week before considering the rest of its tax changes, and would not depend on your rostered hours. What are the Opportunity party's land tax and 'citizen's income'?

By contrast, National's approach is principally to let workers retain more of their wages through lower taxation/no new taxes, while the current Accommodation Supplement changes provide additional help to eligible private renters from April 2027. 2026 Election Policy | National Party

The Greens' $10,000 tax-free threshold is also relevant to fluctuating earnings: in a low-income year, more of the income you actually earn would be untaxed. Greens commit to tax the super-rich and large corporates fairly, cut income tax for 96% - Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand

One particularly important wrinkle

Because you rent with a partner, don't assume that an income-support policy will necessarily treat you as two independent adults.

For example, the current welfare system can depend on household circumstances, and Opportunity's proposal contains additional payments/abatements that mean the headline citizen's-income figure isn't necessarily the amount a couple would simply receive with no other changes. What are the Opportunity party's land tax and 'citizen's income'?

So for you, I'd compare the parties using a “bad roster week” calculation, not annual salary:

Take-home pay in a low week − rent − utilities − groceries − transport − unavoidable costs

Then ask which party's policies most change that number when your earnings are unusually low, rather than when you're having a good week.

Also bear in mind that the 2026 election is scheduled for 7 November, with early voting from 26 October; the enrolment deadline is 25 October. Vote 2026 - Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand

If you want, give me your approximate weekly rent, normal take-home pay, worst-week take-home pay, and whether you and your partner are both working, and I can build a neutral “what happens to our household under each major party's policies?” comparison.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 5 October 2026 · shown as ChatGPT gave it, not a verified account

Gemini · No location

I rent with my partner and work rostered hours that change from week to week. Our pay can drop unexpectedly, but rent and bills don't. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. If rent security and having enough money left each week are my biggest priorities, which party would you recommend I vote for, and what are the trade-offs?

Deciding how to vote when you face unpredictable weekly income alongside fixed housing and living costs involves weighing direct market intervention against free-market economic approaches. In New Zealand’s political landscape, parties offer sharply contrasting solutions to the dual pressures of rent security and weekly cost-of-living strain.

Because voting is personal and no single party completely eliminates the risks of a fluctuating rostered income, the best way to decide is to look at which party's philosophy aligns with your risk tolerance and what trade-offs you are willing to accept.

Option A: Parties Favouring Direct Renter Protections & Cost-of-Living Relief

Parties like the Green Party and Te Pāti Māori (with Labour taking a moderate stance on several protections)

If your primary goal is legally shielding your immediate housing costs from sudden spikes and smoothing out weekly expenses, the political left offers direct regulatory interventions.

  • Key Policies:
    • Implementing hard caps on annual rent increases (such as the Greens' proposed 2% cap).
    • Banning "no-cause" evictions to provide long-term security of tenure.
    • Direct cost-of-living relief targeting household essentials (e.g., public transport fare caps or healthcare/energy subsidies proposed by parties like Labour or the Greens).
  • The Trade-Offs:
    • Rental Supply Risk: Critics and center-right parties argue that strict rent controls and heavy regulations discourage private landlords from staying in the market, potentially shrinking the overall supply of rental properties and making it harder to find a home.
    • Broader Tax Implications: Policies that fund extensive social programs or public housing often rely on changes to tax structures (such as wealth or capital gains taxes), which can affect the broader economic environment.

Option B: Parties Favouring Free-Market Supply & Landlord Incentives

Parties like ACT and National

If your priority is ensuring there is an abundant supply of housing over the long term so that market competition naturally restrains price growth, the political right focuses on deregulation and economic stimulus.

  • Key Policies:
    • Removing restrictions on landlords, protecting property rights, and restoring interest deductibility to encourage private property investment.
    • Streamlining planning, zoning, and resource consenting to make it easier and cheaper to build houses.
    • Expanding first-home buyer loan schemes (like National's expanded 5% deposit First Home Loan caps) to help renters transition into homeownership.
  • The Trade-Offs:
    • Short-Term Vulnerability: These parties strongly oppose rent caps and heavy tenancy regulations. If your income drops unexpectedly in a given week, you have fewer regulatory shields preventing your landlord from raising your rent to market rates, provided proper legal notice is given.
    • Reliance on Market Lag: Supply-side solutions take years to affect weekly budgets. An increase in building consents today does little to help secure a cheaper, stable rent next month when your rostered hours are cut.

Option C: Nationalist & Independent Perspectives

Parties like NZ First

NZ First sits distinctively by focusing heavily on economic nationalism, curbing immigration-driven demand to ease pressure on housing, and promoting crown co-investment in first-home ownership, while generally opposing heavy-handed rent controls.

  • The Trade-Off: While slowing demand can help address macro-level housing costs, it offers very few immediate mechanisms to protect your weekly cash flow if your individual work hours suddenly drop.

Summary Checklist for Your Decision

  • If you want immediate rules stopping rent spikes and government intervention in household bills: Look toward the Greens, Labour, or Te Pāti Māori, accepting the risk that tighter landlord regulations could theoretically tighten rental availability.
  • If you want to back market-led growth, landlord incentives, and homeownership pathways: Look toward National or ACT, accepting the trade-off of fewer legal restrictions on rent increases.

Would you like to explore the specific policy details of a particular party regarding how they handle income support or Working for Families adjustments for variable-hour workers?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 5 October 2026 · shown as Gemini gave it, not a verified account

Google AI Mode · No location

I rent with my partner and work rostered hours that change from week to week. Our pay can drop unexpectedly, but rent and bills don't. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. If rent security and having enough money left each week are my biggest priorities, which party would you recommend I vote for, and what are the trade-offs?

When weighing a vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election with a primary focus on rent security and weekly cash flow stability during fluctuating rostered hours, different political parties offer contrasting pathways. No single party completely insulates fluctuating wage earners from all market realities, but parties on the left and the centre-left focus heavily on direct regulation of rental costs, while centre-right and right parties focus more on increasing housing supply and broader economic settings.

An overview of which parties align with these priorities, alongside their core trade-offs, highlights these approaches:

Parties Focusing Directly on Rent Security and Cost-of-Living Regulation

Parties such as the Green Party and the Labour Party directly target rental stability and cost cushions for lower- and middle-income households.

  • Green Party
  • The Pitch for Rent Security: The Greens feature explicit renter-focused policies, including capping annual rent increases at 2%, removing no-cause evictions to guarantee long-term tenancy stability, and introducing a mandatory independent Rental Warrant of Fitness. For weekly cash flow, they advocate for income support safety nets that protect low-income households when work hours drop. You can read more via the Green Party Housing Policy.
  • The Trade-offs: Critics and economic commentators argue that rigid rent caps can disincentivize private landlords from maintaining properties or lead to a contraction in the private rental supply as investors sell up, potentially making it harder to find a rental in the first place. Comprehensive social spending packages from the Greens are also typically funded by new taxes on high-income earners or capital, which shifts broader economic dynamics.
  • Labour Party
  • The Pitch for Rent Security: Labour focuses on cost-of-living relief aimed at weekly budgeting, such as public transport caps, free or subsidized core health services (like prescriptions and specific GP visits), and cracking down on essential item price gouging. On housing, they emphasize scaling up public and affordable housing supply alongside renter protections to ease market pressure. Details are outlined in the Labour Party Policies.
  • The Trade-offs: Labour's approach balances market regulation with fiscal targets (such as returning to a budget surplus), meaning direct intervention or emergency cash assistance when hours drop abruptly may still be subject to strict income thresholds and welfare system interactions. Broad tax changes (such as capital gains frameworks) are debated regarding their impact on overall economic growth and landlord behavior.

Parties Focusing on Supply-Side and Market-Led Approaches

Parties such as the National Party approach housing and household budgeting through economic growth, zoning reform, and tax settings.

  • National Party
  • The Pitch for Rent Security: National focuses on supply-side solutions—such as freeing up land zoning and incentivizing construction—to structurally lower or stabilize housing and rental costs over the medium-to-long term through market competition. Their broader economic strategy centers on personal tax relief and business environment support to increase take-home pay potential when working.
  • The Trade-offs: For someone experiencing an immediate drop in rostered hours next week, supply-side housing reforms and broader macroeconomic adjustments take a long time to materialize into lower weekly outgoings. This approach typically offers fewer direct regulatory shields (like rent increase caps or mandatory eviction restrictions) for existing private tenants, leaving short-term rent vulnerabilities exposed to market rates.

Summary of Trade-offs to Consider

  • Regulation vs. Supply: Voting for parties offering strict rent controls (like a 2% cap) prioritizes short-term predictability in your rent ledger, but risks tightening the overall supply of rental properties. Voting for market-driven supply policies prioritizes long-term availability and economic growth, but leaves your immediate weekly rent exposed to landlord increases and inflation.
  • Targeted Support vs. Broad Economy: Parties emphasizing direct income and service subsidies (public transport caps, health fee removals) help free up cash for fluctuating weekly budgets, but rely on government revenue structures that other parties argue could stifle broader wage growth or investment. [NZ Labour Party]

Reviewing specific party manifestos on Policy.nz allows for a direct comparison of how each group balances tenancy laws against economic management.

Ask anything

Captured 5 October 2026 · shown as Google AI Mode gave it, not a verified account

AI Overviews · No location

I rent with my partner and work rostered hours that change from week to week. Our pay can drop unexpectedly, but rent and bills don't. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. If rent security and having enough money left each week are my biggest priorities, which party would you recommend I vote for, and what are the trade-offs?

AI Overview

For the 2026 New Zealand general election , major political parties present contrasting approaches to tackling rent security and income stability. Choosing a party depends on whether you prefer direct government intervention in the rental market and income support, or a market-driven approach focused on lowering inflation and increasing housing supply.

The following breakdown highlights how the main political blocks address your priorities and the trade-offs involved.

The Left-Leaning Block: Direct Intervention & Cost Capping

Green Party

The Green Party heavily emphasizes renters' rights, aiming to buffer tenants against cost fluctuations and housing insecurity.

  • Rent Security: They propose legally capping annual rent increases at 2%. They also want to ban "no-cause" tenancy terminations, create a national landlord register, and institute a rental Warrant of Fitness.

  • Weekly Budget: To support variable earners, they advocate for a $10,000 tax-free income band and universal public services like dental care. They plan to fund this by taxing high-net-worth individuals and large estates.

  • Trade-offs: Property groups argue strict rent caps and extra landlord regulations could cause private landlords to sell their properties or leave the market, potentially decreasing the overall pool of private rentals.

Labour Party

Labour focuses on lowering the cost of weekly essentials and expanding the public housing safety net.

  • Rent Security: Labour advocates for affordable public housing and has actively opposed policies that increase social housing rents or cut low-income renter supplements.

  • Weekly Budget: To help your money stretch further, Labour proposes capping public transport costs at a maximum of $20 per week , providing three free GP visits , and offering a "SolarSaver" energy subsidy to cut power bills for renters. They propose funding these measures via a 28% Capital Gains Tax on investment properties.

  • Trade-offs: Labour has ruled out reversing the current government's restoration of landlord interest deductibility. Tenant advocates note that keeping these landlord tax breaks does not directly improve tenure security for private renters.

The Right-Leaning Block: Supply Growth & Inflation Control

National Party & ACT

The incumbent coalition argues that the best way to lower rents and increase cash in hand is through market supply and a stable economy.

  • Rent Security: Rather than capping rent prices, National and ACT focus on expanding the supply of homes. They restored full mortgage interest deductibility for landlords and shortened the bright-line tax test to encourage property investment. They also reintroduced "no-cause" terminations, arguing this gives landlords the confidence to rent to tenants they might otherwise reject.

  • Weekly Budget: Their strategy relies on driving down general inflation to lower interest rates and grocery costs. They support across-the-board income tax relief rather than targeted, state-subsidized caps on services.

  • Trade-offs: Reintroducing "no-cause" evictions reduces legal security of tenure, meaning a landlord can end your periodic tenancy without providing a specific reason. Furthermore, general tax relief does not explicitly shield you against a sudden drop in weekly rostered hours.

Comparison of Key Approaches

Priority Area Green / Labour Platform National / ACT Platform
Rent Controls Proposes strict caps on annual rent increases. Opposes caps; relies on market supply to flatten rent growth.
Tenancy Security Aims to ban "no-cause" evictions entirely. Allows "no-cause" evictions to lower landlord risk.
Cost of Living Caps costs of specific bills (transport, healthcare, power). Delivers broad income tax relief and focuses on lower inflation.

To help look closer at your options, would you like to explore how other minor parties (like Te Pāti Māori or The Opportunity Party) plan to adjust taxes for renters? Alternatively, we can look at the specific working and employment rights policies regarding casual or rostered hours.

Ask anything

Captured 5 October 2026 · shown as AI Overviews gave it, not a verified account