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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'm a Pacific voter in a multigenerational household with children and older relatives. Our main concerns are household costs, enough space and access to healthcare. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. What are parties proposing about learning support and opportunities for children from Pacific communities?

For a Pacific voter in a multigenerational household, education policies may matter alongside household costs, housing space and healthcare because they affect children’s learning pathways, whānau support, and long-term opportunities. The 2026 election campaign is still developing, so some parties may release further detail. Below is a comparison of publicly available education and Pacific-relevant proposals and positions. Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026 - Policy.nz

Learning support for children

Party Relevant proposals/positions
National Party of New Zealand The government’s current learning-support approach includes a multi-year rollout aimed at improving access, strengthening transitions from early learning to school, responding to demand, and increasing consistency of services. The Ministry of Education has highlighted expanded specialist support and whānau-centred early intervention services. ECAC minutes June 2026 - Ministry of Education National’s broader education focus has included attendance, literacy and numeracy, and clearer curriculum expectations. Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026 - Policy.nz
New Zealand Labour Party Labour has emphasised public services and reducing pressures on families as part of its 2026 campaign. Its education-related positions include support for schools and learners, though specific Pacific learning-support commitments may vary by announcement. NZ opposition leader Hipkins says Labour focused on tackling cost of living woes
Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand The Greens’ education approach has generally focused on equity, inclusion, support for learners facing barriers, and investment in public services. Specific 2026 education policies should be checked as they are released. Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026 - Policy.nz
Te Pāti Māori Te Pāti Māori places emphasis on Māori self-determination and culturally grounded education. While Pacific communities are distinct from Māori communities, some voters compare parties’ approaches to culturally responsive education and community-led support. Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026 - Policy.nz
ACT New Zealand ACT has generally focused on school performance, curriculum standards, teacher quality and accountability. Policy.nz lists ACT among parties with positions on education issues such as curriculum and support settings. Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026 - Policy.nz
New Zealand First New Zealand First’s education positions have included emphasis on core subjects, standards and national identity. Current detailed Pacific-focused learning-support commitments should be checked against its 2026 manifesto. Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026 - Policy.nz

Pacific children and opportunities

For Pacific families, areas to compare include:

  • Pacific language and culture in education: Whether parties support Pacific languages, culturally responsive teaching, and partnerships with Pacific parents and communities.
  • Learning support access: Whether support is available early, how long families wait, and whether services work with parents and whānau. The Ministry’s current learning-support changes specifically mention earlier intervention and whānau-centred support. ECAC minutes June 2026 - Ministry of Education
  • Teacher aides and classroom support: Education sector groups have called for more classroom support, including funding a teacher aide in every class, alongside investment in early childhood education. NZEI Te Riu Roa launches ‘Platform for Change 2026’
  • Pathways after school: Compare policies on apprenticeships, vocational education, university access and employment pathways. Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026 - Policy.nz

Questions you might ask when comparing parties

Given your household priorities, you may want to look at:

  1. If a child needs extra help with reading, learning differences, disability or wellbeing, how quickly can they access support?
  2. Does the policy recognise Pacific parents and extended family as partners in education?
  3. Are Pacific languages and identities supported in schools?
  4. How will the policy affect school costs for a larger household (uniforms, transport, activities, devices)?
  5. What pathways are available for teenagers into training, apprenticeships or further study?

A useful place to compare current party policy statements by topic is Policy.nz’s 2026 election education and community sections. Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026 - Policy.nz

If you would like, I can also compare the 2026 parties specifically through a Pacific family lens (education + healthcare + housing + cost of living) without telling you how to vote.

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Gemini · No location

I'm a Pacific voter in a multigenerational household with children and older relatives. Our main concerns are household costs, enough space and access to healthcare. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. What are parties proposing about learning support and opportunities for children from Pacific communities?

For a multigenerational Pacific household navigating household costs and looking to secure the best foundation and opportunities for children, education and learning support policies are a central point of discussion leading into the 2026 New Zealand General Election.

Different political parties approach learning support, early childhood education (ECE), and opportunities for Pacific learners through distinct frameworks:

1. Main Parties and Approaches to Learning Support & Early Childhood

  • National and the Coalition Government Focus: Current settings emphasize a "back-to-basics" approach focusing heavily on structured literacy, regular assessments, and foundational math. Proposals from the right of center typically emphasize standardized achievement tracking, targeted interventions for children falling behind, and adjustments to student loan repayment structures (such as reducing compulsory repayment rates) to ease financial pressure on older students entering tertiary education.
  • Labour Party Focus: Labour has centered portions of its education platform on cost-of-living relief for students and families, including student loan debt-relief policies (such as wiping percentages of eligible student loan balances or clearing smaller balances) intended to help families manage the financial barriers associated with higher education and professional training pathways.
  • The Greens and Other Parties: The Green Party and minor parties have placed emphasis on expanding community-based and culturally grounded early childhood education, protecting or increasing support for community-owned services like Pacific language nests, and removing structural or financial barriers that block families from engaging fully in education and training.

2. What This Means for Pacific Learners and Families

  • Early Intervention and Language Nests: Access to early childhood education—specifically culturally sustaining environments and Pacific language nests—remains a key priority for community advocates. Parties differ on whether to boost funding for community-led or public non-profit models versus supporting private options.
  • Cost Pressures on Families: Because household costs and living expenses heavily impact a family's ability to support extracurricular learning, technology, and higher education, broader economic policies (such as student loan adjustments or cost-of-living assistance) are frequently tied by student and community leaders to how well Pacific youth can successfully transition from school into tertiary study or trades.
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I'm a Pacific voter in a multigenerational household with children and older relatives. Our main concerns are household costs, enough space and access to healthcare. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. What are parties proposing about learning support and opportunities for children from Pacific communities?

Navigating the 2026 New Zealand general election in a multigenerational Pacific household means looking at how different political platforms intersect with your family’s daily realities—balancing household costs, space, health, and ensuring children and young people get the right learning support to thrive.

Different parties are approaching education, learning support, and opportunities for Pacific children through distinct lenses:

  • National-led Coalition (National, ACT, NZ First) :

  • Core Focus : The current government’s legislative changes via the Education and Training Amendment Acts place educational achievement as a top legal priority for school boards, mandating structured approaches and regular assessments in literacy and mathematics.

  • Learning Support & Community Impact: The coalition emphasizes a back-to-basics universal approach to lift overall student achievement, particularly targeting those falling behind. However, budget cuts (such as reductions within the Ministry for Pacific Peoples and adjustments to specific targeted programs like Pacific Reading Together) have meant changes or defunding for certain specialized community-led literacy initiatives. The redesigned Ka Ora, Ka Ako free school lunch program remains active, though delivery models have shifted for cost-efficiency.

  • New Zealand Labour Party :

  • Core Focus : Emphasizes public service infrastructure, including upgrading school facilities, alongside broader cost-of-living relief.

  • Opportunities & Skills: Labour has announced targeted youth and young adult provisions such as an expanded Apprenticeship Boost, direct payments to employers, mentoring, and toolbox grants for trades training, aiming to create clear vocational pathways for school leavers from diverse communities.

  • Green Party :

  • Core Focus : Pushing for universal, free early childhood education (ECE) alongside guaranteed school food support.

  • Support for Families : For multigenerational households, free universal ECE directly alleviates household costs while supporting early cognitive development and relieving pressure on caregiving relatives at home. [Pacific Learners]

  • Te Pāti Māori :

  • Core Focus : Strongly champions equity-driven, kaupapa-based learning frameworks designed to eliminate disparities for both Māori and Pacific learners.

  • Community Approach : Advocates for self-determination and resourcing directly in the hands of communities to shape culturally affirming educational environments. [Pacific Learners]

To compare specific party stances side-by-side or check the latest manifesto releases as the campaign progresses toward voting day on 7 November 2026, you can explore non-partisan tools like Policy.nz. To make sure your household's voice is heard, you can check your details or enroll to vote online at Vote.nz.

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AI Overviews · No location

I'm a Pacific voter in a multigenerational household with children and older relatives. Our main concerns are household costs, enough space and access to healthcare. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. What are parties proposing about learning support and opportunities for children from Pacific communities?

AI Overview

For the 2026 New Zealand general election , political parties are addressing learning support, achievement, and educational opportunities for Pacific communities through distinct approaches. The current coalition government emphasizes standardized achievement foundations, while opposition parties focus on targeted equity, funding support, and cultural integration.

Party Policies on Pacific Education and Learning Support

Political Party Core Educational Approach & Proposals Impact on Pacific Learners & Families
National Party (Current Coalition Lead) • Focuses heavily on attendance enforcement and standardized literacy and mathematics frameworks.
• Emphasizes structured, evidence-based academic baselines to lift students who are furthest behind. • Proponents argue structured focus addresses achievement gaps directly.
• Critics point out that recent savings under the Ministry for Pacific Peoples ended funding for community programmes like Pacific Reading Together.
Labour Party (Official Opposition) • Proposes establishing an independent education body to stabilize the school curriculum and protect it from political swings.
• Promises to freeze current government curriculum overhauls, drop charter schools, and expand the Apprenticeship Boost scheme alongside mentoring for trades. • Offers expanded pathways into vocational education and employment support.
• Wiping 10% off student loan balances targets long-term debt, though Pacific student leaders note immediate household costs still heavily impact tertiary access.
Green Party • Focuses heavily on the intersection of household cost pressures and education by campaigning for universal, free early childhood education (ECE) and expanded school food programs.
• Advocates for fully inclusive education and calls to reverse changes that diminish cultural representation in schools. • Directly addresses day-to-day household costs for multigenerational families through free early childcare and meals.
• Focuses on reducing systemic barriers to lower attendance.
Te Pāti Māori • Proposes an education strategy centered entirely on kaupapa-based learning and structural equity for Māori and Pacific learners.
• Policies include expanding free school lunches, free public transport for students, and establishing free school counselling services. • Aims to maximize cultural and emotional support structures within schools.
• Addresses accessibility and learning support by removing travel and mental health cost barriers.
ACT Party • Promotes educational choice through the expansion of charter schools and introducing strict rules regarding student conduct.
• Proposes giving teachers greater legal powers to remove disruptive students from classrooms to preserve learning environments. • Focuses on structural discipline and choice rather than targeted minority frameworks.
• Rejects allocating educational resources or support streams based on ethnicity.

Summary for Multigenerational Households

  • If your priority is reducing daily household costs while your children learn: The policies from the Greens and Te Pāti Māori heavily feature universal financial relief linked directly to school attendance, such as free ECE, free school meals, and free student transport.

  • If your priority is clear pathways to employment and stability: Labour's expanded trade training systems, apprenticeships, and curriculum pauses look to provide structured pathways into high-skilled jobs while providing educational consistency.

  • If your priority is foundational literacy and classroom focus: National and ACT prioritize rigid benchmarks in the core curriculum and strict attendance enforcement to build capability from the ground up.

For comprehensive breakdowns on general election policies as they are updated closer to the 7 November election day , you can review the complete guides on Policy.nz and RNZ's Election Guide.

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