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Evidence · NZ Election 2026 · Edition 2

Every question, every answer, every source

All 174 questions and the 793 answers produced on 12 October 2026. The 27 remaining cells produced no AI Overview.

questions
174
answers saved
793
collected
12 Oct 2026

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 unchanged question.

    id, draft, text, voterCode, issue, towns

    174rows

    Download questions (CSV)

  • Answers

    nz-election-2026-answers.csv

    One row per produced answer, with its complete original text.

    result id, prompt id, draft id, scenario id, platform, region, words, parties, literal url answer, associated source answer, temporal pair, common four platforms, response text

    793rows

    Download answers (CSV)

  • Sources by answer

    nz-election-2026-sources.csv

    One row per website associated with an answer; repeated citations count once.

    answer id, question id, assistant, region, domain, publisher

    4,137rows

    Download sources by answer (CSV)

  • Checks against official sources

    nz-election-2026-checks.csv

    One row per reviewed proposition, retaining both answers, extracts and the reviewed change.

    check, draft id, platform, claim, verdict, assessment, source url, source label, source date, checked date, old result id, new result id, old excerpt, new excerpt

    15rows

    Download checks against official sources (CSV)

  • Who to vote for: coding

    nz-election-2026-guidance.csv

    One row per manually reviewed guidance answer. Codes overlap; original answers supply the evidence.

    draft, assistant, q, voter, a, declined, matched, shortlist, asked, chose, extract

    31rows

    Download who to vote for: coding (CSV)

  • Location and national answers

    nz-election-2026-towns.csv

    One row per matched national/location pair, with both editions.

    prompt id, draft id, scenario id, issue, platform, city, edition 1 same party set, edition 1 national result, edition 1 city result, edition 2 same party set, edition 2 national result, edition 2 city result

    124rows

    Download location and national answers (CSV)

  • Changes between editions

    nz-election-2026-comparisons.csv

    One row per identical question, assistant and location across the two collections.

    prompt id, draft id, scenario id, scenario, issue, platform, region, old result id, new result id, old words, new words, same party set, old parties, new parties, added parties, removed parties, literal same domains, literal old domains, literal new domains, literal added domains, literal removed domains, associated same domains, associated old domains, associated new domains, associated added domains, associated removed domains

    793rows

    Download changes between editions (CSV)

  • No AI Overview produced

    nz-election-2026-coverage.csv

    One row per planned cell where no AI Overview was produced.

    prompt id, platform, region, draft id, block, scenario id, scenario, issue, priority, question, cause, availability

    27rows

    Download no ai overview produced (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 18, starting an apprenticeship and living with my parents. I want to become financially independent but don't understand how voting works. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. Which parties have practical plans for apprenticeships, entry-level jobs and wages?

At 18 and starting an apprenticeship, the issues you’re asking about are exactly the kinds of things many first-time voters look at: how easy it is to get trained, get a first job, earn more over time, and afford independence.

A useful way to compare parties is not “which party is best”, but: what problem are they trying to solve, and how would their policies affect someone in your position? Party policies can change before election day, so check the final policies closer to the vote. Policy.nz

How voting works in New Zealand (quick version)

New Zealand uses MMP (Mixed Member Proportional) voting. In a general election you get two votes: Policy.nz

  1. Party vote — choose the party you want represented in Parliament. This vote largely determines the number of seats each party gets. Policy.nz
  2. Electorate vote — choose the local candidate you want to represent your electorate. Policy.nz

You can vote for a candidate from one party and give your party vote to another party.

Apprenticeships, entry-level jobs and wages: where parties differ

Here are some of the main approaches parties have put forward on these issues:

Party Apprenticeships / training Entry-level jobs Wages and worker conditions
New Zealand Labour Party Has proposed expanding apprenticeship support, including employer payments, a toolbox grant, and adding more trades coverage. The Conversation Stories Focuses on government investment, infrastructure and employment programmes. The Conversation Stories Supports stronger worker protections, fair pay approaches, and wage increases. Policy Navigator
New Zealand National Party Emphasises vocational education, employer-led training and reducing barriers for businesses taking on workers. Policy Navigator Focuses on business growth and policies intended to encourage hiring. Policy Navigator Generally favours a more flexible labour market approach, with less emphasis on regulation. Policy Navigator
ACT New Zealand Emphasises flexibility and reducing rules on employers. Policy Navigator Argues businesses hire more when employment rules are simpler. Policy Navigator Opposes some forms of wage-setting by law and supports employer flexibility. Policy Navigator
Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand Supports stronger investment in skills and employment programmes. Policy Navigator Supports job creation programmes and policies aimed at improving worker security. Policy Navigator Supports higher wages and stronger employment protections. Policy Navigator
New Zealand First Has emphasised training more New Zealand workers and increasing apprenticeships. Policy Navigator Focuses on prioritising New Zealand workers in employment policy. Policy Navigator Places emphasis on wages, workplace safety and limits on some immigration settings. Policy Navigator
Te Pāti Māori Supports employment and training initiatives, including Māori employment programmes. Policy Navigator Focuses on targeted employment support and economic development. Policy Navigator Supports higher wages and worker protections. Policy Navigator

The Conversation Stories

Questions you might ask yourself before voting

Because you’re entering the workforce, these trade-offs may matter:

  • “Do I want government to directly fund and support apprenticeships?”
    Look closely at apprenticeship grants, employer incentives and trade training policies. The Conversation Stories

  • “Do I think wages improve mainly through stronger worker protections or through a stronger economy and more hiring?”
    Parties differ on whether the focus should be on wage rules, worker bargaining power, business growth, or labour-market flexibility. Policy Navigator

  • “What helps me become independent?”
    Consider not just your first-year wage, but:

    • ability to finish training,
    • opportunities to progress,
    • housing costs,
    • transport costs,
    • tax and take-home pay,
    • job security.

A practical way to research is to compare each party’s actual policy documents rather than campaign slogans. Independent comparison sites such as Policy.nz and Policy Navigator collect party positions by topic. Policy.nz

If you tell me what apprenticeship/trade you’re starting (for example electrician, building, automotive, plumbing, engineering, IT, etc.), I can help compare which policies are most directly relevant to that pathway.

Ask anything

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Gemini · No location

I'm 18, starting an apprenticeship and living with my parents. I want to become financially independent but don't understand how voting works. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. Which parties have practical plans for apprenticeships, entry-level jobs and wages?

Starting an apprenticeship at 18 is a massive, positive step toward financial independence, and living with your parents gives you a great launching pad to build your savings. Figuring out how politics impacts your wallet and career can feel confusing, but it boils down to how different political parties view economic growth, training support, and wages.

How Voting Works in New Zealand (The Basics)

In a New Zealand general election, you get two main votes:

  1. Your Electorate Vote: This chooses the local Member of Parliament (MP) who represents the specific area you live in.
  2. Your Party Vote: This is the most powerful vote for shaping the government. It determines the total share of seats each political party gets in Parliament. Parties need roughly 5% of the total party vote (or to win an electorate seat) to get into Parliament, and they usually have to form coalitions to govern.

Where the Main Parties Stand on Apprenticeships, Jobs, and Wages

Different parties emphasize contrasting approaches to helping young workers, apprentices, and small businesses:

Party Approach to Apprenticeships & Training Approach to Wages & Entry-Level Work
National (Coalition Government Lead) Focuses broad economic policy on business growth and streamlining training frameworks to meet industry demand, steering away from broad universal subsidies in favor of economic conditions that encourage employers to hire. Prefers a market-driven approach to wages, aiming to keep inflation and business compliance costs low to stimulate job creation. Lowering student loan repayment rates to help young earners keep more of what they make.
Labour Focuses heavily on targeted public support for vocational pathways, historically backing schemes that incentivize trades training, Māori-led training initiatives, and workforce expansion in sectors facing skill shortages. Favors stronger protections for workers, supporting minimum wage adjustments in line with economic conditions, and implementing measures like lowering student debt burdens for local workers.
ACT Advocates for reducing government red tape and regulatory barriers on businesses so they have more confidence to take on entry-level staff and expand operations. Supports flexible employment laws to make it easier for small businesses to hire staff without heavy compliance costs, arguing that overly rigid rules can discourage hiring young or inexperienced workers.
New Zealand First Strong emphasis on prioritizing government funding toward practical trades and vocational training rather than university fees, viewing the trades as essential for domestic infrastructure. Proposes significant tax relief for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (such as lowering the company tax rate for smaller firms) to encourage local businesses to employ more staff.
Green Party Emphasizes comprehensive state support for education, advocating for fully funded or low-cost tertiary and vocational training alongside robust student/trainee financial safety nets. Strongly focuses on lifting the minimum wage, introducing living wage frameworks across industries, and strengthening worker union representation to improve bargaining power for entry-level workers.

What This Means for You at 18

  • If you want direct government investment in trades: Parties like Labour and NZ First historically lean heavily into targeted funding and prioritizing vocational/trades pathways.
  • If you want policies aimed at boosting small businesses (who hire most apprentices): Parties like ACT and NZ First pitch specific tax cuts and compliance relief for small-to-medium businesses to make hiring easier.
  • If you prioritize take-home pay and living costs: Parties differ on whether to raise minimum wages directly (Greens/Labour) or focus on broader economic growth and lowering compliance/tax burdens (National/ACT).
Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 12 October 2026 · shown as Gemini gave it, not a verified account

Google AI Mode · No location

I'm 18, starting an apprenticeship and living with my parents. I want to become financially independent but don't understand how voting works. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. Which parties have practical plans for apprenticeships, entry-level jobs and wages?

Turning 18, starting an apprenticeship, and wanting to take charge of your financial future is a massive and exciting milestone. Figuring out how voting works is a great step toward having a say in the policies that directly affect your wallet, your training, and your career.

The 2026 New Zealand general election takes place on Saturday, 7 November 2026 (with advance voting opening late October).

Part 1: How Voting Works in NZ (MMP System)

New Zealand uses the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting system. When you walk into a voting place (or vote locally), your voting paper gives you two distinct votes :

  1. The Party Vote (The most powerful vote for seats): You vote for the political party you want in government. This determines the overall share of seats each party gets in Parliament. If a party gets 5% of the total party vote (or wins an electorate seat), they generally get seats in Parliament. [Elections NZ]
  2. The Electorate Vote: You vote for a local candidate to represent the specific area (electorate) where you live. The candidate who gets the most votes in that area wins the seat, regardless of which party they belong to. [Elections NZ]

Part 2: How Parties Approach Apprenticeships, Jobs, and Wages

Different political parties view entry-level work, minimum wages, and industry training through different economic lenses. While you can read full manifestos on official party portals, here is a general breakdown of how major political blocks approach these areas:

  • Labour Party: Historically focuses on direct government intervention and state-backed training incentives. For the 2026 election cycle, Labour has proposed expanding the Apprenticeship Boost scheme (providing employer subsidies and targeted tool/mentoring grants) to encourage more trades and expand access. They generally support regular increases to the legal minimum wage to match the cost of living.
  • National and ACT (Current Governing / Centre-Right Bloc): Generally focus on economic management via business growth, reducing compliance costs for employers, and cautious wage adjustments so small businesses aren't overburdened. They tend to favor streamlined industry-led or regional vocational training models (such as the recent transitions to Industry Skills Boards and regional polytechnics) rather than broad-based permanent subsidies, arguing that a strong private economy creates the best organic entry-level jobs.
  • Green Party: Focuses heavily on targeted employment guarantees and social support for young people. They have announced policies like the Jobs for Young People pilot, aimed at creating guaranteed work pathways in conservation, community infrastructure, and regional initiatives for 16- to 24-year-olds. They also advocate for higher baseline incomes and living wages.
  • NZ First: Often emphasizes domestic workforce training, backing traditional trades, and ensuring local New Zealanders are prioritized for apprenticeship and employment pipelines over imported labor.

Practical Steps to Take Next

  1. Check your enrolment: Make sure you are enrolled to vote. You can check, update, or sign up via the official Vote NZ website.
  2. Compare policies directly: Look up specific policy pages for the parties contesting the election via Elections NZ to see which approach matches your personal goals for your apprenticeship and long-term financial independence.
  3. Cast your vote: Voting places open across the country weeks ahead of Election Day, and on 7 November until 7:00 PM.
Ask anything

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AI Overviews · No location

I'm 18, starting an apprenticeship and living with my parents. I want to become financially independent but don't understand how voting works. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. Which parties have practical plans for apprenticeships, entry-level jobs and wages?

AI Overview

Congratulations on starting your apprenticeship! Taking steps toward financial independence while living with your parents is a smart move. Understanding how the political system impacts your career path is a great way to take control of your future.

Here is a breakdown of how voting works in New Zealand and how the major political parties plan to address apprenticeships, entry-level jobs, and wages for the 2026 general election.

🗳️ How Voting Works in New Zealand

New Zealand uses the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting system. When you go to vote, you will get two votes on a single piece of paper:

  1. The Party Vote (The most important vote): This vote determines the total percentage of seats each political party gets in Parliament. You are voting for the political party you want to lead the government.

  2. The Electorate Vote: This is a vote for a specific person (a local candidate) who wants to represent your local area in Parliament.

To get into Parliament, a party must either win at least 5% of the overall party vote or win at least one electorate seat. Because no single party usually gets more than 50% of the vote, parties have to team up to form a coalition government.

💼 Party Plans for Apprentices, Entry-Level Jobs, and Wages

For the 2026 election, different parties have distinctly practical approaches to helping young workers transition into financial independence.

1. Apprenticeships & Industry Training

  • Labour Party: A core pillar of their 2026 platform is expanding the Apprenticeship Boost scheme. They are promising to pay employers $500 a month for up to two years (restoring it from the current one-year limit) to take on and retain apprentices. They also promise a $1,000 toolbox grant directly to apprentices to buy their initial gear, alongside funded mentoring to help you finish your qualifications.

  • Green Party: They have announced a "Youth Jobs Guarantee" program. This plan focuses on ensuring any young person who wants a job, training, or an apprenticeship is funneled directly into paid roles through a newly funded National Youth Job Centre.

  • National Party: The current National-led government heavily prioritizes employer-led growth. Their strategy focuses on lowering inflation and reducing the tax burden on businesses so that companies have more capital to organically hire entry-level workers and fund their own workplace training.

2. Minimum Wage and Income Support

  • New Zealand First: For the 2026 election, they are advocating for an inflation-proof minimum wage and exploring raising the adult minimum wage to at least $25 an hour. To ensure businesses don't stop hiring young people due to the cost, they propose offering targeted tax concessions to employers to offset wage hikes.

  • Te Pāti Māori: They actively support immediately lifting the statutory minimum wage to match the Living Wage , ensuring entry-level workers earn enough to cover the true cost of housing and food.

  • ACT New Zealand: ACT favors a more business-friendly approach. They argue that raising the minimum wage too quickly makes it too expensive for businesses to hire inexperienced, entry-level workers. They have previously proposed measures like freezing minimum wage increases to keep the job market accessible for young people entering the workforce.

Summary Comparison

Party Main Focus for Apprentices & Jobs Stance on Entry-Level Wages
Labour Subsidizes employers ($500/mo) for 2 years; gives you a $1,000 toolbox grant. Focuses on pay equity and gradual wage growth.
National Boosts the economy so businesses choose to hire and train you. Focuses on keeping inflation low so your money goes further.
Greens A "Youth Jobs Guarantee" to match young people with open apprenticeships. Supports raising incomes for young workers.
NZ First Explores a $25/hr minimum wage while giving tax breaks to employers. Wants to index minimum wage to inflation.
Te Pāti Māori Focuses heavily on funding Māori-led regional trades training. Wants the minimum wage raised to the Living Wage immediately.
ACT Believes reducing regulations makes it easier for businesses to offer jobs. Prefers to halt minimum wage hikes to protect entry-level job availability.

To help you figure out which option best aligns with your goals, let me know:

  • What specific trade or industry is your apprenticeship in?

  • Do you want to check if you are already enrolled to vote?

I can guide you through the enrollment process or find policies specific to your trade.

Ask anything

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