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Evidence · NZ Election 2026 · Edition 3

Every question, every answer, every source

All 174 questions and the 793 answers produced on 16 October 2026. The 27 remaining cells produced no AI Overview.

questions
174
answers saved
793
collected
16 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. Parties covers all 17 tracked parties; displayed parties covers the seven charted parties.

    result id, prompt id, draft id, scenario id, platform, region, words, parties, displayed parties, literal url 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

    4,275rows

    Download sources by answer (CSV)

  • Checks against official sources

    nz-election-2026-checks.csv

    One row per reviewed claim and assistant, including cells where the assertion was not stated.

    checkId, claimToTest, category, answerId, questionId, assistant, assertionPresent, assertion, verdict, whatTheSourceSays, checkedOn, evidence

    18rows

    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 in this edition.

    edition, prompt id, platform, city region, national result id, city result id, same party names, same text

    123rows

    Download location and national answers (CSV)

  • Changes between editions

    nz-election-2026-comparisons.csv

    All 17 tracked parties; one row per identical question, assistant and location across the 12 and 16 October collections. Earlier coding restated after the 20 October identity correction.

    earlier edition, prompt id, platform, region, draft id, block, scenario id, scenario, issue, priority, earlier result id, current result id, same party set, added, removed, earlier parties, current parties

    792rows

    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.

    questionId, assistant, collectionSetting, askedFrom, availability

    27rows

    Download no ai overview produced (CSV)

  • Party-identity corrections

    nz-election-2026-party-identity-corrections.csv

    Ten reviewed false matches removed from the restated Edition 2 and current Edition 3 comparisons; original answer text is unchanged.

    edition, result id, party, before present, include, reason, reviewer, reviewed on

    10rows

    Download party-identity corrections (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 retired and still rent. NZ Super is my main income, and I am worried about rent increases or needing to move again. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. Would party policies change NZ Super or other support for older people who do not own a home?

Your concern is an important one. If NZ Super is your main income and you rent rather than own your home, the key question is not just whether a party promises to protect superannuation. It is also whether its policies would help you keep up with rent, cope with an unexpected increase, and find secure housing if you have to move.

For the 2026 New Zealand general election, there are three main things to compare:

  • NZ Super: whether the qualifying age stays at 65, how payments are adjusted, and whether the universal system is maintained.
  • Help with rent: whether Accommodation Supplement payments increase, eligibility changes, or additional support becomes available.
  • Secure housing: whether parties plan to build more public housing, improve access for older renters, or introduce measures to limit rent increases.

The election is on 7 November 2026. The parties' published positions show broad agreement on retaining universal NZ Super, but meaningful differences in housing and cost-of-living policies. The main parties vying to form New Zealand's next governmentHow parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders

1. What the parties say about NZ Super

The following comparison draws on Grey Power's September 2026 survey of the major parties. National, Labour, the Greens, New Zealand First and The Opportunities Party (TOP) responded; ACT did not complete the questionnaire, and Te Pāti Māori did not respond. How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders

Party Published position on NZ Super
National Supports universal superannuation and says it will not be means-tested. Its response to Grey Power did not confirm whether the qualifying age would remain 65.
Labour Committed to retaining the qualifying age at 65 and supports universal superannuation.
Green Party Committed to retaining age 65 and supports universal superannuation. It is open to exploring individual rather than couple payment rates in the future.
New Zealand First Committed to retaining age 65 and maintaining NZ Super at 66% of the net average wage.
The Opportunities Party (TOP) Committed to retaining age 65. It says longer-term changes would be part of a broader Citizens' Income model, not implemented within the next decade.
ACT and Te Pāti Māori Their positions on these specific questions were not established by the Grey Power survey.

Source: Grey Power's 2026 comparison of party policies for older New Zealanders. How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders

One important distinction: protecting NZ Super does not necessarily protect your ability to afford rent. A party can maintain the pension system while making quite different choices about housing subsidies, public housing and rent regulation.

NZ Super rates currently increase each 1 April in line with changes in the average wage. That is the existing rule, not a guarantee that your pension will keep pace with your particular landlord's rent increases. How much you can get for NZ Super

2. Which policies matter most if you rent?

Houses for rent in All New Zealand

Green Party: limiting rent increases

The Greens propose limiting annual rent increases to 2%, alongside building thousands more accessible public homes and establishing a state-owned, not-for-profit retirement village scheme. If adopted, a rent cap would directly address the risk of large annual increases, although the precise rules and exceptions matter. How parties stand on issues affecting older New ZealandersPolicies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026

Housing shortage means Kāinga Ora is renting thousands of private homes a year, All things property, under OneRoof

National: housing supply and financial assistance

National highlights increased Accommodation Supplement payments, housing supply reforms, expanded rates rebates for older homeowners, and continuation of the Winter Energy Payment. Its rates rebate policy is mainly relevant to homeowners, while the Accommodation Supplement is directly relevant to eligible private renters. How parties stand on issues affecting older New ZealandersNational Supports Seniors

“Hard to fault” Kāinga Ora developments win property industry awards :: Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities

Labour: reducing everyday living costs

Labour has highlighted affordable healthcare, a proposed $20 cap on public transport fares, and measures to reduce household energy costs. Grey Power reported that Labour had not yet announced specific senior-housing policies in its September survey, so its plans for older renters need further checking. How parties stand on issues affecting older New ZealandersThe main parties vying to form New Zealand's next government

Haumaru Housing: opening doors to brighter futures

New Zealand First: a Seniors Housing Plan

New Zealand First proposes a Seniors Housing Plan and more options for ageing in place. It has also committed to maintaining NZ Super at 66% of the net average wage. The details of the housing proposal would need to be examined to establish what it would offer someone renting privately. How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders

Supported Housing :: Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities

The Opportunities Party (TOP): changing housing assistance

TOP proposes replacing the Accommodation Supplement with a universal housing payment, alongside more social housing. The important questions for a renter would be how much the payment would be, whether pensioners would qualify automatically, and how it would compare with existing assistance. How parties stand on issues affecting older New Zealanders

These are different approaches, not guaranteed outcomes. Election commitments would still need to be funded, legislated and implemented. Also, a rent cap and a rent subsidy address different problems: one limits how quickly rent can rise, while the other helps meet the cost of rent.

3. Existing support you could receive as a renter

You do not have to wait for the election to check whether you are receiving all the support currently available to you.

Support Why it matters
Accommodation Supplement Weekly help towards rent for eligible private renters. The amount depends on income, assets, rent, living arrangements and location.
Winter Energy Payment Helps eligible people, including NZ Super recipients, with winter heating costs.
Disability Allowance May help with ongoing additional costs related to a disability or health condition, if you meet the criteria.
Temporary Additional Support May help with essential costs when your other income and assistance are insufficient. Eligibility and the amount depend on your circumstances.
Public housing You can apply if you meet the eligibility criteria. Being unable to afford a private rental is relevant, although affordability is not the only consideration.

Official information: Accommodation Supplement, other payments for seniors and public housing. Accommodation SupplementWho can get NZ SuperChanges to housing support

A change already scheduled for 2027

The current Government's Budget 2026 housing package includes changes from 1 April 2027:

  • Maximum Accommodation Supplement rates for private renters are due to rise by between $10 and $30 a week, depending on circumstances.
  • The minimum income-related rent contribution for public housing tenants is due to increase from 25% to 30% of assessable income.
  • The maximum Temporary Additional Support payment is due to fall from 30% to 25% of the relevant main benefit, but this reduction does not apply to people receiving NZ Super or a Veteran's Pension.

These are existing government measures, not promises made by parties that might form the next government. Their future could be affected by subsequent policy decisions. Changes to housing supportSocial Housing and Welfare - Budget 2026

4. How to compare the parties against your own needs

Given that you rely mainly on NZ Super and rent your home, I would focus on four specific questions when reading each party's full election policy.

  • Pension security: Will the party retain universal NZ Super, keep the qualifying age at 65, and maintain the existing wage-linking arrangement?
  • Rent increases: Does it propose a rent cap, stronger tenancy protections, or another way to make increases more predictable?
  • Help paying rent: Will you receive more assistance, and will the eligibility rules or maximum payments change?
  • Housing security: Will there be more public housing suitable for older people, and what happens if you need to move or can no longer afford your current home?

You can compare published commitments across parties at Policy.nz's 2026 election guide and check individual parties' own policy announcements. Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 20262026 Election Policy

5. One practical step you can take now

Before deciding how much weight to give the different election promises, check your eligibility for the Accommodation Supplement through Work and Income. It is worth doing even if you have been receiving NZ Super for years, particularly if your rent or living arrangements have changed.

I can also make the party comparison more relevant to your situation without assuming anything about where you live.

Are you currently renting privately, or do you live in Kāinga Ora or other public housing?

That distinction matters because the policies affecting your rent and your eligibility for housing assistance can be quite different.

Ask anything

ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.

Captured 16 October 2026 · shown as ChatGPT gave it, not a verified account

Gemini · No location

I'm retired and still rent. NZ Super is my main income, and I am worried about rent increases or needing to move again. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. Would party policies change NZ Super or other support for older people who do not own a home?

For older New Zealanders who rent, navigating retirement when reliant primarily on New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super) involves distinct financial pressures—particularly around housing costs and the security of tenure.

Ahead of the 7 November 2026 general election, political parties have outlined various approaches to NZ Super, cost-of-living relief, and housing support that directly or indirectly affect older renters.

1. New Zealand Superannuation (NZ Super)

  • General Status: There is broad consensus among the major parties (including National, Labour, New Zealand First, and the Greens) on protecting the core structure of NZ Super and maintaining it at its current benchmark (with NZ First explicitly committing to keeping it at 66% of the net average wage).
  • Age of Eligibility: While some past debates have touched on raising the age of eligibility, major parties have largely steered away from immediate changes for this election cycle, though positions on future adjustments vary across the political spectrum. Te Pāti Māori has historically advocated for earlier access for Māori due to lower life expectancies, but the baseline settings for general entitlement remain protected by the primary caucus positions.

2. Support for Renters and Housing Costs

Because homeownership is often implicitly assumed in standard retirement planning models, policies addressing older renters usually fall under broader housing affordability, income support, and accommodation assistance:

  • Accommodation Supplement & Housing Assistance:
    • Parties on the left (such as the Green Party and Labour) emphasize increasing the supply of accessible public and social housing, which can directly benefit older tenants seeking stable, long-term, and age-appropriate homes.
    • Alternative policy proposals from smaller entities like The Opportunities Party (TOP) involve restructuring current systems—such as replacing the Accommodation Supplement with a universal housing payment—to better target housing stress for non-homeowners.
  • Tenancy Protections: While policies specifically tailored to older renters can vary, broader renter advocacy and party platforms frequently intersect around the security of tenure, tackling rental inflation, and addressing cost-of-living pressures that disproportionately strain fixed-income households.

3. Cost-of-Living and Everyday Support

For retirees without a mortgage-free home, everyday inflation and transport costs consume a high percentage of NZ Super. Parties have put forward differing relief mechanisms:

  • Healthcare and Transport: Major parties have varying priorities for cost-of-living relief. For example, Labour’s policy framework highlights targeted relief such as capping public transport costs in major centres and regional areas, alongside wider healthcare affordability measures.
  • Aged Care and Support Services: Parties like New Zealand First have emphasized aged-care reform and better coordination between primary, community, and aged-care sectors, which impacts older adults as their support needs evolve.

Evaluating Your Vote

When reviewing party manifestos ahead of November 7, you may want to look specifically at:

  1. Targeted Housing Support: How each party proposes to adjust the Accommodation Supplement or fund public and community housing builds.
  2. Cost-of-Living Direct Relief: Policies addressing energy/power costs, rates (if applicable indirectly), and public transport.
  3. Renter Protections: Stances on rental regulations, stability, and security against sudden displacement.

Are there particular aspects of your living situation—such as geographic location or specific cost pressures—that you are hoping a policy might address?

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 16 October 2026 · shown as Gemini gave it, not a verified account

Google AI Mode · No location

I'm retired and still rent. NZ Super is my main income, and I am worried about rent increases or needing to move again. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. Would party policies change NZ Super or other support for older people who do not own a home?

As a retired renter relying primarily on NZ Super, your exposure to housing costs and stability is a central issue. Different political parties approach the intersection of retirement income, welfare support, and the private rental market with distinct philosophies.

The major party policy directions and proposals relevant to older non-homeowners focus on several key areas:

1. NZ Superannuation Settings

  • Mainstream Parties (National, Labour): Neither of the major parties has proposed cutting or altering the core mechanics or age eligibility of NZ Super for current or near-retirees. National and Labour have maintained a commitment to keeping the eligibility age at 65.

  • ACT Party: Proposes gradually raising the entitlement age for NZ Super by three months every year (ultimately targeting an older age threshold over time) and putting contributions to the NZ Super Fund temporarily on hold, though they have floated "compassionate access" options for physically demanding careers.

  • New Zealand First: Strongly defends NZ Super settings and advocates protecting the universal nature of the pension, while proposing measures such as restricting certain welfare/Super parameters or voting rights strictly to citizens.

2. Renting Stability and Cost Controls

Because you are worried about rent increases and moving stability, renter-focused market regulations differ sharply across the political spectrum:

  • Green Party: Proposes major interventions for private renters, including a legislative Renters' Rights Bill that would legally cap annual rent increases at 2%, eliminate no-cause evictions, and introduce a mandatory rental Warrant of Fitness alongside a national landlord register.

  • Labour and Te Pāti Māori: Generally favour stronger tenant protections and increased investment in public and social housing stock to alleviate market pressure on low-income renters, with various proposals around housing affordability and market regulation.

  • National and ACT: Generally oppose hard rent controls or price caps, arguing that caps can shrink rental supply. Their focus is on incentivising private landlords through tax settings (such as restoring interest deductibility for residential property investors) to encourage rental availability rather than capping market rates. [Realestate.co.nz]

3. Direct Support for Renters (Accommodation Supplement)

  • Government Policy / Budget Settings: The current settings include framework adjustments to the Accommodation Supplement aimed at supporting lower-income households in private rentals, which serves as a vital secondary buffer for non-homeowning superannuitants facing high accommodation costs. Parties differ on whether to expand direct cash supplements or focus heavily on building more state/social housing supply.

To help narrow down which party platform aligns best with your specific comfort level regarding market intervention versus benefit security:

Would you like to explore how specific parties weigh market rent controls versus increasing social housing supply , or do you want to look closer at the eligibility and future trajectory of income supports like the Accommodation Supplement?

Ask anything

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AI Overviews · No location

I'm retired and still rent. NZ Super is my main income, and I am worried about rent increases or needing to move again. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. Would party policies change NZ Super or other support for older people who do not own a home?

AI Overview

The major political parties in New Zealand do not propose cuts to current NZ Superannuation payments for existing retirees. However, their 2026 election platforms differ substantially regarding tenancy protections, rent caps, and public housing availability. These housing policies directly affect your long-term rental security and cost of living.

NZ Superannuation and Financial Stability

The core pension remains safe for current retirees, though future eligibility rules are heavily debated.

  • Current Payments Protected: National, Labour, Greens, and NZ First pledge to maintain current universal superannuation rates.
  • Cross-Party Accord Proposed: National and Labour are open to long-term retirement system discussions.
  • Future Age Changes: ACT seeks to gradually lift the eligibility age to 67 by 2035.
  • Citizenship Restrictions: NZ First proposes limiting NZ Super exclusively to citizens from 2029.

Rent Controls and Tenancy Protections

Your exposure to rent increases and sudden eviction depends on which party controls rental market regulations. I Ranked Every Party's Property Policy [NZ Election 2026]Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026

  • Strict Rent Caps: The Green Party proposes limiting annual rent hikes to 2%.
  • Rental Quality Mandates: Greens want an independently enforced Rental Warrant of Fitness.
  • No-Cause Eviction Rules: Labour opposes 90-day no-cause terminations reinstated by National. During the 2023 election the property industry donated almostI Ranked Every Party's Property Policy [NZ Election 2026]
  • Supply-Side Approach: National and ACT argue restoring landlord tax breaks lowers rent over time. NZ Herald Live: Act Party policy announcementI Ranked Every Party's Property Policy [NZ Election 2026]

Public and Social Housing Support

For retired non-homeowners, access to government-subsidized state housing serves as a critical financial backstop.

  • Subsidized State Housing: Labour promises $760 million for 6,000 new state homes.
  • Public Supply Expansion: Greens pledge at least 6,000 extra social housing places.
  • Citizen Priority: Platforms like Policy.nz highlight proposals to prioritize citizens for social housing.

If you would like to explore specific assistance right now, I can help you look up rules for the Accommodation Supplement or Social Housing waitlists. Turn to the official Work and Income portal to check your current supplementary entitlements.

Would you like me to look into how your current accommodation zone affects your maximum rent subsidy , or would you prefer a deep dive into a specific party's rental policy?

Ask anything

Captured 16 October 2026 · shown as AI Overviews gave it, not a verified account