# Question 40: I've recently been made redundant after years in the same industry. I have rent to pay, and I'm unsure whether to retrain or keep looking for similar work. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. How do parties differ on support for someone between jobs, including eligibility rules and obligations? Collected 31 October 2026 [NZ Election 2026 · Edition 7 study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/7) ## ChatGPT Answer ID: 6811c779-68ba-4384-993c-5caabc667e37 # New Zealand 2026 election: support after redundancy Losing a job after spending years in one industry can be particularly difficult. You're not just looking for another pay cheque: you're also facing a decision about whether your existing skills still offer a viable career or whether it's time to retrain. For your circumstances, there are four important areas to compare when looking at political parties: 1. Income support: How quickly can you receive financial assistance, and how much might you receive? 2. Eligibility: What savings, income, redundancy payments or partner income affect your entitlement? 3. Obligations: Must you accept similar work, take any suitable job, attend appointments or participate in training? 4. Retraining: Will the government help pay for courses, living costs and gaining qualifications for a different industry? An important distinction: the benefit rules currently in force are not necessarily the same as what a party promises to change after the 2026 election. I'll separate existing entitlements from proposed political policies wherever possible. ## 1. What you can receive under the current rules Before comparing parties, it's useful to understand the support available under the existing system. ### Jobseeker Support The main unemployment benefit is Jobseeker Support administered by Work and Income. As at 30 October 2026, the main requirements include: - Being generally aged 18 or older (20 or older if you have dependent children). - Being unemployed and looking for full-time work. - Meeting the income and residency requirements. - Having the appropriate work availability and meeting ongoing obligations. For a single person aged 25 or older, the maximum rate is currently: Maximum Jobseeker Support # $372.55 Per week after tax, at the M tax code Before tax $426.12/week Approximate monthly after-tax equivalent $1,614 These are maximum rates, not guaranteed entitlements. Rates and income circumstances can change. Source: Work and Income, 2026 rates. [Jobseeker Support](https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/jobseeker-support)[Benefit rates at 1 April 2026](https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/benefit-rates/benefit-rates-april-2026) Your partner's income can affect eligibility and the amount paid. For example, the current combined gross weekly income threshold for a couple without children is $1,066. ### What happens to your redundancy payment? This is particularly important in your situation. - A genuine redundancy lump sum is included when Work and Income calculates your initial stand-down. - Depending on the amount, you may face a one- or two-week stand-down. - Redundancy compensation is treated differently from ordinary wages, holiday pay and payment in lieu of notice. You should not assume that receiving a redundancy payment automatically disqualifies you from Jobseeker Support. [Stand-down periods](https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/online-services/apply/what-is-a-stand-down)[Redundancy payments](https://map.workandincome.govt.nz/map/income-support/main-benefits/jobseeker-support/redundancy-payments-01.html) ### Help with rent You may also qualify for: - Accommodation Supplement: assistance with rent, board or home ownership costs. - Temporary Additional Support: additional help if essential living costs exceed your available income. - Transition to Work Grant: help with certain costs associated with getting a new job, including travel, clothing and living expenses until your first pay. Accommodation Supplement has income and asset tests. Its cash asset limits are currently $8,100 for a single person and $16,200 for a couple or sole parent. [Accommodation Supplement](https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/accommodation-supplement)[Redundancy support](https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/lost-job/made-redundant.html) ### What obligations come with Jobseeker? Under the existing rules, a work-ready recipient is generally expected to: - Look for full-time work, usually at least 30 hours a week. - Be available for suitable employment. - Accept suitable job offers, including temporary and part-time opportunities. - Attend required interviews and appointments. - Participate in employment programmes or training when directed. - Keep Work and Income informed about changes in circumstances. Failure to meet obligations without a sufficient reason can result in benefit reductions or suspension. [Jobseeker Support obligations](https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/on-a-benefit/obligations/obligations-for-getting-jobseeker-support.html)[Jobseeker Support obligations](https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/on-a-benefit/obligations/obligations-for-getting-jobseeker-support.html) One particularly relevant point: you cannot necessarily choose full-time retraining instead of job searching while receiving Jobseeker Support. Full-time study generally makes you ineligible for Jobseeker Support, although StudyLink may offer assistance under different conditions. ## 2. How the major parties differ The following comparison covers the main parties contesting the 2026 election. It distinguishes announced election commitments from broader policy positions. ### National Party ![Will National Party Finish 2nd in New Zealand's 2026 Election?](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/LCDs4P76HEgfCayafHeSga8GCw12Vxs2fPc3toeyLUZ-wmb6UiGRZY6bhdT1xRejtICfUd6GX2BWmI76EkpoWuffTU4g32bP_qUJp29rsfn5_Zvj5THHSYTLHSoo_5_YQyZ3zKE1WIpB4bu7raRltFl5TZFCgCcE0quf_GohkFI?purpose=inline) National Party National's approach emphasises employment, personal responsibility and stronger conditions on benefit recipients. Its 2026 commitments include: - More intensive employment assistance for 30,000 work-ready people who have been receiving Jobseeker for more than a year. - Reducing Jobseeker payments for people who have received the benefit for two of the previous three years, from April 2028. Households with children would face a smaller reduction. - Random drug testing as part of employment planning. - A 26-week non-entitlement period for people who repeatedly leave employment voluntarily without good reason, up from 13 weeks. - Increasing the minimum residency period for main benefits from two to five years, from April 2028. What this could mean for you: National proposes additional employment assistance, but also stronger conditions and longer-term financial consequences. Its approach places considerable emphasis on moving into available employment rather than remaining on a benefit while considering a career change. [A firm, fair and affordable welfare system](https://www.national.org.nz/policies/walfare)[2026 Election Policy](https://www.national.org.nz/policies) ### Labour Party ![South Island Election Conference 2026](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/_spFKDBqOMVPoo8r35YLoGFwljs_-WWe4ur9fdZCfekzAxaUPGA75u8rI9uxOUTssI2hUZN1r4Zu1AeDrcNaxz3uHoFIyWjDpanT5s-KJ87QzxSu1uNjNL4MOHSuazRZuTy_TzC6aN4wxHHoyU_DhzMFuMCMjNBTtg2xRxOZL6c?purpose=inline) New Zealand Labour Party Labour's 2026 platform emphasises employment opportunities, vocational training and cost-of-living support. Its announced policies include: - Apprenticeship Boost: support for employers taking on apprentices. - Start Work Now: employment-related initiatives. - Backing Māori into Skilled Work: Māori-led training to help people enter skilled, better-paid employment. - Small-business support intended to encourage employment and business growth. - Fairer workplace policies. Labour also proposes measures to reduce household expenses, including a public transport fare cap. What this could mean for you: Labour's published programme has a relatively strong focus on pathways into work and vocational skills. However, its published 2026 platform does not set out a comparably detailed replacement for the current Jobseeker eligibility and obligations system. It is important not to assume that Labour would automatically remove all existing work-search requirements or sanctions. [Labour's 2026 Election Policies](https://www.labour.org.nz/our-policies/)[Labour's 2026 Election Policies](https://www.labour.org.nz/policy) ### Green Party ![Green Party NZ (@NZGreens) on X](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/xwoeA3rTn5Pu0UL1uRc6X_g8ADsfUTe55rxQEjXC_rnFR_6TPTr_9eG0LsowNOdFRtax24qB8h-LRfUtZEf42T0CC5OclOZ5katbFJAYxs0cZRyqDBlGNgF_8AV_5WTCbYonGIqLGuK095lLGrkBVw3L8vdsA06tLHVNuCJquuc?purpose=inline) Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand The Greens advocate a more supportive welfare system, with a greater emphasis on financial security and individual circumstances. Their published social support proposals include: - Increasing baseline benefit payments. - Removing benefit sanctions. - Increasing the income threshold before benefits are reduced. - Moving towards individual rather than household-based entitlement assessments. - Improving financial support for people entering training and employment. The Greens have also recently announced plans to abolish the training wage and increase the apprentice toolbox allowance to $2,000. What this could mean for you: The Greens' approach places more emphasis on allowing people to maintain financial stability while they improve their circumstances. For someone considering retraining, their position on benefit sanctions and the treatment of income from part-time work is particularly relevant. However, the precise eligibility and implementation details of any replacement system need to be checked. [Putting the heart back into our social support system](https://action.greens.org.nz/social_support)[Green Party to abolish training wage and provide more support for apprentices](https://www.greens.org.nz/green_party_to_abolish_training_wage_and_provide_more_support_for_apprentices) ### ACT Party ![South Island Election Conference 2026](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/GcOzrFkDRkAT5J-3PLntC_t3eT3wuPG52vNnpFJ5xZAm4GrcYnInkkPCmGvxX-xsLbKhD0YWJuWw0gMUfC5fTGhQn818DeGkix5pKa7WUbVIsnjuibMwywV1KW_WLaNJZs2MuIPK7QyoR7pxqUmRZFimxeuxpwyXEYctXwiIwE8?purpose=inline) ACT New Zealand ACT advocates a strongly conditional welfare system, with employment expectations and personal responsibility at its centre. Its announced welfare proposals include: - Mandatory electronic money management for work-ready Jobseeker recipients who have been receiving benefits for more than four months. - Directing benefit spending towards essentials such as rent, food, power, transport and healthcare. - Blocking specified purchases and cash withdrawals through the payment card. - More stringent medical certification requirements for health-related benefits. What this could mean for you: If you are work-ready and receiving Jobseeker Support for several months, ACT's proposed money-management system could affect how you access and spend your benefit. ACT's proposal is particularly relevant if you expect to need income support for an extended period while considering your next career move. [ACT New Zealand](https://www.act.org.nz/news/act-announces-policy-to-make-benefits-a-hand-up-not-a-way-of-life)[ACT New Zealand](https://www.act.org.nz/welfare) ### New Zealand First ![New Zealand legislative election winner? Predictions & Od... 2026 | Polymarket](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/UmXClDd76aKEk_XyXfEEacFBHXO18HFMG1Im-weRm7tb64uGzBsRK3vWPXuiFN2zaWaNznb7eSDIJucKOhlXtwb6Lq-BYR6oxisKzHsWTxF5AsiLmtcNGDNtwCsXzgIuSp2vW4pa6pAda-tTriG23zKX1ZuknQ81HGh411pqRkM?purpose=inline) New Zealand First New Zealand First's published 2026 programme focuses on economic development, employment, cost of living and regional growth. Its commitments include: - Increasing the minimum wage annually for three years. - Increasing Working for Families assistance. - Lowering company tax for qualifying small and medium businesses. - Investing in infrastructure and regional economic development. - Reforming skilled work visas around occupational shortages. What this could mean for you: Its business and regional development policies may have indirect employment benefits, particularly if new investment creates jobs in your industry or region. However, its published election programme does not provide a detailed new Jobseeker Support framework or a specific comprehensive retraining entitlement for redundant workers. [Our Policy](https://www.nzfirst.nz/policy) ### Te Pāti Māori ![New Zealand Legislative Election Winner 2026 Odds | Polymarket](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/HHEWLfcjRbgNTl3J7ZI3ahpGFiM337cSMZSj-gfqthhb3O1OJ8vhDGH4x2nBOUQoPRFHldf4E0rUprxmRG4JddGiw5atorslzfs34M-9xbTy2yNYWAjL5wP10lk3C-YjZAm-m43DF6her5QZGf5OtQEw7NLpqO4hrIjzpsWiQm8?purpose=inline) Te Pāti Māori Te Pāti Māori's approach focuses on stronger welfare provision, lifting incomes and community-led economic development. Its published positions include: - Strengthening welfare so families are not punished for being poor. - Raising incomes to support a dignified standard of living. - Removing barriers to education and training. - Supporting Māori-led education and employment programmes. - Investing in Māori enterprise and economic development. What this could mean for you: Its approach emphasises social and financial support alongside training and community-based employment pathways. Its published platform provides broad commitments, but less detail on the precise Jobseeker payment rates, eligibility thresholds and work obligations that would apply to a person in your circumstances. [Policy](https://www.maoriparty.org.nz/policy) ## 3. Side-by-side comparison This table summarises the main differences relevant to someone who has been made redundant and is deciding whether to retrain. | Party | Income support philosophy | Sanctions and obligations | Training and employment | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | National | Conditional safety net | Stronger conditions and longer-term reductions | Targeted employment assistance | | Labour | Employment and skills development | No comprehensive replacement framework announced | Apprenticeships and skilled-work pathways | | Greens | Higher and more flexible support | Proposes removing sanctions | Greater support for training and part-time work | | ACT | Strongly conditional support | Electronic money management after four months | Emphasis on returning to employment | | NZ First | Employment and economic growth | No detailed new framework announced | Business growth and regional employment | | Te Pāti Māori | Stronger welfare and income security | Opposes punitive approaches to poverty | Māori-led education and training | These are differences in announced policy direction, not guarantees of what a future coalition government would implement. ## 4. The particularly important question: can you retrain while receiving support? This is where I would pay especially close attention to party policies. There are three different situations: A. Looking for similar employment You remain on Jobseeker Support, actively applying for appropriate positions. - You retain access to the existing income-support framework if eligible. - You can participate in employment-related training. - Work and Income may refer you to courses and employment programmes. B. Retraining while looking for work You undertake a course while continuing to meet your job-search obligations. - Some part-time study may be possible. - You need to tell Work and Income about your study. - You should confirm that the course and timetable are compatible with your obligations before enrolling. C. Full-time retraining You decide to stop looking for work temporarily and undertake full-time study. - Jobseeker Support generally isn't available to full-time students. - You may qualify for a Student Allowance or Student Loan through StudyLink. - Eligibility depends on the course, your circumstances and the relevant StudyLink rules. The distinction matters because a government could have generous training policies but still leave a gap in living-cost support for someone who wants to retrain full-time. ## 5. An important development in the current legislation The 2026 Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Act was passed on 3 September 2026. Some provisions commence on 2 November 2026, with further provisions commencing in April 2027. One of the changes introduces parental-income requirements for certain younger Jobseeker applicants. This is more relevant to younger people than to someone established in their career, but it illustrates why the actual legislation matters alongside election promises. [Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Act 2026](https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2026/54/en/latest/) You can read the legislation here: [Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Act 2026](https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2026/54/en/latest/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ## 6. What I would investigate before making your decision There are three financial questions worth examining before committing to another career. 1. How long can you manage on income support? Work out your rent, essential bills and available savings against the actual benefit entitlement. 2. How transferable are your existing skills? Retraining might not require starting from scratch. Some qualifications or short courses could make you employable in an adjacent industry. 3. Can you receive financial support while studying? Compare StudyLink, employer-supported training, apprenticeships and Work and Income employment programmes. Work and Income also has a dedicated redundancy service that can help with job searches, CVs, interviews, training opportunities and financial assistance. You can approach them before your employment officially ends. [Redundancy support](https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/lost-job/made-redundant.html)[You're not working](https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/lost-job/index.html) ## 7. Where to compare the parties' actual policies For independent comparisons, these are useful resources: - [Policy.nz – 2026 election policy comparison](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/incomes-and-employment?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — compare parties on incomes, employment and benefits. - [The Conversation – 2026 election policy tracker](https://stories.theconversation.com/nz-policy-tracker-2026/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — track published commitments across parties. - [Work and Income – Jobseeker Support](https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/products/a-z-benefits/jobseeker-support?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — current eligibility and payment rules. - [Work and Income – Redundancy support](https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/lost-job/made-redundant.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com) — assistance specifically for people made redundant. ## 8. Let's make this relevant to your circumstances There are a few details that would make a substantial difference to understanding which policies matter most in your situation. I would particularly like to distinguish between someone who needs immediate financial assistance while searching for work and someone who needs the freedom to retrain without losing their financial security. One question to start with: What industry have you worked in for most of your career? That will help me identify whether there are realistic adjacent career pathways, what retraining might involve, and which parties' employment and training proposals are most relevant to examine. I can then put together a more focused comparison of the 2026 parties covering the things that matter most: weekly income, rent assistance, redundancy treatment, training costs, eligibility and whether you would be expected to accept a job outside your previous industry. --- Worked for 14s Searching the web Searching the web Searching the web Searched 13 websites ## Gemini Answer ID: 1ad64eb1-d8bf-485a-a154-48507ae3d2d9 Going through a redundancy after years in the same industry is a major life stressor, and facing the choice between retraining and immediate job-hunting makes it even harder to navigate. In New Zealand, the major political parties approach the welfare system, support for jobseekers, and retraining with distinct philosophies, rules, and obligation frameworks. --- ### Current Baseline: Jobseeker Support If you apply for government assistance right now through Work and Income (MSD), you would typically apply for **Jobseeker Support**. * **Eligibility & Redundancy:** Because redundancy is through no fault of your own, you generally do not face the 13-week penalty stand-down applied to voluntary resignations. However, your final payouts (like accumulated holiday pay or pay in lieu of notice) can affect your immediate start date or create a short stand-down period (usually 1 to 2 weeks). Your actual redundancy lump sum does not block you from eventually getting the benefit, but MSD looks at household income. * **Obligations:** You are required to actively look for work and attend regular interviews or planning sessions with MSD. --- ### How the Political Parties Differ on Support, Obligations, and Retraining #### 1. National-Led Government / Centre-Right Parties National’s approach emphasizes strict work-readiness, faster transitions off welfare, and mutual obligations, alongside targeted support for specific groups: * **Welfare Obligations & Sanctions:** National has focused on tightening rules for those on Jobseeker Support. This includes policies like implementing random drug-testing for work-ready jobseekers (with benefit sanctions for repeated failures) and introducing electronic money management cards for long-term jobseekers (restricting cash withdrawals and spending on things like alcohol or tobacco). * **Long-Term Unemployed Focus:** They place a strong emphasis on moving people off benefits and into work quickly, scaling intensive employment support primarily for those who have been on benefits long-term (over a year) rather than expanding baseline benefit amounts. * **Retraining vs. Work:** Centre-right policies generally favor getting back into *any* sustainable employment quickly rather than long-term state-funded retraining, though they support industry-specific training initiatives (like apprenticeships) via employers. #### 2. Labour-Led / Centre-Left Parties (Labour & The Greens) The opposition parties focus on higher baseline income security, softening punitive sanctions, and heavily funding education, training, and job creation pathways: * **Income Security & Benefit Settings:** Centre-left parties generally argue that current benefit levels are too low to cover essentials like rent, favoring increases to main benefits or introducing individual income insurance frameworks. They heavily criticize harsh benefit sanctions. * **Retraining and Education Focus:** If you are leaning toward **retraining** rather than rushing into a similar dying industry, the Labour-Green side traditionally offers stronger structural support. For instance, the Greens have proposed guaranteed pathways into education, training, or new jobs for displaced or young workers, alongside large-scale job creation programs in green energy and public infrastructure. * **Support for Earners / Levies:** Labour and the Greens tend to favor worker protections, strengthening collective bargaining, and expanding workforce development strategies that make it safer and more financially viable to transition careers. --- ### Weighing Your Options: Retraining vs. Job Hunting * **If you choose to keep looking for similar work:** Centre-right policies will likely offer a leaner welfare safety net with more stringent obligations, mandatory work-search requirements, and potential oversight, aiming to push you into the workforce as fast as possible. Centre-left policies would provide a slightly more cushioned safety net with fewer punitive measures while you search. * **If you choose to retrain:** Look closely at the parties' tertiary education and targeted training subsidies. Centre-left parties typically campaign heavily on free or subsidized retraining schemes, targeted industry grants, and allowances for adults upskilling. Centre-right parties generally direct retraining support narrowly through employer-backed models (such as apprenticeship boosts) rather than open-ended study support. As you weigh your vote and your personal next steps, would you like to explore what financial entitlements (like Accommodation Supplement or Temporary Additional Support) you might qualify for right now while between jobs? ## Google AI Mode Answer ID: 9a707445-9453-4010-a518-94bb097212fe Navigating redundancy and figuring out your next steps is a stressful position to be in, especially with rent and day-to-day living costs on the line. In New Zealand's political landscape, the major parties offer sharply contrasting philosophies when it comes to supporting people between jobs, balancing financial assistance with work obligations, sanctions, and retraining initiatives. * * * 1\. National & Center-Right Parties (ACT, NZ First) * **Focus & Philosophy:** Emphasizes strict work-readiness, active job-searching obligations, and reducing long-term dependency on welfare through enhanced mutual obligations and sanctions. * **Obligations & Compliance:** * Proposes tougher compliance measures for jobseekers, such as random drug-testing frameworks for beneficiaries to verify work-readiness. Failing obligations or tests can trigger tiered sanctions or benefit reductions. * Stricter stand-down periods or penalties for individuals who repeatedly leave employment without a good reason, alongside tighter residency qualification rules for certain supports. * **Retraining vs. Immediate Work:** Tends to prioritize rapid re-entry into the existing workforce over long-term state-funded retraining, aligning support systems with active job-seeking milestones rather than extended study. 2\. Labour & Center-Left / Progressive Parties (Greens, Te Pāti Māori) * **Focus & Philosophy:** Focuses on strengthening baseline income support, reducing punitive sanctions, and expanding targeted industry retraining or vocational pathways. * **Retraining & Redundancy Support:** * Proposes reviewing redundancy compensation provisions and the Employment Relations Act to better protect and support workers when they lose their jobs. * Advocates for targeted regional training, structured vocational and work-based training standards, and micro-credentials to help transitioning workers adapt skills for shifting industries. * **Obligations & Support Rules:** Favors a less punitive sanctions regime, preferring intensive case management, barrier-reduction (like transport or childcare support), and specialized training funds (including Māori-led or regional workforce plans) rather than tightening eligibility or implementing behavioral testing. * * * Practical Next Steps While evaluating political options, you need immediate support for your rent and living expenses: * **Check Your Eligibility:** Even with redundancy payouts or a final-pay period, you can apply for Work and Income (MSD) Jobseeker Support. Note that a stand-down period may apply depending on your final redundancy payout and partner income. * **Explore Training Support:** If you lean toward retraining, explore Vocational Education and Training (VET) options or skills-matching programs through regional tertiary providers that may offer short-term financial assistance or targeted study grants. ## AI Overviews Answer ID: d0007683-761b-42f5-b621-64836619f764 Redundancy is an incredibly stressful experience, especially when navigating rent payments and deciding whether to pivot careers or stick to what you know. For the **2026 New Zealand general election** , support for jobseekers, benefit eligibility, and mutual obligations have become major policy battlegrounds. isentia.comNZ Election 2026: Policies, Parties & Key Issues - Isentia The political parties approach people between jobs from fundamentally different philosophical angles. The **National-led coalition** focuses on tightening rules, increasing accountability, and strict work-readiness. In contrast, the **Labour and Green opposition** emphasizes expanding support networks, lowering living costs, and easing conditions for retraining. rnz.co.nzLabour, Greens slam National's promise to drug test unemployed beneficiaries | RNZHere are 5 changes to New Zealand's welfare system NationalA firm, fair and affordable welfare system - National Party * * * Direct Policy Comparison Party| Core Focus for Jobseekers| Key Obligations & Sanctions| Retraining & Support ---|---|---|--- **National**| **Strict mutual obligations** ; keeping the benefit as a temporary safety net.| **Random drug testing** ; payments cut if on a benefit for 2 out of the past 3 years; doubled stand-down period for leaving jobs.| Earlier, intensive work-focused case management for 30,000 jobseekers. **ACT**| **High accountability** ; supports National’s welfare cuts but pushes for stricter measures.| Strongly backs drug testing and tight eligibility to ensure beneficiaries are highly motivated to work.| Focuses on broader economic deregulation to naturally increase private-sector job creation. **Labour**| **Cost-of-living relief** and localized job matching.| Opposes drug testing and long stand-downs; promises to peg benefits to inflation or average wage growth (whichever is higher).| **30,000 new apprenticeships** ; tailored MSD case management; review of legal redundancy minimums. **Green Party**| **Universal economic security** and green transitions.| Condemns benefit sanctions and drug testing as punitive. Pushes to remove income-testing penalties for studying.| Direct creation of **64,000 green/public sector jobs** ; high support for long-term retraining. * * * Eligibility Rules and Obligations The National and ACT Coalition Approach If the current government retains power, your obligations while looking for work will involve tighter monitoring: * **Random Drug Testing:** National has introduced a policy of random drug testing for Jobseeker recipients to ensure they are "work-ready". A second failure triggers a clinical assessment, and continued non-compliance results in benefit cuts. stories.theconversation.comElection policy tracker: what the parties are promising * **Stricter Time Limits:** If you remain on the benefit for two out of three years, your payments will be reduced (by up to $48.05 a week for singles, based on current projections). nzherald.co.nzElection 2026: National proposes random drug * **Residency and Stand-downs:** The minimum residency requirement to claim a main benefit is set to move from 2 years to 5 years. Additionally, if someone repeatedly leaves a job without a good reason, the non-entitlement stand-down period doubles from 13 weeks to 26 weeks. The Labour and Green Opposition Approach If a left-leaning coalition takes government, the focus shifts toward reducing systemic pressure on you while you look for work: * **Removal of Sanctions:** Both parties promise to roll back punitive measures like drug testing and severe financial sanctions, which they argue push people into severe poverty. * **Inflation Protection:** Labour commits to indexing benefits to the higher of inflation or wage growth, preventing your purchasing power from slipping while you pay rent. * * * Retraining vs. Seeking Similar Work * **If you want to retrain:** **Labour** is campaigning heavily on practical upskilling, offering a boost to fund 30,000 apprenticeships and targeted regional training programs. The **Greens** heavily support eliminating the barriers between welfare and education, making it easier to study without losing your baseline financial safety net. labour.org.nzMEANS FOR NEW ZEALAND - Labour PartyLabour's 2026 Election Policies in Auckland and Wellington by The Oceanic Press on Facebook - 1 minute 30 seconds * **If you want to stick to your industry:** **National** offers earlier, tailored case-management support through the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) for the first 30,000 work-ready jobseekers to get them back into the workforce quickly. However, Labour is also looking to alter the Employment Relations Act to improve statutory **minimum redundancy compensation** , meaning workers laid off in the future would have a larger financial cushion. national.org.nz While you weigh your political options, you can check your current immediate support options—like the Accommodation Supplement to help with your rent—using the Work and Income Benefit Eligibility Tool. workandincome.govt.nzJobseeker Support - Work and Income * * * To help look at how this impacts your budget right now, feel free to share: * Your approximate **weekly rent** * Whether you have a **partner or dependent children** living with you * The **industry** you were just laid off from national.org.nz I can give you a breakdown of what immediate MSD help you qualify for today.