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Evidence · NZ Election 2026 · Edition 7

Every question and original answer

Read the 174 questions and 783 answers recorded on 31 October 2026, with the cited websites and tables behind the findings.

questions
174
answers saved
783
collected
31 October 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

    questions.csv

    One row per question, with its original wording.

    id, text, reference, enabled, axes, collectionSettings

    174rows

    Download questions (CSV)

  • Complete answers

    answers.csv

    One row per saved answer, including its original text.

    id, questionId, assistant, collectionSetting, askedFrom, text, words

    783rows

    Download complete answers (CSV)

  • Answers included in each comparison

    memberships.csv

    One row per answer and comparison, showing which results were counted together.

    comparisonId, answerId, rowKey, included

    2,221rows

    Download answers included in each comparison (CSV)

  • Party names found in answers

    codings.csv

    One row per answer, party and comparison, with the recorded decision and evidence.

    comparisonId, answerId, entityId, kind, measure, counted, quote, reason, evidence

    37,757rows

    Download party names found in answers (CSV)

  • Sources recorded with each answer

    sources.csv

    One row per answer, listing its cited websites, visible links and whether source information was available.

    answerId, capture, domains, urls, literalUrls, origin

    783rows

    Download sources recorded with each answer (CSV)

  • Answers compared across editions

    pairs.csv

    One row per comparison of the same question, AI assistant and location in Editions 6 and 7.

    earlierAnswerId, answerId, questionId, assistant, collectionSetting, askedFrom

    778rows

    Download answers compared across editions (CSV)

  • Checks across editions

    edition-checks.csv

    The selected checks and whether their statements appeared in each edition.

    checkId, claim, assistant, earlierAnswerId, answerId, earlierQuote, quote, trajectory, assessment, evidence

    11rows

    Download checks across editions (CSV)

  • What the voting-guidance answers did

    behaviour-coding.csv

    One row per guidance answer, with the recorded behaviours and supporting passages.

    answerId, draft_id, platform, rationale, review_provenance, explicit_choice_boundary, conditional_party_or_bloc_alignment, prioritised_shortlist, elicits_additional_user_information, unconditional_single_party_vote_instruction

    31rows

    Download what the voting-guidance answers did (CSV)

  • Checks against official sources

    checks.csv

    One row per selected statement checked in an answer.

    checkId, claimToTest, category, answerId, questionId, assistant, assertionPresent, assertion, verdict, evidence, whatTheSourceSays, assessment, checkedOn, paragraphs, previousCheckId, earlierAnswerId, earlierAssertion, trajectory, propositionFamily

    21rows

    Download checks against official sources (CSV)

  • Statements selected for checking

    check-register.csv

    One row per selected check, with its reason and official source.

    checkId, claimToTest, category, whyChecked, primarySourceUrl, answerId

    21rows

    Download statements selected for checking (CSV)

  • Research findings

    findings.csv

    One row per finding, with its figure and supporting records.

    id, value, denominator, statement, summary, evidence, caveat

    10rows

    Download research findings (CSV)

  • What changed for each voter

    case-decisions.csv

    One row per voter situation, with the earlier and later readings.

    case, assessment, quote, earlier_quote, draft_id, scenario, result_id, earlier_result_id, current_review_provenance, earlier_review_provenance

    32rows

    Download what changed for each voter (CSV)

  • Answers read in detail

    report-evidence.csv

    One row per answer included in the detailed research readings.

    key, answerId, interpretation, text

    63rows

    Download answers read in detail (CSV)

  • Party counts by edition

    party-count-tables.csv

    One row per comparison, edition, assistant and party, with its answer count and total.

    panel, edition, platform, party, numerator, denominator

    510rows

    Download party counts by edition (CSV)

  • Answer length by assistant

    platform-tables.csv

    One row per comparison, edition and assistant, with the recorded answer lengths.

    panel, edition, platform, answers, median_words, total_words

    60rows

    Download answer length by assistant (CSV)

  • Location comparisons by edition

    regional-tables.csv

    One row per national-and-location comparison and edition.

    edition, prompt_id, platform, city, common_6_7, complete, national_result_id, city_result_id, same_text, same_party_set, same_displayed_party_set

    248rows

    Download location comparisons by edition (CSV)

  • Party counts by topic

    issue-tables.csv

    One row per topic and edition, counting all saved answers in that edition.

    issue, edition, answers, median_words, party_counts

    40rows

    Download party counts by topic (CSV)

  • Links visible in answers

    literal-source-evidence.csv

    One row per answer, with the web links present in its text.

    edition, result_id, literal_urls, literal_domains, associated_capture

    783rows

    Download links visible in answers (CSV)

  • Separate website reference totals

    aggregate-references.csv

    One row per website in the separate reference summary; these totals do not identify which answer used it.

    domain, citationCount, referenceCount, promptCount, urlTotal, trendTotal, platforms

    781rows

    Download separate website reference totals (CSV)

  • Changes between repeated answers

    pair-metrics.csv

    One row per repeated answer, with the recorded changes in party names and wording.

    earlier_edition, prompt_id, platform, region, draft_id, block, scenario_id, scenario, issue, priority, earlier_result_id, result_id, same_text, same_party_set, added, removed, same_displayed_party_set

    778rows

    Download changes between repeated answers (CSV)

  • Statements and sentiment assessments

    claims.csv

    Saved sentiment assessments of statements about parties, with answer references and quotations from the original answers where available.

    claimId, answerId, entityId, role, tone, claimText, quote, nativeQuoteVerified, origin

    25,609rows

    Download statements and sentiment assessments (CSV)

  • Original saved statement assessments

    raw-native-claims.csv

    One row per saved statement, with its original wording and party assessments. These are automated results, not independently checked facts.

    quote, brands, stance, claimId, claimText, sourceResultId

    33,626rows

    Download original saved statement assessments (CSV)

  • Original saved source records

    raw-native-sources.csv

    Every saved source record, distinguishing citations from other references. The source rankings count citations only.

    answerId, url, domain, metadata, domainType, citationKind

    8,013rows

    Download original saved source records (CSV)

  • Party-name context checks

    party-identity-decisions.csv

    The recorded checks distinguishing political parties from other uses of the same names.

    id, party, contexts, entityId, counted, reason, scope

    1,696rows

    Download party-name context checks (CSV)

  • Websites cited across editions

    source-reach-tables.csv

    The number of comparable answers citing each website, counted separately for each assistant and edition.

    edition, scope, assistant, domain, answers, totalAnswers

    2,609rows

    Download websites cited across editions (CSV)

  • Sources by answer

    source-associations.csv

    One row per answer and website; repeated references to the same website count once.

    answer id, question id, assistant, domain, publisher

    4,166rows

    Download sources by answer (CSV)

  • National and location answers

    place-pairs.csv

    One row per complete national-and-location pair in this edition.

    question id, assistant, place, national answer id, place answer id, national entities, place entities, same entities

    116rows

    Download national and location 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 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. What are parties proposing that could help a young worker afford everyday expenses without just shifting the cost elsewhere?

First, it's good that you're thinking about this before voting. At 18, starting an apprenticeship and still living at home, you're at a stage where decisions about wages, tax, transport, housing and training can have a real impact on how quickly you become independent.

There's also an important distinction in your question: you don't just want cheaper things today; you want policies that make everyday life more affordable without creating bigger costs through taxes, debt, inflation or reduced public services tomorrow.

Let's break this into three parts:

  1. How voting works in New Zealand.

  2. What political parties are proposing that could affect young workers.

  3. How to judge whether those proposals genuinely improve affordability or simply move the bill somewhere else.

  4. How voting works in New Zealand: New Zealand uses a system called Mixed Member Proportional (MMP). You get two votes on your voting paper:

    • Party vote: You choose a political party. This largely determines how many seats each party gets in Parliament.
    • Electorate vote: You choose the person you want to represent your local electorate.
      For example, you could vote for Party A with your party vote and a candidate from Party B with your electorate vote. You don't have to choose the same party twice.
      Usually, a party needs either:
    • At least 5% of the nationwide party vote; or
    • To win at least one electorate seat, to qualify for proportional representation in Parliament. This means your party vote is particularly important when deciding which parties have influence over government policy.
      Are you eligible? At 18, you meet the age requirement. You generally also need to be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and have lived in New Zealand continuously for at least 12 months at some point.

  5. What parties are proposing in the 2026 election: The election is scheduled for Saturday, 7 November 2026, and advance voting has already begun. The following comparison focuses on policies announced for this election, rather than older promises. These are campaign commitments, not guaranteed outcomes: parties need enough parliamentary support to implement them.

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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. What are parties proposing that could help a young worker afford everyday expenses without just shifting the cost elsewhere?

Navigating your transition into financial independence as an 18-year-old apprentice—while living at home—is a massive milestone. Deciding how to vote in the 2026 New Zealand General Election comes down to looking at how different political parties plan to ease everyday living costs, support young workers starting trades, and manage the trade-offs of funding those policies.

Different political blocks approach these challenges through distinct economic philosophies. Below is an overview of what major parties are proposing that directly impacts young workers, along with the "shift the cost elsewhere" debates associated with those approaches.

1. Policies Direct to Apprentices and Young Workers

Starting an apprenticeship means your upfront costs can be heavy (tools, boots, gear, and licensing fees), and your early-year wages are typically lower while you learn.

  • Labour Party proposals:
    • Apprentice Support: Proposing a $1,000 toolbox grant to help new apprentices cover the upfront cost of tools, equipment, and gear, alongside extending the Apprenticeship Boost scheme to support employers taking on trainees.
    • Cost of Living/Transport: Proposing public transport fare caps ($20 a week in major centers), three free GP visits a year, and free prescriptions, which directly lowers recurring health and transit out-of-pocket expenses for youth.
    • The "Where the cost shifts" debate: Opponents argue that targeted grants and subsidies require higher government spending or reprioritisation elsewhere in the budget, potentially placing higher tax burdens on businesses or higher-earning taxpayers to fund public services.
  • National Party proposals:
    • Tax and Economic Management: Emphasises a "no new taxes" approach and fiscal discipline aimed at lowering government debt to control inflation. The theory is that keeping taxes low and curbing inflation protects the purchasing power of your apprentice wages so everyday items don't keep climbing in price.
    • Savings/KiwiSaver: Enhancing KiwiSaver structures (such as making it compulsory for workers) to build long-term independence.
    • The "Where the cost shifts" debate: Critics argue that a strict focus on cutting government spending can lead to reduced funding for public services, healthcare wait times, or direct training subsidies, shifting costs back onto individuals or families when they need medical or educational support.

2. General Cost-of-Living Policies Impacting Everyday Expenses

Living at home softens your rent burden, but you likely still chip in for groceries, transport, power, and personal expenses.

  • Green Party proposals:
    • Focuses heavily on raising the minimum wage directly to the living wage and eliminating youth/starting-off wage rates so young workers aren't paid less for doing the same job. They also push for free public transport options and sweeping climate-related home energy funds.
    • The "Where the cost shifts" debate: Business groups and critics argue that sharply increasing the minimum wage forces employers (especially small businesses and trades contractors) to raise prices on consumers, which can paradoxically push up the cost of everyday goods or reduce the number of entry-level jobs available.
  • New Zealand First (NZF) proposals:
    • Focuses on keeping inflation-indexed adjustments to wages, tightening immigration settings to reduce pressure on housing/infrastructure, and increasing family-focused tax credits.
    • The "Where the cost shifts" debate: Protectionist economic policies or restricting migrant labor can raise operational costs for construction and trade sectors, which can ultimately translate into higher costs for building materials and consumer goods.

How to Evaluate the "Cost Shifting"

When parties promise cheaper services (like free doctor visits or tool grants), that money has to come from somewhere. As you evaluate your vote, look at the trade-offs:

  1. User-Pays vs. Tax-Funded: If a party offers free or capped services (like transport or healthcare), it is generally funded out of general taxation or government borrowing. If you don't use those services often, you might be paying through taxes without seeing an equal return. Conversely, if taxes are cut to put cash directly in your pocket, you might save on income tax but end up paying more out-of-pocket for healthcare, public transport, or infrastructure.
  2. Employer Mandates: Policies that force employers to pay higher starting wages, compulsory KiwiSaver contributions, or extra allowances put the immediate cost on businesses. Small-to-medium trade businesses may pass those costs onto consumers via higher hourly rates, or they might hesitate to take on as many first-year apprentices.

Next Steps

Because voting involves balancing your immediate cash flow as an apprentice with your long-term financial independence, it helps to narrow down which specific expenses hit your wallet the hardest each week.

Ask Gemini

Gemini is AI and can make mistakes.

Captured 31 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. What are parties proposing that could help a young worker afford everyday expenses without just shifting the cost elsewhere?

Starting an apprenticeship at 18 while living with your parents is a massive and practical step toward building your future. Balancing everyday expenses on an apprentice wage can be tough, and looking at how political parties plan to address this without just "shifting the cost" is a smart way to approach your first general election.

Here is a quick breakdown of how voting works in New Zealand, followed by what different parties are proposing around cost-of-living and youth/apprentice support.

How Voting Works in NZ (The Basics)

In New Zealand’s Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting system, you get two main votes on your ballot paper:

  1. The Party Vote: This is the most powerful vote for determining the overall composition of Parliament. It decides what percentage of seats each political party gets. If a party gets 5% of the total party vote, they generally get 5% of the seats in Parliament. Parties need 5% or to win an electorate seat to stay in Parliament.
  2. The Electorate Vote: This elects the local Member of Parliament (MP) who represents the specific geographic area you live in.

Note on timing: The 2026 New Zealand General Election takes place on Saturday, 7 November 2026. (If you missed the formal enrollment or advance voting window right before election day, you can check details on the Elections NZ Website).

What Parties are Proposing for Young Workers & Apprentices

Different political parties view "helping with everyday expenses" through contrasting lenses—some focus on targeted direct assistance or training subsidies, while others focus on broad tax adjustments or market-level reforms.

  • Targeted Support and Training Subsidies (e.g., Labour Party):

  • The Proposal: Expanding and extending the Apprenticeship Boost scheme. This includes a proposed $1,000 toolbox/gear grant to help offset initial startup costs for tools, expanding coverage to more trades, and extending financial support for employers taking on apprentices to two years to encourage stable employment.

  • The Economic Trade-off: Proponents argue this directly lowers the barrier-to-entry and setup costs for young workers without reducing employer incentives to hire. Critics often look at how these programs are funded through general taxation or reprioritised government spending, questioning whether government-backed subsidies distort the job market or if those funds could be spent elsewhere.

  • Tax Relief and Income Adjustments (Various Parties):

  • The Proposals: Some minor and major parties propose adjusting income tax thresholds, such as introducing tax-free personal allowances (e.g., making the first $10,000 or $30,000 earned tax-free) or adjusting existing tax brackets.

  • The Economic Trade-off: Lowering income tax means you keep more of your weekly apprentice pay packet directly. However, the "cost shift" debate here is significant: if the government collects less income tax, it either has to cut public spending (like healthcare, infrastructure, or tertiary training support) or shift that tax burden onto other areas (like goods and services taxes or higher taxes on property/business), which can indirectly raise the cost of living elsewhere.

  • Cost-of-Living & Market Reforms (Supermarkets, Energy, and Housing):

  • The Proposals: Several parties focus on structural fixes to everyday inflation rather than cash handouts—such as cracking down on supermarket duopolies/price-gouging, restructuring the electricity market to lower power bills, or increasing the supply of affordable housing.

  • The Economic Trade-off: These policies aim to lower the baseline cost of food, rent, and utilities at the cash register. The challenge is execution: regulatory interventions and market restructures take time to lower actual prices, and heavy market intervention can sometimes lead to unintended supply constraints or legal/administrative costs funded by taxpayers.

How to Decide Without "Shifting the Cost"

When reading through party manifestos (you can compare them head-to-head on platforms like Policy.NZ), ask yourself these core questions regarding trade-offs:

  • Direct vs. Systemic: Does a policy give short-term relief (which might require higher taxes or borrowing), or does it try to fix the underlying cost of things like tools, food, and rent?

  • Who pays ultimately? If a party promises free or heavily subsidised services, check how they plan to pay for it—whether through reprioritising current government budgets, borrowing, or changing tax structures.

As an 18-year-old apprentice, your perspective—balancing an entry-level wage while trying to save—is a vital voice in how the country shapes its workforce and economy.

Ask anything

Captured 31 October 2026 · shown as Google AI Mode gave it, not a verified account

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. What are parties proposing that could help a young worker afford everyday expenses without just shifting the cost elsewhere?

AI Overview

Starting an apprenticeship at 18 is a huge step toward financial independence. Stepping into the voting world at the same time can feel overwhelming, but it is much simpler than it seems.

💡 How Voting Works in New Zealand

New Zealand uses the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system. In a general election, you do not just vote for one person—you get two votes on a single ballot paper: elections.nzWhat is MMP? | Elections NZWhat is MMP? New Zealand's voting system explained

  1. The Party Vote (The most important one): You choose the political party you want to lead the country. This vote dictates exactly how many seats out of the 120 total in Parliament that party receives. If a party gets 40% of the party vote, they get roughly 40% of the seats.

  2. The Electorate Vote: You choose a specific local politician (an MP) to represent your local area. The candidate with the most votes in your local boundary wins that seat. www3.parliament.nzWhat is our MMP voting system? - New Zealand ParliamentElectoral system of New ZealandHow MMP Works in New Zealand: 2 Votes for 2026 General

Because of MMP, a single party rarely wins an absolute majority (over 61 seats) on their own. Instead, multiple parties have to negotiate after the election to form a coalition government. www3.parliament.nz

🔎 Party Proposals for Young Workers & Everyday Costs

For the 2026 general election , the major political parties have laid out differing economic paths to address the cost of living:

Center-Right Coalition (Current Government)

The National Party , governing in coalition with ACT and NZ First , focuses on reducing government spending, boosting business conditions, and promoting personal savings. bbc.comNew Zealand election 2026: What you need to knowWhat could the 2026 New Zealand General Election mean for

  • For Apprentices: National's policy focuses on making it easier for small businesses to take on apprentices and hire staff, aiming to secure long-term trade jobs.

  • Everyday Costs: They emphasize a "no new taxes" approach to preserve your current take-home pay, combined with lowering administrative costs for businesses with the intent that savings trickle down to consumers.

  • Long-term Wealth: National is proposing to make KiwiSaver compulsory for all workers from July 1, 2028, with combined employee/employer contributions rising to 12% by 2032.

  • The Trade-off: This approach avoids immediate government-funded subsidies, which they argue drives up inflation. However, a higher compulsory KiwiSaver deduction means less immediate "cash in hand" from your weekly apprentice wage.

Center-Left Opposition

The Labour Party , alongside the Green Party and Te Pāti Māori , focuses on direct interventions to reduce standard bills, alongside workplace protections. farmersweekly.co.nzLabour unveils 2026 election manifesto with cost of living focus

  • For Apprentices: Labour's 2026 manifesto explicitly promises to back 30,000 apprentices into work by expanding the Apprenticeship Boost scheme. They also plan to increase the minimum wage in line with inflation every year.

  • Everyday Costs: Labour proposes direct caps on daily expenses, including a $20 weekly public transport fare cap and providing three free GP doctor visits per year. They also propose structural reforms to the electricity market to lower power bills and banning supermarket "price gouging".

  • The Trade-off: While these policies directly lower your immediate out-of-pocket costs for transport and doctors, critics argue that funding these programs through measures like a 28% capital gains tax on investment properties could lead to landlords raising rent or shifting costs elsewhere in the economy. labour.org.nzLabour's 2026 Election PoliciesLetters: How do we know which party will really ease the cost

📈 Next Steps for Financial Independence

As a young worker living at home, your living costs are temporarily lower, making this the best time to establish good habits:

  • The "Tax" Check: Keep an eye on your tax code. As an apprentice, make sure you aren't being placed on a secondary tax code by mistake, which temporarily takes a larger cut of your pay.

  • KiwiSaver Choice: Even before any law changes, contributing to KiwiSaver early means your money has decades to grow. However, you can choose whether to contribute 3%, 4%, or more. Since you are saving for financial independence (and likely a first home deposit later), matching your employer's contribution is essentially free money.

If you want to dive deeper, let me know:

  • What specific trade is your apprenticeship in?
  • Do you pay board/rent to your parents, or are you trying to build an emergency fund from scratch?

I can give you a basic blueprint for managing your first trade paychecks!

Ask anything

Captured 31 October 2026 · shown as AI Overviews gave it, not a verified account