# Question 47: I have a long-term health condition that limits my ability to work. I rely on income support and need regular medical appointments. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. What party policies would help people on a fixed benefit afford food, housing and power? Collected 31 October 2026 [NZ Election 2026 · Edition 7 study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/7) ## ChatGPT Answer ID: 99c9586a-be69-49f4-af18-4dfb6d79df76 # Comparing 2026 New Zealand election policies: living on a fixed benefit When you rely on a benefit because a long-term health condition limits your ability to work, the cost of living is about more than general inflation. It is about whether you can afford the essentials every week, without having to sacrifice food, warmth, housing or medical care. For your voting decision, I would look particularly closely at five areas: 1. Benefit adequacy: Will your income keep pace with the cost of living? 2. Housing: Will you be able to afford rent and have secure, healthy accommodation? 3. Food: Will there be practical help with groceries and basic necessities? 4. Power and heating: Will you be able to keep your home warm without falling behind on bills? 5. Healthcare: Will you be able to afford GP visits, prescriptions, specialist appointments and travel to medical care? An important distinction is between policies that provide immediate financial assistance and policies that promise longer-term improvements. For someone living on a fixed income, both matter, but they have different effects on your weekly budget. ## 1. Income support: how much money would you actually have to live on? This is arguably the most important issue for someone who cannot reliably increase their income through employment. Here are some of the clearest differences between parties. | Party | Relevant 2026 commitments | | --- | --- | | Green Party | Increase main benefits to liveable levels, guarantee a minimum income, increase supplementary assistance and remove benefit sanctions. | | Te Pāti Māori | Double baseline benefit levels, remove sanctions and work-test obligations, and increase the amount people can earn before their benefit reduces. | | The Opportunities Party (TOP) | Introduce a Citizen's Income of up to $370 per week for almost all adults, with additional disability, housing and other support. | | Labour | End annual benefit renewals for people with verified permanent disabilities. Its published commitments also include broader cost-of-living assistance. | | National | Maintain an employment-focused welfare system, with tighter requirements for some Jobseeker recipients. | | ACT | Require independent medical certification for health and disability benefits, with reassessment of existing recipients. | Sources: Disability-focused election analysis by The D\*List and CCS Disability Action. [Party policies, simplified: Disability funding](https://thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-disability-funding/)[Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026) Why this matters: - Increasing the baseline benefit provides money for everyday expenses, not just a particular medical or disability-related expense. - Individualised entitlements mean your access to support is not automatically reduced because you have a partner. - Removing sanctions and unnecessary reassessments can provide greater income security. - A guaranteed income could make budgeting more predictable. One particularly important distinction is that TOP's proposed $370 Citizen's Income would replace most existing benefits, including Jobseeker and Supported Living Payment, with additional top-ups. It is therefore important to examine the proposed disability top-up rather than assume everyone would simply receive $370 extra. [Party policies, simplified: Disability funding](https://thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-disability-funding/) ## 2. Food: making groceries affordable Food assistance can be particularly important when your income is fixed and there is little flexibility in your weekly budget. ![Cost of Living in New Zealand 2026: Groceries, Rent & Food Budgets | NZ Navigator](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/l_aa4WKyhQp4GPz9_IeLP4JBm9Jf56wzHh3HXcdADaYQKvoz_liylGb7k9_UMyG0wl7M8iPXx76O2YgwqXx_xzH9Z1FDFVHg1cHByG1igLed0k2Au13w__6ey2j06xKbijRr4-omA24BnT6HLj2gDPFmGYhGhKgm8Zdw3Lxk_2s?purpose=inline) Green Party Proposes: - Doubling the Work and Income food-grant limit. - A $150 million Fair Food Fund. - More funding for food banks. - A national food strategy and a legal right to adequate food. - A KiwiMart public supermarket initiative. [Election policy tracker: what the parties are promising](https://stories.theconversation.com/nz-policy-tracker-2026/)[Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/incomes-and-employment) ![Foodstuffs co-ops remain committed to competitive and fair grocery sector](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/Det9h6LF9DZlVJA0R1VwzCbETWa5EOSfCUIsOZ861t-rR5BC2vCvseEC0t93G2D1aHbHZMTUUU9Lg2gwjGVbxlPr5tVYc3yFb5W3gvX9wvCrZestO2q3pZvzqzvRl3xfD49ZNNL0ySDWvC_itHvb2RFpm3bEYCn6Gwj5kg7jIio?purpose=inline) National Proposes separating New World and PAK'nSAVE to increase supermarket competition, with the intention of improving prices, specials and product choice. [2026 Election Policy](https://www.national.org.nz/policies)[Election policy tracker: what the parties are promising](https://stories.theconversation.com/nz-policy-tracker-2026/) ![Ellerslie's Fresh Market - Quality Produce & Gourmet Goods – thefreshmarketellerslie](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/IRAGZwA4Hqg-ukzDE1MwjkzrAVmy5s2GYuAUw-IXqM6czo55SvlJE3nrvRLmDbhEd9lI6nTLgwySQh39Gj6PhU65C6H0AVNez2B1A1E_f2PwMsZ7xflbGiUcqNIyGHv0k8b0V93OpBP4tLY3YjKhbqw_E8AwfWIzsZcL2YJ5N0c?purpose=inline) New Zealand First Proposes breaking up the supermarket duopoly to increase competition and reduce market dominance. [Election policy tracker: what the parties are promising](https://stories.theconversation.com/nz-policy-tracker-2026/) The practical difference: The Greens' proposed increase to food grants is directly relevant if you need help buying groceries now. Supermarket competition policies aim to reduce prices more generally, but do not guarantee that an individual beneficiary will have more money available each week. ## 3. Housing: affordable rent and a healthy home ![Emerge Aotearoa | PJM](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/tc6DgYaqN6_-l4utNpNfNkZEoUxAfPH6SPdJ5pQrX61_vt7PWLMk2szlDgXOQbQz4trrte245GWP6lhlXr-DMe4XZrsvPd9J5dURbctkv8qf66cnjgXECYWwrkBk853RQgkyMYhlbnzJmntcqVJWA8FQHEkl0iogDX9LIm6d2A0?purpose=inline) ![How Can Pink Batts Insulation Help Projects Meet a Homestar 6 Rating? – EBOSS](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/x5YTs5oL2teZW3HjuwZwWqc7W6MiQWCbDXB1ld79COlv9ucIT37c_V7r9UC9IRyIs1lLEhIF0FjgUkaRueTJZPumsy675NJMyPHIV9Dv3kG7JlQgkzxymaxKx0A1lpJlsnaDT5-T5OfnhqqyesTgBob1G7gm-cSH66ngxRQl-Hw?purpose=inline) ![Enliven Disability’s $3.8m apartments open in Napier, giving younger disabled people a home away from rest homes - NZ Herald](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/TXcwsKDqENOOCPSsM53wntuSfA5xJ_FutF9pAP9iWruZqcTelnP2FxSqE3yDs7dYia2om4uE9tFj9LP1FQ1VaHUKrD96Ji7olYQteqr8JAEqN9wXfhnkoKXncoPr2kU9LLEU-NvpxkQvNs4pdVprRYB9DJKVX1yPOzK_oBk8_lg?purpose=inline) 8 For someone with a long-term health condition, housing affordability is only part of the issue. Dampness, mould, poor insulation and insecurity of tenure can also affect your wellbeing. | Party | Relevant housing proposals | | --- | --- | | Greens | Build thousands of public homes, increase accessible public housing, strengthen Healthy Homes standards and introduce an independently certified Rental Warrant of Fitness. | | Labour | Build at least 6,000 additional social housing places over four years, ban no-cause evictions, strengthen rental protections and make at least 25% of new Kāinga Ora homes accessible. | | Te Pāti Māori | Build more social housing, stop discount sales of existing state homes, introduce rent controls and repeal no-cause evictions. | | TOP | Expand warmer-home improvements to eligible rental properties and provide finance for affordable and social housing. | | National | Increase housing supply, expand granny-flat building rules and reserve some housing funding for seniors. | | ACT | Allow landlords to offset future rental losses against other taxable income, aiming to encourage rental investment. | | NZ First | Prioritise citizens for social housing and expand the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme. | [Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026)[Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/housing) For your circumstances, I would pay particular attention to: - Whether a party will increase the supply of genuinely affordable public housing. - Whether it will improve access to accessible homes. - Whether rental protections will make it easier to remain in your home. - Whether it will strengthen standards for warm, dry and healthy rentals. A first-home buyer policy is less immediately relevant if you are dependent on a fixed benefit and cannot afford a mortgage. ## 4. Electricity: making power and heating affordable ![Tiny Home, Huge Comfort: The Ultimate Guide to Small Heat Pumps in NZ](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/WQPWY6kqfLYC3twtm_NTFk_wH92QN9k9re2Gtj8pcGIxGebuTtl3imFGt6bBopAfAvAxagYQ1tFCQqnMFYjfPVfn4ttCwSDgtv8G4g1GiQNL_EmHVnzaudyEWTC2TKxRgjHB0nIIcAp0K4zRmSkn9oIa7DPO45Vz_k3WM8UJo38?purpose=inline) [aucklandheatpumpservices.co.nz](https://www.aucklandheatpumpservices.co.nz/tiny-home-huge-comfort-the-ultimate-guide-to-small-heat-pumps-in-nz?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Electricity costs can be particularly difficult when you spend more time at home because of a health condition, need heating, or use medical equipment. There are some interesting differences between the parties. | Party | Electricity proposals | | --- | --- | | Greens | Zero-interest clean-energy loans, more support for low-income households to insulate and warm homes, renters' access to solar and publicly owned renewable energy investment. | | Labour | SolarSaver loans, no-upfront-cost solar installations, subsidies of up to $3,000 for eligible low- and middle-income households, and action against electricity overcharging. | | National | A Home Energy Fund offering long-term loans for solar, batteries and insulation, alongside electricity market reforms intended to improve affordability. | | TOP | Expand Warmer Kiwi Homes to eligible rental properties, including double glazing, solar and electrification. | | NZ First | Expand Warmer Kiwi Homes, including double glazing, solar and electrification supported by low-interest loans. | | ACT | Focus on increasing electricity supply, investment and competition to improve affordability. | | Te Pāti Māori | Has an energy sovereignty platform, including investment in Māori-led energy solutions. | [Power for all of us](https://www.greens.org.nz/power_for_all_of_us)[Labour's Cost of Living Plan](https://www.labour.org.nz/election-policy-pages/2026-election-policy-summary-pages/cost-of-living-plan/)[Affordable power Kiwis can rely on](https://www.national.org.nz/policies/electrify-nz-2)[The politics of power: Comparing energy policies ahead of Election 2026](https://minterellison.co.nz/insights/the-politics-of-power-comparing-energy-policies-ahead-of-election-2026) An important consideration: Solar loans are not necessarily useful to someone who cannot afford to take on additional debt. If you rent, you also need permission or practical arrangements to install equipment. For someone on a fixed benefit, I would look for policies that directly reduce electricity costs without requiring you to borrow money or own your home. ## 5. Healthcare: reducing the extra costs of being unwell This deserves its own consideration because frequent medical appointments can take a significant amount out of a limited weekly budget. Some relevant commitments include: - Labour: Three free GP visits each year through its proposed Medicard, and removal of the $5 prescription charge from 1 July 2027. - Greens: Income support to meet disability-related living and medical costs, regardless of relationship status or the cause of disability. - Te Pāti Māori: Free dental and primary healthcare, alongside increased investment in Māori-led healthcare. - ACT: An additional $100 million annually for general practice funding and expanded services through pharmacies. - TOP: Increase health funding to 9% of GDP through a long-term health funding plan. [Labour's 2026 Election Policies](https://www.labour.org.nz/policy)[Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026) For you, I would also examine whether a party will: - Increase Disability Allowance support. - Make specialist appointments and diagnostic services more accessible. - Reduce prescription and GP costs. - Improve transport assistance for medical appointments. - Simplify medical assessments and reduce repetitive paperwork. The Greens' proposed disability-related income support and Labour's commitment to end annual renewals for people with verified permanent disabilities are particularly relevant policy areas to investigate. ## 6. Which policies address your biggest everyday expenses? Here is a condensed comparison of the policies discussed above. This is an issue-by-issue comparison, not an overall party ranking. | Your priority | Policies to investigate | | --- | --- | | More money each week | Greens' liveable benefits; Te Pāti Māori's benefit increases; TOP's Citizen's Income | | Affordable groceries | Greens' increased food grants; National and NZ First supermarket competition proposals | | Affordable rent | Greens' public housing; Labour's additional social housing; Te Pāti Māori's rent controls | | Warm, affordable housing | Greens' Healthy Homes proposals; TOP's rental improvements; NZ First's insulation programme | | Lower power bills | Labour's SolarSaver; Greens' energy plan; National's Home Energy Fund | | Medical expenses | Labour's free GP visits and prescriptions; Greens' disability-related income support | | Less benefit administration | Labour's end to annual renewals; TOP's Tell Us Once proposal | ## 7. Questions I would ask every party before voting Party announcements are not the same as legislation, and some proposals are not yet fully detailed. I would encourage you to ask candidates these specific questions: 1. If someone has a permanent health condition and cannot work, will their main benefit be increased to a genuinely liveable level? 2. Will Disability Allowance payments increase to reflect actual medical and disability-related costs? 3. Will people on fixed benefits receive more assistance with groceries without having to repeatedly demonstrate financial hardship? 4. Will you increase the availability of affordable public housing and protect people from unaffordable rent increases? 5. Will you provide electricity bill assistance to low-income households, rather than simply offering loans for solar panels? 6. Will people with permanent disabilities be protected from repeated medical reassessments and unnecessary benefit reviews? These questions help distinguish policies that might improve the overall economy from policies that would actually improve your day-to-day financial security. ## 8. Where to compare the complete election policies These independent and specialist resources are useful for checking the detail. - [Policy.nz – 2026 election policy comparison](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/incomes-and-employment?utm_source=chatgpt.com): Compare parties by income, housing, health and other issues. - [CCS Disability Action – 2026 party policy analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com): A disability-focused examination of party commitments. - [The D\*List – Disability funding and welfare policies](https://thedlist.co.nz/newsfeed/party-policies-simplified-disability-funding/?utm_source=chatgpt.com): Particularly useful for understanding benefit and disability funding proposals. - [Energy policy comparison – MinterEllison](https://minterellison.co.nz/insights/the-politics-of-power-comparing-energy-policies-ahead-of-election-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com): An overview of electricity and energy policies. Research reflects policies and announcements available as at 30 October 2026. Parties may announce further commitments before election day on 7 November 2026. ## My suggested approach to your voting decision I wouldn't judge parties solely on whether they promise to lower the cost of living. I would look at whether their policies actually address the structural disadvantage of living on a benefit that you cannot easily supplement through employment. In particular, I would distinguish between: - Income security: Having enough money every week, regardless of whether you can work. - Cost reduction: Paying less for food, electricity, housing and medical appointments. - Dignity and independence: Not having to repeatedly prove that your health condition prevents you from working. - Long-term security: Knowing that you can remain housed, warm and financially supported. One final point: New Zealand uses MMP, so your party vote helps determine each party's representation in Parliament, while your electorate vote chooses your local representative. I can also help you take this comparison one step further: compare the Green Party, Labour, Te Pāti Māori and TOP in greater depth, focusing specifically on how their proposed policies would affect someone who permanently relies on Supported Living Payment or another main benefit, including the Disability Allowance, Accommodation Supplement and Winter Energy Payment. ## Gemini Answer ID: b96ff344-866a-42a3-907d-e2a688f19386 When considering how political parties propose to help New Zealanders on fixed benefits—particularly those managing long-term health conditions—afford the essentials like food, housing, and power, the major parties offer distinctly different philosophical and economic approaches. The policy landscape divides broadly between left-of-centre parties (focusing on increased income support, market regulation, and state-backed services) and right-of-centre parties (focusing on economic growth, tax relief, cost-of-living competition, and targeted assistance). --- ### 1. Income Support and Benefit Adequacy * **Labour, Green Party, and Te Pāti Māori:** These parties generally advocate for lifting benefit levels to better match the real cost of living. The Greens and Te Pāti Māori often propose implementing broader income floors or wealth/capital gains taxes to fund stronger income redistribution. Labour focuses on strengthening public safety nets and reducing out-of-pocket health costs (such as pushing for free primary care/doctor visits and prescriptions), which frees up fixed-benefit income for other essentials like food. * **National and ACT:** These parties emphasise fiscal discipline, controlling government spending, and linking welfare reform closely to work incentives. Rather than universal benefit increases, National’s approach centers on broad economic management, keeping taxes low, curbing inflation to protect purchasing power, and providing targeted cost-of-living or disability/health support where appropriate. ACT favours reducing government expenditure and streamlining welfare to lower overall economic drag. * **New Zealand First:** Focuses heavily on protecting fixed incomes (such as Superannuation and targeted senior/community support) and mitigating cost-of-living pressures through market intervention and prioritizing New Zealanders in economic settings. ### 2. Food Affordability * **Competition and Pricing:** Parties across the spectrum have proposed measures to address grocery costs. For example, National has advanced policies targeting supermarket duopolies (such as structural measures to increase competition between major chains like New Zealand's major grocery networks) to drive down food pricing. * **Income Support Adjustments:** Left-of-centre parties argue that the most direct way to help people afford food is by increasing the purchasing power of main benefits and index-linking them more aggressively to inflation, alongside initiatives like targeted GST removals on basic items (depending on specific party platforms). ### 3. Housing and Rent Costs * **State and Social Housing (Labour, Greens, Te Pāti Māori):** These parties advocate for heavy state investment in public and social housing stock, alongside stronger tenant protections—such as limiting annual rent increases or introducing warrant-of-fitness standards for rentals to ensure homes are warm and dry, which directly impacts health outcomes for those with chronic conditions. * **Supply and Consenting (National, ACT):** National and ACT focus heavily on boosting overall housing supply by reforming consenting and planning laws, cutting red tape for developers, and easing land-use restrictions to structurally lower housing and rental costs through market supply. ### 4. Power and Energy Bills * **Energy Efficiency and Support:** Parties like the Greens advocate for massive insulation and healthy home upgrades, alongside community energy initiatives. National has introduced energy plans focused on home energy independence funds (to support electrification and lower long-term bills) and reforming power market regulations to secure reliable, affordable electricity. * **Targeted Rebates:** Many parties support maintaining or adjusting winter energy payments or specific accommodation/disability supplements to help cushion power and heating spikes for lower-income households and those with chronic medical needs requiring temperature-controlled environments. --- ### Summary for Your Vote * **If you lean toward Labour, the Greens, or Te Pāti Māori:** You will find policies centred on raising benefit levels, increasing state-funded housing, regulating rents, and expanding free healthcare services to ease the squeeze on fixed incomes. * **If you lean toward National, ACT, or NZ First:** You will find policies focused on containing inflation, boosting housing supply through regulatory reform, encouraging supermarket competition to lower food prices, and managing government spending carefully. To check exact, up-to-date manifesto details or compare parties side-by-side on specific issues like health and welfare, non-partisan tools like **Policy.nz** provide comprehensive breakdowns of all registered parties contesting the election. ## Google AI Mode Answer ID: 3d6ea52b-0bd4-4e42-a408-41f957c296b8 Navigating a long-term health condition, reliance on income support, and the cost of living is a significant challenge. As you weigh your options for the _2026 New Zealand general election_ , political parties offer contrasting approaches to supporting people on fixed benefits and addressing the costs of food, housing, and power. Here is an overview of how different parties approach these specific areas for fixed-income beneficiaries and those managing health conditions or disabilities: **Labour Party** * **Income Support & Welfare:** Proposes ending annual benefit reviews for people with permanent and verifiable disabilities/health conditions to reduce administrative stress. Proposes a $4 per hour immediate pay rise for care and support workers. * **Housing:** Focuses on expanding social and public housing, committing to at least 6,000 additional social housing places over four years alongside $760 million for income-related rent subsidies through Kāinga Ora and community housing providers. * **Food & Cost of Living:** Proposes making price gouging illegal with clear legal limits and penalties for excessive grocery and essential item pricing. Proposes introducing three free doctor visits and free prescriptions to lower healthcare appointment costs. **Green Party** * **Income Support & Welfare:** Advocates for guaranteed liveable incomes for everyone, aiming to lift baseline benefit levels significantly so that income support covers basic necessities. This is tied to a tax overhaul targeting high-wealth individuals and mega-corporations. * **Housing:** Focuses heavily on large-scale public and affordable housing construction, renter protections (such as warrant of fitness requirements for rentals and stabilizing rent increases), and tackling homelessness. * **Food, Power & Cost of Living:** Proposes direct interventions on essential costs, including addressing corporate supermarket/grocery profits and moving toward renewable energy frameworks (such as localized green power initiatives) to lower household power bills. **Te Pāti Māori** * **Income Support & Welfare:** Advocates for transforming the welfare system to prioritize dignity, significantly increasing benefit and student allowance baseline rates, and removing punitive sanctions or obligations for beneficiaries. * **Housing:** Focuses on whānau-centred housing solutions, large-scale builds for affordable and social housing, and stricter controls on the private rental market to curb high rents. * **Food & Utilities:** Supports market interventions and localized food security/distribution programs (like community-led food hubs) to make nutritious food more accessible and affordable for low-income households. **National Party** * **Income Support & Welfare:** Promotes a "firm, fair, and affordable welfare system" that focuses heavily on transitioning people into work where capable, alongside active work-test obligations and welfare integrity measures. * **Housing:** Focuses on increasing overall housing supply by easing planning restrictions, encouraging private property development, and supporting first-home buyers (e.g., lower deposit requirements or KiwiSaver flexibilities) rather than direct large-scale state ownership expansions. * **Food & Cost of Living:** Aims to lower costs by increasing market competition in the grocery sector (splitting up major supermarket dominance) and managing inflation through strict fiscal discipline and keeping broad taxes low. **ACT Party** * **Income Support & Welfare:** Advocates for tightening welfare eligibility and increasing work-readiness requirements, arguing that lower overall government spending and reduced regulation create a more dynamic economy. * **Housing & Energy:** Focuses on sweeping resource management and building consent reforms ("fast-tracking") to slash the costs of building houses, and opposes broad market subsidies, favoring supply-side deregulation to naturally lower prices over time. * **Cost of Living:** Focuses on broad income tax reduction strategies and cutting back public sector regulations rather than direct price controls or targeted increases to benefit levels. * * * _Tip: You can review detailed candidate profiles and full party manifestos directly on platforms like The Spinoff or The Conversation Policy Tracker to see how each party's complete platform aligns with your specific household and health needs._ ## AI Overviews Answer ID: be609615-b6d7-4959-9d2a-4135725e7e1e **New Zealand political parties heading into the 2026 general election offer distinctly different approaches to easing cost-of-living pressures—such as food, housing, power, and healthcare—for individuals on fixed income support.** Left-leaning parties generally focus on expanding state services, adjusting the tax brackets for low-income earners, and increasing welfare funding. Right-leaning parties place their focus on lowering inflation by reducing government spending, cutting taxes, and introducing market competition to bring baseline prices down. * * * 🌹 Labour Party * * **Healthcare:** Proposing the "Medicard" system to provide **three free GP visits per year** and **free prescriptions** for all New Zealanders. * **Food & Transport:** Planning to introduce strict protections against supermarket price gouging alongside a **$20 weekly public transport fare cap** to ease travel costs. * **Housing:** Focusing on building more state homes and creating a "rent-to-buy" pathway for public housing tenants. * **Policy Source:** Explore the full breakdown via [Labour's 2026 Election Policies](https://www.labour.org.nz/our-policies/) and [Labour's Policy Manifesto](https://www.labour.org.nz/media/xdfhgrlt/labour-policy-manifesto-2026.pdf). * 🌿 Green Party * * **Income Support:** Campaigning on an overhauled liveable income framework funded by a **wealth tax on the super-rich** , which would cut income taxes for 96% of New Zealanders. * **Power:** Proposing a "SolarSaver" scheme to fund rooftop solar panel installations to heavily lower household electricity bills. * **Healthcare & Services:** Pledging billions in new investments to fix the health system, alongside **free public transport** for young people and low-income earners. * **Policy Source:** Review their complete platform in the [Green Party Manifesto 2026](https://www.greens.org.nz/manifesto_2026). * 💙 National Party * * **Economic Relief:** Prioritizing **responsible fiscal management** and reducing government operational costs to curb the inflation that drives up everyday prices. * **Food & Housing:** Planning to ease commercial building consents to rapidly increase housing supply and lower rents, while pushing for structural competition in the supermarket sector to lower grocery prices. * **Healthcare:** Pledging a significant **$604 million boost to Pharmac** to expand access to life-saving medicines and targeting earlier cancer care. * **Policy Source:** See their full economic approach on the [National Party Policies Page](https://www.national.org.nz/policies). * 💛 ACT Party * * **Taxation:** Campaigning on a simplified two-rate income tax system designed to let individuals keep more of what they earn. * **Cost of Living:** Argues that the most effective way to address living costs is through deregulation, supply-side productivity, and reducing state spending rather than expanding state services. * **Healthcare:** Proposing the creation of specialized, dedicated cancer centres to streamline critical medical treatment. stories.theconversation.com * 🖤 Te Pāti Māori * * **Tax & Food Relief:** Proposing to make the **first $30,000 of income entirely tax-free** and completely **removing GST from all food**. * **Housing:** Funding massive investments in social housing and wraparound whānau services through a proposed wealth tax. policy.nz * 🪙 New Zealand First * * **Daily Expenses:** Pledging to **remove GST from basic foods** and eliminate the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) fuel tax to lower transport and utility costs. * **Welfare Strategy:** Proposing strict limits on certain employment benefits while redirecting funds toward infrastructure and local economic productivity. rnz.co.nz * * * * If you want to look closer at a specific area, let me know: * Which **specific aspect** (e.g., utility bill relief or medical appointment accessibility) matters most to you? * Would you like assistance looking up **enrolment details** or **accessible voting options** for the upcoming election?