# Question 58: I run a small manufacturing business that exports and employs staff. We are considering new equipment but worry about demand, freight costs and finding skilled workers. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. What do parties propose about trade access, international relationships and risks to New Zealand exports? Collected 31 October 2026 [NZ Election 2026 · Edition 7 study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/7) ## ChatGPT Answer ID: b056ef72-3049-459f-a64c-541565fc976d # 2026 New Zealand election: What could the parties mean for exporters and manufacturers? For a small New Zealand manufacturing business that exports and employs people, the election has several important implications beyond the usual discussion about tax and the cost of living. The key issues are: 1. Trade access: Will New Zealand businesses get better access to overseas markets, fewer tariffs and less export paperwork? 2. International relationships: How will the next government manage relationships with China, Australia, the United States, the EU, the UK and the Pacific? 3. Export risks: What happens if international trade becomes more politically complicated, shipping costs rise or supply chains are disrupted? 4. Investment: Will the tax treatment of machinery and equipment make it easier to invest? 5. Skilled labour: Will immigration, apprenticeships and vocational training help manufacturers recruit the people they need? The 2026 general election is scheduled for 7 November 2026. The comparison below reflects policies and announcements available as at 30 October 2026. These are campaign commitments, not guaranteed outcomes. Coalition negotiations could substantially change what gets implemented. [The main parties vying to form New Zealand's next government](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/main-parties-vying-form-new-zealands-next-government-2026-10-12/)[2026 General Election Policies: What they could mean for businesses | New Zealand](https://www.bdo.nz/en-nz/insights/new-zealand/what-could-the-2026-nz-general-election-mean-for-your-business) ## 1. Comparing the main parties | Party | Trade access and international relationships | Potential export implications | | --- | --- | --- | | National | Pursue new FTAs across Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. Strengthen supply-chain agreements with trusted partners and expand trade missions. | More potential customers, lower administrative costs and improved access to export markets. | | Labour | Prioritise stronger relationships with the EU, Canada, ASEAN and the Pacific. Develop new market opportunities in Africa and South America. Support multilateral institutions and international law. | Market diversification and stronger diplomatic relationships, alongside a greater emphasis on international cooperation. | | Green Party | Support independent, principled foreign policy, international cooperation and trade that prioritises environmental sustainability and justice. | Greater emphasis on environmental standards and responsible supply chains. Climate-related trade commitments could become particularly important. | | ACT | Emphasise economic competitiveness, private-sector investment and closer economic opportunities with international partners. Its 2026 programme also advocates benchmarking emissions settings against trading partners. | Potentially fewer domestic regulatory constraints for some manufacturers, but its approach to specific new trade agreements is less clearly articulated in the material reviewed. | | NZ First | Emphasise independent foreign policy, national resilience and selective trade agreements. Opposed the proposed India FTA, arguing that New Zealand gave away too much. Supports prioritising New Zealand's interests in international negotiations. | Greater scrutiny of trade agreements and a focus on supply-chain resilience. The approach could mean a more cautious path towards some new agreements. | | The Opportunity Party (TOP) | Emphasise a more productive, innovative and technologically advanced economy, including high-tech manufacturing and research. | Potential opportunities for manufacturers moving into higher-value products, technology and innovation. Its detailed trade-negotiation programme is less prominent. | | Te Pāti Māori | Emphasise Māori economic development, economic self-determination and the growth of Māori-owned businesses. | Relevant to Māori manufacturers, exporters and businesses working with iwi and Māori enterprises. Its detailed international trade-access programme is less developed in the material reviewed. | Sources: Official party policies, the 2026 election policy tracker and business policy analysis. [Building the Future - New Zealand’s Next Billion Customers](https://www.national.org.nz/new-trade)[Foreign Affairs](https://www.labour.org.nz/foreign-affairs)[Democracy and International Relations](https://www.greens.org.nz/democracy_and_international_relations)[Manifesto 2026](https://www.greens.org.nz/manifesto_2026)[ACT New Zealand](https://www.act.org.nz/overseas)[2023 Election Policies](https://www.nzfirst.nz/2023_policies)[Breakthrough Economy](https://www.opportunity.org.nz/breakthrough-economy)[October AMM Comms: Election 2026 – What the Parties Are Proposing for Employers and Small Businesses](https://www.ammlaw.co.nz/october-amm-comms-election-2026-what-the-parties-are-proposing-for-employers-and-small-businesses)[Election policy tracker: what the parties are promising](https://stories.theconversation.com/nz-policy-tracker-2026/) ## 2. What the individual proposals mean ### National: expanding export markets National's policy, New Zealand's Next Billion Customers, is a particularly detailed trade programme. Its proposals include: - Begin negotiations with seven new economies over five years. - Pursue additional trade agreements in Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. - Expand paperless trade and digital customs. - Target the removal of $1 billion in non-tariff barriers. - Conduct at least 23 trade missions over the next parliamentary term. - Give New Zealand Trade and Enterprise a stronger role in identifying opportunities for exporters. - Maintain the goal of doubling export value by 2034. National also proposes agreements on essential supplies, using its arrangement with Singapore as a model. What this could mean for your business: More potential export destinations, assistance finding overseas customers and reduced administrative friction. The essential-supplies proposal is relevant to businesses exposed to disruptions in fuel, materials and other imported inputs. However, negotiating an FTA does not automatically produce customers or lower freight charges. Actual benefits depend on the products involved, rules of origin, overseas demand and logistics. Sources: [New Zealand's Next Billion Customers](https://www.national.org.nz/policies/new-trade)[National promises to pursue seven trade deals if elected](https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/national-promises-to-pursue-seven-trade-deals-if-elected-n6d350d9) ### Labour: diversifying relationships and supporting small businesses Labour places particular emphasis on developing relationships with the EU, Canada, ASEAN and Pacific countries, while exploring markets in Africa and South America. Its international policy also supports: - Multilateral institutions and international law. - Stronger international cooperation. - Deeper economic and diplomatic relationships with selected partners. For businesses, Labour has some additional proposals worth considering: - An immediate $10,000 asset write-off for eligible businesses with annual revenue below $10 million, replacing Investment Boost from July 2027. - A target of 15% of government contracts going to New Zealand small businesses and start-ups. - Faster payment of qualifying small-business invoices by large businesses. - Extended Apprenticeship Boost payments and additional trades. What this could mean for your business: A combination of international market development, support for domestic business investment and potential opportunities in government supply chains. The equipment write-off is especially relevant if your planned machinery investment falls within the eligibility requirements. [Foreign Affairs](https://www.labour.org.nz/foreign-affairs)[2026 General Election Policies: What they could mean for businesses | New Zealand](https://www.bdo.nz/en-nz/insights/new-zealand/what-could-the-2026-nz-general-election-mean-for-your-business)[Labour's 2026 Election Policies](https://www.labour.org.nz/policy) ### Green Party: sustainability and independent foreign policy The Greens advocate a more explicitly independent and values-based foreign policy. Their trade and international-relations policies emphasise: - Environmental sustainability. - Human rights and international justice. - Responsible foreign investment. - International cooperation and climate action. - Independent decision-making rather than automatic alignment with major powers. An important issue for exporters is the relationship between climate commitments and trade agreements. The Greens argue that New Zealand's commitments under its EU and UK free-trade agreements could be affected by changes to domestic climate policy. This is a Green Party argument, not an established finding that all proposed changes would automatically breach those agreements. What this could mean for your business: If your overseas customers require environmental reporting, low-emissions production or supply-chain certification, these policy settings may become increasingly relevant. On the other hand, businesses with significant energy costs may also want to examine the cost and reliability implications of different climate and energy policies. [Democracy and International Relations](https://www.greens.org.nz/democracy_and_international_relations)[Manifesto 2026](https://www.greens.org.nz/manifesto_2026)[Foreign Affairs Minister fails to seek advice on leaving Paris Agreement](https://www.greens.org.nz/foreign_affairs_minister_fails_to_seek_advice_on_leaving_paris_agreement)[Luxon’s Government found breaching trade agreements again](https://www.greens.org.nz/_luxon_s_government_found_breaching_trade_agreements_again) ### NZ First: trade resilience and national interests NZ First's approach is more cautious about the terms of international agreements. One important example is its opposition to the India Free Trade Agreement. NZ First argued that the agreement made excessive concessions, particularly around immigration, without securing sufficient benefits for New Zealand. The party has also campaigned on withdrawing New Zealand from the Paris climate agreement. For exporters, these positions raise two different considerations: - Potential benefit: More emphasis on protecting domestic economic interests and supply-chain resilience. - Potential risk: Differences with trading partners over trade, immigration and climate commitments could complicate international relationships. NZ First has also announced a proposed replacement for the Accredited Employer Work Visa, based on named occupations, regions and demonstrated skills shortages. That could matter if your manufacturing business relies on overseas skilled workers. [No Deal on FTA and Merry Christmas](https://www.nzfirst.nz/no_deal_on_fta_and_merry_christmas)[NZ First Announces Immigration Reform Policies](https://www.nzfirst.nz/nz_first_announces_immigration_reform_policies)[NZFirst to Scrap Accredited Working Visa Model](https://www.nzfirst.nz/nzfirst_to_scrap_accredited_working_visa_model)[The main parties vying to form New Zealand's next government](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/main-parties-vying-form-new-zealands-next-government-2026-10-12/) ### ACT: competitiveness and regulatory settings ACT emphasises private-sector competitiveness, investment and reduced regulatory constraints. Its published business proposals include: - Increasing competition and investment in electricity generation and networks. - Benchmarking emissions policies against trading partners. - Changing ETS settings and opposing agricultural emissions pricing. - Reviewing skilled-worker categories annually. For manufacturers, electricity affordability and reliability could be important, particularly if new equipment increases energy consumption. Its immigration settings also deserve examination if your business depends on specialist international recruitment. ACT's specific commitments on new FTAs and export-market negotiations are less detailed than National's. [2026 General Election Policies: What they could mean for businesses | New Zealand](https://www.bdo.nz/en-nz/insights/new-zealand/what-could-the-2026-nz-general-election-mean-for-your-business)[The main parties vying to form New Zealand's next government](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/main-parties-vying-form-new-zealands-next-government-2026-10-12/) ### TOP and Te Pāti Māori: different economic development priorities TOP emphasises lifting productivity and moving beyond dependence on commodity exports. Its Breakthrough Economy programme identifies high-tech manufacturing, research, technology and high-productivity agriculture as potential growth areas. Te Pāti Māori emphasises Māori economic self-determination and the development of Māori-owned businesses. For manufacturers, these approaches are relevant to the longer-term development of domestic production capability, innovation and business partnerships, although neither party has the same level of published trade-negotiation detail as National or Labour. [Breakthrough Economy](https://www.opportunity.org.nz/breakthrough-economy)[October AMM Comms: Election 2026 – What the Parties Are Proposing for Employers and Small Businesses](https://www.ammlaw.co.nz/october-amm-comms-election-2026-what-the-parties-are-proposing-for-employers-and-small-businesses) ## 3. The export risks that deserve particular attention Party promises about trade access are only one part of the picture. There are several external risks that a New Zealand manufacturer needs to consider regardless of which party forms the government. ![Giữ đà bứt phá xuất khẩu những tháng cuối năm 2025](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/x-YM2jKntFMq4qXy3SVuReveGbMT9WXjYXdQg97pMWaRS57ScmzG8AMoa8kYgYHesmJTeSjAKJrSQMJUiic3cyWp6ZRb2u5SlNpYhJmiXBp8yJZXXQsAGupfZ6H7UMUs7yCtDDxjQkYLbncatrLY4TjF36IfUfmp1oSQLIxceXg?purpose=inline) A. Freight and shipping disruption New Zealand's geographic isolation makes manufacturers particularly dependent on international shipping routes, fuel prices, port capacity and reliable shipping schedules. No party can guarantee lower international freight rates. Look for policies addressing fuel security, port infrastructure, supply-chain resilience and alternative shipping routes. ![5 Common Customs Delays & How to Fix Them Instantly (2026) · EximAgent Blog](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/y9nl61gHfw_QqJeYqyAgHtc0jnV2jC9NXbufVXYaYDoh1lHhjebZXJoUnSAYVOqhuvYX9UZGFu2DjoCO0mKX6zkqGTU6consAHeTqyvYEImcwfWuTeUPKWPb0JO2VB0c_gMO8uQmm6pWLlrxz_zwSahcMeyNJpN6LPpQnOxFIow?purpose=inline) B. Trade barriers and geopolitical tensions Tariffs, sanctions, changing customs requirements and political disputes can affect overseas customers and suppliers. Diversifying export markets and maintaining good relationships with major trading partners can reduce dependence on any single market. ![](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/U3mOxwJ-GpReHRyX3tP4R_pno6SxhbMAfoj6lpH05_PBQKea2AR5NrlmOUF7kAReaEzkGFaDU0R1rd1nP8-agoHfCh_nILdYWXpl8FNxvXDQuGQ2_evJcwallYXgk6DcCpgiQDbks97pV2CWJ3ozLP9igO6WYfWU2Rcm5gD2EJM?purpose=inline) C. Energy and imported components Manufacturers may depend on imported machinery, electronic components, specialist materials and energy. Policies affecting electricity prices, energy security and essential imports could influence the economics of new equipment. ![Technician operating advanced CNC machine | Free Photo - rawpixel](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/l50P6D6Pp47zO6_wkDHrkQUBcp7np1Hi_xjtBQ6uFSIr-9odciHfBFOyxTiEfufaUK54zlLAWPqA5KsoDrCSzwPAaMICbes9yQiltqSn0-sBackgU_dZ4SJn2nlgm556D7ZllL6MZo0O5cUMpTeMdH5vI_pE9wfo27mrxvOXTzY?purpose=inline) D. Skilled-worker availability Immigration rules, apprenticeship funding, vocational education and employer training incentives can affect your ability to operate new machinery. This is particularly important when equipment requires specialised technical knowledge that is difficult to recruit locally. New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade explains that approximately one in four New Zealand jobs depends on producing goods and services for export. This illustrates why international trade relationships are an economic issue, not simply a foreign-policy issue. [NZ trade policy | New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade](https://www.mfat.govt.nz/trade/nz-trade-policy) ## 4. What should you look at before investing in equipment? I would separate the election policies into four practical business considerations. | Business consideration | Relevant policy questions | | --- | --- | | Machinery investment | Is there an immediate asset write-off, investment tax incentive or depreciation change? | | Export demand | Are there realistic opportunities to access new overseas customers? | | Freight and inputs | Are there measures to improve supply-chain resilience and energy security? | | Recruitment | Are apprenticeships, skilled migration and vocational training being supported? | One distinction is important: trade agreements create opportunities, but they don't guarantee demand. Before committing to expensive machinery, it would be sensible to consider whether the investment remains viable under: - A 10–15% increase in freight costs. - A weaker-than-expected overseas order book. - Delays in imported components. - Difficulty recruiting specialist operators. - Changes in exchange rates. These are business stress tests, not predictions about what will happen. ## 5. Where the major differences lie For your voting research, I would pay particular attention to these differences rather than simply asking which party says it supports exporters. | Policy question | Main difference to investigate | | --- | --- | | Opening overseas markets | National's active FTA expansion versus Labour's relationship-building and market diversification | | Climate and trade obligations | Greens' sustainability emphasis versus ACT and NZ First's proposed changes to climate settings | | Trade agreement conditions | National's expansion approach versus NZ First's more selective approach | | Domestic manufacturing | TOP's productivity and technology focus versus the other parties' differing business-development approaches | | Skilled labour | Differences in immigration settings and apprenticeship support | | Business resilience | National's essential-supplies agreements and NZ First's emphasis on supply-chain resilience | There is also an important MMP consideration: the policies that ultimately become government policy will depend on coalition agreements. A smaller party's position on trade, immigration or climate policy may influence the final programme even if it does not lead the government. [The main parties vying to form New Zealand's next government](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/main-parties-vying-form-new-zealands-next-government-2026-10-12/)[2026 General Election Policies: What they could mean for businesses | New Zealand](https://www.bdo.nz/en-nz/insights/new-zealand/what-could-the-2026-nz-general-election-mean-for-your-business) ## 6. Useful sources to investigate before voting These resources allow you to examine the proposals directly rather than relying on campaign advertising. - [Policy.nz – 2026 foreign affairs and defence policy comparison](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/defence-and-foreign-affairs?utm_source=chatgpt.com). - [National – New Zealand's Next Billion Customers](https://www.national.org.nz/policies/new-trade?utm_source=chatgpt.com). - [Labour – Foreign Affairs policy](https://www.labour.org.nz/foreign-affairs?utm_source=chatgpt.com). - [Greens – Democracy and International Relations](https://www.greens.org.nz/democracy_and_international_relations?utm_source=chatgpt.com). - [MFAT – New Zealand trade policy](https://www.mfat.govt.nz/trade/nz-trade-policy?utm_source=chatgpt.com). - [The Conversation – 2026 election policy tracker](https://stories.theconversation.com/nz-policy-tracker-2026/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ## 7. A final consideration for your manufacturing business I would not evaluate the parties solely on how many trade agreements they promise to negotiate. For a small exporter, the practical questions are: - Can I sell into more markets? - Can I get imported machinery and components reliably? - Can I afford to employ and train additional people? - Can I invest without excessive tax and compliance costs? - Will New Zealand maintain dependable relationships with the countries buying my products? Those questions can help distinguish between policies that sound positive for exporters and policies that might actually affect your business costs and opportunities. One useful next step: I can also prepare a separate, side-by-side comparison of National, Labour, ACT, Greens, NZ First, TOP and Te Pāti Māori specifically on equipment investment tax incentives, electricity costs, apprenticeships, skilled-worker immigration and small-business support. Those issues may be just as important to your eventual investment decision as export policy. ## Gemini Answer ID: 3a440d44-4818-4297-b782-48ecc8f96b12 For a small manufacturing business navigating decisions around capital investment, workforce constraints, and external market risks, the policy platforms heading into the **2026 New Zealand General Election** offer distinct approaches. The major and minor parties propose various strategies concerning trade access, international relationships, export risk management, and the domestic cost pressures impacting exporters: --- ### 1. Trade Access and International Relationships All parties recognize that New Zealand’s economic resilience relies heavily on external trade, but their emphasis varies between traditional free-trade agreements, geopolitical alignment, and regional expansion: * **National-led Government / Centre-Right Approach:** Focuses heavily on a strategy to double export value over the decade. This involves aggressively pursuing new free trade agreements (FTAs) and expanding market access in high-value or fast-growing regions across Asia, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. They lean heavily on trade missions led by ministers and agencies like New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) to open doors for exporters. * **Labour and Centre-Left Approach:** Generally supports existing rules-based multilateral trading systems and deepening commercial and strategic ties across Asia. They place a strong emphasis on sustainability credentials as a vital component of trade market access, arguing that environmental standards protect New Zealand's premium brand overseas. They also support targeted economic diplomacy and regional partnerships, alongside proposals like Māori Trade Commissions to boost indigenous-led export pathways. --- ### 2. Risks to Exports (Supply Chains, Non-Tariff Barriers, and Climate) Exporters face distinct risks ranging from freight and shipping costs to international regulatory compliance and environmental hurdles: * **Supply Chains and Red Tape:** Centre-right and business-aligned parties emphasize reducing red tape, modernizing digital trade systems, and streamlining border processes to lower compliance costs and get goods to market faster. * **Climate and Environmental Compliance:** A major point of divergence is how New Zealand handles environmental rules relative to its trading partners. * The **National-led coalition** has rolled back various domestic climate obligations (such as specific agricultural emission pricing frameworks and certain ETS settings) to reduce immediate cost pressures on local producers, arguing it keeps domestic businesses competitive. * Conversely, **Green and Labour** factions argue that ignoring international climate expectations or lowering environmental bars poses a severe *long-term risk* to New Zealand's export reputation, as key markets (particularly in Europe and high-value consumer segments) increasingly demand verifiable low-emissions and sustainable supply chains. --- ### 3. Addressing Your Specific Business Worries Beyond foreign trade, the parties have direct policy levers targeting your specific operational concerns: * **Considering New Equipment:** * **National** champions initiatives like the *Investment Boost* scheme, allowing businesses to dynamically deduct a percentage (e.g., 20%) of the cost of new productive assets, machinery, and IT systems. * **ACT** proposes targeted allowances for digital software and productivity-enhancing technology investments. * **Finding Skilled Workers & Freight/Cost Pressures:** * **Workforce & Training:** Parties differ on immigration settings and skills training. Centre-right parties favour tightly managed, infrastructure-linked or demand-driven immigration and employer-focused training incentives. Centre-left parties lean toward structured domestic trades training initiatives, industry-led apprenticeship supports, and minimum-wage adjustments (though the latter can increase operational overhead for small businesses). * **Tax Relief:** Proposals range from general SME tax relief or lower company tax rates for smaller turnovers (championed by parties like NZ First) to specific capital adjustments or R&D tax credit expansions designed to help local manufacturers scale up and innovate. --- ### Suggested Follow-Up To help narrow down which platform best aligns with your manufacturing niche, **what is your primary export market (e.g., Australia, Asia, the US, or Europe), and are your cost pressures driven more heavily by capital equipment expenses or workforce shortages?** ## Google AI Mode Answer ID: 00760188-92fe-4ac6-874f-d19cc2c292b4 Navigating the decision to invest in new equipment while managing constraints like freight costs, global demand fluctuations, and workforce shortages is a central challenge for _New Zealand_ manufacturers. Ahead of the [2026 General Election](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/economy), political parties have outlined distinct approaches to trade, international relationships, and export risk management. Here is how the major policy directions shape up regarding your concerns: * **Trade Access and Diversification:** * Mainstream and governing-aligned parties generally emphasize leveraging existing free trade agreements (FTAs)—such as those with the UK, EU, and Asian partners—while actively seeking to reduce technical barriers and negotiating further market access in high-growth regions. * Minor and opposition parties present varying alternatives, with some advocating for a sharper focus on developing independent regional ties, expanding fair-trade principles, or prioritizing specific bilateral frameworks over broad multi-country alignments. * **International Relationships and Geopolitical Risks:** * Major parties balance traditional security and diplomatic partnerships with Western allies (such as the US, Australia, and the EU) against the economic reality of trade proximity in the Asia-Pacific region. * Some progressive and independent parties advocate for a more explicitly neutral foreign policy posture or a reassessment of defense and diplomatic alignments to insulate New Zealand from escalating global superpower competition. * **Freight Costs, Infrastructure, and Global Risks:** * Policies addressing supply chain resilience and freight costs tend to intersect with broader economic plans regarding domestic transport infrastructure, maritime/port efficiencies, and regional logistics. * Debates continue over how government policy should buffer export-driven sectors from external global shocks, volatile shipping rates, and international carbon border adjustments. * **Skilled Workers and Workforce Access:** * Parties diverge sharply on immigration settings and skills training. Center-right and business-oriented parties lean toward streamlining employer-sponsored work visas to fill immediate labor gaps in manufacturing and export sectors. * Center-left and labor-aligned parties typically emphasize strengthening domestic workforce training, apprenticeships, and local upskilling while balancing targeted measures on net migration. To help narrow down which party's platform best aligns with your business model, would you like to explore: * Specific proposals on **immigration and work visas** for skilled labor? * Policies related to **tax incentives or depreciation** for new manufacturing equipment? * Strategies for **freight, logistics, and regional infrastructure** development? ## AI Overviews Answer ID: b5008703-f2e0-414b-81c4-87746d0e81fc In the 2026 New Zealand general election, political parties offer distinct strategies for trade access, international alliances, and domestic manufacturing support. For a small manufacturing business looking to export, manage freight risks, and recruit staff, the party platforms differ primarily on trade deal priorities, investment incentives, and immigration controls. Summary of Party Trade & Export Positions Political Party| Primary Trade & Market Access Focus| Supply Chain & Equipment Incentives| Immigration & Workforce Strategy ---|---|---|--- **National**| **Prioritising new trade agreements** (seeking footprints in Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia); double export value by 2034.| **Paperless trade and digital customs** to eliminate $1B in non-tariff barriers; new tools to streamline export processes.| Supports an employer-driven immigration model; easing first-employee hires and apprentice pickups. **Labour**| **Independent, multi-aligned foreign policy** ; maintaining balanced relations with both the US and China while expanding regional networks.| Establishing a **New Zealand Future Fund** to back long-term domestic commercial growth and start-ups.| Stricter long-term immigration criteria (**4-year residency requirement** for PR); heavy domestic funding to back 30,000 trades/manufacturing apprentices. **NZ First**| Strongly nationalist trade policy; pushing to double export earnings but more cautious regarding specific multilateral deals.| **50% Targeted Accelerated Depreciation rate** in the first year for new manufacturing plant, machinery, and equipment. Lower SME company tax to 20%.| Focuses on tightly regulated immigration to protect local wages while favoring targeted visas for acute regional shortages. **ACT**| **Aggressive deregulation and slashing non-tariff barriers** ; strong advocate for traditional free-trade agreements.| Focuses on cutting red tape via a **Ministry for Regulation** ; opposes direct corporate subsidies in favor of overall lower corporate tax burdens.| Shifting to a highly automated, high-trust **Accredited Employer model** and introducing a Business Attraction Visa to ease specialized skill shortages. **Green Party**| High scrutiny on FTAs to ensure alignment with environmental, climate, and labor standards.| Pushing for an economy focused on **reducing exposure to imported fossil fuel inflation** and boosting localized green infrastructure.| Favors equitable immigration paths, focusing on visa-free travel and work setups for Pasifika workers, paired with strong local training programs. * * * Key Takeaways for Your Manufacturing Business * **Equipment & Investment Incentives:** If you are ready to invest in new manufacturing machinery immediately, **NZ First** ’s specific policy of a **50% first-year accelerated depreciation rate** is explicitly targeted at your sector to lower the upfront tax burden of upgrading equipment. * **Freight and Supply Chain Risks:** **National** focuses on streamlining logistics through expanded **digital customs and paperless trade infrastructure** to lower transit compliance costs. They also propose "essential supplies agreements" (using Singapore as a blueprint) to protect supply chains against global volatility. national.org.nzNew Zealand's Next Billion Customers * **Finding Skilled Workers:** If you struggle to find specialized operators domestically, **ACT** and **National** favor reducing hurdles for offshore recruitment through smoother employer accreditation systems. Conversely, **Labour** ’s policy focuses on expanding the domestic labor pool through heavy funding for **30,000 local apprentices** , while tightening permanent residency pathways to a four-year wait time. businessnz.org.nzElection PrioritiesMEANS FOR NEW ZEALAND - Labour PartyLabour releases manifesto collating policies ahead of election If you would like to explore further, let me know if you want to look deeper into the **immigration pathways for manufacturing technicians** or compare the specific **SME tax relief packages** proposed by the different coalitions.