# Question 114: I migrated to New Zealand, have recently become a citizen and am eligible to vote. I work here, use English as a second language and want to understand both my options and the system. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. What are parties proposing about everyday living costs for working households? Collected 2 November 2026 [NZ Election 2026 · Edition 8 study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/8) ## ChatGPT Answer ID: 8b54c71a-98c7-4d70-b9bb-20ff4709d83b # New Zealand 2026 election: everyday living costs for working households First, congratulations on becoming a New Zealand citizen. Being able to vote is an important part of participating in the country's democracy. A useful way to approach your first general election is to look beyond party slogans and ask a practical question: How would each party affect the money your household earns, spends, saves and keeps at the end of the week? For working households, I would break the cost-of-living debate into six areas: 1. Take-home pay: income tax, tax credits and wages. 2. Housing: rent, mortgages, rates and housing affordability. 3. Food and groceries: supermarket competition and food prices. 4. Transport: petrol, public transport, vehicle costs and commuting. 5. Healthcare and education: GP visits, prescriptions, childcare and school-related costs. 6. Household support: benefits, family assistance, electricity costs and other payments. It is also important to distinguish between policies that directly put more money in your pocket and policies that aim to reduce prices over time. ## 1. What the main parties are proposing The following comparison covers seven parties with a realistic prospect of entering Parliament. It focuses on their announced 2025–2026 policies, rather than assuming every campaign promise will become law. ### National Party ![Will National Party Finish 2nd in New Zealand's 2026 Election?](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/LCDs4P76HEgfCayafHeSga8GCw12Vxs2fPc3toeyLUZ-wmb6UiGRZY6bhdT1xRejtICfUd6GX2BWmI76EkpoWuffTU4g32bP_qUJp29rsfn5_Zvj5THHSYTLHSoo_5_YQyZ3zKE1WIpB4bu7raRltFl5TZFCgCcE0quf_GohkFI?purpose=inline) National Party Current governing party Its approach focuses on economic growth, controlling government spending and encouraging private-sector competition. - Tax: No new taxes if re-elected. - Groceries: Proposes separating Pak'nSave from New World, subject to Commerce Commission assessment, to increase supermarket competition. - Housing: Wider access to 5% deposits through the First Home Loan scheme. - Household savings: Proposes KiwiSaver enrolment at birth, a $1,500 baby boost and changes to employer contributions. - Cost-of-living philosophy: Encourage competition and economic growth rather than introduce extensive new government subsidies. ### Labour Party ![South Island Election Conference 2026](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/_spFKDBqOMVPoo8r35YLoGFwljs_-WWe4ur9fdZCfekzAxaUPGA75u8rI9uxOUTssI2hUZN1r4Zu1AeDrcNaxz3uHoFIyWjDpanT5s-KJ87QzxSu1uNjNL4MOHSuazRZuTy_TzC6aN4wxHHoyU_DhzMFuMCMjNBTtg2xRxOZL6c?purpose=inline) Labour Party Opposition Its approach places greater emphasis on public services, worker incomes and government action to reduce household expenses. - Tax: A targeted 28% capital gains tax on investment property sales, proposed from July 2027. - Groceries: More supermarket competition through two independently operated wholesale businesses, plus stronger powers against excessive prices. - Transport: A $20 weekly cap on public transport fares. - Healthcare: Three free GP visits per person annually and removal of the $5 prescription charge. - Wages: Increase the minimum wage in line with inflation and restore pay equity arrangements. - Housing: $4 billion over four years for at least 6,000 additional social housing places. - Energy: Interest-free or low-interest financing options to help households install solar panels. ### Green Party ![Green Party NZ (@NZGreens) on X](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/xwoeA3rTn5Pu0UL1uRc6X_g8ADsfUTe55rxQEjXC_rnFR_6TPTr_9eG0LsowNOdFRtax24qB8h-LRfUtZEf42T0CC5OclOZ5katbFJAYxs0cZRyqDBlGNgF_8AV_5WTCbYonGIqLGuK095lLGrkBVw3L8vdsA06tLHVNuCJquuc?purpose=inline) Green Party Opposition Its approach combines income redistribution, public ownership and lower costs for essential services. - Tax: First $10,000 of income tax-free, with higher tax rates for people earning over $160,000. - Groceries: Establish a publicly owned supermarket chain, KiwiMart, through nationalising at least 120 Woolworths and Foodstuffs stores. - Transport: Free public transport for children, students and Community Services Card holders; a $2 adult fare cap. - Energy: Zero-interest loans for household solar installations and rights for renters to access solar. - Food support: Double the cap on food grants and establish a $150 million fair food fund. - Housing: More support for affordable, sustainable housing. ### ACT Party ![South Island Election Conference 2026](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/GcOzrFkDRkAT5J-3PLntC_t3eT3wuPG52vNnpFJ5xZAm4GrcYnInkkPCmGvxX-xsLbKhD0YWJuWw0gMUfC5fTGhQn818DeGkix5pKa7WUbVIsnjuibMwywV1KW_WLaNJZs2MuIPK7QyoR7pxqUmRZFimxeuxpwyXEYctXwiIwE8?purpose=inline) ACT New Zealand Current coalition partner Its approach emphasises lower government spending, private enterprise, competition and fewer regulatory restrictions. - Tax and spending: Opposes introducing new taxes and emphasises controlling government expenditure. - Groceries: Proposes a one-stop consenting process to make it easier for new supermarkets to enter the market. - Employment: Emphasises flexibility for employers and reducing regulatory costs. - Housing and business: Supports reducing planning and regulatory barriers to development and investment. ### New Zealand First ![New Zealand legislative election winner? Predictions & Od... 2026 | Polymarket](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/UmXClDd76aKEk_XyXfEEacFBHXO18HFMG1Im-weRm7tb64uGzBsRK3vWPXuiFN2zaWaNznb7eSDIJucKOhlXtwb6Lq-BYR6oxisKzHsWTxF5AsiLmtcNGDNtwCsXzgIuSp2vW4pa6pAda-tTriG23zKX1ZuknQ81HGh411pqRkM?purpose=inline) New Zealand First Current coalition partner Its approach includes targeted financial support and intervention in markets where it believes competition is insufficient. - Family income: Make the temporary $50 weekly increase in the in-work tax credit permanent and increase it by another $70. - Working for Families: Make the temporary increase in in-work tax credits permanent, with a proposed additional $70 weekly payment. - Wages: Increase the minimum wage at least in line with inflation. - Groceries and electricity: Break up the supermarket duopoly and power companies. - Fuel: Remove the Emissions Trading Scheme component from petrol and diesel prices. ### Te Pāti Māori (Māori Party) ![Te Pāti Māori - Party for Party vote - NZ Election 2023 - Policy.nz](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/wTV9hxAOYzs4MX6hnGtj_ELeSR1VPbP9l046HOwhp2UZZtCfc8KwwZVB0-2n6Iinr3uWiRyM4dEa2cD5LOOtdlAjSgoNQ0gG9QXoJwemLTDmXMMEl5IUWheogu0GzYSG6_D0Qtx7eW7Xz-IH5QOBxQf00r7YeBj1geAzgX4aFok?purpose=inline) Te Pāti Māori Opposition Its approach emphasises reducing financial pressure on lower-income households and addressing wealth inequality. - Tax: No income tax on the first $30,000 earned, with reduced tax for people earning below $60,000. - Food: An income-tax kai credit for people earning up to $60,000, worth up to the equivalent of eight weeks of groceries annually. - Wealth: A targeted wealth tax on high levels of wealth. - Housing: More emphasis on affordable housing and Māori-led housing initiatives. - Food security: Protect Māori food systems and food sovereignty. ### The Opportunity Party (TOP) ![Current party and logo applications | Elections NZ](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/pNlKHoGO5oFk8esijeI0EPY_HRIF-4iYRD0CHpVZsQphNlqc0ahJ7qVeBSZjMPW9XSN7V5h3piIIFyFoDCUELxA2-Tx9wS9WVySIJ0uYwzQbb4lIN2gdYjij08eflf0iRSZ3gQs7DZ4Ggikd2EZK2Oy9bl2ibNAS1uNZRczssME?purpose=inline) The Opportunity Party (TOP) Not currently in Parliament Its approach proposes a substantial change to the tax and income-support system. - Income: A proposed universal Citizen's Income of up to $370 per week for almost all adults, replacing most existing benefits, with additional support for certain groups. - Tax: A land-value tax to help finance this system. - Transport: Free public transport. - Employment and retirement: Changes to KiwiSaver, including compulsory contributions that would gradually increase towards 6%. Sources for this comparison: The Conversation's 2026 policy tracker, Policy.nz and the official-party-policy compilation at Know Your Vote. [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)[Know Your Vote](https://knowyourvote.nz/) ## 2. Compare the proposals by household expense Sometimes it is easier to understand political differences by looking at the bill you pay rather than the party's ideology. | Household expense | Main proposals | | --- | --- | | Income tax | National: no new taxes. Labour: targeted property gains tax. Greens: first $10,000 tax-free. Te Pāti Māori: first $30,000 tax-free. | | Groceries | Labour: wholesale competition and price-gouging rules. National: supermarket separation. Greens: public supermarket chain. NZ First: break up supermarket duopoly. | | Rent and housing | National: easier access to first-home deposits. Labour: more social housing. Greens: solar and housing initiatives. | | Transport | Labour: $20 weekly fare cap. Greens and TOP: free transport for specified or broad groups. | | Healthcare | Labour: free GP visits and prescriptions. | | Electricity | NZ First: break up power companies. Labour and Greens: household solar financing. | | Family income | NZ First: larger in-work tax credits. TOP: universal Citizen's Income. Te Pāti Māori: food-related tax credit. | | Wages | Labour, NZ First and others: inflation-linked minimum-wage increases. | [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) ## 3. What could these policies mean for your weekly budget? Here are some practical examples of how to assess the proposals. Example A: Two adults working and paying rent Imagine a household where both adults work full-time, rent their home and use a car. - Tax changes could affect how much salary they take home. - Public transport fare limits may have little value if they must drive to work. - Petrol-price changes could make a noticeable difference. - Supermarket competition measures may affect grocery prices, but results would take time. - Policies that increase the supply of rental housing may help over the longer term. Example B: A family with children - Working for Families tax credits could increase disposable income. - School lunch policies could reduce food expenses. - Healthcare and prescription policies could reduce medical bills. - Childcare and transport costs remain important to examine separately. Example C: A household saving for its first home - First-home deposit assistance could help with the initial deposit. - Income-tax changes could affect the ability to save. - Interest rates and housing supply will also affect affordability. - KiwiSaver policies could affect long-term savings and the money available for other expenses. One important distinction: a tax reduction can benefit someone immediately through their pay, whereas a supermarket competition policy might take years to produce lower prices. Neither outcome should be assumed without examining the details. ## 4. Understanding New Zealand's voting system New Zealand uses MMP (Mixed Member Proportional). You receive two votes: 1. Party vote: You choose the political party you want represented in Parliament. This is the main vote determining how many seats each party receives. 2. Electorate vote: You choose the individual candidate you want to represent your local electorate. A party generally needs at least 5% of the party vote or to win an electorate seat to enter Parliament. This means you can vote for one party nationally and a candidate from another party locally. The election is on Saturday, 7 November 2026. Advance voting is already open. [Know Your Vote](https://knowyourvote.nz/)[Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/incomes-and-employment) There is another important point: New Zealand frequently has coalition governments. For example, National, ACT and NZ First currently govern together. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are in opposition. After the election, parties may negotiate agreements. A party's campaign promises do not automatically become government policy. Some may be retained, changed or abandoned during negotiations. [Know Your Vote](https://knowyourvote.nz/)[A definitive guide to the rule-outs of Election 2026](https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/30-10-2026/a-definitive-guide-of-election-2026-rule-outs-as-of-right-now) ## 5. Questions worth asking before deciding I suggest looking at these six questions when you read a party's policy: - Will I receive more money? Is the policy a tax reduction, wage increase or direct payment? - Will my expenses decrease? Does it actually reduce the cost of food, rent, transport or healthcare? - Who qualifies? Does it help all working people or only households below a particular income? - When will it happen? Is the change immediate or planned over several years? - How will it be funded? Will the government borrow, increase taxes, reduce other spending or use existing revenue? - Is it a firm commitment? Is it an announced policy, a campaign aspiration or a condition for entering a coalition? A particularly important detail for New Zealand First: its proposed $70 increase to the in-work tax credit is a household-support proposal, not two separate $70 payments to add together. ## 6. Reliable places to investigate further These resources are useful because they allow you to examine policies without relying entirely on party advertising. ![Huge news: The best voting tool in NZ is back | The Spinoff](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/8WevK9XsNYKm7jfIL0fywOheefo3EsSLtnUEvFL0EOx0UqPecW3K6bRniyqPr9z3Z90xZGEwOlaRhnIeIaD0QjYYXT0LwKkTDZdd6b0rwe91MdY50PuD3V6T59Xp5GNPWRDo7hkMg3c1WvNl0QhOx2Fw24z0QQ9mUpHj85s8aNQ?purpose=inline) Policy.nz Compare parties by topic, including housing, income, employment, health and transport. [Explore 2026 election policies](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/incomes-and-employment?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ![PartyMap: New Zealand election guide 2026](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/TsB4_b6JJ1xHE2jpl-0N8nRbXangRB9bJyOULA0CTLD1NQ693x-JOnp3SZ2iWpFriByKEjdCmB6zkpqGkLgyqjg1UKfbI7QnYZz1MeXXeA8UOlXzJj5M5AVCLNso5xvJB2U7V4IHT07RkcgsWd2GbXr70eHMzWv10HqKDoZYvQg?purpose=inline) Know Your Vote A plain-English guide covering parties, MMP, coalitions and policy promises, sourced from official party announcements. [Explore Know Your Vote](https://knowyourvote.nz/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ![Download resources | Elections NZ](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/Xh8dhudewyKjev8GZRo3peRd8k_W-3yRdj-ISWts8U9BYn28oHQVD0E__mchwwfxrRKXQQpO5tPu9cmAraa5I5qDG2PMu-lZ9n8EKm6ciecK3XVCyqSCDLq1cgWHpmw_Yz4tVYQldaz7c5fpXhzMHVAOiXvHbVDzqcTDCBrPhnU?purpose=inline) Electoral Commission Official information about eligibility, enrolment, voting places and how to cast your votes. [Visit the official voting website](https://vote.nz/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ## 7. Let's make this comparison more useful for your circumstances The effect of these policies can be very different depending on whether you rent or own a home, have children, commute by car or use public transport. I can help you build a neutral comparison based on the expenses that matter most to your household, without recommending which party to vote for. One question to start: Which of these best describes your current housing situation? The goal is to understand not just what parties promise, but how their decisions could affect your everyday life in New Zealand. --- Worked for 18s Searching the web Searching the web Searched 9 websites ## Gemini Answer ID: 1ef06bf9-c59a-4b54-a0d9-0172fbfaa855 Congratulations on becoming a New Zealand citizen! Participating in your first general election is an exciting milestone. Navigating a new political system—especially while using English as an additional language—can feel overwhelming, but understanding how the parties approach everyday household budgeting can help clarify your options. For working households, the primary debates for the **2026 New Zealand general election** centre on **cost-of-living relief, income taxes, housing/rents, and public service costs**. Different parties offer contrasting philosophies on how to ease financial pressure. --- ### 1. National and ACT (Centre-Right / Right) * **Core Philosophy:** Focus on fiscal discipline, avoiding new taxes, reining in government spending, and encouraging business growth to create jobs and lower inflation. * **Everyday Living Costs:** * **Tax Relief:** Emphasise keeping personal taxes down and addressing "bracket creep" (where inflation pushes workers into higher tax brackets) rather than introducing broad new tax systems. * **Housing & Rent:** Oppose rent controls and capital gains taxes, arguing that supply-side solutions (making it easier to build homes and easing council regulations) are the best ways to bring down housing and rental costs long-term. They support mortgage interest deductibility for landlords to encourage rental supply. ### 2. Labour and the Green Party (Centre-Left / Left) * **Core Philosophy:** Focus on direct government intervention, strengthening public health and education services, and shifting the tax burden away from low- and middle-income earners toward wealth or property. * **Everyday Living Costs:** * **Targeted Cost-of-Living Relief:** Labour has campaigned on targeted cost-of-living measures such as free primary GP visits, free prescriptions, and public transport fare caps. * **Tax Changes:** The Greens propose a tax-free threshold on lower incomes coupled with a wealth tax on high-net-worth assets. Labour has proposed a capital gains tax on investment properties (excluding the family home) to fund public health. * **Housing & Rents:** Both parties champion stronger renter protections. The Greens heavily advocate for a formal cap on annual rent increases, while Labour pushes for stricter anti-eviction rules and expansion of public/social housing. ### 3. New Zealand First (Populist / Nationalist) * **Core Philosophy:** Focus on national economic self-interest, controlling immigration to ease infrastructure strains, and protecting core public services. * **Everyday Living Costs:** * Support adjustments to minimum wages aligned with inflation and targeted adjustments to working families tax credits. * Emphasise protecting New Zealand citizens regarding entitlements and reducing living cost pressures through market regulation and local infrastructure support. ### 4. Te Pāti Māori & The Opportunity Party (TOP) * **Te Pāti Māori:** Focuses on sweeping wealth redistribution, removing GST off basic food items, and building more public housing to lift whānau out of poverty. * **The Opportunity Party (TOP):** Proposes a structural "Tax Reset"—swapping parts of traditional income tax for a **Land Value Tax** and introducing a universal baseline "Citizen's Income" to support working households and reshape the housing market. --- ### Summary Checklist for Your Vote When deciding which party aligns best with your household: 1. **Are you renting or buying a home?** Parties differ sharply on whether to regulate rents (Greens/Labour) versus stimulating private supply and landlord incentives (National/ACT). 2. **Do you prefer tax cuts or public services?** Centre-right parties generally favour leaving more money in your pay packet through spending restraint, whereas centre-left parties focus on expanding free or subsidised public services (like healthcare and transport) funded by taxes on high wealth or property. 3. **Wages and Support:** Review how parties propose handling the minimum wage and family tax credits if you have children. ## Google AI Mode Answer ID: 241e73b8-b2fe-4330-850f-9b525f0c71fe Welcome to New Zealand and congratulations on becoming a citizen and registering to vote! Navigating a new political system—especially with English as an additional language—can feel overwhelming, but participating in elections is a powerful way to shape your household's future. The 2026 general election takes place on **Saturday, 7 November 2026**. Recent data from Stats NZ shows that everyday household living costs increased by 3.0% over the year to September 2026, driven largely by fuel and transport pressures. To help you understand how different political groups aim to ease these pressures for working households, here is an overview of key proposals from major parties active in New Zealand politics, as tracked by platforms like The Conversation's Election Policy Tracker and Policy.nz: 1\. National Party * **Tax and Income:** Focuses on previously implemented and ongoing personal income tax threshold adjustments designed to let working people keep more of their earnings. * **Supermarket Competition:** Proposes measures to crack down on duopolies and split supermarket operations to drive down grocery costs. * **Family & Household Support:** Proposals include extending paid parental leave structures and providing targeted support for household infrastructure and energy costs. 2\. Labour Party * **Direct Cost Reductions:** Proposes lowering everyday healthcare and transport overheads, such as reintroducing or expanding free prescriptions and implementing regional public transport fare caps (e.g., a $20 weekly transit cap). * **Housing and Savings:** Focuses on expanding first-home buyer access (such as widening low-deposit caps) and boosting progressive KiwiSaver incentives to help long-term household wealth. * **Student Loans:** Proposes reducing student loan repayment rates for domestic borrowers to ease disposable income constraints for graduates. 3\. Green Party * **Income Support & Abatement:** Focuses heavily on lifting the financial floor for low-to-middle-income earners, introducing income guarantees, and taxing wealth/land rather than taxing everyday wages. * **Public Services & Utilities:** Advocates for lower public transport costs, scaling up energy-efficient public housing, and addressing food affordability directly through market interventions. 4\. ACT New Zealand * **Tax Relief:** Emphasizes cutting government spending to enable deeper income tax reductions across all brackets. * **Cost-Cutting via Deregulation:** Proposes easing regulatory constraints on housing construction and supply (fast-tracking consents) to lower rent and housing inflation, alongside a temporary freeze on minimum wage increases to protect small businesses from rising operational costs. 5\. New Zealand First * **Fuel and Energy:** Proposes removing specific elements of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) levy on fuel to directly lower petrol prices at the pump. * **Business & Living Costs:** Proposes small-and-medium-enterprise (SME) tax relief (such as a flat 20% company tax rate) to stimulate local employment and curb cost-of-living trickle-down effects on consumers. * * * How to Explore Further * Visit Policy.nz to compare party positions side-by-side on specific topics like housing, tax, and transport. * Check Elections NZ for official voting logistics, including where and how to cast your vote. ## AI Overviews Answer ID: 7b208759-6f1f-474e-947a-cfcf57d09df6 For the **2026 New Zealand General Election** , the cost of living is the top concern for working households. Political parties approach this crisis from two fundamentally different economic philosophies: **cutting daily expenses directly through expanded government programs and services** , versus **reducing government spending and taxes to drive overall down inflation and boost wages**. * * * Direct Comparison: Cost-of-Living Commitments The table below contrasts how the main political parties plan to alter everyday costs for a working household. Category| National (Incumbent Lead)| Labour (Main Opposition)| Green Party| ACT Party ---|---|---|---|--- **Core Strategy**| **Control inflation** by curbing government spending and cutting regulatory costs.| **Direct cost subsidies** for everyday household bills paid for by targeted new taxes.| **Taxing the wealthy** to fund free universal basic services.| **Cutting income tax rates** and shrinking public service overhead. **Healthcare Costs**| Boost funding for Pharmac medicines.| **3 free GP doctor visits** a year and free prescriptions.| Free dental care, free ECE, and free GP doctor visits.| Open dedicated cancer centers. **Supermarket Bills**| **Split up major supermarket chains** (separation of wholesale/retail) to force competition.| Ban price gouging and enforce wholesale/retail separation.| Nationalize some supermarket distribution or establish a state grocery chain.| Fast-track consents for overseas supermarket competitors to enter NZ. **Transport & Fuel**| Consenting infrastructure to stabilize costs.| **$20 weekly public transport cap** and a 3-year freeze on fuel tax.| Free public transit for low-income households and youth.| Limit infrastructure intervention, focusing on productivity. **Household Utilities**| Consent more renewable energy to lower electricity bills.| **SolarSaver program** with no upfront costs for home solar setup.| Create "Kiwipower" state energy provider and fund domestic solar/batteries.| Rely on deregulation and private market investment. * * * Understanding the Key Options & Trade-offs The Left-Leaning Approach (Labour, Green Party) * **The Pitch:** This strategy focuses on providing immediate, noticeable relief on your most predictable bills (doctor visits, transport, prescription medicines, and power). * **The Trade-offs:** To fund these services, these parties introduce new forms of taxation. For example, Labour is proposing a 28% capital gains tax on investment properties (exempting the family home), while the [Greens](https://www.greens.org.nz/new_zealanders_are_in_charge_now) advocate for a wealth tax. Opponents argue these extensive spending plans risk driving up inflation, creating higher hidden interest or tax burdens on households. The Right-Leaning Approach (National, ACT) * **The Pitch:** This strategy aims to leave more money in your paycheck by lowering income taxes and reducing corporate compliance regulations, which they argue allows businesses to pass savings on to consumers. youtube.comCost of Living Policy: Where NZ Parties Stand in 2026 * **The Trade-offs:** These parties believe expanding public services creates government waste and keeps inflation high. To balance the budget, they prioritize cutting operational funding to public departments. Critics argue that cutting these budgets reduces vital support and that standard tax cuts do not help low-income working families as much as direct subsidies. Your Next Steps as a New Voter 1. **Check Your Enrollment:** Ensure you are correctly registered at [Vote NZ](https://vote.nz) to receive your voting papers. 2. **Review Minor Parties:** Research the smaller coalition partners, such as **New Zealand First** (proposing removing GST from basic food items and abolishing the Emissions Trading Scheme fuel tax) and **Te Pāti Māori** (proposing a $30,000 tax-free threshold and removing GST from all food). 3. **Decide What Works For You:** Consider whether your household budget would benefit more from **lower income taxes/structural market changes** or **direct price caps on public services**.