# Small exporter planning investment

NZ Election 2026 · Edition 8 · Voter situations · S11

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.

[Back to the study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/8#situations)

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| questions written for them | 6 |
| answers collected | 24 |
| AI assistants | 4 |
| asked nationally | NZ |

## What this voter asked

### Question 57: Economy

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. How do parties compare on business investment, productivity and support for small exporters?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/8/questions/91b36a04-9b98-43b4-b0af-5957145b3a9a.md)

### Question 58: Foreign affairs and defence

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?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/8/questions/c0652968-50ca-4bc4-b476-06d4a4e46c1c.md)

### Question 59: Jobs and unemployment

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 plans do parties have for vocational skills, training and the availability of skilled workers?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/8/questions/f61c1e75-be45-4492-b364-e753cc9a3fad.md)

### Question 60: Immigration

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. How would party immigration policies affect hiring skilled staff from overseas?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/8/questions/b0fd1b26-8bbe-4d5c-8ee4-ddac28bb943c.md)

### Question 61: Infrastructure and local services

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. Which parties address freight, ports and transport infrastructure in their plans for business?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/8/questions/7c2059ed-af87-42b2-b21c-5544acdffcb8.md)

### Question 62: Fuel and energy

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. How do parties' energy and fuel policies affect businesses making and moving goods?

[Read the captured answers](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/8/questions/329da0c8-78c0-4824-b542-0c1efdf693dc.md)

## Which parties appeared in the answers

The figures count names in the 24 answers recorded for this situation. Naming a party does not mean recommending it.

| Party | Answers | Total |
| --- | --- | --- |
| National | 22 | 24 |
| Labour | 22 | 24 |
| Greens | 21 | 24 |
| ACT | 21 | 24 |
| NZ First | 21 | 24 |
| Te Pāti Māori | 9 | 24 |
| TOP | 8 | 24 |

## Party names across this voter’s topics

Compare the parties named in answers about this voter’s main concerns. The table compares 24 answers from each edition.

The coloured bars show whether statements about a party were positive, neutral, negative or mixed. Select a figure to read the extracts.

| Topic | Party | Answers naming the party | Collected answers | Positive claims | Neutral claims | Negative claims | Mixed claims |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Economy | National | 4 | 4 | 14 | 32 | 2 | 1 |
| Economy | Labour | 4 | 4 | 19 | 30 | 3 | 0 |
| Economy | Greens | 3 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 1 | 1 |
| Economy | ACT | 4 | 4 | 9 | 27 | 2 | 0 |
| Economy | NZ First | 3 | 4 | 7 | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Economy | Te Pāti Māori | 2 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| Economy | TOP | 2 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 0 |

| Topic | Party | Answers naming the party | Collected answers | Positive claims | Neutral claims | Negative claims | Mixed claims |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Foreign affairs and defence | National | 4 | 4 | 3 | 32 | 0 | 1 |
| Foreign affairs and defence | Labour | 4 | 4 | 7 | 25 | 0 | 2 |
| Foreign affairs and defence | Greens | 4 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| Foreign affairs and defence | ACT | 4 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 1 |
| Foreign affairs and defence | NZ First | 4 | 4 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Foreign affairs and defence | Te Pāti Māori | 2 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Foreign affairs and defence | TOP | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |

| Topic | Party | Answers naming the party | Collected answers | Positive claims | Neutral claims | Negative claims | Mixed claims |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Jobs and unemployment | National | 4 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| Jobs and unemployment | Labour | 4 | 4 | 8 | 23 | 2 | 0 |
| Jobs and unemployment | Greens | 4 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| Jobs and unemployment | ACT | 4 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 2 | 0 |
| Jobs and unemployment | NZ First | 4 | 4 | 3 | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| Jobs and unemployment | Te Pāti Māori | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jobs and unemployment | TOP | 2 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 2 | 0 |

| Topic | Party | Answers naming the party | Collected answers | Positive claims | Neutral claims | Negative claims | Mixed claims |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Immigration | National | 3 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Immigration | Labour | 3 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 0 |
| Immigration | Greens | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Immigration | ACT | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 3 |
| Immigration | NZ First | 3 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 8 | 0 |
| Immigration | Te Pāti Māori | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Immigration | TOP | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |

| Topic | Party | Answers naming the party | Collected answers | Positive claims | Neutral claims | Negative claims | Mixed claims |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Infrastructure and local services | National | 4 | 4 | 11 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Infrastructure and local services | Labour | 4 | 4 | 10 | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Infrastructure and local services | Greens | 3 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Infrastructure and local services | ACT | 3 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Infrastructure and local services | NZ First | 4 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Infrastructure and local services | Te Pāti Māori | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Infrastructure and local services | TOP | 1 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 |

| Topic | Party | Answers naming the party | Collected answers | Positive claims | Neutral claims | Negative claims | Mixed claims |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fuel and energy | National | 3 | 4 | 11 | 14 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel and energy | Labour | 3 | 4 | 10 | 17 | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel and energy | Greens | 4 | 4 | 7 | 19 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel and energy | ACT | 3 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel and energy | NZ First | 3 | 4 | 10 | 17 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel and energy | Te Pāti Māori | 2 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel and energy | TOP | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |

## How Gemini’s answer changed

The exporter’s answer added more about Labour’s payment and GST proposals and the Greens’ business-tax approach. It dropped The Opportunity Party and National’s named Investment Boost.

It also attributed Electrify NZ 2.0 to Labour. The selected factual check identifies this as National’s plan, so the extra policy detail included an incorrect attribution.

Gemini: “They are campaigning on retaining their **Investment Boost** policy, which lets businesses immediately deduct 20% of the cost of new assets (such as machinery, automation tech, and IT systems).”

[Read the answer](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/7/questions/91b36a04-9b98-43b4-b0af-5957145b3a9a.md) · Answer ID: 2bf84c75-cd95-4977-9c5a-9247ebb71912

Gemini: “*   **Labour:** Proposes "Electrify NZ 2.0" measures to increase electricity supply, grid connection options, and market competition to help businesses manage power overheads.”

[Read the answer](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/8/questions/91b36a04-9b98-43b4-b0af-5957145b3a9a.md) · Answer ID: 05561e7b-2c9e-4284-9e7a-f7cb18297134

## Websites cited in these answers

Compare the websites cited in answers for this voter situation. Choose a topic to see its sources.

### ChatGPT

| Website | Answers with this website recorded |
| --- | --- |
| nzfirst.nz | 6 |
| labour.org.nz | 5 |
| ammlaw.co.nz | 4 |
| national.org.nz | 4 |
| cilt.co.nz | 3 |
| knowyourvote.nz | 3 |
| stories.theconversation.com | 3 |
| act.org.nz | 2 |
| bdo.nz | 2 |
| greens.org.nz | 2 |

### Gemini

| Website | Answers with this website recorded |
| --- | --- |
| bdo.nz | 4 |
| businesscentral.org.nz | 2 |
| ammlaw.co.nz | 1 |
| ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz | 1 |
| electrification.co.nz | 1 |
| infrastructure.org.nz | 1 |
| kiwicoaches.co.nz | 1 |
| livinginnz.co.nz | 1 |
| minterellison.co.nz | 1 |
| national.org.nz | 1 |

### Google AI Mode

| Website | Answers with this website recorded |
| --- | --- |
| national.org.nz | 3 |
| policy.nz | 3 |
| hansard.parliament.nz | 1 |
| labour.org.nz | 1 |
| livinginnz.co.nz | 1 |
| nzbrands.ai | 1 |
| rnz.co.nz | 1 |
| stories.theconversation.com | 1 |
| thespinoff.co.nz | 1 |
| transporting.nz | 1 |

### AI Overviews

| Website | Answers with this website recorded |
| --- | --- |
| facebook.com | 5 |
| labour.org.nz | 5 |
| policy.nz | 4 |
| rnz.co.nz | 4 |
| stories.theconversation.com | 4 |
| national.org.nz | 3 |
| youtube.com | 3 |
| act.org.nz | 2 |
| anyquestions.govt.nz | 2 |
| bdo.nz | 2 |

Each website counts once per answer. The comparison covers 24 answers from each edition; 24 of this edition’s answers included citations. Other includes websites we have not yet classified.

[Previous: Café owner with a small team](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/8/voters/s10)

[Next: Retired homeowner on NZ Super](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/8/voters/s12)