Get Back on Facts

New Zealand's economy is struggling, the cost-of-living continues to rise faster than wages, and mortgages are unaffordable. National will rebuild the economy to get it working for all New Zealanders.

 

1. Labour's claim on National's tax plan:

 

“National's plan does not add up."
(Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson, 30 August 2023)

 

Truth:
Our tax plan has been independently verified by economic experts. They know that our plan is ‘cautious and consistent’ with the current state of the economy and ‘possible and plausible'.

 

2. Labour's claim on the Foreign Buyer Tax

 

“There is a real risk that [overseas Kiwis] could be captured by National's tax.”
(Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson, 5 September 2023) 

Truth:
If you are a citizen of New Zealand, you will not pay the foreign buyer tax.

 

3. Labour’s claim on Fees-Free

 

“A National/ACT coalition will not only cut fees free for first-year students, but they will also add interest back on ALL current student loans.”
(Labour Party Facebook page, 29 August 2023)

Truth:
National will keep fees-free and interest-free student loans.

 

4. Labour’s claim on Schools and Teachers

 

“It’s theoretically good and flattering that Act and National have adopted our education policy, but they’re also lying ‘cause they’d flog off the schools and sack all the teachers to make it easier for charter corporations.”
(Senior Labour Minister Andrew Little, 28 August 2023)

Truth:
National will not ‘flog off the schools’ or ‘sack all the teachers’ and we will invest more in education every year to improve our schools and provide teachers more training to teach the basics brilliantly.

 

5. Labour’s claim on Super and Public Services

 

“[National] will cut entitlements to superannuation, and they will have to cut funding for schools, hospitals, teachers and nurses.”
(Labour Leader Chris Hipkins, 2 September 2023)

Truth:
National will increase the amount pensioners receive through our Back Pocket Boost, increase superannuation payments every year that we are in office, retain the Winter Energy Payment and increase funding for health and education every year.

 

6. Labour’s claim on Health

 

“National can’t be trusted with their finances and that will mean cuts for the health budget.”
(Labour Health Minister Ayesha Verrall, 31 August 2023)

Truth:
National will increase funding for health every year we are in government.

 

7. Labour’s claim on Sick Leave

 

“That’s correct.” [In response to a comment about National reducing sick leave to five days]
(Labour MP Shanan Halbert, 31 August 2023)

Truth:
National will not reduce the number of sick days.

 

8. Labour’s claim on the Minimum Wage

 

“They’ll get rid of the minimum wage.”
(Senior Labour Minister Willie Jackson, 5 September 2023)

 

Truth:
National consistently increased the minimum wage when last in Government and we will continue to do so.

 

9. Labour’s claim on Matariki

 

“Matariki would be abolished [under National”
(Labour Minister Duncan Webb, 6 September 2023)

 

Truth:
National will keep every existing public holiday.

 

10. Labour's claim on Winter Energy Payment

 

“National have committed to abolishing the winter energy payment”
(Michael Wood, Labour MP, 11 September 2023)

 

Truth:
National will keep the Winter Energy Payment for all those currently eligible, including seniors.