National’s plan to welcome more Kiwis home
A re-elected National Government will legislate and direct five key commitments in its first 100 days aimed at encouraging young New Zealanders to stay or return home to build their future, Finance and Economic Growth spokesperson Nicola Willis says.
“National wants to make New Zealand the most attractive place for our young people to raise a family, build a career, start a business, and make a contribution to our country.
“If re-elected, National will legislate and direct five key commitments in our first 100 days to make New Zealand more attractive and affordable for young people to live and work.”
These five commitments are:
- Lowering student loan repayment rates for Kiwis living in New Zealand so they have more take-home pay when they need it most
- Widening access to 5 per cent deposits for first home buyers so more people can overcome the barrier of the standard 20 per cent deposit
- Extending paid parental leave from 26 weeks to 30 weeks within three years so that parents have more financial security while caring for their baby
- Strengthening KiwiSaver, including a $1500 Baby Boost payment and changes to contributions for parents on paid parental leave, so people can build bigger savings nest eggs to ensure greater financial security
- Prioritising and expediting work and visitor visas for partners of New Zealand citizens, so Kiwis who meet their partners overseas can bring them home when they return.
Each commitment has been fully funded to commence by 1 July 2027 in National’s fiscal plan (some may be earlier). Where a legislative change is needed to implement a commitment, National will pass the legislation in its first 100 days.
“National has also committed to no new taxes, because helping hardworking Kiwis keep more of what they earn is a key part of our proposition for young people,” Nicola Willis says.
“That is also why in 2024 we delivered income tax relief, giving average households with children an extra $78 a fortnight, and why we have been focused on keeping costs down by controlling spending to reduce debt and ease pressure on inflation and interest rates.
“New Zealand’s lack of a capital gains tax is a real competitive advantage over Australia, and we should embrace that by not introducing one.
“We want Kiwis living overseas to be excited about the opportunities New Zealand presents for them to get ahead and build a more secure future. Delivering those opportunities means growing the economy with things like new trade deals, a world-class education system and modern, reliable infrastructure.
“We have made a lot of progress. We are growing faster than the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia. Exports are up $20 billion, inflation is down from a 32-year high, and 220,000 new jobs are expected with wages growing faster than prices.
“It is encouraging to see more Kiwis returning home, with a 14 per cent increase in Kiwis moving back to New Zealand from Australia last year. But there is more to do and that means sticking with National’s plan which is working.
“The alternative is a Labour Government propped up by the Greens, Te Pati Māori and Opportunity, planning nine new taxes and more of the same mistakes Labour made last time that forced Kiwis to leave in the first place.
“If young New Zealanders want a more secure future, they should stick with the plan and party vote National.”
