When National came into government two years ago, Labour had left a country that was in deep trouble. The future did not look bright for Kiwis. The economy was damaged - inflation was at a 32 year high, mortgage repayments had skyrocketed, wages had stagnated, there were hundreds of ram raids a year, violent crime was rising, there was more welfare dependency, and children's achievement was plummeting. National has a long-term plan to turn that around.

National is fixing the basics and building the future by:

1. Growing the economy to create jobs and boost wages.

New Zealand’s economy is set to grow on average 2.7 per cent a year over the next four years, creating 220,000 jobs. Wages are expected to grow faster than inflation. Government borrowing has reduced by $6 billion, putting New Zealand on track to return to surplus in 2028/29.

We’re growing the economy through:

• Disciplined spending, reducing wasteful spending, lowering debt
• Reducing the size of the public sector
• Trade deals like the Free Trade Agreement with India
• Building the roads, schools, hospitals New Zealand needs for the future
• Accelerating renewable energy and back up generation projects to improve New Zealand’s energy security and lower your bills.

2. Keeping taxes low so you keep more of what you earn.

 We delivered tax relief to hard working Kiwis for the first time in 14 years because you deserve to keep more of what you earn.  

 We’re keeping taxes low through:

• Disciplined spending
• Reducing wasteful spending
• Lowering debt.

3. Cracking down on crime to make our streets safer.

 Our approach to restoring law and order has seen an 85% reduction in ram raids and 49,000 fewer victims of violent crime.

 We’re cracking down on crime through:

• Tougher sentences for criminals
• Cracking down on gangs
• More tools and powers for Police
• More Police foot patrols.

4. Improving education and health so kids are taught the basics brilliantly and you get care when you need it.

An hour per day of reading, writing and maths, banning cell phones in class and investing in classroom resources has already seen 43% of new entrants exceeding at reading and kids make 12 months maths progress in just 12 weeks.

We’re further improving education through:

• More maths, reading and writing resources
• A new national qualification to replace NCEA.

Investing a record amount in healthcare has delivered tens of thousands more elective surgeries, funded 66 new medicines including 33 for cancer, hired around 2,000 more nurses and hundreds more doctors, delivered new 24/7 Online GP Care, and expanded after-hours care.

 We are further improving healthcare through: 

• Three three-day post-natal stays so new mums can get the support they need
• More palliative care centres for seriously ill children
• More funding for medicines
• Lowering the bowel screening age to 56 so more Kiwis can get screened.

By sticking to our plan there will be a more secure future for all New Zealanders.

The alternative is a broken economy with higher debt, higher spending, fewer jobs and stagnant wages; higher taxes so you pay more of what you earn. A country vulnerable to global shocks and higher bills; soft on violent crime and ram raids, with weaker education standards and less reliable healthcare.

2026 Election Policies

Enhancing KiwiSaver

Tougher sentences for sexual offending

Home Energy Fund

New Zealand’s Next Billion Customers

National to make it easier to build the future

National will modernise consent laws

Our Plan for Hunting and Fishing

Modernising Paid Parental Leave