Labour releases new campaign ad; National launches attack

The 30-second Labour clip shows Jacinda Ardern heading through the streets of the country.

Labour has released its new television ad with a party leader Jacinda Ardern promising "better" for the country. On the same day National has put out an attack ad calling for Labour to release specifics about its tax plans.

The 30-second Labour clip shows Ardern heading through the streets of the country, passing businessmen, schoolkids, a farmer and a takeaway shop.

In a voiceover she says: "Now's the time to build a better, fairer future for New Zealand. They will try to convince you not to rock the boat, but we can do better.

"Better healthcare, better transport, better schools, better transport and homes for all.

"I am ready. We're all ready. Let's do this."

But National has hit back with a Facebook ad captioned #LetsTaxThis, saying Labour "needs to be upfront with NZers about their tax agenda".

It plays a scratchy recording of Labour's housing spokesman Phil Twyford listing taxes that would be "on the table" in a Labour Government's first term, including a capital gains tax, asset taxes, wealth taxes and a land value tax.

What is Labour's tax policy?

Labour needs to be upfront with NZers about their tax agenda. A senior Labour MP has admitted: “A Capital Gains Tax will be on the table, Land Value Tax will be on the table, Asset and Wealth Taxes.” #LetsTaxThis

Posted by New Zealand National Party on Monday, 21 August 2017

In his speech on August 10 he also says it's a "tough ask" to sell a capital gains tax while in Opposition.

"It's much easier when you have an army of public servants when you're in Government and you have a much bigger megaphone."

National has also taken aim at the Labour leader's philosophy of "relentless positivity" on its website, claiming a Labour/Greens/NZFirst coalition would have a "relentlessly negative view of New Zealand".

This month on Newshub's The Nation Steven Joyce pounced when Labour finance spokesman Grant Robertson did not say outright if a capital gains tax would be introduced by a first-term Labour government.

He did say that the "bright-line test", which taxes income on property bought and sold within two years - would be extended to five years under Labour.

Ardern has since clarified that under Labour a capital gains tax would only come from realised gains - money made when an asset is sold - and the family home would be exempt.

The Labour leader told the Herald today she would also not make a call on raising the top income tax rate until the Treasury opens the Government's books tomorrow in the Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update.