Party leaders in their own words. Illustration / Rod Emmerson
Party leaders in their own words. Illustration / Rod Emmerson
Bill English - National
This election isn't about me or any other politician. It's about what sort of future you want for your country. Right now we are doing well. Wages and job numbers are rising and we're building the roads, schools and hospitals needed by a growing population. We're also developing innovative, new ways to tackle social problems that cause long-term disadvantage. However, we can't afford to take these things for granted. We can continue with the policies that have delivered us one of the fastest-growing economies in the developed world, or we can experiment with the vague and confusing policies proposed by our political rivals. My advice is stick with National. We know how to do the job and we have exciting policies to make New Zealand an even better place. All parties care. The hard bit is making a difference. We've shown we know how to do that.
Jacinda Ardern - Labour
I'm proud of our great country, but I know we can be so much better. Our economy has been growing, but after nine years, too many people have been left behind. On September 23 we face a clear choice between drifting for another three years or action to fix the problems we face. If you want a place to call your own, if you want to end child poverty and make sure all families grow up in warm, healthy homes, if you want a chance for your children to get the opportunities to be the best they can be, if you want a health service that delivers world class care, if you want clean rivers, then this is the moment to make that choice and build a better, fairer New Zealand, one that can be world leading, one that we can be proud of. We can do this. Together, let's do this.
I'm asking Kiwis to vote for the Green Party this election so that we can be the beating heart of the most environmentally friendly, progressive government ever. Only a government with the Green Party in it can be that. The Green Party is the only party that has a plan to stop the pollution of our rivers and lakes, and restore them to health so that you can swim in them again. The Green Party is the only party that will put action on climate change at the top of the next government's agenda. We've led on this issue for 25 years, and in our first 100 days in government, we'll put in place binding legal targets to reduce carbon pollution. The Green Party will also prioritise ending poverty in Aotearoa, so that no more kids go to school hungry, or wake up in the backseat of a car, instead of a bed. A vote for the Green Party is a vote for a different kind of government - cleaner, greener and more compassionate.
Winston Peters - NZ First
For a long time now New Zealand First has been travelling around the regions, meeting everyday New Zealanders. So many are doing their best, but are treading water. They have had enough of their incomes and wages not beating high living costs and of a housing cost crisis. After years of the two old parties they've had enough. Inferior roads, seriously underfunded health, education, police, and a housing and rental crisis the old parties have ignored. The list is endless. And as a country we are not earning enough. We bring the voice of experience, knowing how the power structure works and we have the courage to keep the system honest and not deaf to you. I bring to Parliament the voice of experience, a proven record of getting things done. I know how the power structure works and how to keep the system honest and make sure it hears you.
Party leaders in their own words. Illustration / Rod Emmerson
Te Ururoa Flavell - Māori Party
The Māori Party is driven by a desire to uphold our rangatiratanga, to restore ourselves to ourselves, to advance our interests while all the time supporting whānau self-reliance. We are determined that everything we do is about honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We are committed to the betterment of Māori and ensuring whānau have the tools and resources to achieve their aspirations and to lead positive and meaningful lives. We are the only party with an independent kaupapa Māori voice in Parliament, we are out there to defend, protect and advance the rights of Māori. Other parties may have Māori MPs but we are the only one created by Māori, for Māori - and what's good for Māori, is great for Aotearoa. A vote for the Māori Party is a vote for solutions that are built by you, with you, and for you.
David Seymour - Act
Act will solve the issues that Labour created and National have neglected. We will restore housing affordability by cutting red tape, freeing up land so that hundreds of thousands of new homes can be built. We will fund local infrastructure by giving councils a share of gst on building projects they consent. We will ensure great teachers are paid more by committing an extra billion dollars for schools that break free of the 'pay everyone the same' teacher union contracts. We will also cut wasteful government spending, cut taxes, get tough on youth crime, and end the cycle of dependency through welfare reform. Because I'm on track to win the seat of Epsom, Act doesn't need to reach 5 per cent to win more MPs. Every Party Vote for Act counts to re-elect a National-led Government, but with the courage and creativity to confront hard issues.
Gareth Morgan - The Opportunities Party
TOP champions best practice, evidence-based policy. Only we offer fundamental change to the policies of the last 30 years that have led to steadily rising social and health failure, environmental damage, entrenched inequality - and all for lacklustre economic growth that's trapped us in the bottom half of OECD rankings. This legacy from Labour and National governments since 1984 must stop. Our tax reform will see 80 per cent of people better off immediately, will close the tax loophole that asset owners like me enjoy, restore long-lost housing affordability and boost investment in business and economic growth to an unprecedented extent. Without our savings being invested in our local businesses we are doomed to more of the same - low productivity, inadequate wages, and all the damage that poverty brings. More tax working groups or denying victims their constitutional rights achieves nothing. Only TOP's policies work.
