Political direction
The party emphasises individual freedom, property rights, equal citizenship, smaller government, market competition and stronger law and order policy.
Government coalitionPolicy platform published
ACT
ACT New Zealand
Also known as: The ACT Party, ACT Party
A party with classical liberal and libertarian leanings. It argues for smaller government, lower taxes, less regulation, protection of individual freedom and tougher criminal justice.
The party in 60 seconds
Published policy claims
Economy and taxParty position
What this means
Concentrate government spending on the public services the party considers essential, and keep taxes low.
Economy and taxParty position
What this means
Remove regulation the party considers unnecessary, and test new regulatory and innovative approaches through trial mechanisms.
Evidence and checks
Family and social policyParty position
What this means
Treat welfare as temporary support, and raise the requirements on recipients to return to work and meet their obligations.
Evidence and checks
Law, justice and rightsPolicy proposal
What this means
Proposes deporting serious offenders, a three strikes policy for burglary, and heavier penalties for repeat offenders.
Evidence and checks
Te Tiriti and democracyParty position
What this means
Promotes policy built around equal citizenship, and argues for redefining the government's approach to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Evidence and checks
EducationElection promise
What this means
Proposes changing education law to limit state schools to no more than three compulsory branded uniform items, and to require unbranded alternatives that can be bought from ordinary retailers for everyday clothing.
Evidence and checks
Verification note: The household cost figures published by the party are not used here as independent statistics.
Climate and environmentElection promise
What this means
Proposes treating long-lived gases such as carbon dioxide separately from agricultural methane, and permanently keeping agriculture out of the Emissions Trading Scheme. If the Paris Agreement cannot accommodate such targets, the party argues for withdrawal.
Evidence and checks
Verification note: Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a conditional party promise, and the page provides no independent assessment of the effects.
Immigration and visasElection promise
What this means
ACT would allow residence-class visa holders convicted of offences carrying sentences of 10 years or more to be deported regardless of how long they have lived in New Zealand.
Evidence and checks
Verification note: The party page has no publication date. It can only be confirmed as public by about May 2026.
Immigration and visasElection promise
What this means
ACT would make each Accredited Employer Work Visa skill category expire every year unless current evidence of labour demand supports keeping it open.
Evidence and checks
Verification note: The policy gives no implementation timetable or agency responsible for reassessing demand.
Immigration and visasElection promise
What this means
ACT would apply a five-year stand-down from jobseeker support, the accommodation supplement and other income-tested benefits to all residence-class visa holders.
Evidence and checks
Verification note: The policy does not say whether existing residents would be affected or how reciprocal social security agreements would be handled.
Immigration and visasElection promise
What this means
ACT would add a NZ$6 per day infrastructure surcharge to temporary work visas on top of existing charges.
Evidence and checks
Verification note: The estimate of about NZ$80 million a year is the party's figure and has not been independently verified.
Immigration and visasElection promise
What this means
ACT would create a dedicated Immigration New Zealand enforcement unit, require platform employers to verify and report work rights, and remove accreditation from employers that facilitate overstaying.
Evidence and checks
Verification note: The overstayer count cited by ACT is a party-supplied number and should not be presented as an unattributed official statistic.
Verified key people
David Seymour
Party leader, Deputy Prime Minister
The Platform NZ, CC BY 3.0
Brooke van Velden
Deputy leader
Doug Mountain, CC0What happened, in date order
Party record
ACT announces proposal to remove tax on KiwiSaver earnings
On 4 October 2026, ACT announced a proposal to remove tax on earnings in KiwiSaver accounts. The party also said it would end the KiwiSaver Government Contribution for members receiving employer contributions and replace it with the new tax treatment within their accounts.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces planning-law reform proposal
On 3 October 2026, ACT announced a planning-law reform proposal to exclude purely spiritual and religious effects, prohibit religious observances as consent conditions, and replace Te Mana o te Wai with measurable freshwater outcomes.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
David Seymour announces campaign to acquire Epsom Campus for new school
On 30 September 2026, David Seymour said he would campaign for the Government to acquire the University of Auckland Epsom Campus for education and a new school. He proposed that the school be unzoned and accept students from across the city without changing existing Grammar school zones.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Show 41 earlier records
Party record
ACT announces plans for national standards for everyday farming
On 30 September 2026, ACT announced plans for national standards covering 10 everyday farming activities and to prioritise a standard for the methodology councils use to set freshwater limits.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces plan to increase supermarket competition
On 28 September 2026, ACT said it would focus on barriers that make it difficult for new competitors to enter the New Zealand market.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces noisy vehicle enforcement proposals
On 26 September 2026, ACT announced plans to strengthen enforcement against noisy vehicles, including increased penalties, noise cameras, and an enforceable noise standard.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces Make Farming Fun Again campaign
ACT announced the launch of its Make Farming Fun Again campaign on 20 September 2026.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT says it welcomes passage of Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill
On 19 September 2026, ACT leader David Seymour said the party welcomed the passage of the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT says Government Amendment Paper addresses Auckland committee voting rights
On 15 September 2026, ACT said a Government Amendment Paper adopted the final part of its Member's Bill concerning voting rights for unelected appointees on Auckland council committees.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces team
On 13 September 2026, ACT published a statement presenting its team.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces plan to complete historical Treaty claims and end Waitangi Tribunal jurisdiction
On 10 September 2026, ACT said it would complete remaining historical Treaty claims, end the Waitangi Tribunal's contemporary jurisdiction, and wind it up once its historical work is finished.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT sets out plan to scrap Net Zero target
On 6 September 2026, ACT said it would scrap what it called the arbitrary Net Zero target and replace it with a climate policy grounded in economic reality.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces Keep New Zealand Moving transport plan
On 4 September 2026, ACT announced a transport infrastructure plan that it said would use 6 reforms to improve value for transport projects.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT called for support for small business bill
On 2 September 2026, ACT said it was calling on parties to support Laura McClure's Member's Bill, which was before Parliament for its second reading that day.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT proposes a government with 18 ministers and 19 departments
On 2 September 2026, ACT New Zealand announced a policy proposal for a smaller government with 18 ministers and 19 departments.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT proposes 18 Ministers and 19 Departments
On 1 September 2026, ACT proposed restructuring the Government to have 18 Ministers and 19 Departments, and said the current structure has 28 Ministers and 39 departments.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces fisheries policy plan
On 30 August 2026, ACT announced a 6-part fisheries policy plan, including a proposed distinct fisheries management area matching the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park boundaries.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT calls for referendum on Upper Hutt Council Māori ward
On 27 August 2026, ACT candidate for Remutaka and regional councillor Nigel Elder called for a local referendum on Upper Hutt Council's proposed Māori ward and said he would collect signatures to seek a vote.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces digital finance policy agenda
On 27 August 2026, ACT announced a policy agenda to modernise digital finance rules.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces plan to disestablish Climate Change Commission
On 26 August 2026, ACT announced it would disestablish the Climate Change Commission and transfer its monitoring and reporting duties to existing bodies.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces opposition to National's proposed social media ban
On 24 August 2026, ACT said it would exercise Agree to Disagree and vote against National's proposed social media ban.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces comprehensive cancer centre plan
ACT announced a plan to build New Zealand's first purpose-built comprehensive cancer centre, with 2 campuses in Auckland and Christchurch.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
David Seymour speech at ACT Mainland Campaign Launch
ACT New Zealand published a speech by David Seymour at its Mainland campaign launch on 21 August 2026.
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Party record
Paul Henry speaks at ACT Mainland Campaign Launch
On 21 August 2026, Paul Henry delivered a speech at the ACT Mainland Campaign Launch.
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Party record
ACT seeks clarity on remaining Mauao work and timeframes
On 19 August 2026, ACT MP Cameron Luxton called for clarity on remaining Mauao track work, responsibility, and decision timeframes.
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Party record
ACT announces campaign for Working with Children Card
On 18 August 2026, ACT said it would campaign to introduce a Working with Children Card.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces rural crime measures
On 17 August 2026, ACT said it would fund 100,000 extra Police patrol hours in rural areas each year and establish a dedicated rural crime unit. It also said it would strengthen offences and increase penalties for livestock rustling and armed poaching.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces One Law for All, One Future Together policy
ACT announced a policy proposing principles for the Constitution Act and a change to the status of property rights in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces public service policy
On 16 August 2026, ACT announced it would reset the public service and seek to repeal race based hiring requirements in section 73 of the Public Service Act and section 118 of the Crown Entities Act.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces campaign to make Student Services Fees voluntary
On 10 August 2026, ACT announced it would campaign to make Student Services Fees voluntary.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT calls to end reliance on corporate welfare
On 10 August 2026, ACT Leader David Seymour said New Zealand should end its reliance on corporate welfare.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT candidate criticises emergency hub funding proposal
On 10 August 2026, ACT candidate Paul Henry criticised a Greens proposal to fund marae as emergency hubs.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces Pharmacy First plan
On 6 August 2026, ACT announced its Pharmacy First plan to expand pharmacists' services and reduce barriers to opening new pharmacies.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT announces classroom discipline policy
On 2 August 2026, ACT announced a classroom discipline policy.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Independent official finding
The Waitangi Tribunal assessed the reform of Treaty clauses
The Tribunal found that Cabinet's decision to weaken or remove Treaty clauses in 18 statutes breached several Treaty principles, and recommended pausing the reform and undertaking meaningful co-design. The finding relates to the Cabinet proposal and is not a ruling on all of ACT's policies.
Party record
ACT says its fatal coward-punch amendment was rejected
ACT said its proposed amendment to the Crimes Amendment Bill was voted down by National, Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT welcomes RSE scheme changes
On 28 July 2026, ACT said it welcomed Government-announced changes to the RSE scheme.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT medicine funding policy
On 27 July 2026, ACT New Zealand announced a policy intended to close the medicine funding gap with Australia.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT reports legislative progress
On 24 July 2026, ACT reported progress on legislation concerning land use, employment leave, and firearms policy.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
ACT MP comments on proposed automatic union membership bill
On 16 July 2026, ACT MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar said the Green Party's proposed Employment Relations (Automatic Union Membership) Amendment Bill would require employers to automatically enrol new staff in a default union where a collective agreement applies.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Independent official finding
The new school lunch model audited
The Auditor-General examined how the Ministry of Education designed, procured and managed the new school lunch model, recording the savings target, existing good practice and a number of delivery problems.
Government objective
The new model approved in 2024 was intended to reduce costs, food waste and leftover meals.
Independent finding
The Auditor-General said continual changes to scope and price raised fairness concerns, that some known risks were addressed late, that waste was measured only once, and that management of nutrition compliance was inadequate.
Party record
Continued to expand the 2026 policy platform
The party keeps releasing policy by theme, covering the economy, justice, education, health, housing, rural affairs and local government.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Legislation
The Regulatory Standards Act received Royal assent
The Act sets up a framework for assessing whether regulation meets a set of statutory principles. The legislative text shows the system has been established, but does not by itself show its economic or social effects.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Election
Won 11 seats at the 2023 general election
ACT won 11 seats after the 2023 general election and joined the National-led coalition government.