Political direction
The party emphasises public services, protections for workers, progressive taxation, long-term government investment and lowering living costs through national policy.
Parliamentary oppositionPolicy platform published
Labour
New Zealand Labour Party
A centre-left party. Its 2026 policy priorities include public health services, household living costs, public transport, long-term investment and a capital gains tax.
The party in 60 seconds
Published policy claims
HealthElection promise
What this means
The party proposes Medicard, which would give every New Zealander three free GP visits a year.
Evidence and checks
HealthElection promise
What this means
Promises to remove the NZ$5 prescription charge from 1 July 2027, and to provide free cervical screening and pregnancy scans.
Housing and transportElection promise
What this means
Once eligible public transport spending reaches NZ$20 in a week, the remaining trips that week are not charged.
Economy and taxElection promise
What this means
The party proposes a 28% capital gains tax on profits from selling residential or commercial investment property, with the family home and some other assets excluded.
Evidence and checks
Climate and environmentElection promise
What this means
Lower power bills through a support scheme for household solar and storage, and more distributed clean energy.
Evidence and checks
Verified key people
Chris Hipkins
Party leader, Leader of the Opposition
Office of the Governor-General, CC BY 4.0
Carmel Sepuloni
Deputy leader
Office of the Governor-General, CC BY 4.0Role source
What happened, in date order
Party record
Labour announces proposed car repair and fuel market policies
On 5 October 2026, Labour announced proposals to require carmakers to provide independent mechanics with repair information and tools, and require the Commerce Commission to report weekly on fuel prices and whether falling costs are passed on to drivers. It also proposed applying its price gouging law to wholesale and retail fuel.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
Labour announces proposed Fair Go Law
On 1 October 2026, Labour announced its proposed Fair Go Law, which would bring new rules for cars, electronics, phones, subscriptions, ticket sales and gyms, including upfront real prices and easier cancellation of subscriptions or memberships.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
Labour announces proposed 10% student debt cut
On 27 September 2026, Labour announced a proposed 10% reduction in student debt. People who finished study, did not benefit from Fees Free, and are still repaying loans would receive the cut on 1 April 2027; current and future students would receive it after living in New Zealand for 3 years after finishing study. Debts of $2,000 or less would be written off.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Show 13 earlier records
Party record
Labour announces construction investment plan to support jobs
On 24 September 2026, Labour announced it would use government investment to advance housing construction, school improvements and hospital repairs, saying this would support jobs and local businesses.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
Labour announces review of FENZ if it forms government
On 23 September 2026, Labour announced that, if it forms government, it would independently review Fire and Emergency New Zealand's funding and operations, and proposes to extend presumptive occupational cancer and ACC cover for firefighters.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
Labour announces plan to restore Mana Whakahono ā Rohe agreements
On 23 September 2026, Labour said it would restore Mana Whakahono ā Rohe, or iwi participation, agreements in resource management legislation.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
Labour outlines foreign policy commitments
On 23 September 2026, Labour said it would support developing multilateral institutions, including reviewing and maturing the UN Charter, and support the World Health Organization's work and adopt updated WHO health regulations.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
Labour announces plan to advance amendments
On 3 September 2026, Labour said it would advance committee-stage amendments to remove rough sleeping and begging entirely from the move on orders Bill.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
Labour announces job-offer commitment for New Zealand-trained graduate nurses
On 2 September 2026, Labour announced it would ensure every New Zealand-trained graduate nurse receives a job offer.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
Labour statement on student loan repayment rate
On 30 August 2026, Labour issued a statement about what it said was National's announcement to reverse an increase in the student loan repayment rate.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
Labour announces economic and fiscal plan
On 23 August 2026, Labour announced an economic and fiscal plan that includes returning the books to surplus by 2029/30, reducing net debt over time, and investing in hospitals, schools, infrastructure, skills and job-creating businesses.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Party record
Labour announces healthcare and capital gains tax plan
On 23 August 2026, Labour announced plans for 3 free GP visits and free prescriptions, with revenue from its targeted capital gains tax ringfenced for health system investment.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Independent official finding
Royal Commission of Inquiry into the pandemic released its final report
The inquiry found New Zealand's overall response was carefully considered and that vaccine approval and safety monitoring were sound and effective, while identifying delayed or unclear communication of expert advice on the vaccine mandate for 12 to 17 year olds as a significant failing.
Party record
2026 campaign policies released in stages
The party released health, transport, energy and tax proposals through its policy hub and separate policy announcements. The latest pages remain the reference point.
PartyMap has not yet found an independent official assessment directly tied to this record.
Independent official finding
Independent inquiry into the protection of personal information from the 2023 census
A Public Service Commission inquiry found shortcomings in data protection and contract oversight at Stats NZ and other agencies. The findings relate to government agencies. Allegations about a Te Pāti Māori text message campaign were referred to other agencies, and the inquiry itself did not find that data had been misused.
Election
Moved to opposition after the 2023 general election
After the 2023 general election Labour ended two consecutive terms in government and became the main opposition party in Parliament.