# 2026 Party Position Matrix — Tax, Retirement Income and Cost of Living | Field | Detail | | ------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Type** | Party position matrix — tax settings, NZ Super, KiwiSaver, and cost of living for seniors | | **Status** | Final (data from party profiles as at June 2026) | | **Date** | June 2026 | | **Classification** | Neutral business/campaign intelligence | --- ## Summary This matrix maps the positions of **all six parties currently represented in Parliament** on key issues relating to **NZ Superannuation, KiwiSaver, tax policy affecting seniors, cost-of-living relief, and retirement income adequacy**. The data is extracted from party profiles, issue briefs, and portfolio profiles in this Knowledge Base. **Context:** Tax and retirement income policy is a defining political battleground. NZ Super costs ~$16B+ annually. National keeps Super at 65 until 2044 then 67; NZ First insists on 65 as non-negotiable. Labour proposes CGT; Greens propose wealth tax + CGT; ACT proposes means-testing and later eligibility. The coalition agreement constrains National's Super age policy. Cost of living remains a top concern for seniors on fixed incomes. --- ## Matrix | Issue | National | Labour | ACT | NZ First | Greens | Te Pāti Māori | Evidence Quality | Notes | | ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **NZ Super eligibility age** | Keep at 65 until 2044; lift to 67 for those turning 65 after 1 July 2044. Certainty for current seniors; future generations affected. | Keep at 65 — no change. Core Labour commitment. | **Support raising age to 67** — favours sooner than National's 2044. Personal responsibility philosophy. | **Keep at 65 — non-negotiable** (strongest position in government). Signature NZ First policy. | Keep at 65 — no change. Increase the rate. | Keep at 65 — no change. Ensure equitable access for Māori. | ✅ **Confirmed** (manifestos, coalition agreements) | NZ First treats this as non-negotiable; coalition agreement moderates National's timeline | | **NZ Super rate (66% of wage)** | Maintain current indexation (net average wage). No increase above indexation. | Maintain indexation; potential to increase but no specific commitment above current. | May support means-testing / targeting rather than universal; could mean lower rate for higher-income seniors. | Protect and enhance; support wage indexation. NZ First generally supports maintaining purchasing power. | **Increase above current indexation** to improve living standards. Funded by wealth tax revenue. | Increase; ensure equitable access for Māori seniors who face income inequity. | 🟡 **Confirmed for indexation** (official policy). Greens' increase proposal is manifesto-based | 66% of net average wage is current benchmark; Greens want higher | | **KiwiSaver settings** | Current settings support; periodic review. No major changes signalled. KiwiSaver review underway (2026). | Support review of defaults and fees. May adjust settings for better retirement outcomes. | Support flexibility and individual choice. Less government intervention. | Protect KiwiSaver settings. NZ First generally protective of retirement savings frameworks. | Support review for fairness and fees; may adjust for lower-income savers. | Support review for Māori access and engagement with KiwiSaver. | 🟡 **Broad positions only** — not detailed policy | KiwiSaver review underway in 2026 | | **Retirement Commissioner role** | Continue current role; Retirement Commissioner provides financial capability and RV oversight. | Support enhanced role with stronger consumer advocacy function. | May review or reduce — cautious on government roles. | Support continued role; Commissioner is valued for seniors advocacy. | Support enhanced consumer advocacy role for Retirement Commissioner. | Support role with Māori focus and culturally appropriate financial advice. | 🟡 **Limited specific policy** | Role may be reviewed as part of financial services regulation | | **Tax brackets for pensioners** | Broad-based tax relief (Back Pocket Boost) including threshold adjustments that benefit superannuitants with additional income. | Support CGT on investment income (excl. family home) — affects seniors with investment portfolios. No specific bracket changes for pensioners. | Favour lower/flatter taxes generally. Oppose CGT and wealth tax. Support tax relief. | Oppose CGT and wealth tax. Oppose new taxes on seniors' assets or income. Support tax relief. | **Wealth tax (>$4M net wealth)** + CGT — would affect asset-rich seniors. Fund public services. | Support progressive taxation; wealth redistribution. Support tax fairness for Māori. | ✅ **Confirmed** — clear party tax policy commitments | Tax threshold indexation affects seniors with investment/part-time income | | **Winter Energy Payment** | Retained (restored after 2023 campaign commitment). Current rate maintained. | Retained and potentially increased — Labour introduced it. | Likely favours means-testing or reducing — views as inefficient. | Support retention — negotiated as part of coalition agreement. | Retain and increase — part of income support for seniors. | Retain and increase — supports older Māori disproportionately affected by cold housing. | ✅ **Confirmed** — all parties except ACT publicly support retention | National restored it after cutting it in 2023; ACT position inferred | | **Accommodation Supplement for seniors** | Current rates maintained; no specific increase for seniors identified. | Would likely increase Accommodation Supplement and adjust for rental costs. | May support targeting or means-testing; reduce overall spend. | Support enhanced housing support for seniors; SuperGold rates rebate a priority. | Support increased Accommodation Supplement as part of housing affordability. | Support increased supplement for Māori seniors facing housing cost pressure. | 🟡 **Limited specific policy** — general positions only | Supplement available to older renters and homeowners | | **Rates rebate for seniors** | Current rates rebate scheme; no major enhancement identified. | Would likely support enhanced rates relief for seniors. | May support means-tested relief; cautious on universal rebates. | **SuperGold Card rates rebate is a priority** — NZ First signature policy. | Support enhanced rates relief for low-income seniors. | Support rates relief for kaumātua homeowners. | ✅ **NZ First confirmed** — coalition agreement commitment; policy in development | NZ First driving rates rebate through Cabinet; popular with senior homeowners | | **GST on fresh food (NZ First proposal)** | Oppose — National ruled out GST changes. Current GST settings maintained. | No specific position on GST exemption for fresh food. | Oppose — would complicate tax system; favour broad-based low-rate GST. | **Proposed removing GST from fresh food** — populist cost-of-living measure benefiting all including seniors. | May support — generally supportive of measures to reduce cost of essentials. | Support — would reduce cost of healthy food for kaumātua. | 🟡 **NZ First proposal confirmed** — policy under development; others oppose or uncommitted | Would be fiscally significant (~$2B/year); not current government policy | | **Wealth tax (Greens proposal)** | Oppose — no wealth tax. Core National policy. | Oppose — supports CGT only, not wealth tax. | Oppose — opposes all new taxes. | Oppose — opposes wealth tax as attack on seniors' assets. | **Support — 1% on net wealth >$4M, 2% >$8M** — raises ~$8-10B/year. Fund health, housing, income support. | Support — wealth redistribution to fund public services and Māori equity. | ✅ **Greens confirmed** — detailed fiscal plan in manifesto; others oppose | Would significantly affect asset-rich seniors; Greens' central fiscal policy | | **Capital gains tax (Labour proposal)** | Oppose — no CGT. Core National policy. | **Support — CGT on investment properties and assets (excl. family home)**. Funds public services. | Oppose — opposes all new taxes. | Oppose — opposes CGT as attack on seniors' investments. | Support — also support wealth tax (CGT is additional). | Support — progressive taxation; wealth redistribution. | ✅ **Labour confirmed** — CGT is party policy; others oppose | Would affect seniors with investment portfolios and rental properties | | **Trust tax rates** | Current trust tax settings maintained. No major change identified. | May increase trust tax rates as part of tax fairness package. | Oppose trust tax increases — trusts support business and family investment. | Oppose trust tax increases. | Support increasing trust tax rates as part of progressive tax reform. | Support review of trust tax for equity. | 🟡 **Limited specific policy** — positions inferred from general tax approach | Trusts are used for estate planning and asset protection by some seniors | | **Retirement village DMF tax treatment** | Current tax treatment maintained; DMFs taxed as income to operators. No specific reform identified. | Would likely review DMF tax treatment as part of RV reform. | Oppose changes that increase tax burden on RV operators. | **DMF reform is a priority** — currently focused on caps and transparency; tax treatment likely part of broader reform. | Support review of DMF tax treatment as part of consumer protection. | No specific position — focus on kaumātua housing rather than commercial RVs. | 🟡 **NZ First confirmed on DMF reform generally** — tax treatment specifics less clear | DMFs currently 20-30% of unit price; Consumer NZ proposes caps of 10-15% | | **Cost of living relief for seniors** | Back Pocket Boost tax relief; Winter Energy Payment retained; tax threshold adjustments. Broad-based approach. | Free GP visits; free prescriptions; increased Winter Energy Payment. Targeted health cost relief. | Lower/flatter taxes generally; reduce government spending. Personal responsibility focus. | **Most detailed seniors-specific cost-of-living plan** — SuperGold rates rebate, Winter Energy Payment retention, GST on fresh food proposal. | Wealth tax funded increase to NZ Super; free public transport; free GP visits; increased Winter Energy Payment. | Increased NZ Super; free prescriptions; free GP visits; kaumātua-specific housing and cost support. | 🟡 **NZ First most detailed** for seniors specifically; others have broader platforms | Cost of living is top concern for seniors on fixed incomes | --- ## Key Insights | Insight | Detail | | ------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Super age is the defining fault line** | National (67 from 2044) vs NZ First (65 non-negotiable) creates coalition tension | | **Only party supporting means-testing** | ACT is the only party supporting means-testing or targeting NZ Super | | **Most ambitious Super rate increase** | Greens propose above-indexation increases funded by wealth tax | | **Tax policy divide** | Labour/Greens/TPM support wealth/CGT taxes; National/ACT/NZ First oppose | | **NZ First's seniors-specific cost plan** | Most detailed seniors-specific cost-of-living commitments in government | | **Winter Energy Payment universal support** | All parties except ACT support retention | | **GST on fresh food** | NZ First proposal; not current policy — would need cross-party support | | **Retirement Commissioner** | Broad support for role; mandate enhancement debated | | **KiwiSaver review** | Underway in 2026; settings may change under any government | | **Election 2026 battleground** | Super age, tax policy, and cost-of-living relief will be central campaign issues | --- ## Tax Policy Spectrum ``` More redistribution / higher taxes ←——→ Lower taxes / less redistribution Greens (wealth tax + CGT) — Labour (CGT) — TPM (progressive) — National (no CGT/wealth tax) — NZ First (no new taxes) — ACT (lower/flatter taxes) ``` | Party | Wealth Tax | CGT | Income Tax | GST | | ----------------- | ------------------- | ------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | | **National** | Oppose | Oppose | Broad-based relief (Back Pocket Boost) | Maintain | | **Labour** | Oppose | Support (excl. family home) | Adjust thresholds | Maintain | | **ACT** | Oppose | Oppose | Lower/flatter | Maintain (broad-based) | | **NZ First** | Oppose | Oppose | Tax relief; oppose new taxes | Remove on fresh food (proposal) | | **Greens** | Support (1-2% >$4M) | Support (all assets excl. home) | Higher top rate | Maintain | | **Te Pāti Māori** | Support | Support | Progressive | Support removal on fresh food | --- ## Coalition Dynamics on Tax and Super ``` NZ First (Super 65, no new taxes, GST removal) ←——→ National (Super to 67 by 2044, no CGT) ←——→ ACT (Super 67 sooner, means-testing, lower taxes) ``` | Factor | Impact | | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **NZ First leverage** | Super age 65 is non-negotiable; can block any CGT/wealth tax | | **ACT's position** | Wants lower taxes and means-testing; constrained by coalition | | **National's balancing act** | Between NZ First (protect seniors) and ACT (fiscal constraint) | | **Opposition alternative** | Labour/Greens/TPM would form government with higher taxes on wealth to fund services | | **Election 2026** | Tax and Super will be defining campaign issues | | **Fiscal reality** | Ageing population drives long-term cost pressures on Super and health | --- ## Evidence Quality Scale | Symbol | Meaning | | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | ✅ **Confirmed** | Official party policy, manifesto commitment, coalition agreement text, or direct statement | | 🟡 **Inferred** | Clear from party platform, stated positions, or consistent with ideology | | ⚠️ **Unverified** | Not in current party profile — position inferred from general approach | --- ## Sources | Source | Location | | ----------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | National Party profile | `02_Political_Parties/2026 Party Profile - National.md` | | Labour Party profile | `02_Political_Parties/2026 Party Profile - Labour.md` | | ACT Party profile | `02_Political_Parties/2026 Party Profile - ACT.md` | | NZ First Party profile | `02_Political_Parties/2026 Party Profile - NZ First.md` | | Green Party profile | `02_Political_Parties/2026 Party Profile - Green Party.md` | | Te Pāti Māori profile | `02_Political_Parties/2026 Party Profile - Te Pati Maori.md` | | Issue Brief — NZ Super and Retirement Income | `11_Issue_Briefs_for_Campaigning/2026 Issue Brief - NZ Super and Retirement Income Politics.md` | | Finance Portfolio Profile | `04_Ministers_and_Portfolios/2026 Portfolio Profile - Finance.md` | | Seniors Portfolio Profile | `04_Ministers_and_Portfolios/2026 Portfolio Profile - Seniors.md` | | Social Development Portfolio Profile | `04_Ministers_and_Portfolios/2026 Portfolio Profile - Social Development and Employment.md` | | Commerce and Consumer Affairs Portfolio Profile | `04_Ministers_and_Portfolios/2026 Portfolio Profile - Commerce and Consumer Affairs.md` | | Campaign Relevance Map | `00_CAMPAIGN_RELEVANCE_MAP.md` | | Existing Matrix — Seniors and NZ Super | `10_Party_Position_Matrices/2026 Party Position Matrix - Seniors and NZ Super.md` | | Existing Matrix — Retirement Villages and ORAs | `10_Party_Position_Matrices/2026 Party Position Matrix - Retirement Villages and ORAs.md` | --- _Part of the NZ Seniors Knowledge Base — Political & Campaign Intelligence layer_ _Last updated: June 2026_