# Findings Report — Prompt 17: Party Policy Update Check | Field | Detail | | ------------ | -------------------------------------------- | | **Date Run** | 8 June 2026, 20:45 | | **Prompt** | 17 — Party Policy Update Check | | **Category** | Political | | **Status** | 🟢 **High Value** — substantial new findings | --- ## What Was Searched Each party's official website was searched for seniors-related policy content, plus broader web searches for recent announcements (May–June 2026) given the approaching 7 November election. | Party | Site Searched | | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | | National | national.org.nz | | Labour | labour.org.nz | | ACT | act.org.nz | | NZ First | nzfirst.nz | | Greens | greens.org.nz | | Te Pāti Māori | maoriparty.org.nz | | All | Broader election aged care/seniors landscape (May–June 2026) | --- ## Key Findings ### 1. NATIONAL PARTY — Seniors Policy Page & Budget 2026 Detail **Existing KB has:** Party profile (7 Jun) with broad positions. Missing Budget 2026-specific seniors content. **New findings:** - **Dedicated seniors policy page** at national.org.nz/seniors — lists commitments on cost of living (extra $129.40/fortnight for couples), healthcare (27 extra cancer treatments, 23 new medicines, 2,000 more nurses, 24/7 digital health), law and order, and education. - **"National's Commitments to Seniors"** dedicated election page at national.org.nz/policies/nationals-commitments-to-seniors — 6 core commitments: reduce inflation, keep Winter Energy/free prescriptions, Super age at 65 until 2044, remove Auckland fuel tax/freeze petrol tax, reduce hospital waits/fund cancer treatments/lift free breast screening to 74, tougher sentences, education basics. - **Budget 2026 (28 May 2026)** — $5.8B new health funding including 272,000 additional aged care bed nights, SuperGold Card digital upgrade (accepted official ID from October 2028), $35M ambulance services, bowel screening lowered to 56 years (from 58), $300M Health Digital Investment Plan. - **NZ Super policy in election mode:** Luxon confirmed National would campaign on lifting Super age to 67 (from 2044, gradual from 2037). "Won't affect anyone born before 1979." Coalition agreement with NZ First blocks this in current term. **Sources:** - https://www.national.org.nz/seniors — accessed 8 Jun 2026 - https://www.national.org.nz/policies/nationals-commitments-to-seniors — accessed 8 Jun 2026 - https://www.national.org.nz/news/260602-suzeredmayne — accessed 8 Jun 2026 - https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/budget-2026-securing-new-zealands-future — accessed 8 Jun 2026 ### 2. LABOUR PARTY — Ingrid Leary Critiques, Pre-Budget Stance **New findings:** - **Ingrid Leary** (seniors spokesperson) continues to be active — criticised the Government's 12-month retirement village repayment rule (Dec 2025). - **"Aged care will be worse off if redesign rushed"** (Sep 2024 release) — Leary warned about Te Whatu Ora being directed to reduce hospital bed nights by 200,000/year, calling it a chaotic and short-sighted redesign. - **Labour Conference 2025 (Barbara Edmonds speech):** Key policies: Medicard (3 free doctor visits/year for all), Capital Gains Tax on investment/commercial property (ring-fenced for health), New Zealand Future Fund. No specific seniors policy announcement in the speech but health funding focus directly relevant. - **Hipkins signals openness to means-testing** (May 2026, per The Spinoff) — "open to a conversation" on means-testing, a shift from previous universal entitlement position. Office later clarified it's not official Labour policy. - Labour's Our Policies page (labour.org.nz/our-policies/) has no dedicated seniors section — seniors issues addressed via press releases. **Sources:** - https://www.labour.org.nz/news/release-governments-12-month-rule-leaves-seniors-out-of-pocket/ — accessed 8 Jun 2026 - https://www.labour.org.nz/news/release-aged-care-will-be-worse-off-if-redesign-rushed/ — accessed 8 Jun 2026 - https://www.labour.org.nz/news/speech-to-labour-party-conference-2025-barbara-edmonds/ — accessed 8 Jun 2026 - https://www.labour.org.nz/our-policies/ — accessed 8 Jun 2026 - https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin/15-05-2026/the-superannuation-debate-is-back-but-reform-looks-like-a-non-starter — accessed 8 Jun 2026 ### 3. ACT PARTY — No Dedicated Seniors Page, General Health Policy **New findings:** - **No dedicated seniors or superannuation policy page** found on act.org.nz. ACT addresses seniors through its general health, tax, and economic policies. - **Health policy page** (act.org.nz/health): Achievements include abolishing Māori Health Authority, removing race-based provisions from Pae Ora Act, measurable Health NZ targets, partnering with private sector for elective surgeries. Future goals: expand public-private health partnerships, remove remaining race-based health policies, increase transparency. - **David Seymour, State of the Nation (Jan 2025):** Key seniors data points: 60,000 turn 65 each year adding $1.4B to super costs; healthcare spending $20B→$30B in 5 years; government debt to exceed $200B. Supports raising Super age to 67 (favours sooner than National's 2044 timeline). Supports means-testing/targeting. - **Fundraising:** $2.4M (2025) — second highest behind National. **Sources:** - https://www.act.org.nz/health — accessed 8 Jun 2026 - https://www.act.org.nz/news/the-state-of-the-nation-in-2025-dire-states — accessed 8 Jun 2026 - https://www.act.org.nz/policies — accessed 8 Jun 2026 ### 4. NZ FIRST PARTY — Most Detailed Seniors Policy Page **New findings:** - **"Improving the Lives of Our Seniors"** dedicated policy page (nzfirst.nz/improving-the-lives-of-our-seniors) — **most detailed seniors policy of any party.** - **Six-point plan:** 1. **Retirement age stays at 65** — "No ifs, buts, or maybes" 2. **50% SuperGold rates rebate** — up to $1,600/year, estimated $480M cost 3. **Aged-care dignity** — fund 2,000 new residential care beds over next term, index aged care support to inflation, select committee inquiry into aged care provision, secure bi-partisan agreement to fully fund care/dementia beds by 2040 (78,000 needed vs 33,000 on current trajectory) 4. **KiwiSaver Mortgage Clearance** — Singaporean model 5. **Replace Pharmac** with patient-focused medicines agency + $1.3B additional funding 6. **Retirement village property title** — safeguard interests of 50,000+ residents - **Winston Peters on super:** "not a bottom line, it's a top line" — rules out both raising the age and means-testing. - **Winston Peters rules out raising super age or means testing** (May 2026) — explicit that no government he is part of will raise the super age or make it means-tested. **Sources:** - https://www.nzfirst.nz/improving-the-lives-of-our-seniors — accessed 8 Jun 2026 - https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin/15-05-2026/the-superannuation-debate-is-back-but-reform-looks-like-a-non-starter — accessed 8 Jun 2026 ### 5. GREEN PARTY — Comprehensive Seniors Policy Document **New findings:** - **Full seniors policy** at greens.org.nz/seniors_policy with downloadable PDF (Policy-Greens_Seniors_Policy_2025.pdf). - **Values-driven framework:** Manaakitanga (dignity), Rangatiratanga (independence), Whakawhanaungatanga (connection). - **Key policies:** Mandatory staff-to-seniors ratios in rest homes/retirement villages; dedicated long-term strategy for ageing population health needs; ensuring every senior has enough money for daily living/health/wellbeing; accessible community spaces. - **Lawrence Xu-Nan** is the MP responsible for seniors. - **Campaigns:** Urged Govt to prioritise residents' voices in RV Act review; called for safer staffing in aged care; extended IRRS to council housing tenants. - **Greens support Te Pāti Māori's early super for Māori** policy (per Facebook reporting). - **Wealth tax** on >$4M net wealth to fund Super rate increases. **Sources:** - https://www.greens.org.nz/seniors_policy — accessed 8 Jun 2026 - https://www.greens.org.nz/policy_complete_party — accessed 8 Jun 2026 ### 6. TE PĀTI MĀORI — Limited Online Seniors Policy Presence **New findings:** - **No dedicated seniors/kaumatua policy page** found on maoriparty.org.nz (site appears to have minimal content online). - **Known position:** Keep NZ Super at 65; support Māori accessing super 7–10 years earlier (Te Pāti Māori policy could cost nearly $4B/year per NZ Herald). - **Campaign priorities for 2026:** Abolishing prisons by 2040, housing, poverty, health, kaupapa Māori support. - **Retirement Commissioner research** shows Māori receive NZ Super for fewer years, have lower KiwiSaver balances, and are less likely to own their homes. **Sources:** - https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2026/01/27/election-2026-te-pati-maori-to-campaign-on-abolishing-prisons-labour-dead-set-against-it/ — accessed 8 Jun 2026 - https://retirement.govt.nz/news/latest-news/research-highlights-widespread-disaparities-in-the-experiences-maori-have-in-retirement — accessed 8 Jun 2026 - https://hapai.co.nz/is-early-super-for-maori-a-solution/ — accessed 8 Jun 2026 - https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/10-10-2025/the-reset-that-wasnt-te-pati-maori-promises-mostly-business-as-usual — accessed 8 Jun 2026 ### 7. ELECTION 2026 LANDSCAPE — Key Cross-Cutting Findings | Finding | Source | Date | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | ----------- | | **Election date:** 7 November 2026. PM Luxon confirmed. | Wikipedia | 21 Jan 2026 | | **Seats:** National 49, Labour 34, Green 15, ACT 11, NZ First 8, Te Pāti Māori 5 | Wikipedia | May 2026 | | **65+ vote = >30% of total,** highest turnout demographic | Tucket/Horowhenua Star | 2026 | | **OECD report** urges index Super age to life expectancy + partial means-testing | The Spinoff | May 2026 | | **Treasury says** Super age would need to rise to 72 over 40 years to maintain 5.1% of GDP | The Spinoff | May 2026 | | **Coalition gridlock:** NZ First blocks any Super reform; National+ACT need NZ First to govern | The Spinoff | May 2026 | | **Aged Care Association (Tracey Martin)** calls for urgent national workforce plan after immigration changes (expanded English requirements for AEWV from June 2026) | Scoop | 26 May 2026 | | **Alzheimers NZ** says Budget 2026 "fails to meet fast-growing dementia challenge" — 272K bed nights welcome but community support underfunded; $10B/year dementia cost projected by 2050 | Alzheimers NZ | May 2026 | | **Budget 2026:** Record $34B health spend, surplus now 2028/29 (one year earlier) | Beehive | 28 May 2026 | | **National fundraising:** $6.3M — ACT $2.4M — Labour $2.4M — Green $1.8M — NZ First $1.4M — Te Pāti Māori $142K (2025 donations) | Wikipedia/Election Commission | Apr 2026 | --- ## KB Action Recommendations ### Existing KB Files Needing Updates: | File | Action Needed | Priority | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------- | | `02_Political_Parties/2026 Party Profile - National.md` | Add Budget 2026 detail, SuperGold upgrade, commitments page content, election stance on Super age | 🟠 High | | `02_Political_Parties/2026 Party Profile - Labour.md` | Add Ingrid Leary critiques, pre-Budget speech health focus, Hipkins means-testing openness (May 2026) | 🟠 High | | `02_Political_Parties/2026 Party Profile - ACT.md` | Add health policy page detail, State of Nation super data, fundraising | 🟡 Medium | | `02_Political_Parties/2026 Party Profile - NZ First.md` | Add full six-point plan detail, Winston Peters "top line" quote on Super | 🟠 High | | `02_Political_Parties/2026 Party Profile - Green Party.md` | Add 2025 policy PDF download link, Lawrence Xu-Nan as MP, wealth tax/Super increase detail | 🟡 Medium | | `02_Political_Parties/2026 Party Profile - Te Pati Maori.md` | Add early super policy detail, campaign priorities 2026, retirement disparities data | 🟡 Medium | | `10_Party_Position_Matrices/2026 Party Position Matrix - Seniors and NZ Super.md` | Already captures Hipkins means-testing shift (May 2026) — add NZ First 6-point plan detail, Budget 2026 specific commitments | 🟠 High | | `10_Party_Position_Matrices/2026 Party Position Matrix - Tax Retirement Income and Cost of Living.md` | Review against Budget 2026 detail | 🟡 Medium | | `10_Party_Position_Matrices/2026 Party Position Matrix - Aged Residential Care.md` | Add Budget 2026 272K bed nights, ACA workforce plan call, Alzheimers NZ response | 🟠 High | ### New Files That Could Be Created: | File | Rationale | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | | `16 Political & Campaign Intelligence/12_Media_Releases_and_Public_Statements/2026-05-28 Budget 2026 - Willis Securing NZ Future.md` | Full Budget speech text — key source document | | `16 Political & Campaign Intelligence/12_Media_Releases_and_Public_Statements/2026-05-26 Aged Care Association - National Workforce Plan Call.md` | Sector response to immigration changes | | `16 Political & Campaign Intelligence/12_Media_Releases_and_Public_Statements/2026-05 Alzheimers NZ - Budget Fails Dementia Challenge.md` | Critical sector response | | `16 Political & Campaign Intelligence/12_Media_Releases_and_Public_Statements/2026-05-15 Spinoff - Superannuation Debate Back But Reform Non-Starter.md` | Key political analysis of Super deadlock | --- ## Assessment **Value Rating: 🟠 High** — Substantial new party-specific seniors policy detail found, particularly NZ First's 6-point plan (most detailed of any party), National's dedicated seniors election page with Budget 2026 specifics, ACT's health policy page, and the cross-cutting election landscape. The existing KB profiles (created 7 June) are already broadly accurate, but this research provides significantly more detail for most profiles and identifies several new source documents. The existing party position matrices are already strong on Super but lack Budget 2026 aged care details. **Next step:** Update party profile files with new detail and create media release captures for key source documents.