NZ Party Party – Policies for a Fairer, Funner New Zealand
“A country should be a place where people actually enjoy living, not just surviving”
Preface: Idealistic Policies, Real Constraints, and Parliamentary Reality
These policies are idealistic, but not naïve. They reflect positions that are broadly popular, evidence-backed, and already supported in principle by principled MPs, public servants, unions, advocacy groups, and community organisations. What stops these policies from being fully implemented is rarely public opposition. Instead, it’s bureaucracy, institutional inertia, vested interests, legal constraints, coalition politics, funding rules, lobbying pressure, and political risk management. New Zealand’s system is designed for:
Incrementalism
Risk aversion
Maintaining stability
Protecting existing power structures
This means:
No single MP can implement these alone
Even a governing party faces resistance from ministries, legacy legislation, and lobbyists
“Feasibility” often translates to “won’t upset powerful stakeholders”
Our platform is therefore not a list of promises, but a direction of travel:
A moral baseline for governance
A public mandate made explicit
A tool to strengthen and support people already trying to do the right thing inside the system
We aim to shift what is politically acceptable, give cover to good actors, and apply public pressure where bureaucratic resistance exists. Lived experience beats ideology — and these policies show what works in the real world.
Core Policy Platform
1. Government Transparency – “If You Can’t Explain It, You Can’t Do It”
Problem: Bureaucratic secrecy and corporate influence have eroded public trust in politics.
Policy Direction:
Mandatory livestreams of all parliamentary discussions (except national security) with interactive Q&A
Politician salaries tied to public satisfaction. If approval drops below 40%, pay drops. Corruption = 0% until resolved
Real-time disclosure of lobbyist meetings
Citizens’ referendums if 100,000 people petition a policy
Strong whistleblower protections and expanded Freedom of Information
Outcome: Less corruption, more trust, and a government that actually works for the people
2. Housing That Actually Makes Sense
Problem: Homes are treated as speculative assets rather than places to live, locking out first-home buyers and destabilising communities
Policy Direction:
Ban foreign property purchases; only NZ citizens or long-term residents may buy
National rent caps to prevent excessive hikes
Large-scale state and council housing programmes
Vacancy and land-banking taxes to discourage artificial scarcity
Outcome: Lower rents, more affordable housing, and communities that thrive rather than stagnate
3. A Public Transport System That Doesn’t Suck
Problem: Cars dominate, public transport is unreliable, and cities are congested
Policy Direction:
High-speed rail between major cities (e.g., Wellington to Auckland < 5 hours)
Free transport for under-30s and low-income earners
Tax incentives for car-free households
Outcome: Fewer cars, lower emissions, and a better-connected, more liveable New Zealand
4. Fair and Functional Economy
Problem: Wealth and corporate concentration undermine fairness and public trust
Policy Direction:
Wealth tax on extreme wealth (>$10 million assets)
Luxury goods tax (yachts, private jets, Lambos)
Remove GST on essential items (fresh food, healthcare, school supplies)
Close corporate tax loopholes
Preferential support for small and local businesses
Outcome: A fairer economy that benefits everyone, not just the ultra-rich
5. Work, Wages, and Economic Dignity
Problem: Full-time work no longer guarantees financial security; wage suppression and precarious contracts are common
Policy Direction:
Living wage indexed to inflation
Eliminate zero-hour contracts
Pay transparency requirements
Public-sector trials of reduced work hours without loss of pay
Outcome: Economic dignity, higher productivity, and less stress in everyday life
6. Healthcare as a Universal Public Service
Problem: Access to healthcare depends too much on income, location, and luck
Policy Direction:
Free primary care
Guaranteed mental health access
Inclusion of dental care
Targeted funding for rural and underserved areas
Outcome: Healthier communities, lower long-term costs, and fewer avoidable tragedies
7. Education for Capability, Not Just Credentials
Problem: Education is increasingly stratified, with debt burdens and narrow definitions of success
Policy Direction:
Permanent removal of student loan interest
Equal respect and funding for trades, arts, care, and academic pathways
Reduced class sizes and increased teacher support
Strengthened civic education
Outcome: Education that develops capable, engaged citizens rather than just compliant workers
8. Sustainability & Climate Action
Problem: Environmental policy often shifts costs onto individuals while letting big polluters off easy
Policy Direction:
Enforceable polluter-pays frameworks
Major investment in public transport and low-emission infrastructure
Support for farmers/workers transitioning to sustainable practices
Rewilding, native tree planting, and biodiversity initiatives
Outcome: A sustainable future that protects New Zealand’s natural beauty and communities
9. Make Politics Fun Again
Problem: Political apathy is rampant because politics is boring, opaque, and bureaucratic
Policy Direction:
Minister of Memes & Satirical Politics
Live political debates with lie detectors
Annual MP obstacle course for charity
Public festivals, free music, arts, and PLAE-style workshops
Outcome: More engagement, laughter, and civic participation — showing that politics can be joyful and accountable at the same time
Closing Vision
New Zealand doesn’t have to be boring. It doesn’t have to be a place where people work themselves into the ground just to afford rent
We can build a country where:
People actually enjoy living
Government is transparent and accountable
Policies make sense and fairness is standard
Fun, joy, and creativity are integrated into civic life
The NZ Party Party isn’t about left vs right — it’s about people vs bullshit
We aren’t here to promise miracles. We’re here to show what’s possible when realistic ideals meet playful action
Final Question:
What do YOU think New Zealand needs to be better & funner? Let’s make it happen