ACT sets the No New Taxes agenda

“ACT is chalking up a taxpayer victory, after the National Party has adopted a version of our local tourism dividend," says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“About two weeks after ACT pledged No New Taxes, the National Party followed suit. A few days later we announced a Local Tourism Dividend policy as an alternative to a Bed Tax, National has adopted a version of that policy as well.

"ACT is proud to have shaped the debate on this issue, when so many parties wanted to introduce a new tax, there is now a clear pathway to solve the same problem without a new tax.

“This is good news for the next Government, should we be re-elected. It is also another example of the value of ACT. We hold the line against new taxes, then come up with a better solution.

“As I said while announcing the policy, if revenues allow and councils use funds wisely, the $1 rate may rise over time. This policy fixes a real problem without adding another charge to the hotel bill or expanding government.

“It is a smarter alternative to a bed tax because it doesn’t impose a compliance burden on businesses, there is no new charge on the hotel bill, no new tax administration, and no legislation required to establish another tax. It uses the existing $185 billion revenue of the Government and Councils, rather than making the Government bigger.

"If there is a cut-and-dried case of the difference the ACT Party makes, it is the absence of a bed tax, a bank tax and the stamp duty on houses National would have put in place given the chance.

“Without ACT around the Cabinet table holding firm on No New Taxes, New Zealanders would already be paying more.

"ACT Ministers have driven $14 billion of savings across three Budgets, helping avoid more debt, taxes, and pressure on interest rates. That discipline has helped put the Government on a path back to surplus a year earlier, but it needs to be delivered year on year.

"A party vote for ACT is a steadfast anchor against the pressure for higher taxes and bigger government. This won’t be the last time the fiscal pressure comes on and our friends are tempted to eat the tax apple from the wrong tree. To balance the books with No New Taxes, Party Vote ACT in 2026."