Policies

A 5-Point Plan for Economic Recovery

ACT has a fully-costed plan for economic recovery, which keeps the debt low, cuts taxes, and gets the country back to surplus, while keeping Kiwis in work.

Transforming Mental Health

New Zealand is facing a mental health crisis. The system is a messy and disorderly mix of DHBs, NGOs, and primary care providers all struggling to be part of a coordinated response. ACT would create a separate, stand-alone Mental Health and Addiction agency on a national scale, which would empower patients to choose between a range of providers, rather than simply accept what their DHB offers.

Powering Small and Medium Business Growth

For all the rhetoric that small businesses are the engine room of the New Zealand economy, Government policy usually favours the big end of town. Big business can navigate complex tax, health and safety and employment laws without too much impact on the bottom line. They have scale. For smaller businesses, dealing with Government compliance is a significant drag on productivity. We have a policy to power small business growth.

Welfare as a Hand Up

New Zealand's welfare system hasn't been fundamentally reformed since the 1970s and it is showing its age. Too many children grow up without the positive example of a parent in work. Too many adults suffer from chronic welfare dependency. And, for those who do fall on hard times, the amount they receive in welfare is often far lower than the amount they contributed in taxation.

The World's Best Firearms Laws

ACT’s priority is to repeal this year’s Arms Legislation Act, including the threat of a firearm register, then set about making the world’s best firearm laws that balance public safety, firearms control, and freedom. We would introduce another Bill that repeals the Arms Act 1983 - and all subsequent amendments - after the Royal Commission reports back. The new law will be delivered in the next parliamentary term and will be the envy of the world.

Hunting and Conservation

ACT believes we must protect our country’s unique flora and fauna by eradicating pests and predators. However, this shouldn’t occur at the expense of our valued introduced species. Fishing, hunting and gathering are important activities undertaken by many thousands of New Zealanders.

A More Democratic New Zealand

ACT believes in equality before the law regardless of race, sexuality or religion. We also believe in lean, efficient government, that respects New Zealanders' fundamental rights.

Defending Freedom of Expression

Hate speech laws punish people on the basis of opinion. Usually opinion is met by opinion, but under hate speech laws opinion is met by the power of the state. Freedom of expression is the basis of all freedoms. It must be defended. ACT has a policy for protecting free speech.

Build, Baby, Build

For decades, councils have tied new housing developments up in red tape and underinvested in infrastructure. ACT believes New Zealanders must be free to build, and councils should be encouraged to invest in infrastructure, if we are to solve the housing crisis and achieve housing affordability.

Ending the Infrastructure Deficit

Governments of all stripes have, for years, chosen where to build roads, bridges, and railway lines, based not on the economic need for them, but on the political advantage to be gained. Taxpayers deserve better.

Superannuation

Superannuation is unsustainable. The longer the delay in taking measures to restore long-term affordability the worse the problem will become.

A middle income tax cut

ACT will cut taxes to get the economy moving again and Kiwis back into work. We'd temporarily cut GST to 10% and permanently cut the marginal tax rate paid by those on the median wage from 30% to 17.5%, simplifying the tax system to 3 rates.

Protecting Academic Freedom

Freedom of expression is the basis of all freedoms and must be protected. ACT would require taxpayer-funded universities charged with being society's critic and conscience to stand up for this sacrosanct principle.

Individual Choice on Individual Issues

ACT is a party of tolerance and respect. New Zealanders should be free to live their lives without government interference as long as they aren’t hurting others. David Seymour authored the End of Life Choice Act.

Guaranteeing the Freedom to Learn

We have some of the highest-performing schools and students in the world, but we also have a long tail of underachievement in disadvantaged communities. Our education system is a slow moving disaster. ACT has a plan for a world-class education system.

Real Solutions for the Environment and the Climate

We pride ourselves on being clean and green, but the reality lags behind the rhetoric. Governments have offered up bold environmental policies, but they’re more symbolic than effective. We can do much better. ACT says we can take positive, practical steps towards a better environment by allowing individuals, businesses and communities the freedom to innovate.