National Party after elections 2023: a snapshot

1. Emissions Reduction and Climate Adaptation:
   • The National Party aims to reduce emissions and address climate change. They propose using the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) revenue to create tax incentives for farmers, recognizing carbon sequestration on farms.
   • Additionally, National would work with businesses to reduce agricultural emissions and delay implementing agricultural emission pricing into the ETS until 2030¹.
2. Economy and Tax Relief:
   • National’s focus is on rebuilding the economy to reduce the cost of living. They plan to encourage work, reward effort, and provide tax relief.
   • Their 100-day action plan includes removing the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax, restoring 90-day employment trial periods, and extending free breast cancer screening for women aged up to 74².
3. Law and Order:
   • The National Party aims to crack down on crime and ensure safer communities. They back the police, tackle gangs, and emphasize real consequences for criminal behavior³.
4. Education and Healthcare:
   • National prioritizes better education and reliable healthcare. They focus on teaching the basics brilliantly, delivering more nurses and midwives, and targeting better health outcomes⁴.
5. Immigration:
   • The National Party’s immigration policy allows relatives to visit family members in New Zealand for five years, with the possibility of renewal for another five years⁵.

Let’s have a look before and after elections.

1. Election Year Pledge Card (Pre-Election Promises):
   • The National Party unveiled an election year pledge card, listing eight priority promises¹:
     • Lower inflation and grow the economy: Focused on economic growth and reducing the cost of living.
     • Let you keep more of what you earn: Promised tax relief for citizens.
     • Build infrastructure: Committed to improving roads and public transport.
     • Restore law & order: Aimed at cracking down on crime and ensuring safer communities.
     • Lift school achievement: Prioritized better education.
     • Cut health waiting times: Committed to improving healthcare services.
     • Support seniors: Addressed the needs of senior citizens.
     • Deliver Net Zero Carbon by 2050: Committed to environmental goals.
2. 100-Day Action Plan (Post-Election Promises):
   • After winning the election, the National Party released a 100-day action plan with specific goals²:
     • Remove the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax: This tax added 11.5 cents per liter of petrol.
     • Remove the Reserve Bank’s dual mandate: To focus on controlling inflation.
     • Restore 90-day employment trial periods: For all businesses.
     • Extend free breast cancer screening: For women aged up to 74.
3. Ongoing Initiatives:
   • National’s focus remains on rebuilding the economy, restoring law and order, and improving schools and healthcare³.
   • Notably, they introduced the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (3 Day Postnatal Stay) Amendment Bill, allowing longer post-natal stays in hospitals for new mothers⁴.