Labour's cost of living plan - NZ Labour Party

Under Chris Hipkins, Labour’s number one priority is to make life easier for New Zealand families. Our cost of living plan will deal with the pressures whānau are facing right now, while laying the foundations for a better future – without making inflation worse, like tax cuts would.

GST OFF FRUIT AND VEGE

Labour will take GST off fruit and vegetables from 1 April next year, saving families around $20 a month. Food prices are stubbornly high, due to factors like high global inflation and the extreme weather events New Zealand experienced this year. By removing GST from fresh and frozen fruit and vege, we’re making it easier for families to put healthy food on the table. Find out more here.

EXPANDING FREE BASIC DENTAL CARE TO UNDER 30-YEAR-OLDS

Kiwis should have access to dental care, without worrying about the bill. Labour will begin New Zealand’s journey to universal dental care by expanding free basic dental care to under 30-year-olds. This means access to free annual check-ups, cleans, X-rays, basic fillings and extractions –helping hundreds of thousands of Kiwis. We’ll also increase the number of places in the Bachelor of Dental Surgery course by 50% to grow the dental workforce. Find out more here.

PROTECTING FREE PRESCRIPTIONS

This year, Labour removed the $5 prescription charge to make it easier for New Zealanders to access the medicines they need. This is already making a real difference for households right across the country, particularly those who have multiple prescriptions to fill on a regular basis.

TARGETED COST OF LIVING SUPPORT FOR WORKING FAMILIES

Labour will increase support for low and middle-income working families, making sure that work pays and assisting with additional costs, such as transport and childcare, for New Zealanders who work, through increases to Working for Families. Find out more here.

PROTECTING CHEAPER CHILDCARE

We’ve extended targeted childcare assistance to half of New Zealand children, increased funding for Early Childhood Education centres to take pressure off parents, and we will extend 20-hours free ECE to two-year olds from next year.

PROTECTING FREE AND HALF-PRICE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Labour has made public transport permanently free for children under the age of 13, half priced for under 25 year-olds and one million low-income New Zealanders with a community services card. And we will protect free off-peak travel for SuperGold Card holders.

CREATING JOBS AND GROWING WAGES

We will continue building an economy that keeps wages growing ahead of inflation and maintains record low unemployment. We’ve delivered unemployment below 4% for 24 consecutive months. In the last 30 years, unemployment below 4% has only been achieved on one other occasion, between 2004 and 2008.

BRINGING INFLATION UNDER CONTROL

We will keep a lid on debt and maintain prudent levels of Government spending and returns inflation to the Reserve Bank’s target range. We’ll also take steps to tackle the causes of inflation through improving competition and transitioning away from volatile fossil fuels.

AND THERE'S MORE TO COME

More cost of living measures will be announced during Labour’s election campaign – so make sure to check back soon.

New Zealanders have a clear choice this election. National will increase the cost of medicine, ECE and childcare, public transport and fruit and vege. Now is not the time to put Labour’s support for families at risk.

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