A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
The National Party released an economic policy discussion document this week, with the attention-grabbing headlines that it would “set a bonfire on regulations” and commit to progressively raising the retirement age from 65 to 67, starting in 2037.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern responded by restating her commitment to keep theretirement age at 65 under any government she leads, like Sir John Key did before her. As almost all commentators say that is unwise considering our ageing population, it is troubling that these two highly-popular leaders have chosen to help defend their popularity at the expense of reshaping and protecting our universal pension system.
National’s discussion document is its fourth and what leader Simon Bridges says is “part of the biggest policy development process by an Opposition ever”. It outlines a range of economic policies that Bridges says will help rebuild business confidence and support a strong, growing economy.
“National’s economic plan will focus on creating a more productive, competitive economy that lifts incomes, lowers the cost of living for all New Zealanders and provides responsible economic management that delivers world-class public services.”
Bridges said National understood “if you’re in small business, how hard it has been with the morass of regulations”. The country needed a strong economy so “New Zealanders have more in their back pockets to afford the things that matter to them” — which it should have, but instead “businesses are crippled with uncertainty”.
To this end a National government would get rid of 100 regulations in its first six months, eliminate two regulations for every one it introduced in its first term, and require quality cost-benefit analysis for any major new regulation.
Maori land reform would be back on the table. National would also ensure Treasury has a greater focus on providing sound advice on the effectiveness of government spending, identifying wasteful spending and driving higher productivity in the public sector. All government departments and agencies would be required to pay contractors within 30 days.
