Winston Peters says New Zealand First will campaign on compulsory KiwiSaver contributions rising to 10% and offsetting it with tax cuts.
However, Peters won’t say how much it could cost or when the contribution increase could be implemented under his policy.
He also announced his party will campaign on requiring new migrants to sign a values statement, and revealed Cabinet had agreed to introduce legislation soon to make English an official language.
All were included in a marathon speech, which exceeded an hour, in which a fiery Peters focused his attacks on the left-leaning parties in Parliament, calling them a “social cancer” and targeting Chris Hipkins, Chlöe Swarbrick and Rawiri Waititi.
About 1000 people have turned up to attend the speech in Palmerston North. About 500 sat in the main room watching live, while the remainder watched the livestream in two overflow rooms.
During his speech, Peters said NZ First would campaign on making KiwiSaver compulsory with employee and employer contributions in total to be increased initially to 8% and “later to 10%”.
“But here is the difference: KiwiSavers and employers will receive tax cuts to cover the increases,” Peters said.
Later, speaking to media, Peters couldn’t provide detail on the cost of the policy or how it would be implemented.
“I’ll send all the figures out to you later on, but the reality is if you turn the economy around, it will not be a cost, it’ll help us make money.”
On immigration, Peters called for “smarter” policies that provided a highly skilled workforce.
“It’s not just about the number of migrants coming into our country, it is about all of those young, trained, driven, smart, working-age Kiwis that are leaving.
Peters said the party would also campaign in 2026 on a “Kiwi values document” for all new migrants.
“If you don’t want to sign up to those values, we have a clear answer; don’t come,” he said forcefully to strong applause.
In the minutes after his speech, Act’s Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden released a statement saying she had asked officials to work on a “values pledge” for citizenship applicants.
“I plan to have this work done and ready to bring to Cabinet this year,” van Velden said.
“I also spoke to my NZ First colleague Shane Jones about the work I’m doing. I’m glad to see NZ First is on board with the idea.”
While details are scarce, Peters’ proposal appears to differ and align with Australia’s values statement, which must be signed by anyone seeking a temporary or permanent visa.
Fulfilling the promise of a Government announcement, Peters also revealed Cabinet had agreed to bring legislation to the House “shortly” to legislate English as an official language of New Zealand.
Organisers had prepared for a significant collection of people protesting New Zealand’s stance on the war in Gaza to congregate outside. A group protesting the Government’s shutdown of the greyhound racing industry protested outside Peters’ hotel and the speech venue.
But there was such a small group of Gaza war protesters outside the venue, they were outnumbered by the greyhounds.
Protesters disrupted last year’s conference, forcing Peters to be bundled into a private room. Jones was shoved during the commotion.
There has been a clear step up in security during the conference this weekend. Security guards were very visible throughout the two days, checking members’ passes.
This time, Peters did not walk through the crowd on entry or exit, instead walking on and off the stage from a side-room.
However, the security measures largely went to waste as no one in the room listening to Peters made a sound in protest.
Earlier in the day, more than 200 party members spent the morning listening to guest speakers and debating NZ First’s policy platform in the party’s typically robust and entertaining fashion.
Political commentator Chris Trotter theatrically articulated his appreciation of NZ First’s centrist roots and likened current concerns about a lack of Government action to those of the German people pre-Nazi rule.
BusinessNZ chief executive Katherine Rich, also a former National MP, followed with a more measured delivery, revealing results from BusinessNZ’s latest members’ survey.
Rich said members’ top concerns were a lack of demand from consumers who were more risk-averse, poor economic growth and a volatile policy environment amid US President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
However, she acknowledged most members had indicated they would spend more on capital projects in 2026.
Rich believed commentators lamenting a slow economic recovery didn’t appreciate the gradual nature of reform, citing the damage of the Covid pandemic.
“Policies being put in place now will kick the economy into gear, restoring growth and confidence.
“It’s not easy to be in business right now, but for those in business, I’m encouraging them to hang on in there until next year; there are better times ahead.”
Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.