New Zealand First
Founded in 1993. In the National-led government since 2023. Led by Winston Peters.
Key facts
- Party
- NZ First Party website
- Leader
- Winston Peters (Leader)
- Founded
- 1993
- Seats before the 2026 election
- 8
- 2023 election
- 6.08% of the party vote, 8 seats
- Now
- Coalition partner in the National-led government with ACT, formed in November 2023.
Sources: [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]
About the party
New Zealand First was founded in 1993 by Winston Peters, a former National MP and Cabinet minister. Winston Peters is its Leader. It won 8 seats at the 2023 election, all from the party list, held 8 when Parliament was dissolved on 1 October 2026, and is a coalition partner in the National-led government with ACT, formed in November 2023. It was in coalition with National from 1996 to 1998, gave a Labour-led government confidence and supply from 2005 to 2008, and was in coalition with Labour from 2017 to 2020. Its constitution lists fifteen founding principles, shown below in the party's own words.
History. New Zealand First was founded on 18 July 1993. Winston Peters, a National Cabinet minister until 1991, was expelled from National's caucus in 1992, won the 1993 Tauranga by-election as an independent and formed the party later that year. The Electoral Commission's register lists it as registered on 20 December 1994. It won no seats at the 2008 and 2020 elections.
In government. New Zealand First was in coalition with National from 1996 to 1998, with Winston Peters as Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer. From 2005 to 2008 it gave a Labour-led government confidence and supply, with Peters as Minister of Foreign Affairs outside Cabinet. From 2017 to 2020 it was in coalition with Labour, with the Greens supporting that government on confidence and supply. Since the agreement announced on 24 November 2023 it has been in a three-party coalition with National and ACT.
In Parliament. At the 2023 election the party won 6.08% of the party vote (173,425 votes) and 8 seats, all from the party list and none from an electorate. On 27 June 2025 list MP Tanya Unkovich announced she would resign, and the Electoral Commission declared the next candidate on the list, David Wilson, elected on 30 June 2025. That left it with 8 seats when Parliament was dissolved on 1 October 2026.
Leadership. Winston Peters has led the party since he formed it in 1993. The constitution says the Leader and Deputy Leader are selected by the Parliamentary Division, or by the Board if there is no Parliamentary Division.
What it says it stands for
In the party's own words and order. Where the party gives an item no heading, the heading is a short neutral topic name added by this site. From: Constitution 2024 (Electoral Commission copy, filed 2025): New Zealand First Founding Principles, 1 to 15.
- Put New Zealanders First
- Open accountable Government with less government
- Economic policy
- Employment
- Education
- Health
- Taxation
- Immigration
- The Welfare State
- Foreign Policy
- Environment
- New Zealand Resources
- Honest Government
- Electoral Reform
- Towards a Better Democracy
Put New Zealanders First
Puts "New Zealand and New Zealanders First".
“To put New Zealand and New Zealanders First”
[2]Open accountable Government with less government
Says Parliament will be reduced to 80 Members and consultancies and advisers cut by over 50%; MPs vote with the party only on confidence in a government it is in.
“Parliament will be reduced to 80 Members and the numbers of consultancies and Government Advisors will be cut by over 50%. Only on a vote of confidence in a government (in which New Zealand First is a member) will New Zealand First's Members of Parliament be required to vote with the party. On all other issues not covered by party policy, an MP's first duty is to the Electorate and the Nation.”
[2]Economic policy
A strategy of export-led economic development to add value to resources, relying on independent business expertise with government support.
“Economic policy will comprise a strategy for export-led economic development to add value to our resources, relying on independent business expertise with Government support to encourage economic success.”
[2]Employment
Employment of New Zealanders is the first planning priority, and it says high unemployment is not acceptable.
“The employment of New Zealanders is our first planning priority. High unemployment is not acceptable. We regard such human and economic waste as a blight on this country's productivity.”
[2]Education
Education spending is to be treated as an investment, in both the national and the individual interest.
“Money spent on Education will be treated as an investment, not as expenditure. Educational advancement is both in the national and in the individual interest. Educational investment is critical for economic and social recovery.”
[2]Health
Health is to be treated as an investment in human resources rather than a balance sheet item, and the public health service rebuilt.
“Health will cease to be a balance sheet item. Health will be a critical investment in New Zealand's human resource. Our policies will rebuild New Zealand's public health service.”
[2]Taxation
Its long-term objective is New Zealanders paying less tax, with tax laws simplified and applied equally; research, development and export incentives are the priorities.
“Our long-term objective is New Zealanders paying less tax. We intend to simplify and enforce the tax laws so that they apply equally to all taxpayers. Incentives for increased research and development and export growth are the priorities.”
[2]Immigration
Accepts a continuing need for overseas skills, and says immigration will stop being used as an excuse for failing to train and employ New Zealanders.
“Whilst this country, with such a small population, will continue to require an infusion of overseas skills and expertise, immigration will cease to be used as an excuse for our failure to train, skill and employ our own people.”
[2]The Welfare State
Welfare should meet "genuine and deserving need" and help recipients become independent of the State.
“The Welfare State must be an umbrella to meet genuine and deserving need. Government has a duty to properly determine those needs and respond to them. That said, social welfare must no longer neglect assisting recipients to become independent of the State.”
[2]Foreign Policy
Aims for good government at home and being a reliable neighbour in the region, focuses foreign aid on the region, and respects a non-nuclear future.
“Our foreign policy objective will be good government at home and being a reliable neighbour in our region. New Zealand foreign aid will focus on the region in which we live. New Zealanders' desire for a non-nuclear future will be respected.”
[2]Environment
Says preserving and enhancing the environment is "sound economics", with proactive policies aimed at creating employment and sustainable wealth.
“Wise Governments view the preservation and enhancement of the environment as sound economics. All environmental policies will be proactive with a view to creating employment and sustainable wealth whilst improving one of our few competitive advantages.”
[2]New Zealand Resources
Strategic state asset sales will cease; private contracts under public ownership may replace them only where absolutely necessary.
“Strategic state asset sales will cease. If considered appropriate and only where absolutely necessary, management by private contracts under public ownership will replace the policy of state asset sales.”
[2]Honest Government
An independent anti-corruption commission will be established so New Zealanders can have confidence that institutions work properly.
“An independent anti-corruption commission will be established to enable New Zealanders to have confidence that their institutions are working properly.”
[2]Electoral Reform
Electoral reform will be determined by the electors, with the Government ensuring fair representation of all views and appropriate referenda.
“Electoral reform will be determined by the electors. The Government's duty will be to ensure the fair representation of all views and the holding of appropriate referenda.”
[2]Towards a Better Democracy
Policies not in the party manifesto will first be referred to the electorate for a mandate, unless a national emergency clearly exists.
“All policies not contained in the party manifesto, where no national emergency clearly exists, will first be referred to the electorate for a mandate.”
[2]
Bottom lines for coalition talks
What the party has publicly said it must get, or won't accept, to form or support a government after the 2026 election. Every party's bottom lines
No bottom lines found (checked 17 Oct 2026)
- On keeping the NZ Super age at 65, Winston Peters said "It's not a bottom line, it's a top line" and "Don't tell me how to negotiate." (13 May 2026) 1News
Its other policies
Policies on its own policy page (read 17 Oct 2026) or in its releases that no issue page compares yet, each on the same short card. Some parties list single policies and others list broad areas, so the number of cards says nothing about how much a party has planned. Every party's policies
Tax and public finances
NZ First would cut company tax to 20% for smaller businesses
NZ First would lower the company tax rate for small and medium businesses, those with turnover under $30 million. The party says the cut would leave businesses more money to invest, grow and hire, and make them rely less on bank loans.
- Party claimThe party says the company tax rate would fall from 28% to 20% for companies with turnover under $30 million.
- Party claimThe party says the initial annual fiscal cost would be approximately $1 billion, more than offset over the medium term by more companies, jobs, growth and spending.
Health
NZ First's health plan: put prevention and metabolic health first
NZ First's plan, which it calls "Make NZ Healthy", would put preventing illness at the centre of healthcare, with a focus on metabolic health. It would make informed consent a core part of care, promote nutrition from primary school to medical school, and hold an independent review of dietary guidelines. It would also cut paperwork for GPs, add health coaches in primary care, remove Medsafe and Pharmac barriers to nutrients recognised as safe, and fund research on vitamin C, vitamin D and nutrition for mental illness.
Families, work and welfare
NZ First would raise the in-work tax credit and minimum wage
NZ First would keep the temporary $50 a week boost to the in-work tax credit, a Working for Families payment for working parents, and add another $70 a week. It would also raise the minimum wage by at least inflation every year of the next term of government.
- Party claimThe party says the in-work tax credit would rise to $120 a week, made up of the current $50 temporary boost made permanent plus an extra $70.
- Party claimThe party says this would cost an estimated $500 to $600 million a year.
- Party claimThe party says the minimum wage would rise by at least inflation in every year of the next term of government.
- Party claimThe party says it was responsible for yearly minimum wage increases in three governments, in 2005, 2017 and 2023.
NZ First would pay $5,000 a year for first three children under three
NZ First would pay the Kiwi Kids Grant, $5,000 a year for each of a family's first three children during their first three years. Every eligible family would get it whatever their income, it would not be taxed, and it would be paid monthly through IRD on top of existing support, with the option of taking a first child's first year as a lump sum. At least one parent would have to be a New Zealand citizen.
- Party claimThe party says the grant would pay $5,000 a year for each of a family's first three children for their first three years.
- Party claimThe party says the grant would cost an estimated $400 million by the third year, once the full cycle is established.
- Party claimThe party says births to citizens fell from 52,506 in 2006 to 36,351 in 2025, and the birth rate is 1.53 births per person against a replacement rate of 2.1.
- Party claimThe party says births to non-citizens rose from 8,001 in 2006 to 14,380 last year, from 13% to 28% of all births.
Climate, energy and environment
NZ First would fund a $1 billion survey of underground energy resources
NZ First would spend $1 billion over a term of government on a national survey of what lies under the land and seabed. It would map possible oil, gas, geothermal and carbon dioxide storage sites in one national dataset, and set rules for developing them. Explorers would carry the risk of proving fields, and as production grew the government would charge a royalty of more than 50% on everything extracted. The party says the money would go to ending gas shortfalls, lowering fuel costs, exports, a sovereign fund on the Norwegian model and regional industry.
- Party claimThe party says the initial investment would be $1 billion over the term of government.
- Party claimThe party says first results would come within twelve months, the highest-ranked basins would be surveyed with wells identified within 24 months, and New Zealand could have a path to supplying its own energy, and exporting it, within six years.
- Party claimThe party says analysis shows the odds of a major commercial discovery are "well above ninety percent".
- Party claimThe party says it would place a royalty "well above 50%" on all extractions as production matures.
- Party claimThe party says New Zealand has ten prospective basins.
Law and order
NZ First would ban the public sale and use of fireworks
NZ First would ban the sale and use of fireworks by the public across New Zealand. Its bill would stop the retail sale, making and importing of fireworks for public use, while still allowing approved public displays. The party says the bill is already drafted.
- Party claimThe party says the bill would be tabled in Parliament within the first hundred days of the next government.
- Party claimThe party says the taxpayer "should not be spending millions" on the harm fireworks cause, including ACC and emergency call-out costs.
Te Tiriti, democracy and the constitution
NZ First would let only New Zealand citizens vote
NZ First would change electoral law so that only New Zealand citizens can vote. The page says permanent residents and some visa holders can now vote in general elections, local council elections and referendums. Under the policy they could still live in New Zealand permanently, but could not vote.
- Party claimThe party says permanent residents can now vote after two years living in New Zealand, and some holders of visas with no expiry date after one year.
NZ First would replace the Waitangi Tribunal with a completion commission
NZ First would pass a law to abolish the Waitangi Tribunal and replace it with a Treaty of Waitangi Completion Commission, which would finish claims from before 2008 and then close. Māori land reform and better running of the Māori Land Court would be a major priority. The Ministry of Māori Development would be told to get more economic results from Māori-owned land, marine farming and forestry, and would take on work on carrying out Treaty settlements, newer claims and Crown–Māori relations.
- Party claimThe party says it would introduce the law within the first 100 days after the next election.
Immigration and population
NZ First's immigration policy: citizenship at birth only for citizens' children
NZ First's immigration policy would give automatic citizenship at birth only to children of citizens, and make protected person status for asylum seekers temporary. People would have to live in New Zealand longer before getting citizenship or permanent residence, and non-citizen visa holders could not get benefits such as Jobseeker Support for their first ten years. Non-citizens could be deported for any offence that can carry a prison sentence, and a referendum would ask voters about a yearly cap on resident visas. Overstayers would get time to leave on their own, and international students would lose automatic work rights.
- Party claimThe party says the minimum time before citizenship would rise from five to ten years, and before permanent residence from two to five years.
- Party claimThe party says non-citizen visa holders would be stood down from Jobseeker, Accommodation Supplement and other benefits for their first 10 years in New Zealand.
- Party claimThe party says the referendum would ask about a legislated cap of 20,000 resident visas a year.
- Party claimThe party says overstayers would get a 24-month amnesty to leave, and overstayers of Pacific origin a separate 24-month period to apply to stay legally.
- Party claimThe party says it would create a 30-year Population Plan to coordinate immigration, housing and infrastructure.
NZ First would replace the main work visa with a skills-shortage visa
NZ First would scrap the Accredited Employer Work Visa and replace it with a Skilled Work Visa for jobs where there is a proven shortage. Entry would depend on the job, the region and shown need, not just on the employer being accredited. Employers wanting migrants for routine jobs would first have to make a serious effort to hire or train New Zealanders, and the visa would have a wage floor.
- Party claimThe party says there are approximately 171,000 unemployed people and an underutilisation rate of 13.8%.
Economy, business and infrastructure
NZ First would reverse decision against safeguards on imported aluminium extrusions
NZ First says it will reverse the Minister of Consumer Affairs' decision not to put a safeguard measure on imported aluminium extrusions. It says it would do this before the end of this year. The party says the decision leaves companies that use aluminium extrusions with no trade remedy against imports. It says New Zealand should act as other countries have.
- Party claimThe party says it will immediately reverse the Minister of Consumer Affairs' decision not to impose a safeguard measure on imported aluminium extrusions, before the end of this year.
- Party claimThe party says "Thousands of New Zealand jobs are at stake."
- Party claimThe party says New Zealand has nine aluminium extrusion pressers, all of which are now at risk.
- Party claimThe party says Australia, the UK, the US, the EU and Canada have all taken action on imports, and that New Zealand should do the same.
NZ First would buy back BNZ and merge it with Kiwibank
NZ First would buy the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) back from National Australia Bank and merge it with Kiwibank. The merged bank, the National Bank of New Zealand, would be fully owned by the Crown but run as a commercial bank. The party would pay for it with a bond sold to the public and KiwiSaver investors, long-term government borrowing, some investment from the NZ Future Fund and ACC, and Kiwibank's existing capital, not from the operating budget.
- Party claimThe party says four Australian-owned banks control around 85 percent of the banking system.
- Party claimThe party says BNZ "currently generates more than $1.5 billion in annual cash earnings", which it says would pay the debt and return a surplus to the Crown.
- Party claimThe party says the buy-back is "self-financing in expectation", a one-off growth in the Crown's balance sheet rather than an ongoing cost.
- Party claimThe party says Kiwibank holds just under 8 percent of the mortgage market.
NZ First would let new dairy factories buy more Fonterra milk
NZ First would change the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act so that companies building new dairy factories in New Zealand, making higher-value products, could buy up to 500 million litres of Fonterra milk a year. They would get the full amount for six years, then less each year for four years until it ends. The milk would not be subsidised: buyers would pay the farm gate price plus collection and delivery costs. The party would make the change through the current review of the Act.
- Party claimThe party says qualifying manufacturers could get up to 500 million litres a year for ten years, ten times the current 50 million litre limit.
- Party claimThe party says the entitlement would taper to 80%, 60%, 40% and 20% over the last four years, then end.
- Party claimThe party says the next Minister of Agriculture is due to report to Parliament on the review in 2027.
NZ First would set up a $100 billion fund for infrastructure
NZ First would create a New Zealand Future Fund of up to $100 billion, invested only in building infrastructure over several decades. The fund would be kept apart from politicians, and its investments would serve New Zealand's national interest. The party would also use tax incentives to attract international investors, following countries such as Singapore and Ireland.
- Party claimThe party says the fund would be up to $100 billion.
- Party claimThe party says its members voted at its 2024 convention to investigate the fund.
NZ First would create a special economic zone at Marsden Point
NZ First would set up a special economic zone covering the former Marsden Point refinery and Northport, focused on energy and sea-based work such as ship repairs at a new dry dock. Businesses in the zone would no longer have to deal with councils, the Department of Conservation or other agencies for planning and resource consents; a government expert panel would decide them quickly instead. The party is also considering tax breaks, such as rates rebates, levy exemptions and lower company tax for some investments, and changes to the Overseas Investment Act.
NZ First would return half of mining royalties to mining regions
NZ First would send 50% of the royalties paid on mining back to the region where the mining happens, rather than to central government. Regions would spend it on things such as water services, flood protection, transport, housing and other infrastructure, and Mines Rescue would be funded. The wider package would create mining zones with clearer rules, give permits that cover the whole life of a mine, fund a new geological survey and reopen the School of Mines.
- Party claimThe party says 50% of mining royalties would go to the region where the mining occurs.
- Party claimThe party says mining contributes "billions" to the economy and supports "thousands of jobs".
NZ First would trial Christchurch commuter rail and reinstate the Southerner
NZ First says it would commit to a 12-month trial of commuter rail in Canterbury, running from Rolleston and Rangiora into Christchurch. It also says it would bring back the Southerner train between Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill. The party says it would work with the operators of the Mainlander train to run more trains. The release does not say when the trial would start.
- Party claimThe party says it would commit to a 12-month trial of commuter rail in Canterbury from Rolleston and Rangiora to Christchurch.
- Party claimThe party says it wants passengers to get from Rolleston to central Christchurch in around 20 minutes by train, instead of up to 50 minutes on the road.
Communities, culture and sport
NZ First would give an extra $15 million to Christchurch's cathedral rebuild
NZ First would put an extra $15 million of government money into rebuilding Christ Church Cathedral in Christchurch. The money would help finish the first stage of a revised, staged plan, so the cathedral could reopen and the hoardings around the square could come down.
- Party claimThe party says it would fund an extra $15 million for the cathedral rebuild.
- Party claimThe party says about $90 million has been invested so far, including $38 million from the Anglican Church, $25 million from the Government, $24 million from donors and $3 million from the Christchurch council.
- Party claimThe party says a shortfall of $40 to $45 million remains.
- Party claimThe party says the project has been on hold since 2024 for lack of funds.
- Party claimThe party says that in government in 2018 it secured a $25 million commitment, made up of $10 million and a $15 million interest-free loan.
NZ First would raise government funding for Coastguard to 70%
NZ First would raise the government's share of Coastguard's running costs, to give the volunteer sea rescue service more certain funding. The extra money would pay for upkeep, radio network upgrades, new boats and rescue gear, and training and travel costs for volunteers. The party would also review support for other rescue volunteers such as Land Search and Rescue, Surf Life Saving and St John, and look at a fund to help emergency charities replace equipment.
- Party claimThe party says Coastguard's annual budget is NZ$30–34m, with roughly 40% from the government and 60% from public support.
- Party claimThe party says Crown funding would rise to 70% of Coastguard's operating costs, an increase of $12 million a year.
- Party claimThe party says Coastguard has more than 2,000 volunteers in 62 units, and in 2024/25 responded to 2,785 incidents, assisted 6,792 people and saved 61 lives.
NZ First would set up a commission to regulate combat sports
NZ First would create a Combat Sports Commission, set up in law, to license events and promoters and register fighters across the country. There would be minimum medical standards, including checks before and after fights, doctors at every event, and rest periods between fights. Illegal and unsanctioned events would face penalties.
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Its answers on the issues
The same questions every party is asked. Each links to the full comparison with every party.
- How should supermarket competition be fixed?
Break up the existing chainsGive the regulator more power
Split Foodstuffs into two competing co-operatives and toughen competition penalties.NZ First would pass a law splitting Foodstuffs into two nationwide co-operatives by brand: one for New World and Four Square, and one for PAK'nSAVE, both competing with Woolworths. It would raise Commerce Commission penalties for serious breaches to Australian levels (up to $10 million, three times the gain, or 10% of turnover), speed up investigations, give the Grocery Commissioner power to make binding decisions and impose penalties, and allow industry rules under the Commerce Act, including on shelf access for producers. Its policy page does not make the split depend on a Commerce Commission test. NZ First has not published a cost, timeline or details of how the split would work. The biggest tradeoff: the same split was modelled for MBIE as beneficial only if supply costs rise by less than about 2%.
Full entry, tradeoffs and sources - How should income tax change?
Make the first part of income tax-freeAdjust thresholds for inflation
Make the first $14,000 of income tax-free and adjust brackets for inflation.At a Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand tax panel in September 2026, NZ First MP David Wilson outlined a proposal to make the first $14,000 of income tax-free and adjust income tax brackets for inflation. KPMG's election tracker records it as making the lowest tax bracket tax-free "no later than 1 April 2027". The policy is not on NZ First's own policy page. NZ First has not published rates above the tax-free amount, a cost, a funding source or how often brackets would be adjusted (its 2023 policy said every three years), and no independent costing has been found. The biggest tradeoff: people earning over $14,000 would pay less income tax, but government revenue would fall, and the rates above it and the funding are unpublished.
Full entry, tradeoffs and sources - Should KiwiSaver be compulsory, and how much should go in?
Make contributions compulsory for workersEnrol children at birth with a starting payment
Enrol babies in KiwiSaver at birth, $1,000 for citizens; compulsory for workers, rising to 10%.NZ First would make KiwiSaver enrolment compulsory at birth, with a one-off $1,000 Crown contribution for New Zealand citizens only; it calls this the KiwiSaver Generation. This sits alongside its earlier campaign policy of compulsory KiwiSaver for the wider workforce, with employee and employer contributions rising to 8% at first and eventually 10%. Winston Peters said in 2025 that savers and employers would receive tax cuts to cover the increases. NZ First has not published a cost, a timetable or how the tax cuts would work. In two NZ Herald scenarios, tax cuts fully offsetting the higher contributions would cost about $12 billion to $28 billion a year. Reports differ on whether the 8% and 10% are combined or apply to employees and employers each. The biggest tradeoff: higher contributions would build larger retirement savings, but the tax cuts meant to offset them would reduce government revenue.
Full entry, tradeoffs and sources - Should the NZ Super age rise to 67?
Opposes
Keep the age at 65; limit Super to citizens from 2029.NZ First opposes raising the Super age. Shane Jones says "under no circumstances whatsoever" will a government NZ First serves in get its support to change it, and the party says it does not support changes to Super's entitlement or eligibility. Its one proposed change is to who qualifies: from 2029 only New Zealand citizens would get NZ Super, with a grace period "within the next three years". Non-citizen residents can now qualify. NZ First says Super paid to people who became residents aged 50 or older costs over $1 billion a year. It has not published a saving from the citizenship rule or said how non-citizens already on Super would be treated. The biggest tradeoff: people keep certainty about age 65, but outside the citizenship rule Super's projected cost is unchanged, so its growth would be met from taxes, borrowing, other spending or payment changes.
Full entry, tradeoffs and sources - Should GP visits or prescriptions be free?
No stated position found (checked 15 Oct 2026)
- What should change in medicines funding, the health workforce and Māori health services?
Train or bring in more health workers
Bring health coaches into general practice and cut GPs' paperwork; prevention first.NZ First's 2026 health plan, released on 20 September, would shift the focus of healthcare from treating illness to preventing it. On the workforce, it would support GPs by bringing health coaches into primary care, reduce administrative burden and restore professional autonomy in general practice, and find better ways to acknowledge nurses. It has no stated 2026 policy on Pharmac funding or Māori health services; earlier positions are noted below. The biggest tradeoff: NZ First says health coaches would add support for GPs, but the plan gives no numbers, cost or timetable for them.
Full entry, tradeoffs and sources - How should housing policy change?
Change how growth infrastructure is required or paid for
Require roads, pipes and water to be in place before fast-track housing is approved.NZ First would change fast-track law so housing developments are approved only after the roads, pipes, water, wastewater and other services they need are approved. Developers would have to show the infrastructure exists, is funded and can be delivered; councils would advise on network capacity; new expert panels for housing could decline projects; listed projects that have not applied by the end of 2028 would lose priority access; and the Minister for Housing would make housing referral decisions. NZ First has not published a cost, a start date or who would pay for infrastructure that is missing. The biggest tradeoff: NZ First says making funded infrastructure a condition of approval would protect existing communities from unfunded growth costs; National's Chris Bishop says the requirement is already in law, and Waatea's Matthew Tukaki warns of possible barriers for Māori housing developments.
Full entry, tradeoffs and sources - How should households get solar?
Change what households are paid for exported power
Pay home solar owners the same price for exported power as they pay.NZ First's main electricity policy would split the large power companies into separate generators and retailers. Within it, the party says "if you generate power at home like solar, you should be able to sell it back to the grid at the same price you pay for it". It has not said how that price would be set. NZ First has not proposed loans or subsidies for household solar. Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones gives the party's reason: "we're not keen on individual houses, because we fear middle class capture"; he prefers solar on marae, council buildings and large commercial roofs. No cost or start date has been published. The biggest tradeoff: solar owners would be paid more for exports, but with no design published it is unclear who would pay the difference.
Full entry, tradeoffs and sources - How should the electricity market change?
Separate power generation from retailGovernment builds or backs new supplyChange wholesale pricing or lines companies
Split the big four into separate generators and retailers; replace the current pricing system.NZ First would split the four large power companies into separate generators and retailers. Winston Peters said they should become separate legal entities, and "We're not into wholesale nationalisation". It would replace the current wholesale system, in which the highest-priced offer needed sets the price for all, so that companies "cannot hold back supply just to drive prices higher"; it would also guarantee long-term, fixed-price contracts for new power stations, whose power would be used first. Shane Jones says the split would be the first item in any coalition negotiations. NZ First has not published a cost, a timetable or how shareholders would be compensated, and has not stated a position on the LNG terminal. The biggest tradeoff: the split separates making power from selling it, but who would guarantee the fixed-price contracts and what the split would cost are not set out.
Full entry, tradeoffs and sources - What should New Zealand's climate commitments be?
Leave or renegotiate the Paris AgreementChange the Climate Change Commission's role
Withdraw New Zealand from the Paris Agreement and review the Climate Change Commission.NZ First would take New Zealand out of the Paris Agreement "altogether". It argues that New Zealand produces about 0.17% of global emissions, that four countries produce about 60% of the world's carbon dioxide, and that money spent meeting Paris pledges would be better spent on the environment at home. It says that if New Zealand honours its Paris obligations, "up to $22 billion" of taxpayers' money could go offshore. NZ First has also said it would review the Climate Change Commission. Its policy does not say what would happen to the Zero Carbon Act targets, the Emissions Trading Scheme or farm emissions, and gives no start date. The biggest tradeoff: no overseas credit costs or Paris obligations, but trade risk under the EU agreement's Paris clause.
Full entry, tradeoffs and sources - What should change in sentencing, prisons, youth offending, gang laws and policing?
Tougher sentences, new offences or deportation
Deport non-citizens convicted of any imprisonable offence; no other 2026 crime policy found.NZ First's 2026 immigration policy would make non-citizens liable for deportation for any offence that can carry a prison sentence, and deport automatically those found guilty of offences including violent or sexual crimes, fraud, money laundering and migrant exploitation. In June 2026 Newswire reported that NZ First wanted mandatory minimum prison sentences for coward punches. No other 2026 NZ First policy on sentencing, prisons, youth offending, gangs or police was found. It says it demanded the coward-punch laws and tougher penalties for assaulting first responders in its coalition agreement, and Winston Peters says the coalition will shortly complete its commitment to 500 more frontline police; these are decisions of the National-led government, so they are background here. The biggest tradeoff: NZ First would widen deportation liability for offending by non-citizens, but it has not said how many people it would affect or what it would cost.
Full entry, tradeoffs and sources - What should happen to Te Tiriti settings and Māori representation?
Replace or close the Waitangi TribunalNarrow or remove Treaty clauses in lawsAbolish the Māori seats or put them to a voteSet the rules for Māori seats on councils
Replace the Waitangi Tribunal with a commission; hold a referendum on the Māori seats.NZ First would introduce a law within 100 days of the election to abolish the Waitangi Tribunal and replace it with a Treaty of Waitangi Completion Commission, which would finalise claims made before 2008 and then close. Contemporary claims and Crown–Māori relations would move to the Ministry of Māori Development. It would hold a referendum on the future of the seven Māori seats after the election; it has not said when, whether the result would be binding, or what the question would be. A member's bill would abolish Auckland Council's Independent Māori Statutory Board and return its functions to the council. NZ First started the government's Treaty clause review. No costs are published. The biggest tradeoff: NZ First's aim is one set of electoral, Treaty and council arrangements for everyone, but the Tribunal and the board would close, and the Māori seats could go if a binding referendum chose that.
Full entry, tradeoffs and sources
Sources for this page
- Official results for the 2023 General Election · Electoral Commission · accessed 17 Oct 2026
- New Zealand First Constitution 2024 (adopted by the Annual General Meeting 2024; filed as 2025 Constitution) · Electoral Commission (document lodged by New Zealand First) · accessed 17 Oct 2026
- Register of political parties · Electoral Commission · accessed 17 Oct 2026
- New list MP for NZ First · Electoral Commission · accessed 17 Oct 2026
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- Party officials · New Zealand First · accessed 17 Oct 2026
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Change history
Every recorded change to this page, newest first, including our own corrections after checks.
- 17 Oct 2026 Profile written. [2][1][5][9]