National is promising to expand access to the 5 percent first home loan scheme. 

If elected it says it will increase the income cap for eligibility so more people can access the scheme. 

Singles and group buyers would be able to get it if they make $300,000 a year or less. 

National Party Housing spokesperson Chris Bishop explained further.

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ACT wants harsher penalties for anyone flouting fisheries rules to protect our ocean resources. 

The party's promising a suite of changes if re-elected to Government. 

These includes stricter shellfish catch limits, setting up a district management area for the Hauraki Gulf and permanently ending scallop dredging in areas where its currently closed. 

Conservation spokesperson Cameron Luxton says we need also better information about the environmental damage of different fishing methods. 

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Consequences for New Zealanders overseas who default on their student loans are being proposed under National's new policy.

If elected, local graduates would keep more of their pay each fortnight, while overseas borrowers could face an extra one percent interest on their loans.

Finance spokesperson Nicola Willis explained that they're hoping to keep skilled young Kiwis in the country.

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ACT wants to refocus our constitution around Parliamentary sovereignty if re-elected to Government.

The Party says its new 'equal rights for all' policy will rein in what it's calling 'activist judges' and prevent vague Treaty of Waitangi clauses. 

It will clarify Parliament has final say - and add a property rights clause to the Bill of Rights Act. 

Leader David Seymour joined the Weekend Collective to explain further.

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Labour's staying tight-lipped on whether it would make more cuts to the public service if elected, but assures it's focused on protecting it.

The party's latest election promise sets out to achieve surplus by 2030, and reduce net debt to 20 percent of GDP over time.

It will aim to keep Government spending and revenue at around 33 percent of GDP once its Capital Gains Tax is fully implemented.

Finance and Economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds joined the Weekend Collective to outline the plan further.

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The Opportunity Party's launched a policy to regulate lobbying and cap political donations.

The party, which is not in Parliament, is campaigning on imposing a $30,000 per donor per party - for each electoral cycle and having only registered voters allowed to donate.

Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong joined the Weekend Collective to explain further.

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The ACT Party's promising a reset in government agencies, ending what it call 'race-based hiring' if re-elected.

It includes removing 'good employer' requirements from public service legislation, while also prohibiting agencies from resourcing any cultural or spiritual practices in the workplace.

Seymour joined the Weekend Collective to explain further.

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Labour says there's nothing new in National's budget responsibility rules.

National's Nicola Willis unveiled the details today - promising a surplus by 2028/29 and reducing Government spending to 30 percent of GDP. 

Labour's finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds says this is part of their current fiscal strategy.

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National's promising to stick to three spending guardrails if it returns to Government, and is calling on other parties to follow suit. 

The party's promising a return to surplus in 2028/29  - and bending debt below 40 percent of GDP. 

It's also promising to reduce the size of Government, bringing spending to 30 percent of GDP. 

Finance Minister Nicola Willis joined the Weekend Collective to explain further.

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Former Defence Minister Ron Mark is returning to New Zealand First as a candidate this election, standing for the party in the Wairarapa electorate, it's been confirmed. 

The former MP was the Minister of Defence, in the first Ardern-Labour Government, and was the Mayor of Carterton between 2010 and 2014, before returning in 2022.

The party says Ron Mark brings much needed experience and skills, and has earned a reputation for strong leadership.

Mark joined the Weekend Collective to reveal why he made his return to the party.

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