Politics Central

ACT's election campaign's kicked off today, and the party's focused on two things: cut red-tape to unlock the country's potential, and lock Labour out.

As part of their ambitions, the party wants to remove tax on Kiwisaver earnings, and scrutinise the bureaucracy in many sectors.

ACT Party Candidate Paul Henry joins Tim Beveridge to speak about why the Party's going so hard on Labour...

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We're about a month away until Election Day, so policy announcemens and party promises are ramping up. The Greeens today have launched their transport plan to combat fossil fuel use, and ease congestion.

The Greens will cap bus and train fares at $2 for adults, and free for children, students, community service card holders, and total mobility users.

They also plan to build rapid bus and light rail, boost inter-regional travle, and pedestrianises more inner-city areas.

Green Party Transport Spokesperson Julie Anne Genter speaks with Tim Beveridge to unpack the policy...

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Labour has launched their bid for election today, and they've pledged to cut student debt if they get elected.

The party is promising to cull debt by 10 percent for students who finished study, but didn't benefit from Fees Free on April 1st. 

 Labour campaign chair Kieran McAnulty explained further.

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National's putting the boot into Labour on tax, as it formally launches its bid for re-election.

The party's vying for another term in Government with a message of 'no new taxes' as party faithful gathered in Auckland today.

Campaign chair Simeon Brown joined The Weekend Collective to outline the party's strategy.

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National says if they're re-elected, they'll end screen and individual-device use in ECE, tightly limit screen time in Years 1 to 3, and introduce age-appropriate limits for older primary students.

They say they'll introduce a School Start Check at ECE before children transition to primary school, introduce clearer developmental milestones throughout ECE and report this progress to parents.

This will supposedly identify areas where children may need additional support and address that through the Early Intervention Service.

National Party Spokesperson for Education, Erica Stanford talks to Tim Beveridge about why they're aiming for these changes.

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It seems everyone has an idea for supermarket reform 

The Greens have proposed a publicly-owned "KiwiMart", National's proposed separating Foodstuffs ie Pak'nSave and New World into separate retailers.

Today, Labour's proposed Woolworths and Foodstuffs to run their wholesale supply independently from their retail stores - they want to grant Kiwi grocers the right to buy their stock from any wholesaler - free small grocers from their restraints of trade, like anti-competitive arrangements - and ban junk fees charged to suppliers. 

But what do those changes mean, and why is it better than what other parties are offering?

Party Leader Chris Hipkins talks to Tim Beveridge to discuss their plans

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National's promising a dedicated Auckland Transport police team to compliment the newly opened City Rail Link, if re-elected. 

It's pledging an additional $7 million per year through Budget 2027, to recruit 50 sworn officers for this role. 

Police Minister Mark Mitchell joined the Weekend Collective to explain that more people will be commuting through the city centre, and safety measures need to be boosted. 

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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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