Labour leader Chris Hipkins says voters will see a “renewed” Labour Party at the 2026 election, arguing the country’s challenges have changed since Labour was voted out in 2023 and that his party’s policies have evolved accordingly.
Pointing to a capital gains tax earmarked for health spending, a reshaped front bench, and a more disciplined approach to promises, Hipkins insists Labour has learned from its loss and is now offering realistic solutions.
In an interview with state-funded media Hipkins tried to distance himself from past failures while defending Labour’s record in government.
“New Zealanders deserve an economic recovery that benefits all New Zealanders. This government are only focused on benefitting those at the top. New Zealanders need to see a recovery that they all feel, and they’re not feeling that from this government,” he said.
“They don’t think this government cares about them. They don’t think this government’s focused on working New Zealanders who go out there and flog their guts out every day to create a better future for the country. That’s what my focus is.”
A different shade of RED then, comrade.
Its NZ that’s in the red thanks to their chronic fiscal mismanagement…..the Nats are just as bad. My advice, don’t vote for either.
So far all we got was a more fake smile.
Yes, trust exactly the same wasteful Liebour f***wits who now want CGT, to make up for their scandalous waste and the expensive, fascistic, COVID debacle….
You want to pay more tax so they can compensate big pharma and take away your basic human rights, don’t you?
Chippie no nuts no thanks
“They don’t think this government cares about them. They don’t think this government’s focused on working New Zealanders who go out there and flog their guts out every day to create a better future for the country. That’s what my focus is.”
So Labour plan to tax the retirement nest egg working Kiwi’s did in fact slog their guts out for, a mum and dad investment property.
But hey Chris if you are serious about going after big business:
(1) Why not stop the flow of cash out of New Zealand through foreign banks?
(2) How about too, dropping the TPPA (remember when Labour called it an “attack on democracy” and then blithely passed the TPPA as soon as you were in office). Not to mention similar legislation that allows big international companies, to pay very little tax.
(3) What about the energy providers making a mint off of over priced electricity, gas, etc? No regulation there either mate. Unlike almost every other developed nation. That would help working Kiwi’s wouldn’t it.
(4) Why too, are Kiwi’s paying so much regressive tax in the form of GST, that disproportionately hurts the poor? Only 10% in AU little man and only on specific things, as is the case almost everywhere except NZ.
In summary, would it be fair to say Labour are full of shit and you simply plan to bleed working Kiwi’ white? And if you have changed, its simply to be more awful and punitive, than you have been in the past?