ACT New Zealand

Confirmed: Election Day 2026 is 7 November. Our last two election results were ACT’s best ever, and we’re ready to do it again. We’re proud of our record, driving change in Government. This election we’ll be giving Kiwis a clear choice: Party Vote ACT to avoid the reds and greens, without settling for beige. As usual ACT will honestly and fearlessly tell it like it is. New Zealand is the most successful society in history, but we’re selling ourselves short. When we avoid hard issues in our polite Kiwi way, it’s the battlers who suffer. Kiwis are people who came to these islands for a better tomorrow. We are adventurous, pioneering people by nature, or we wouldn’t be out here. Bureaucracy, red tape, and identity politics are kryptonite to our ambitions. ACT has proven it can shrink Government waste, cut through red tape, and get better performance for the taxpayer dollar. We can also drive the hard conversations about who we are as a country. We’ve also proven we can work collegially and effectively with our partners in coalition. In everything from youth justice to medicines, we have delivered. ACT provides the full package for voters who rightly fear the Labour-Green-Māori menace, but also want faster action on waste, red tape, and pride in our country.

𝗛𝗼𝗴𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱: 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 Manawatū-based ACT MP Andrew Hoggard is welcoming the Ministry for Education’s move to review school bus policy changes, after he wrote to the Minister advocating for rural families affected. “Even this morning at the Central District Field Days, I’ve been approached by parents ropeable about being denied access to long-standing bus services. It is a major issue for communities who feel that Wellington just doesn’t get it.” Mr Hoggard wrote to Education Minister Erica Stanford on 12 February raising concerns from Manawatū families blindsided by changes. The Minister has now initiated a review of the policy, and paused its rollout. “The pause provides immediate relief for families in areas like Gisborne who were set to lose their bus services in Term Two,” says Mr Hoggard. “But in the Manawatū where I am based, changes have already come into effect, forcing some families to spend hundreds on petrol or to pool money for privately organised transport services. My hope is that the policy review will move us towards common sense. “For example, if there’s a school bus running past a rural student that takes them most of the way to their school, the student should be able to take that bus, assuming there’s space for them. This is what families in the region have done for years, and it’s frankly just an efficient use of public assets. “No one expects the taxpayer to fund every parental choice, but forcing rural families into one ‘approved’ school or hitting them with big transport costs just isn’t realistic. It risks hollowing out rural communities by denying them the opportunities available to families in town. “The review shows that this Government listens, and we have a chance to fix what matters for rural families. “If there is a fiscal barrier to continuing bus services, ACT is always prepared to offer suggestions of how savings can be secured across government to fund what matters.”

"Attendance services are now more accountable, better at effectively managing cases, and data-driven in their responses. They have access to a new case management system, better data monitoring, and their contracts will be more closely monitored." beehive.govt.nz/release/final-…

BREAKING: School attendance data is out for Term 4. It's an increase, for the third year running. More kids are showing up for school under David Seymour's leadership.

Tonight in Christchurch: Public meeting with David Seymour. 6:30pm, Addington Raceway, talking Iran, fuel, and election '26.

𝟮𝟰.𝟴 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 A report commissioned by the New Zealand Property Investors Federation and prepared by Infometrics shows residential property investors contributed $24.8 billion to New Zealand’s GDP and supported 126,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the year to March 2024. ACT MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar says the findings highlight the scale of economic activity generated by rental housing, which is often overlooked in public debate. “Property investors don’t just own houses. They commission builders, hire tradies, engage suppliers, and invest in projects that turn bare land and ageing homes into warm, liveable places for Kiwi families. “That work creates real value. It means apprentices getting a start, tradespeople building careers, and small businesses taking on more work with confidence. “From scaffolding on-site to factories supplying materials, each rental property represents a chain of productive work. That’s how investment translates into jobs and incomes for New Zealanders. “There is nothing passive about providing rental homes. It relies on the combined effort of builders, engineers, suppliers, and service providers working together to house people. “If we want more homes and better wages, we need more of this activity, not less. “That means a policy environment that welcomes investment instead of punishing it. When investment is encouraged, homes get built, businesses get work, and New Zealanders get ahead."

𝗟𝘂𝘅𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 ACT List MP based in Mount Maunganui Cameron Luxton is welcoming the Government’s decision to establish a formal inquiry into the fatal landslides at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park. “Eight people lost their lives in tragic circumstances. Their families and the Tauranga community deserve clear answers about what happened and why. “Inquiries like this are important for looking back, establishing the facts, and ensuring there is accountability for the decisions that were made. “The Government inquiry will focus on understanding the circumstances around the landslides and identifying lessons to prevent something like this happening again. “At the same time, the local response and decisions about access to Mauao sit with Tauranga City Council. “People understandably want to know what needs to happen before the walking tracks can reopen, and when the public might be able to return to these areas safely. “It would be helpful for the community to have a clear understanding of what steps need to occur before access can be restored, and the likely timeframe for that happening.” Mr Luxton says ACT will engage constructively with the inquiry process and supports its focus on practical recommendations.

𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿’𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘁-𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗱 ACT Health spokesperson Todd Stephenson is welcoming the Government’s decision to return key health decisions to regional and local leaders, ending Labour’s failed experiment with a highly centralised health bureaucracy. “Labour spent around $500 million merging the health system and created New Zealand’s largest employer. After all that disruption and cost, outcomes only got worse. “They built a Soviet-style system where decisions affecting patients and clinicians were made by a distant bureaucracy in Wellington rather than the people actually delivering care. “The result was absurd. Hospitals were stuck waiting for sign-off from Wellington before they could hire staff or respond to local pressures. In some cases, a secretary in Selwyn needed approval from a sinecure in Wellington just to get basic decisions made.” From 1 July, Health New Zealand will devolve key decision-making powers to regional and district levels, giving hospitals greater authority over workforce decisions, budgets, and service delivery while national leadership focuses on strategy and planning. “Healthcare works best when decisions are made closer to patients. Local teams understand their communities far better than bureaucrats sitting in a central office. “We fund the health system to deliver care, not build layers of management. When bureaucracy grows, patients pay the price through longer waitlists and slower access to treatment. “Kiwis don’t care about management structures. They care about getting the care they need when they need it. Moving decisions closer to communities is a long-overdue reset that puts patients and clinicians first.”

REVEALED: The full package of alcohol reforms introduced by @NicoleMckeeMP today. 🍻 • Limiting objections to licence applications or renewals to only those living or working in the same council area, or within 1 kilometre of the proposed licensed premises. • Giving licence applicants a right of reply to licensing objections to ensure a fairer process. • Preventing licence renewals from being declined solely because a local alcohol policy has changed. • Allowing clubs to apply for on-licences if they wish to serve the wider public. • Allowing certain restaurants with on-site retail areas to sell alcohol for customers to take home. • Streamlining special licence requirements to make it easier to host events. • Creating a permanent mechanism allowing licensed premises to open and serve alcohol outside licensed hours to televise major events such as the Rugby World Cup. • Exempting hairdressers and barbers from needing an on-licence to supply their customers a limited amount of alcohol such as a beer, glass of wine, or gin and tonic. • Extending cellar door tasting provisions beyond wineries so other producers such as breweries and distilleries can charge for tastings without needing an on-licence. • Allowing licensed premises to meet their legal obligations by stocking either low-alcohol or zero-alcohol drinks. • Clarifying responsibilities for rapid alcohol delivery services to ensure alcohol is not delivered to underage or intoxicated persons.

David gave his perspective on the greyhound ban legislation this morning. ACT is listening to a community that's getting a raw deal.

𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀: 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗷𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗿’𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗹 𝗹𝗮𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 ACT MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar says new alcohol law reforms introduced by the Government show what can happen when practical ideas are put forward and followed through. “The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Improving Alcohol Regulation) Amendment Bill introduced by my colleague Nicole McKee reflects many of the changes I have been advocating for through my Member’s Bill and discussions with colleagues. “For too long, off-licence operators and hospitality businesses have been stuck with an alcohol licensing system that is unpredictable, costly, and often disconnected from genuine community harm. “That’s why I introduced the Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Participation in Licensing Decisions) Amendment Bill, to restore fairness and common sense to the licensing process.” Key proposals from Dr Parmar’s Member’s Bill reflected in the Government’s reforms include: Limiting objections to alcohol licences to people who genuinely live or work in the local area Giving applicants a right of reply to objections, ensuring natural justice in licensing decisions Preventing licences being undermined by distant or irrelevant objectors “These are not radical changes. They are basic principles of fairness that should always have been part of the system. “My Member’s Bill also addressed further issues in the current framework, including ensuring licences cannot be unfairly undermined by changes in Local Alcohol Policies. “In particular, the Government’s reforms will ensure that licence renewals cannot be declined simply because a Local Alcohol Policy changes after the licence has already been granted. “I’m pleased the Government is moving in this direction and I look forward to engaging constructively as the legislation progresses through Parliament. “ACT identifies real problems, develops workable solutions, and delivers results. “When good ideas are put forward, ACT works to turn them into real policy that benefits communities, supports responsible businesses, and strengthens our economy. “The Bill will now be considered by a Select Committee later this year. I encourage anyone who has experienced problems with the current licensing system to make a submission and have their say,” says Dr Parmar.

𝗔𝗖𝗧: 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘆𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 ACT has lodged a differing view on the Racing Industry (Closure of Greyhound Racing Industry) Amendment Bill, urging real compensation for a sector that has had its property rights brushed aside. “Thousands of salt-of-the-earth New Zealanders have built livelihoods in greyhound racing. Many in the greyhound community feel Wellington doesn’t understand them, and now they are losing their industry through no fault of their own,” says ACT MP Cameron Luxton, who participated in the Primary Production Committee’s consideration of the Bill. “Greyhound breeders, owners, and venues invested in good faith. They followed the rules, complied with ever-increasing regulation, and adapted to stronger animal welfare standards. “ACT understands the intent of the Bill. We do not oppose moves to support animal welfare, and it is clear the legislation has the support of Parliament. We’d like to see the Bill improved. “When the state decides to close a lawful industry and render private assets worthless, property rights matter. ACT took the principled position to stand up for licensed firearm owners when Labour seized their property, and the same principle applies here. “ACT has listened closely to people involved in the industry and pushed hard for proper compensation. We have already shifted the dial so participants will recover at least part of their assets, and funds from the sector will be directed to re-homing dogs instead of horse racing. But let’s be honest, this is still a raw deal for many people who did everything asked of them. Betting on overseas greyhound racing will continue, but there’s no guarantee the revenue will support the industry’s wind-down. “Around 1,600 greyhounds will need to be rehomed. The SPCA, the Ministerial Advisory Committee, and industry representatives all acknowledge the scale of that challenge. Rushing the shutdown risks overwhelming rehoming agencies and harming the very animals the Bill claims to protect. “People built their lives around this sport. If Parliament insists on closing it, the least it can do is treat those people, and the dogs involved, with fairness, transparency, and basic decency.”

BREAKING: The Employment Leave Bill has passed its first reading. Previous Governments tried, and failed, to replace the convoluted Holidays Act. @BrookevanVelden is getting it done.

𝗣𝗣𝗧𝗔 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀: 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀’ 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 ACT is again challenging teacher unions to reverse their stance on charter schools, as the PPTA calls for one school counsellor for every 400 students – something charter schools can offer. “There is a sad irony to the PPTA’s campaign to redirect funding from charter schools to school counsellors in the state system,” says ACT Education spokesperson Laura McClure. “State schools can’t afford counsellors because they don’t have freedom to prioritise their spending. Charter schools do. “Ideas to lift attendance are welcome, no matter where they come from. More counsellors could help for some students. “Next week the PPTA will have to eat its hat. ACT is aware of a new charter school, yet to be announced, which answers PPTA’s call. The beauty of the charter school model is that it allows schools and communities, who know best, to identify what students need. They then can use their flexible funding to offer education which fills those gaps. “The PPTA has already changed its constitution to allow membership of teachers who work in charter schools. And just last week NZEI called for a teacher aide in every classroom, something charter schools can already do, such as what happens at Mastery School in Christchurch. “After a hat-trick of own goals, the unions have accidentally won the argument for charter schools. If they had any shame, they’d reverse their stance and support the charter school model.”

We cannot give Chris Hipkins the chance to screw up again.