Promises vs record
What each party published as a promise for the 2023 election, set against what actually happened over the 2023–26 parliamentary term. The parties that formed the government — National, ACT and NZ First — are judged delivered, partly delivered or not delivered. Parties in opposition (Labour, Greens, Te Pāti Māori), and TOP which did not enter Parliament, are marked untested because they had no power to enact their 2023 promises. Every entry links to its sources so you can check the wording yourself. Weigh this alongside what they are promising for 2026.
National
In government 2023–26- DeliveredTax & economy
Adjust income tax brackets and deliver tax relief to middle-income households.
Personal income tax thresholds were lifted from 31 July 2024 — the first income tax relief since 2010 — alongside an expanded Independent Earner Tax Credit and the new FamilyBoost childcare rebate, as set out in Budget 2024.
Sources: beehive.govt.nz, rnz.co.nz, treasury.govt.nz
- DeliveredHousing
Restore interest deductibility for residential rental properties.
Interest deductibility on residential rentals was phased back in — 80% from 1 April 2024 and 100% from 1 April 2025 — reversing the prior government's interest limitation rules.
Sources: ird.govt.nz, beehive.govt.nz, rnz.co.nz
- DeliveredLocal government
Repeal and replace the Three Waters reform programme.
Labour's Three Waters legislation was repealed in February 2024 (Water Services Acts Repeal Act 2024) and replaced with the Local Water Done Well framework, requiring councils to produce water services delivery plans.
Sources: beehive.govt.nz, legislation.govt.nz
- Not deliveredHealth
Build a new hospital and expand Dunedin Hospital to the promised specification.
The rebuild was paused in late 2024 after costs were projected at up to $3b, then scaled back: the inpatient building will open with about 351 beds (later restated to 371), well below the 430-bed business case, though future-proofed to expand. A 35,000-strong Dunedin protest called for the original build.
- DeliveredWelfare & super
No changes to the superannuation eligibility age.
The New Zealand Superannuation eligibility age remained 65 throughout the term, in line with the coalition commitment.
Sources: national.org.nz
- Partly deliveredHealth
Reach 10,000 more frontline health workers and cut health wait times.
Health targets (shorter ED waits, elective and planned care) were reintroduced by Health NZ, but several were still being missed into the second year. The '10,000 more frontline workers' figure is drawn from the 2023 promise and end-of-term official workforce counts vary, so the workforce element is marked limited-confidence.
Sources: tewhatuora.govt.nz
ACT
In government 2023–26- DeliveredCrime & justice
Reinstate Three Strikes sentencing legislation.
The Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Act 2024 received Royal assent on 17 December 2024, with the regime in force from 17 June 2025, fulfilling the National–ACT coalition commitment.
Sources: legislation.govt.nz, justice.govt.nz
- DeliveredEducation
Restore charter schools.
Legislation re-introducing charter schools (kura hourua) passed its third reading on 25 September 2024 via the Education and Training Amendment Act, with the first schools opening in 2025.
Sources: rnz.co.nz, legislation.govt.nz
- Not deliveredMāori-Crown relations
Introduce and pass a Treaty Principles Bill for public referendum.
The Treaty Principles Bill passed its first reading in November 2024 and went to select committee, but was defeated at its second reading on 10 April 2025 — so it was not enacted and no referendum was held.
Sources: legislation.govt.nz, beehive.govt.nz
- DeliveredRegulation & economy
Establish a Ministry for Regulation and pass a Regulatory Standards Act.
The Ministry for Regulation was established in 2024, and the Regulatory Standards Act 2025 — providing for principles of good regulation and a Regulatory Standards Board — was passed, commencing 1 January 2026.
Sources: legislation.govt.nz, beehive.govt.nz, regulation.govt.nz
NZ First
In government 2023–26- DeliveredEducation
Move the fees-free tertiary scheme to the final year of study.
The first-year Fees Free scheme was replaced with a final-year model from 1 January 2025, delivering the National–NZ First coalition commitment; learners can claim up to $12,000 after completing their first qualification.
Sources: beehive.govt.nz, tec.govt.nz
- DeliveredMāori-Crown relations
Remove co-governance obligations from public services and the health system.
The Pae Ora (Disestablishment of Māori Health Authority) Amendment Act 2024 disestablished Te Aka Whai Ora from 30 June 2024, removing the co-governance joint-decision-making provisions from the health system.
Sources: legislation.govt.nz
- DeliveredWelfare & super
Keep the superannuation age at 65 and protect entitlements.
The superannuation eligibility age remained 65 and entitlements were protected through the term, consistent with the NZ First position.
Sources: nzfirst.nz
- Partly deliveredEconomy & innovation
Establish a dedicated space agency and grow the aerospace sector.
A standalone New Zealand space agency was not established; aerospace work continued under MBIE's existing space policy and the Aerospace Activation Plan. As the 'dedicated agency' status is unclear, this is marked limited-confidence.
Sources: mbie.govt.nz
Labour
Opposition 2023–26- Untested (not in government)Cost of living
Remove GST from fresh fruit and vegetables.
Untested — Labour was in opposition for the 2023–26 term and did not have the numbers to legislate this.
Sources: labour.org.nz
- Untested (not in government)Health
Expand free dental care to under-30s.
Untested — Labour was in opposition for the 2023–26 term and did not have the numbers to legislate this.
Sources: labour.org.nz
- Partly deliveredEducation & work
Continue the apprenticeship boost and free trades training.
The Apprenticeship Boost continued with $65m over four years in Budget 2024, but eligibility narrowed from 2025 to first-year apprentices in key industries; free trades training was not restored at scale.
Sources: workandincome.govt.nz, national.org.nz
Green
Opposition 2023–26- Untested (not in government)Tax & economy
Introduce a wealth tax to fund a guaranteed minimum income.
Untested — the Greens were in opposition for the 2023–26 term and did not have the numbers to legislate this.
Sources: greens.org.nz
- Untested (not in government)Health
Free dental care for all via the public health system.
Untested — the Greens were in opposition for the 2023–26 term and did not have the numbers to legislate this.
Sources: greens.org.nz
- Not deliveredClimate & energy
Strengthen climate action including agriculture emissions pricing.
The government took agriculture out of the NZ ETS — the Climate Change Response (ETS Agricultural Obligations) Amendment Act passed in November 2024, removing on-farm emissions pricing. As the Greens were in opposition, their stronger climate-action promise was not enacted.
Sources: environment.govt.nz, beehive.govt.nz, legislation.govt.nz
Te Pāti Māori
Opposition 2023–26- Untested (not in government)Cost of living
Remove GST from all food and lift benefits to a liveable income.
Untested — Te Pāti Māori was in opposition for the 2023–26 term and did not have the numbers to legislate this.
Sources: maoriparty.org
- Untested (not in government)Māori-Crown relations
Constitutional transformation including a Māori parliament by 2040.
Untested — Te Pāti Māori was in opposition for the 2023–26 term and did not have the numbers to advance this.
Sources: maoriparty.org
TOP
Not in Parliament 2023–26- Untested (not in government)Tax & economy
Tax reform with a land value tax funding a tax-free threshold.
Untested — TOP did not enter Parliament after the 2023 election and had no power to enact this.
Sources: top.org.nz
- Untested (not in government)Economy & innovation
Universal basic services pilots including free public transport.
Untested — TOP did not enter Parliament after the 2023 election and had no power to enact this.
Sources: top.org.nz