2023 Election Scorecards ✅

Find out which parties have committed to improving the wellbeing of all people in Aotearoa 👇

Help us spread the word by sharing our scorecard, and inspire people in your community to get out the vote ✅ and to make an informed decision 🔎 about which party stands for what’s important to them.

Download the scorecards as PDF

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Table of overall scoring for political parties. Open PDF linked above for a screenreader friendly version

“Elections bring with them tides of information that, while important to understand, are overwhelming to navigate.

That’s why our organisations have come together to create these scorecards as an easy-to-read overview of policies within our respective kaupapa and each political party’s opinion on them. We hope these election aids can be a lighthouse for any voters struggling to navigate this election’s murky waters.”

– Matariki Roche, Communication Coordinator at Young Workers Resource Centre

📜 Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi

An Aotearoa where Te Tiriti o Waitangi is honoured, where our constitution and structures reflect our Treaty commitments, and where tino rangatiratanga is guaranteed to Māori.

Labour	National	Green	ACT	Māori
❓Does your party support tino rangatiratanga for all Māori, as per Te Tiriti o Waitangi?
Yes. Policy 🔗.	Yes. “Recognition of the Treaty of Waitangi as the founding document of New Zealand is one of the National Party’s values.” Policy 🔗(page 3)	Yes. Policy 🔗	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “ACT supports all New Zealanders having rights and say over their own property and possessions.“	Yes. Policy 🔗
❓Does your party support constitutional transformation so that Te Tiriti o Waitangi and He Whakapūtanga are honoured in practice, as per the recommendations of the Matike Mai report?
No. Policy 🔗	No. “We think New Zealand’s constitutional settings function well and are not proposing any changes.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “ACT supports the text of te Tiriti and does not have a position on He Whakapūtanga”.	Yes. Policy 🔗

💸 Tax and addressing Corporate Profits

A progressive tax system that will fund our much needed public services while addressing the growing inequity in Aotearoa.

Labour	National	Green	Act	Māori
❓Does your party support introducing a capital gains tax?
No. Policy 🔗	No. “National wants to give Kiwis tax relief.” Policy 🔗	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. Policy 🔗
❓Does your party support introducing a wealth tax?
No. Policy 🔗	No. “National wants to give Kiwis tax relief.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. Policy 🔗
❓Does your party support introducing an increase on the corporate tax rate and/or a tax on excess profits (aka windfall tax)?
No. Policy 🔗	No. “National wants to give Kiwis tax relief.” Policy 🔗	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. Policy 🔗
❓Does your party support introducing domestic price controls on food, electricity and petrol?
No. Policy 🔗	No. “It’s well established that price controls don’t work and only lead to shortages.” Policy 🔗	Yes. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “The Green Party supports affordable food, electricity, and transport – flick through our 2023 manifesto, The Time is Now, to see how we will make this happen.” Policy 🔗	No.	Yes, on food. Policy to be announced.
❓Does your party support removing GST from all food?
No. Policy 🔗	No. “The focus should be on getting inflation under control rather than band-aids like messing with our world-leading GST system.”	No. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. Policy 🔗

“This election is crucial in terms of the direction we’re going to take as a country.”

“We don’t have time to continue colonial patterns, solutions and cycles that don’t work, and these cards make it easier to see which parties are about centring the needs of people and planet. This is what we must do if we’re going to respond to the big issues we’re all facing.”

– Brooke Fiafia Pao Stanley, Auckland Action Against Poverty

⚖️ Fairness

Happy, thriving communities where everyone has what they need to build their best lives.

Labour	National	Green	Act	Māori
❓Does your party support increasing core benefit levels to the standard of livable incomes?
Yes. Policy 🔗	Yes. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “We will continue to increase benefits regularly while ensuring there are strong incentives to move off welfare into work.“	Yes. Policy 🔗	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “Core benefit levels are liveable and are indexed to inflation so will remain so.”	Yes. Policy 🔗
❓Does your party support the individualisation of benefits?
Yes.	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “We think the current approach of taking family income into account is appropriate.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. Policy 🔗
❓Does your party support the removal of all income support sanctions?
No.	No. “We support the use of sanctions for those who can work but refuse to.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. Policy 🔗
❓Does your party support the wiping of all debt owed to the Ministry of Social Development?
No. Policy 🔗	No. “In general, people who take on debt should repay it. But we are open to alternative solutions for those who are unable to repay their debt.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. Policy 🔗

🚔 Justice

Towards a fair, just and flourishing Aotearoa.

Labour	National	Green	Act	Māori
❓Is your party committed to closing down Oranga Tamariki Residences (Youth Justice and Care and Protection) in favour of community based solutions?
No.	No. “We support community based solutions, but Oranga Tamariki Residences are necessary because community based solutions are not always appropriate.” Policy 🔗	Yes. Policy 🔗	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “We support strengthening both community based solutions and YJ residences, and would transfer responsibility for YJ residences to Corrections.”	Yes. “2023 Justice policy to be announced.”
❓Does your party support raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to at least 14?
No. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. “2023 Justice policy to be announced.”
❓Does your party support improving the accountability of the Department of Corrections by making monitoring and oversight reports more regular and publicly available?
Yes. Policy 🔗	Yes. “National is supportive of measures to improve accountability across the public service, including at Corrections.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	Yes.	Yes. “No specific policy but yes based on party values.”
❓Does your party support banning the use of chemical irritants in enclosed environments (such as pepper spray)?
No.	No. “We support frontline staff – like Police and Corrections Officers – having access to the tools they need to do their job safely.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. “No specific policy but yes based on party values.”
❓Does your party support reducing the prison population and instead building a pathway to an effective justice system that addresses harm but no longer relies on prison?
No.	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “Everyone wants fewer prisoners, but the only safe way to do that is to reduce crime – not through arbitrary targets. Reducing crime will be our focus.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response:“ACT has always supported strengthened rehabilitation for prisoners but are not committed to targeting a reduction in numbers.”	Yes. Policy 🔗

“We’ve made it easy for voters to see which political parties are committed to upholding Te Tiriti O Waitangi, ensuring everyone has a secure, healthy home, and cutting the emissions that are fuelling climate storms.

With everything on the line this election, it’s crucial voters have this tool to assess which political parties will fight for a fairer, healthier society that works for all of us. After the election, we’ll be holding political parties to account for the pledges they’ve made.”

– Adam Currie, Climate Campaigner at 350 Aotearoa

🌱 Climate

A future that’s just, prosperous, equitable and safe from the effects of the climate crisis.

Labour	National	Green	Act	Māori
❓Does your party support the transition to regenerative, plant-based, organic agriculture that phases out synthetic nitrogen fertiliser and imported feed?
No. Policy 🔗	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “If some farmers want to adopt alternative farming practices, they can.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “If farmers want to operate their land in that way then yes.”	Yes. Policy 🔗
❓Is your party committed to a renewable energy future supported through community-led distributed solutions and a ban on new oil, gas, and coal exploration on land and at sea?
No.	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “National’s Electrify NZ policy would support a doubling of investment in renewable energy by cutting consenting red tape. We do not support a ban on oil and gas exploration.” Policy 🔗	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. Policy 🔗
❓Does your party support the transition towards high-density, low emissions communities by making public transport fares free and prioritising investment in walking, cycling, and accessible public transport infrastructure over road spending?
Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. “2023 climate policy to be announced.”
❓Does your party support the preservation of the ocean’s crucial role in storing carbon by shifting to ecosystem-based fisheries management that ends bottom trawling?
No.	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “We support sensible management of our fishery stocks to protect them into the future, but we can do that without a complete ban on bottom trawling.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. Policy 🔗
❓Does your party support real emissions reduction firstly and secondly where offsets are required that the protection and restoration of indigenous forests, wetlands and peatlands are a priority over offshore offsets and domestic exotic carbon offsets?
Yes. Policy 🔗	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “National is fully committed to achieving New Zealand’s international climate change goals, with the ETS providing price signals to drive change. But we don’t think we should cover our most productive farmland in trees, so would ban foreign investment in farms for carbon farming.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. “2023 climate policy to be announced.”
❓Does your party support effectively controlling deer, goats, and possums on all public land through an increase in pest control?
Yes. Policy 🔗	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “We are committed to our predator 2050 target. Will stop game animals being classified as pests.” Policy 🔗	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. “2023 climate policy to be announced.”
❓Does your party support Māori governance over Government-funded climate initiatives, particularly Iwi/hapū when local?
Yes. Policy 🔗	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “National does not support co-governance of public services, however we support the devolution of services to local groups where practical.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “ACT supports localism over central planning, localism will likely often take the form of iwi/hapu initiatives.”	Yes. Policy 🔗

🤝 Workers

Supporting people to have empowering employment experiences and sustainable careers.

Labour	National	Green	Act	Māori
❓Does your party support Fair Pay Agreements?
Yes. Policy 🔗	No. “National wants a higher wage economy, but the way to achieve that is through letting businesses grow and compete, not by imposing mandatory union deals across entire industries.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. “No specific policy but yes based on party values.”
❓Does your party oppose the extension of 90 Day Trials?
Yes. Policy 🔗	No. “We support the extension of 90- day trials to all businesses.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No. ACT answered Yes. However, the coalition corrected the party’s answer due to the members Bill of James McDowall. Policy 🔗	Yes. “No specific policy but yes based on party values.”
❓Is your party a Living Wage employer?
Yes. Policy 🔗	No. “We are not an accredited Living Wage employer.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	Yes.	Yes.
❓Does your party support pay transparency through mandatory pay gap reporting?
Yes. Policy 🔗	No. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “We are yet to announce our employment relations policy.“	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. “No specific policy but yes based on party values.”
❓Will your party support The Green Jobs Guarantee that ensures every person who wants a job in the green economy will be able to get one?
No.	No. “Our focus will be on fixing the economy to lift incomes and ensure Kiwis have more options and opportunities about where and how they work.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. “2023 climate policy to be announced.”
❓Does your party support establishing a Ministry of Green Works to future-proof our communities while ensuring a just transition for workers?
No.	No. “We support investing in greater resilience in our communities as the effects of climate change become more prevalent. We will do this across Government.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. “If the Ministry is founded on partnership with Māori and does not repeat the injustices of the Ministry of Works which was an instrument of colonisation.”

“In an election where so much is at stake for the communities, we support everyone needs to understand what’s on the table and what the means for them.”

“Our scorecards allow our half a million members across Aotearoa to make informed decisions when they head to the polls this year.”

– Geordie Rogers, President of Renters United

🏠 Housing

Towards a future where everyone has a place to call home.

Labour	National	Green	Act	Māori
❓Does your party commit to building and buying enough public housing to house the entire public housing waitlist over the next term?
No.	No. “Undoing six years of housing failure under Labour will take time – we need to fix the private rental market and reduce the cost of living to reduce demand, we need to deliver more social housing places, and we need to get children out of cars and motels.” Policy 🔗	Yes. This was rated by the coalition based on the party’s response: “The Green Party will deliver 35,000 new warm, affordable homes over the next five years.” Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. Policy 🔗
❓Significantly increasing resourcing for Māori Housing initiatives at all levels?
Yes. Policy 🔗	No. “Our focus will be on using the significant resources already allocated and making sure that money actually turns into houses.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. Policy 🔗
❓Ensuring all new public housing is built using Universal Design principles to make them fully accessible?
No. “The target is 15% of newly built state homes.”	No. “We support housing being accessible but overly restrictive design rules will mean less supply.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. “2023 Disability policy to be announced.”
❓Ensuring no one in public, social or community housing pays more than 25% of their income on housing?
No.	Yes. “We support the policy of income related rents.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. “No specific policy but yes based on party values.”

Private Renting – Towards a private rental sector that’s healthy, safe, affordable, stable and fair.

Labour	National	Green	Act	Māori
❓Does your party commit to implementing a Rental Warrant of Fitness, or increased funding for the Tenancy Compliance and Investigation team so they can work with local councils?
No. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. “2023 Housing policy to be announced.”
❓Does your party commit to implementing legislation that ensures negligent landlords can be forced to stop renting out their homes?
Yes. Policy 🔗	No. “But we are happy to look at proposals to protect tenants.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. “2023 Housing policy to be announced.”
❓Does your party commit to implementing a cap on annual rent increases to no more than CPI (minus rent) unless reasonable improvements have been made to the property?
No.	No. “Economists don’t agree on much but they overwhelmingly agree that rent controls are counterproductive. We want downward pressure on rents, through more supply.”	Yes. Policy 🔗	No.	Yes. “No specific policy but yes based on party values.”

Methodology

How information was gathered

We reached out to political parties polling over 1% to find out where each of their positions on solutions are for our times.

At the time of our outreach (8th July 2023) these were Labour Party, National Party, Green Party, Te Pāti Māori, the Opportunities Party, and New Zealand First. We gave each political party to answer a questionnaire Yes or No and provide any relevant policy links. The information was willingly provided by the political parties.

Where a party failed to give a conclusive Yes or No, the coalition decided on behalf of the party based on the comment made and relevant policy link. These answers are clearly marked in the scorecards and table above.

How the scoring system works

To make it even easier for voters to get a quick summary of a party’s policy commitments towards a fairer and more just Aotearoa, the coalition decided to provide school grades from A-F for each party’s overall scores and the different categories.

These scores were decided on by calculating the percentage of Yes answers and then using this scoring system:

A	B	C	D	E	F
> 83.3%	> 63.8%	> 47.2%	> 27.7%	> 13.8%	> 0%

About us

Together we are a coalition consisting of ActionStation, Auckland Action Against Poverty, Fairer Future, JustSpeak, 350 Aotearoa, the Young Workers Resource Centre, Public Housing Futures and Renters United represents the voice of over 500,000 people across Aotearoa.

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