These policies were last reviewed and updated on 04/11. Policy positions are reviewed and updated every Wednesday.
The National-led coalition Government launched “Going for Growth” centred around five pillars:
- Developing talent
- Competitive business settings
- Promoting global trade and investment
- Innovation, technology and science
- Infrastructure for growth.
You can read the summary of Government actions on going for growth here.
In November 2025 the Government announced the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill, aiming to create “a new fast-track consent option for new supermarkets that would improve grocery competition”.
Labour will create a New Zealand Future Fund that will “invest in infrastructure and innovative Kiwi businesses to create secure, well-paid jobs and grow wealth in every region”. In its first term, it has promised to “help small firms adopt proven tech in ways that protect working people”. Labour says it will reset how government, business, Iwi and communities work together. Read the full future fund policy here: https://www.labour.org.nz/futurefund
Labour says it will introduce legislation within the first 100 days of office that will require big business to pay small suppliers within 15 days for invoices of $25,000 or less.
The Greens say where markets are dominated by a few large firms, such as fuel, energy companies and supermarkets, they will “reform market structures” and increase powers and resources of regulatory agencies. They have recently released a policy proposing to create a government owned supermarket.
They also want to regulate businesses to be more environmentally and socially responsible, implement strategies to connect businesses and education, and address inequities facing Māori businesses.
ACT says overregulation and red tape is putting off potential supermarket competitors looking at set up shop in New Zealand. ACT leader David Seymour welcomed the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill, saying it “reflects ACT’s push to tackle high prices with less bureaucracy”.
New Zealand First wants to reduce the company tax rate for SMEs from 28% to 20% for companies with turnover under $30 million. It says this will incentivise investment and raise productivity.
Read more about the policy here
New Zealand First pledges to “break up the supermarket duopoly“, saying it will “reform the system and break up Foodstuffs into two nationwide cooperatives based on brand: one for New World and Four Square, and another for Pak’nSave – putting both in direct competition with Woolworths New Zealand.” NZ First have also proposed buying back the Bank of New Zealand, framing this as economic nationalism, rather than hostile nationalisation.
Te Pāti Māori say the Fast Track Amendment Bill isn’t about lowering the cost of kai, but is an attempt to “speed up extraction projects by cutting Māori and community voices out of the way.”
Te Tai Tokerau party proposes a Crown-Iwi Investment Fund to support investment in infrastructure, renewable energy and digital projects, and guaranteeing local mana whenua a minimum 25% equity stake in infrastructure projects. It also supports establishing Local Business incubators to help businesses grow through mentoring and capability building. The party’s broader objective is to create jobs and retain wealth and asset ownership within local communities.
Opportunity say its proposed Land Value Tax would shift capital from property to business investment. They would also increase government spending on research and development to 2%, and give the Commerce Commission the legal power and funding it needs to fight for Kiwi consumers, including the power to break up duopolies and other uncompetitive markets via the High Court.”. They say they would also “speed up access to the R&D tax credit and ensure ACC and the retail payment system are fair.”.
Retail NZ has included the policies of all parties currently represented in Parliament, listed in order of the number of seats they currently occupy. Additionally, any parties that poll at or above 3% in a political poll during 2026* will also be included underneath, in chronological order of when they met that threshold. Policies are reviewed and updated every Wednesday.
*Opportunity reached 3% in the 1News Verian Poll on 19 April 2026.
Are you looking for a policy you cannot find? Do you have any feedback? Let us know by clicking the button below.
We are proud to represent New Zealand retail, business owners and employers. Through our tireless advocacy work, we are New Zealand’s peak body for retailers. Learn more about how we lobby government for you.
