Labour
New Zealand Labour Party
Opposition Founded 1916
Leader of the Opposition
Chris Hipkins
Centre-left party and principal opposition to the current government
34
Seats
27.6% of 123
Overview
The New Zealand Labour Party is the country's principal centre-left party, founded by the trade union movement in 1916. Labour governed New Zealand from 2017 to 2023 under Jacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins, and now serves as the largest opposition party in the 54th Parliament.
History
Labour has been at the heart of New Zealand's progressive tradition since its founding. The first Labour government (1935–1949) introduced the welfare state, free healthcare, and state housing. Modern Labour governments have continued this tradition through Working for Families, KiwiSaver, and major public service investments under the Ardern–Hipkins government.
Founded in 1916, one of New Zealand's oldest political parties
Core values
Fair wages, workers' rights and strong unions
Accessible public healthcare and mental health services
Affordable housing for all New Zealanders
Climate action and environmental protection
Reducing child poverty and inequality
Free and high-quality public education
Where they stand
Tap an issue to read Labour’s position on it, in our words with their source. 11 of 11 topics have a recorded position.
Labour on Economy
Future Fund, transport cap, and capital gains tax
Labour says it will set up a New Zealand Future Fund to invest in the country's future. It will cap weekly public transport costs at $20 per person. It also has a Capital Gains Tax policy and wants to make several everyday costs cheaper, like prescriptions, doctor visits, and maternity scans, through a new Medicard.
What they say they'll do
- Cap weekly public transport fares at $20 per person
- Establish a New Zealand Future Fund to invest in the country's future
- Introduce a Capital Gains Tax
- Make prescriptions free by removing the $5 fee
- Provide three free doctor visits a year via a new Medicard
- Make maternity scans and cervical screening free
Who this affects
Public transport users
Their weekly bus or train costs would be capped at $20 under Labour's proposal.
Investors and property owners
A Capital Gains Tax would apply to their assets, as outlined in Labour's policy.
General public
Free prescriptions, doctor visits, maternity scans, and cervical screening would reduce out-of-pocket health costs for everyone.
In their own words
“$20 a week is the most you'll pay to get around by bus or train under Labour.”
“Backing New Zealand's potential and investing in our future - for a future made in New Zealand.”
“Labour will remove the $5 fee on prescriptions to make them free – for everyone.”
Summarised neutrally from Labour’s own official policy (as at 2026-06-22) and checked by an editor. Nothing is paraphrased without the source linked. Read the original ↗ Arapono is non-partisan. Compare all parties on Economy →
Legislative record this term
54th Parliament · as at 28 August 2026
As an opposition party, Labour doesn’t lead government bills (only ministers can). Its MPs advance policy through members’ bills: each MP may lodge one in a ballot, and a few are drawn at random each fortnight to be introduced. Most never are, so the ballot figure below is what’s waiting rather than what’s before Parliament.
4
Members’ bills passed into law
23
Lodged in the ballot, not yet introduced
14
Before the House now
Passed into law
Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Bill
Companies (Address Information) Amendment Bill
Evidence (Giving Family Violence Evidence in Family Court Proceedings) Amendment Bill
Employment Relations (Employee Remuneration Disclosure) Amendment Bill
Leadership
Chris Hipkins
Leader of the Opposition
At a glance
20 electorate 14 list
Total seats34
Electorate seats20
List seats14
Share of House27.6%
Founded1916
Latest coverage
News and video mentioning Labour, from the sources on our coverage page.
In the news
'Flabbergasted': Road freight lobby criticises fuel excise deferralRNZ · 27 AugLabour promises not to increase fuel excise for a full termRNZ · 27 AugNicola Willis confirms no fuel tax increase in January, Labour promises none for three yearsStuff · 27 AugElection 2026: Chris Hipkins says capital gains tax is Labour’s only tax – but is he staying quiet on another increase?NZ Herald · 27 AugRaw Politics: The kids bring National and Labour togetherNewsroom · 26 Aug
All news On video
#BHN Nicola repeats "No New Taxes" but Barbara brings it back to rea…Big Hairy Network · 27 Aug#BHN Barbara Edmonds reminds us that good law-making takes time and …Big Hairy Network · 26 AugThree more years of National means higher unemployment, more cuts, h…Labour Party · 26 AugTe Pāti Māori proposes 48% income tax rate, tax credit for kai | Stu…Stuff · 26 Aug
Sources
Seat counts from the 2023 General Election (Electoral Commission). Party background from parliament.nz and official party records. Leadership verified against the parliament.nz member roster.