Economy · Party position

Conservative Party NZ on Economy

Lower taxes, smaller government, growth through fewer regulations

The Conservative Party says government spends and borrows too much and needs to be made much smaller. They want lower taxes to encourage young New Zealanders to stay and work here, fewer rules on businesses, and more spending shifted to infrastructure. They also want to use New Zealand's own fossil fuels and minerals to create jobs and grow the economy.

What they say they'll do

Lower taxes to encourage young New Zealanders to stay and work here
Reduce government spending and borrowing significantly
Cut regulations and reduce the size of the government workforce
Shift government spending toward infrastructure
Develop New Zealand's fossil fuels and minerals, including an oil refinery
Restrict immigration of unskilled workers during periods of high youth unemployment

Who this affects

Young workers

The party proposes tax settings aimed at making it more attractive for young New Zealanders to stay and work in New Zealand rather than leaving.

Small businesses

The party says it will reduce the number and burden of regulations that businesses currently have to comply with.

Taxpayers generally

The party proposes cutting government spending and borrowing, which it says means less government control over people's lives.

Infrastructure users

The party says it will shift more government spending toward infrastructure projects.

Unemployed young people

The party proposes immigration settings that would limit the entry of unskilled foreign workers at times when youth unemployment is high.

In their own words

“Government spending, borrowing and control of our lives must be slashed.”

“Lower taxes, higher growth. Fewer and less burdensome regulations. Smaller government workforce.”

“Tax settings which encourage young Kiwis to stay and work in New Zealand.”

Verify at Conservative Party NZ — official policy page

Summarised neutrally from Conservative Party NZ’s own official policy (as at 2026-07-16) and checked by an editor. Nothing is paraphrased without the source linked. Read the original ↗ Arapono is non-partisan. Compare all parties on Economy →

In depth — from Conservative Party NZ’s policy document

Smaller government: spending, agencies and regulation

The Conservatives would shrink government to what they call its core business — justice, defence, border control and critical infrastructure — abolishing agencies and programmes they judge useless, ending all climate-focused taxes, subsidies and regulations, and ending corporate welfare including media subsidies. Working for Families would be replaced by FamilyBuilder tax cuts, legislation would curtail what they term unconstitutional bureaucratic power, and spending would be redirected to roads, bridges and waterways.

Core business

Four areas

Climate policy

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Conservative Party NZ on Economy

What they say they'll do

Who this affects

In their own words

Smaller government: spending, agencies and regulation

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