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All parties on Economy
Economy · Party position

National on Economy

Rebuild economy, cut cost of living, boost retirement savings

National says it wants to rebuild the economy and help with the cost of living. One key plan is making KiwiSaver compulsory for all workers from 1 July 2028, so more people save for retirement. They say 99.5 per cent of people currently contributing through wages will benefit from changes to KiwiSaver.

What they say they'll do

  • Make KiwiSaver compulsory for all workers from 1 July 2028
  • Provide cost of living relief
  • Rebuild the economy

Who this affects

Workers not currently in KiwiSaver
From 1 July 2028, all workers would be required to contribute to KiwiSaver under this policy, meaning automatic enrolment and contributions would apply to those not already participating.
General public / households
National says its cost of living relief measures are aimed at everyday New Zealanders facing higher prices.

In their own words

“A re-elected National Government will strengthen New Zealanders' financial security by making KiwiSaver compulsory for all workers from 1 July 2028”
“99.5 per cent of people contributing to KiwiSaver through their wages or salaries can look forward to greater security in retirement”
“National is fixing the basics and building the future”
Verify at National — official policy page

Summarised neutrally from National’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 →

In depth — from National’s policy document

Compulsory KiwiSaver, and three changes around it

National proposes making KiwiSaver contributions compulsory for all workers from 1 July 2028, at the default rate on a glidepath reaching 6 percent each from employee and employer by 2032. Alongside it: a $1,500 Baby Boost with automatic enrolment at birth, a government KiwiSaver contribution for people on paid parental leave whether or not they contribute themselves, and compulsory employer contributions for workers over 65 — all from 1 July 2027.

Compulsory from
1 July 2028
Contribution glidepath
6% each by 2032
In depth — from National’s policy document

Paid parental leave: 26 weeks to 30

National proposes lifting paid parental leave from 26 weeks to 30 in three annual steps between 2027 and 2029, and separately allowing both parents to take their leave at the same time rather than only one after the other. It would also keep in force the change letting annual leave accrue during parental leave so returning parents are paid in full. The stated longer-term aim is 40 weeks.

Now
26 weeks
By 1 July 2029
30 weeks
Longer-term aim
Baby Boost
$1,500 at birth
Read the full breakdown5 sections · 2 worked examples · 3 quotes · 4 open questions
40 weeks
Read the full breakdown5 sections · 1 worked example · 3 quotes · 4 open questions

Coverage at a glance

Which party holds a published position on which topic.

Open the compare tool →

Swipe across to see all 11 topics — the party column stays put.

PartyEconomyHousingHealthEducationClimateEnvironmentCrime & JusticeTreaty & Māori AffairsImmigrationForeign PolicyDemocracy & Government
National
Published position∅ No stated position (verified) Not captured yet
∅
Labour∅∅∅∅∅∅
Green
ACT
NZ First
Te Pāti Māori
TOP
Also contesting, without seats in Parliament
Women’s Rights
Animal Justice
ALCP
Conservative
Outdoors & Freedom
Vision NZ
Alliance
Free Palestine
NZ Loyal∅
Te Tai Tokerau∅