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Independent public-opinion data2026 election cycle / Public beta
CAMPAIGN GUIDE · NEW ZEALAND 2026

Compare the parties.

See the proposals, follow the funding and read the evidence.

7 parties67 selected policy summariesChecked

Proposals and forecasts are party claims. Our checks trace the sources and arithmetic; coalition agreements may change delivery.

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Education

Early learning, schools, tertiary study and student support.

2 summaries · 1 party

National

2 summaries

School readiness, qualifications and learning support

Change school readiness checks, screens, qualifications and leaving requirements, alongside learning-support reforms already funded.

2026 election policyParty source
Our assessment & details

Our assessment

Analysis
Strengths
  • Readiness checks explicitly avoid pass/fail school entry and build on existing early-intervention support, giving identified needs a defined support route.Evidence
Trade-offs & risks
  • Screen restrictions narrow teaching choices; new reporting and qualification rules also require services to change practice.Evidence 1Evidence 2
Open questions
  • What staff time and resources are needed, and how will readiness checks, disability exemptions and the qualification transition be implemented?Evidence 1Evidence 2

Party proposal

National proposes school-readiness checks, screen-use rules, consistent term dates and qualification changes. Its manifesto also describes learning-support coordinators and teacher-aide hours as already delivered or funded reforms.

Who it covers
Children, families and schools. The coordinator proposal covers schools with Year 1–8 students; students would stay until Year 11 is completed or age 16, whichever is later, with exemptions for employment or further training.
Timing
NCEA replacement begins in 2028. The coordinators and two million additional annual teacher-aide hours are part of an already funded rollout from 2028.
Cost & funding stated by the party
The ECE paper refers to existing $266m Early Intervention Service funding. Screen-use changes are primarily regulatory; checks build on existing information. A whole-package new spending cost is not stated in these papers.
Sources reviewed
National: 2026 education proposals Policy page · Publication date not stated
National: school-leaving proposal and exemptions Announcement · Published
National: full education manifesto Policy paper · Publication date not stated
National: early childhood paper Policy paper · Publication date not stated

Lower domestic loan repayments and increase overseas enforcement

Lower domestic student-loan repayments from 12% to 10%, while adding overseas penalties and enforcement. The debt still needs repaying.

2026 election policyParty source
Our assessment & details

Our assessment

Analysis
Strengths
  • Lower compulsory deductions would give domestic borrowers more income now, with a stated start date and voluntary extra repayments retained.Evidence
Trade-offs & risks
  • Lower payments delay clearance rather than forgive debt, while overseas borrowers face extra penalties. The Crown also receives repayments later.Evidence
Open questions
  • What cash/debt path accompanies the $296m valuation charge, and how robust are the overseas collection assumptions?Evidence 1Evidence 2

Party proposal

National would lower the compulsory domestic student-loan repayment rate from 12% to 10% and add penalties and enforcement for overseas borrowers. Lower repayments do not cancel the loan.

Who it covers
Domestic borrowers making income-based repayments and overseas borrowers covered by the enforcement proposals. Existing repayment thresholds remain relevant.
Timing
The domestic repayment-rate change starts 1 April 2027. The cost table covers 2026/27–2030/31.
Cost & funding stated by the party
The five-year net operating cost is $372.6m after forecast penalty revenue and enforcement recoveries, matching the fiscal plan. The $296m current-year charge is principally a loan-book valuation effect; slower cash repayments affect debt on a separate path not fully scheduled here.

The enforcement estimate assumes $25m gross annual recoveries for $10m of extra annual funding, leaving $15m net. This is a collection assumption, not a guaranteed return.

Sources reviewed
National: student-loan paper Policy paper · Publication date not stated
National: new fiscal plan Policy paper · Published

Selected coverage, not a ranking of policy quality. How we review the sources

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