Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com
Te Pāti Māori has released a sweeping new tax package it says will put more pūtea — money — back into the pockets of almost every New Zealander, with 97% of people set to pay less income tax under the proposal.
The party’s “Kiwi Tax Plan” centres on a major shift: the first $30,000 of income would become tax‑free, dramatically reducing tax bills for workers, families and pensioners. Te Pāti Māori says around 4.2 million people would receive, on average, an extra $4,000 a year.
“This is a policy for everyone,” the party says. “Whether you’re a cleaner, a nurse, a teacher, a tradie, a pensioner or raising a whānau, we want you to keep more of what you earn.”
The party argues the plan responds to rising living costs, with food, housing and power bills continuing to squeeze household budgets. “Our answer is simple: put pūtea back in people’s pockets and give Aotearoa some room to breathe.”
Alongside the tax‑free threshold, the plan includes targeted support for lower‑income earners. People earning $60,000 or less would receive a tax credit worth up to eight weeks of kai each year, benefiting around 3 million New Zealanders.
To balance the books, Te Pāti Māori proposes a targeted wealth tax affecting only the wealthiest 3% of New Zealanders. The party says 97% of people would pay no wealth tax at all. Additional revenue would come from higher contributions from corporations, offshore profit transfers, vacant properties and land banking.
“This isn’t about Māori versus non‑Māori, or workers versus business,” the party says. “It’s about building an economy that works for the overwhelming majority of people who call Aotearoa home.”
Te Pāti Māori says the Kiwi Tax Plan is designed to ensure “everyone has an opportunity to thrive,” positioning the proposal as a universal cost‑of‑living relief package ahead of the next election.
