Colin Ambler/cvnznews.com
Polling near the bottom these days, the once‑prominent Conservative Party remains in the race, determined to offer an alternative voice in this year’s election.
Rebranded again as the Conservative Party of NZ after the fallout surrounding founding leader Colin Craig, the party has struggled to regain traction with voters. Yet despite its diminished profile, the party insists it is not out of the fight, releasing a fresh suite of policies aimed at voters seeking a different direction for New Zealand.
Finance Policy
Conservatives NZ says its priority is tackling what it describes as the “massive debt” imposed on young families by the Labour–Green government. The party proposes a flat tax rate for both individuals and companies, arguing that lower, simpler taxation encourages full disclosure and stimulates economic growth. They point to the late 1980s, when reduced tax rates coincided with increased Treasury revenue.
The party believes New Zealand’s tax settings should remain competitive with countries like Australia, encouraging investment based on genuine returns rather than tax advantages. Aligning the corporate tax rate with the top personal rate, they argue, would reduce administrative costs and discourage artificial shifting of income between personal and business accounts. Lower company tax, they say, would attract businesses back to New Zealand, boost employment, and strengthen Treasury revenue. A reduced GST rate of 12.5% is also favoured.
Trade and Foreign Affairs
Australia and China remain New Zealand’s key trading partners, but Conservatives NZ emphasises that China must be treated as a priority. They call for a more careful diplomatic approach—one that avoids the missteps they believe have harmed Australia’s relationship with Beijing. With tourism and international education still recovering from Covid‑era isolation policies, the party argues that New Zealand must stabilise and grow its commercial ties with China, particularly in forestry, agriculture, horticulture and fisheries.
The party also warns that tariff‑free imports have damaged New Zealand’s manufacturing base. They propose reviewing all trade agreements to find a balance between open access and excessive protectionism.
Defence
Conservatives NZ supports maintaining a close military alliance with Australia. They favour investment in supply and reconstruction units, both for regional security and disaster recovery across the Pacific. They also propose mandatory senior command training in Australia and annual joint exercises.
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