Conservative Party NZ on Economy

Lower taxes, reduce debt, encourage business and investment

The Conservative Party wants to cut taxes for people and businesses, lower GST from 15% to 12.5%, and reduce the government debt built up under the previous Labour-Green government. They believe lower tax rates will bring more money into the country, encourage people to start businesses, and keep New Zealanders from moving overseas. They also want company tax rates to match the top personal income tax rate to make things simpler.

What they say they'll do

Press for lower income tax rates for individuals
Lower company tax rates, aligned with the top personal income tax rate
Reduce GST to 12.5%
Urgently tackle government debt
Align New Zealand tax rates with or below those of countries like Australia to remain competitive

Who this affects

Individual taxpayers

The party proposes reducing the rate of income tax that individuals pay.

Small businesses and entrepreneurs

Lower tax rates and aligned company/personal tax rates are intended to reduce administrative costs and encourage people to start and keep businesses in New Zealand.

Young families

The party says reducing government debt is aimed at relieving the financial burden placed on today's young families and future generations.

Consumers

A proposed reduction in GST from 15% to 12.5% would change the consumption tax applied to goods and services.

In their own words

“Conservatives NZ are committed to urgently tackling the massive debt the Labour Green government imposed on young families of today and their children of tomorrow.”

“Corporation tax rate should be aligned with the top rate of income tax.”

“A lower rate of GST -12.5% is favoured.”

Verify at Conservative Party NZ — official policy page

Summarised neutrally from Conservative Party NZ’s own official policy (as at 2026-09-07) 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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