Economy · Party position

TOP on Economy

Overhaul tax system with universal income, land tax, compulsory saving

The Opportunities Party wants to replace most of the current benefit system with a weekly payment of up to $370 for nearly all adults. To pay for this, they would introduce a new annual tax on land values. They also want to make KiwiSaver compulsory at higher rates over time. They say this would lower house prices, ease the cost of living, and help more people get into work or start businesses.

What they say they'll do

Introduce a Citizen's Income of up to $370 per week ($19,400 per year) for most adult residents, replacing most existing benefits
Introduce a 1.75% annual Land Value Tax on residential and commercial land to fund the Citizen's Income and reduce property speculation
Raise KiwiSaver employee and employer contribution rates to 6% over time to build a compulsory retirement savings system
Lift research and development spending to at least 2% of GDP and introduce technology investment tax credits
Give the Commerce Commission legal power and funding to break up duopolies such as supermarkets via the High Court
Reduce income tax brackets to three tiers and automate functions currently performed by an estimated 2,000+ Ministry of Social Development staff

Who this affects

Renters and lower-income workers

The party says this group would receive the largest income tax cut in New Zealand history and benefit from projected falls in house prices and rents.

Homeowners

Homeowners would pay an annual Land Value Tax of 1.75% on their land value, though the party says most would still be better off once their Citizen's Income is factored in.

Retirees and superannuitants

NZ Superannuation payments would be replaced by the Citizen's Income plus a top-up to match current rates; Land Value Tax on their home could be deferred until the property is sold.

Farmers

Rural land would attract a reduced Land Value Tax rate of 0.5%, with deferrals available in tough seasons, though farmland prices are expected to soften.

People on benefits

Most existing benefits would be replaced by the Citizen's Income, removing high effective tax rates on part-time work and reducing time spent dealing with WINZ.

Small businesses

The party proposes faster access to R&D tax credits, funded budgeting support, a new 'Impact Company' legal structure and fairer ACC and retail payment systems.

In their own words

“For working Kiwis who rent, this is the largest tax cut in NZ history.”

“A Land Value Tax will bring house prices down by a projected 10-15%, encouraging money to flow to business investment instead of property and increase high-density development in our cities.”

“Real economic growth comes from people, not property.”

Verify at The Opportunities Party — official policy page

Summarised neutrally from The Opportunities Party’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 TOP’s policy document · May 2026

The Tax Reset: Citizen’s Income, Land Value Tax and KiwiSaver 2.0

TOP proposes three linked reforms. Every adult would receive a tax-free Citizen’s Income of $19,400 a year, replacing most main benefits. Land would be taxed annually at 1.75 percent of its unimproved urban value and 0.5 percent rural, raising roughly $24 billion. And a new compulsory KiwiSaver 2.0 would build to 12 percent of earnings. Income tax would be reset to three brackets. The party puts the package about $4 billion a year in the black.

Citizen’s Income

$19,400 a year

Land Value Tax

1.75% urban, 0.5% rural

In depth — from TOP’s policy document · August 2026

Intergenerational Infrastructure: borrowing $60bn and taking the politics out

TOP would legislate Te Waihanga’s 30-year National Infrastructure Plan so a single government cannot dismantle it, and borrow up to $60 billion — about 15 percent of GDP — over five to ten years to fund it through six named funds. Sixty percent of infrastructure spending would be mandated to maintaining what already exists. Te Waihanga would grow into a National Infrastructure Agency with backstop powers over councils and agencies that let their assets run down.

In depth — from TOP’s policy document · July 2026

Breakthrough Economy: research, competition law and small business

TOP would lift research and development spending from 1.5 percent of GDP to 2 percent within a decade and 3 percent by 2050, add a tax credit covering up to a quarter of the cost of adopting new technology, and give the Commerce Commission power to ask the High Court to break up dominant companies. Smaller measures cover polytechnics, start-ups, student loan interest for returning graduates and a new Impact Company structure. The whole package is costed at $1.33 billion a year.

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											∅