Labour has launched a fresh attack on Christopher Luxon’s economic and social record, arguing rising unemployment, growing Jobseeker numbers and pressure across the health system show New Zealand cannot afford another three years of a National-led Government.
Labour campaign chair Kieran McAnulty says National entered government promising economic growth, more jobs and improved public services, but claims its own targets now show it is falling well short of those commitments.
With Election 2026 approaching, Labour is seeking to turn the campaign into a referendum on National’s record, particularly around employment, health, homelessness and the cost of living.
JOBSEEKER NUMBERS IN THE FIRING LINE
At the centre of Labour’s attack is the number of New Zealanders receiving Jobseeker Support.
McAnulty says National is on course to miss its own welfare reduction target by almost 80,000 people, describing the scale of the gap as equivalent to roughly the population of Palmerston North.
The Government had set a target of reducing the number of people receiving Jobseeker Support by 50,000 by 2030, against a forecast trajectory without additional intervention.
But unemployment has climbed substantially during the economic downturn, placing considerably more pressure on households and the welfare system.
For Māori and rangatahi, those conditions are particularly significant.
Māori unemployment has remained above 10 percent, while younger workers are traditionally among those most exposed when businesses stop hiring and employers reduce staff.
That means the employment debate heading into November is likely to be about more than the national headline unemployment rate. It will also be about which communities have carried the greatest burden of the downturn and how quickly jobs return when economic conditions improve.
LABOUR TARGETS NATIONAL’S ECONOMIC RECORD
Labour is also pointing to business failures and unemployment as evidence National has failed to deliver the economic turnaround it promised.
McAnulty says unemployment has reached an 11-year high while company liquidations have climbed to levels not seen for around 15 years.
The Opposition argues those figures undermine National’s claim that its economic programme has created the conditions for stronger growth and employment.
National, however, has consistently argued it inherited an economy suffering from high inflation, rising interest rates, excessive government spending and weak productivity, and that its programme of fiscal restraint and economic reform is designed to deliver sustainable longer-term growth.
That competing interpretation is shaping up as one of the central arguments of Election 2026.
Labour wants voters judging National on what has happened to jobs, businesses and household finances during its term.
National wants voters judging whether the economy is now positioned for stronger growth after a difficult period of adjustment.
HEALTH BECOMES ANOTHER ELECTION BATTLEGROUND
Labour is also turning its attention to hospitals and the health workforce.
McAnulty says National promised shorter waiting times but emergency departments remain under significant pressure, hospitals continue to face staffing challenges and Labour claims only 54 additional nurses have been hired.
Health is already emerging as a major election issue as hospitals deal with workforce shortages, demand pressures and continuing arguments over funding.
Recent industrial action and warnings from frontline health workers have added to scrutiny over whether staffing levels are sufficient to meet patient demand.
For Māori, the debate carries another dimension.
Long-standing inequities in access, treatment and health outcomes mean the performance of the health system is not experienced equally across communities.
LABOUR PUTS JOBS AND NURSES INTO ITS PITCH
Labour says its alternative will focus on getting more New Zealanders into employment while increasing investment in frontline health services.
The party is promoting an expanded Apprenticeship Boost programme as part of its employment strategy, alongside guaranteed job offers for graduate nurses.
The apprenticeship policy is aimed particularly at creating pathways into skilled employment while helping employers take on workers during challenging economic conditions.
Labour is attempting to contrast that approach with National’s emphasis on reducing government expenditure, welfare dependency and regulation while encouraging private-sector investment and economic growth.
Those competing approaches provide voters with an increasingly clear dividing line.
MĀORI AND RANGATAHI HAVE MUCH AT STAKE
For Māori communities, the employment numbers will be difficult for political parties to avoid during the campaign.
Māori unemployment remaining above 10 percent means the downturn has been considerably more severe for Māori than the national average.
The consequences reach beyond an unemployment statistic.
A lost job can mean reduced whānau income, greater housing insecurity, increased reliance on food assistance and fewer opportunities for rangatahi entering the workforce.
Regional communities can also face longer recoveries because there are fewer alternative employers when major businesses reduce staff or close.
That places Māori employment, apprenticeships, regional development and support for Māori enterprise firmly within the wider election debate.
THE ARGUMENT OVER NATIONAL’S RECORD HAS BEGUN
McAnulty says National cannot successfully campaign on its record and has instead resorted to attacking Labour and warning voters about what a change of government could mean.
National will strongly contest that characterisation and is expected to campaign on economic recovery, lower inflation, fiscal discipline, infrastructure investment and reducing welfare dependency.
But Labour’s message is clear.
It wants November’s election to be fought around a simple question: are New Zealanders better off after three years of a National-led Government?
For households struggling with unemployment, health waiting lists, housing costs and pressure on weekly budgets, Labour believes the answer will determine who governs next.
And with Māori unemployment still above 10 percent, the battle over jobs and economic recovery is likely to become increasingly important as Election Day approaches.
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