With just weeks until New Zealand heads to the polls, the cost of living, wages and job security are taking centre stage as workers weigh up what the political parties have to offer.
For many whānau across Aotearoa, the biggest question is whether their incomes are keeping pace with rising household expenses, including groceries, rent, mortgages, electricity and transport.
While political parties continue to outline their economic priorities, attention is turning to what their promises could mean for workers’ take-home pay, employment conditions and long-term financial security.
The debate also extends beyond wages. Job security, collective bargaining, workplace protections and access to stable employment are among the issues facing voters as Election 2026 approaches.
At the same time, growing concern about the gap between higher-income households and those struggling to meet everyday costs has placed wealth and inequality firmly on the political agenda.
For Māori workers and whānau, these questions are particularly important, with the affordability of housing, access to employment opportunities and the ability to build financial security all part of the wider economic conversation.
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions President Sandra Grey joins Radio Waatea to examine whether the election policies being presented offer meaningful improvements for working New Zealanders.
The discussion will explore what workers should be looking for in party policies, whether wage growth is translating into better living standards, and what measures could improve employment security.
With election day drawing closer, the challenge for political parties is to explain how their economic proposals would affect the everyday lives of workers and their families — and how those commitments would be delivered.
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