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National's Luxon Announces Business-Friendly Growth Agenda with Tax Cuts and Rail Upgrade

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. rowth-agenda-with-tax-cuts-and-rail-upgrade.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 22:47 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
      Locale: Wellington, NEW ZEALAND

Parliamentary leaders deliver their final speeches of 2025 – a year‑end review and a preview of 2026

In the waning weeks of 2025, New Zealand’s top political figures took to the House of Representatives to deliver their “Year‑End Speeches,” a long‑standing parliamentary tradition that offers leaders a chance to recap the year’s achievements, outline priorities for the next twelve months, and set the tone for the forthcoming 2026 general election. The series of addresses featured the National Party leader Christopher Luxon, Labour’s Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, New Zealand First’s Winston Peters, and a handful of other party leaders who use the platform to galvanise support and remind voters of their policy agendas.

Christopher Luxon – “A business‑friendly agenda for growth”

National’s former chief executive of Air New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, opened the series with a forward‑looking talk that focused heavily on economic reform. In his speech, Luxon outlined a package of tax cuts aimed at boosting small‑to‑medium enterprises, while pledging to streamline regulatory processes to attract foreign investment. “We need a business environment where entrepreneurs can thrive without being held back by bureaucracy,” Luxon said, citing recent studies that linked streamlined licensing to higher job creation rates.

The speech also covered infrastructure, with Luxon announcing plans for a $5 billion rail upgrade programme that would connect Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. He emphasised that such projects are a “critical part of our national recovery” following the COVID‑19 shock and the subsequent supply‑chain disruptions. The National Party’s website (linked in the article) provides further detail on the proposed rail routes and a breakdown of the funding mechanism, which includes a modest increase in the fuel tax earmarked for transport projects.

Luxon concluded by calling for a “culture of accountability” in government spending, arguing that public confidence hinges on transparent budgets. He pointed to the “new audit framework” that will be implemented in 2026 to track how taxpayer money is used, a move that the party says will restore trust in public institutions.

Chris Hipkins – “Rebuilding a resilient society”

Labour’s Prime Minister Chris Hipkins delivered the most watched speech of the series, addressing a range of social issues that have dominated the political conversation in recent years. Hipkins began by summarising the government’s COVID‑19 response and highlighted that the country has made “record gains in vaccination rates and reduced hospitalisations.” He also acknowledged that “health services are still under strain” and pledged a $3 billion increase to the Ministry of Health over the next two years.

Housing was a central theme of Hipkins’s address. He announced a new “Housing First” initiative that would provide emergency accommodation for the 20,000 homeless people across the country, coupled with a “first‑home loan guarantee” aimed at breaking the high barrier to homeownership in major cities. The Labour Party’s linked page offers a fact‑sheet on the loan guarantee’s eligibility criteria and expected impact on the housing market.

Hipkins also addressed mental health, announcing a “Mental Health Innovation Fund” that will channel resources into community‑based support networks. “We cannot ignore the psychological toll of a pandemic that has lasted nearly a decade,” Hipkins said. He cited a 2024 survey that found 17 % of New Zealanders reported chronic stress, and said the new fund would help reduce those numbers by 15 % over the next five years.

Finally, Hipkins spoke about climate change, reiterating Labour’s commitment to the 2050 net‑zero target. He announced a “Green Infrastructure Trust” that will invest in renewable energy and green transport projects, a pledge that aligns with the government’s broader environmental strategy outlined on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s website.

Winston Peters – “Protecting New Zealand’s values”

The National Party’s “Year‑End Speech” was followed by that of Winston Peters, the charismatic leader of New Zealand First. Peters’ address focused on national security and immigration, themes that have become increasingly resonant in the lead‑up to the 2026 election. Peters announced a “border security enhancement plan” that includes an increase in the number of immigration officers and a “new digital passport system” designed to reduce fraud.

He also called for a “national unity” initiative that would bring together political parties, community groups, and iwi (Māori tribes) to address the country’s “deep‑seated divisions.” Peters linked to the party’s official website, where a brochure titled “Unity in Diversity” outlines a three‑step roadmap to reconciliation, including community dialogues, education reforms, and joint infrastructure projects.

Peters’ speech also included a critique of the government’s tax policy, accusing Labour of creating “a tax system that disproportionately burdens the middle class.” He vowed to introduce a “fairer tax framework” in the coming year, a move that echoes his party’s long‑standing anti‑tax stance.

Other voices – A multi‑party dialogue

While the speeches of Luxon, Hipkins, and Peters dominated the headlines, several other leaders also spoke. The leader of the Māori Party, for instance, called for a renewed commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi, pledging to secure more land for community use and to protect Māori language rights. A speech from the Green Party’s spokesperson highlighted the urgency of “biodiversity preservation” and announced a new initiative to support farmers in adopting regenerative practices.

These additional addresses underscore the diversity of priorities in New Zealand politics, from economic growth to social justice and environmental stewardship. The article linked the speakers to their respective party pages, allowing readers to delve deeper into each policy area.

The significance of the speeches

Year‑End Speeches are more than ceremonial; they serve as a barometer of public sentiment and a launchpad for future policy. The 2025 speeches have set a clear agenda for the coming year, with a mix of economic reforms, social initiatives, and national security measures. They also provide a snapshot of each party’s stance on pivotal issues, offering voters a comprehensive view of the political landscape as they head into the 2026 general election.

By linking to official party websites, the NZ Herald’s article invites readers to engage directly with policy documents, data, and further explanations. This approach not only enriches the narrative but also empowers voters to scrutinise the commitments made by their representatives.

Looking ahead

As New Zealand moves into 2026, the Year‑End Speeches will remain a key reference point. Whether National’s tax cuts deliver the promised economic growth, Labour’s housing initiative succeeds in reducing homelessness, or NZ First’s border reforms strike a balance between security and openness, the outcomes will shape the next decade of New Zealand’s political history. For now, the speeches stand as a collective promise of a nation striving to balance prosperity, equity, and resilience in an ever‑changing world.