Election 2026 Primary Sector Promises

With the general election just five weeks away, Rural News is examining the policies of major political parties regarding the primary sector. The ACT Party and the Greens did not respond in time for the survey.

NZ First emphasizes its commitment to the primary sector, highlighting its role in 82% of New Zealand's merchandise exports. The party promises to continue prioritizing regional New Zealand through infrastructure funding, including flood protection, water storage, and port upgrades. They also propose returning half of mining royalties to the regions where they are extracted.

Labour acknowledges the 'cost-of-farming crisis' caused by rising costs, energy insecurity, and biosecurity risks. The party focuses on practical policies to support profitability and resilience, such as the Small Business Action Plan, which aims to help farmers get paid sooner and invest in necessary equipment.

National boasts a strong track record, citing the scrapping of the ute tax and the removal of agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The party points to a significant rebound in rural confidence and forecasts record food and fibre exports of $64.3 billion this year. National plans to introduce land use flexibility policies and new water storage and irrigation initiatives to boost rural production.

Opportunity stresses the need for political stability and investment in innovation. The party proposes a 30-year infrastructure strategy led by the Infrastructure Commission and a Breakthrough Economy policy that includes increased research and development spending. They also advocate for a 25% tax credit on new technology investments for small businesses, including farms.