The Green Party of New Zealand has unveiled an ambitious economic plan, promising to create 284,000 jobs over the next four years. This target surpasses Treasury’s current forecast by 64,000 jobs, and the party aims to achieve it through a nearly $6 billion investment strategy.
Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick highlighted that the plan focuses on transport, clean energy, and “genuinely fixing the basics and building the future.” She emphasized that government investment and incentives would drive the economy toward higher wages, sustained research, better education, resilient infrastructure, and environmental health.
The plan includes several key initiatives, such as reshaping the Government’s Investment Boost program into an Innovation Boost, which would incentivize productive investments aligned with decarbonization and decent work principles. It also proposes fellowships for early- and mid-career science researchers, restoring core science funding, and boosting tertiary research and innovation.
Co-leader Marama Davidson added that New Zealand has abundant talent and creativity but lacks a cohesive strategy to turn these into good jobs and higher wages. The plan aims to address this gap by coordinating funding pathways for businesses and leveraging public purchasing power to support locally made products.