NZCTU Launches 'Don't risk 6 years of Luxon' Election Campaign

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU) has launched its 'Don't risk 6 years of Luxon' election campaign, warning that another term of Prime Minister Chris Luxon would be devastating for working people.

NZCTU President Sandra Grey says the campaign uses stories from everyday workers to highlight the struggles they face under Luxon's leadership. These workers have spoken up about their concerns regarding the impact of a National-led government on their lives, with many feeling that they've gone backwards while Luxon shows no understanding of their daily challenges.

The statistics are stark: 48,000 more people are unemployed since the National-led government took office, and those unemployed for six months or longer have increased by 130 percent. The minimum wage has fallen by 4 percent in real terms since 2023, leaving a full-time minimum-wage worker $2,076 worse off annually if it had kept pace with inflation.

Grey criticizes Luxon's lack of empathy, pointing out that he claimed his weekly shop cost only $60 and took $52,000 from taxpayers for an apartment he already owned. Meanwhile, working people are skipping meals, putting off medical appointments, and watching their savings dwindle due to the rising cost of living.

The campaign encourages voters to register or update their details at vote.nz and will be followed by the NZCTU's report on the cost of living, featuring real-life stories from working people affected by these issues. Grey warns that three more years of National would mean six years of Luxon in power, a prospect she believes working people cannot afford.