2023 NZ General Election Special: TOP Response to Our Policy Enquiries

The following is the official response from TOP (the Opportunities Pary):

Please find our response below. More information is available at our website www.top.org.nz

Could you please provide me with information about your party’s stance on various key issues? Some areas of interest include:

Economic Policies: Your party’s approach to economic growth, job creation, taxation, and wealth distribution. And how to deal with inflation and high CPI?

– We support long-term investment into core infrastructure, immigration focused on skills and talent, and a focus on research, science and innovation.– We have proposed a tax switch which shifts the burden of tax from income to land, with a tax-free threshold and small annual tax on residential land. This will make housing more affordable and shift investment into business and encourage the efficient development of land. – We want to focus on a productive and sustainable economy, where all have opportunities to thrive.

Social Welfare: Your party’s plans for healthcare, education, housing, and support for vulnerable populations. How to fix the high housing price issues?

– We support a preventative approach to health, education and housing. This means investing in our key workers, both in training and income support. We want to fund the community housing sector with our $3b community housing fund to build houses and communities, as we believe they are best placed to deliver those outcomes. We proposed to increase income support for disabled people and children, and remove unfair rules around relationships and welfare payments.

Environmental Policies: Your party’s strategies to address climate change, conservation efforts, and sustainable development. How to balance the high living cost and the environment?

– We support a shift to a zero-emission urban bus fleet, investment in metropolitan rail services and buses. We will support farmers to transition from high-emissions activity by rewarding them for biodiversity improvements and land management efficiencies. We want strong protection for our water sources and more tree-planting in urban areas to help protect from climate change.

Foreign Relations: Your party’s vision for international cooperation, trade agreements, and diplomatic relationships.

– We support the government’s current foreign policy position and focus on open trade and humanitarian support.

Cultural and Minority Policies: Your party’s commitments to the rights and interests of minority groups, including the Chinese audience.

– NZ is a multicultural country and we support all communities to feel safe, secure and welcome.

Public safety: How to make the public feel more secure?

– We have proposed a ChCh trial for 150 community constables to ensure we have more visibility of police on the streets and in key areas such as malls and transport hubs. We believe community safety is important and that police need to be seen in the community.

Furthermore, if there are any specific proposals, initiatives, or reforms that your party aims to implement, please provide details on those as well.

– We have proposed a Teal Card, which is a Gold Card for young people, and includes fully-funded healthcare, public transport and a $5,000 savings boost when completing a Civic Service program www.top.org.nz/tealcard

Thank you for your interest.