Archive · 20 Aug 2026
New Zealand kingmaker party pitches basic income and land tax
The Opportunity party is becoming popular in New Zealand before the election.
It could help decide which major party forms the next government.
The party wants to give most residents NZ$19,400 each year.
It would pay for this by charging a yearly tax on land.
The tax would also apply to people’s main homes.
The party says this could make houses cheaper and reduce taxes on work.
The National and Labour parties do not support this tax plan.
However, they might support the party’s ideas about making supermarkets and banks more competitive and limiting political donations.
The party’s leader hopes to influence tax policy even if the full plan is not adopted.
The Opportunity party could hold the balance of power after New Zealand’s November 7 election.
Its leader, Qiulae Wong, proposes a NZ$19,400 annual basic income for most residents.
The policy would be funded by a 1.75% annual land tax, including on primary residences.
The party says its plan would leave 90% of New Zealanders at least as well off but could reduce house prices by 10% to 15%.
National and Labour leaders have ruled out adopting the party’s tax proposal, while competition and political-donation reforms may have broader support.
- Who
- The Opportunity party, led by Qiulae Wong, and the major National and Labour parties.
- What
- The Opportunity party is proposing a universal basic income funded by a land tax, along with broader tax and political reforms.
- When
- The proposals were reported on August 20, ahead of New Zealand’s November 7 election.
- Where
- New Zealand.
- Why
- The party says the changes would address unaffordable housing, shift taxation from income toward wealth and property, and support a stronger economy and democracy.
Opportunity party reform proposals
National and Labour positions
Land tax and basic income
Opportunity party reform proposals
Opportunity wants a NZ$19,400 basic income funded by a 1.75% annual land tax and says the plan would make housing more affordable while benefiting most residents.
National and Labour positions
The leaders of National and Labour have ruled out adopting Opportunity’s tax policy.
Coalition influence
Opportunity party reform proposals
Qiulae Wong says the party would seek a finance or revenue role to advance tax reform, while recognizing that its full plan may be difficult to implement immediately.
National and Labour positions
The major parties may form the next government without accepting Opportunity’s flagship tax proposals, depending on the election result and coalition negotiations.
Other policy priorities
Opportunity party reform proposals
Opportunity supports stronger competition in supermarket and banking sectors and a NZ$30,000 cap on individual political donations.
National and Labour positions
Wong said these proposals could be more likely to win support from either National or Labour than the party’s tax overhaul.
- Basic income
- NZ$19,400 per year for most New Zealand residents.
- Proposed land tax
- A 1.75% annual tax on land, including primary residences.
- Projected effect
- The party says 90% of New Zealanders would be equally or better off.
- House-price estimate
- The party expects house prices could fall by 10% to 15%.
- Parliamentary threshold
- A party must receive at least 5% of the vote for its candidates to sit in parliament.
- Political donation proposal
- The party wants to cap individual political donations at NZ$30,000.
- Coalition outlook
- Current projections indicate National and Labour could both need Opportunity lawmakers to form a government.