Ending inequality

Everyone deserves security, dignity, and to have enough to thrive. Ending inequality in Aotearoa is possible—we just need to make different choices.

Give workers income security

Aotearoa lacks comprehensive income support protections for workers, which contributes to high levels of wage scarring and poor skills matching across the economy. We propose the establishment of an income insurance programme that protects workers in the event of job loss. This programme should cover workers who are made redundant, who cannot work due to health and disability conditions, and who are taking parental leave. This programme would provide workers with income security when they need it most.

Transform the welfare system

As a necessary partner to income insurance, the welfare system and Working for Families need to be reformed. They no longer provide the financial and social support required for a dignified standard of living. The system needs to be transformed to ensure all New Zealanders can live with dignity and enjoy their rights to housing, health, and education.

Lift the minimum wage to the living wage

Low wages undermine people’s ability to fully participate in society. Our long-standing policy is that the minimum wage should be set at the living wage. The minimum wage should be set by an independent tripartite body, to ensure it consistently meets the true cost of living. We also propose abolishing the youth, training, and disabled worker minimum wage exemptions, because all work should be paid properly.

Support families during the early years

Many young families struggle to get by, due to low wages, high living costs, expensive early childhood education (ECE), and inadequate paid parental leave. Responsibility for childcare falls overwhelmingly on women, which can have significant negative impacts on their employment and income. An overhaul of family support is needed to ensure comprehensive support is available for young parents. This should begin with progressively extending public ECE services – which includes kaupapa Māori services and Pacific language nest services – until they are free to all children. We also propose reforming the paid parental leave system to extend the length and value of entitlements and support both parents to take paid leave.