Investing in social infrastructure

Care work is vital in our society, yet it remains undervalued and underfunded. We need a cradle-to-grave support system that ensures good work, gender equality, and social justice.

Deliver a strong care economy

Care, both paid and unpaid and at all life stages, is a core part of our economy and society. We have an ageing population with growing care and support needs, but currently no plan to fund and deliver these services. We propose the long-term development of a cradle-to-grave care and support system. This requires adequately resourcing the sector. Supporting the care economy will also support gender equality, decent work, sustainable development and social justice.

Rebuild our public services

Aotearoa needs public and community service organisations with the capability to deliver the services a healthy and functioning modern society requires. This Government’s cuts are undermining our ability to deliver these services. We propose rebuilding the public sector’s capacity to deliver the outcomes we need by stopping wasteful restructures, restoring funding to appropriate levels, and building up agencies’ capability and expertise.

Make our long-term funding needs transparent

Successive governments have undervalued and underinvested in health, education and housing. The long-term funding needs in these areas should be set out at each Budget to ensure that New Zealanders fully understand the trade-offs involved in decisions about cutting or increasing public investment. This will improve public understanding of these challenges and help voters hold governments to account on this crucial issue.

Re-establish Te Aka Whai Ora

Te Aka Whai Ora (the Māori Health Authority) was created to address longstanding and persistent inequities that Māori experience in the health system but was disestablished before it had a chance to get off the ground. We propose reestablishing Te Aka Whai Ora and significantly increasing its funding so that it is resourced to achieve equity for Māori in the health system.

Keep workers safe and healthy

We must improve our health and safety performance and capability across the board. This requires a strong regulator, capable employers, and informed, empowered workers. To support this, we need to ensure that the primary health and safety regulator WorkSafe is well-resourced and mandated to be a world-class regulator and to lead system change.