Election 2026:
What actually matters for your business?
Tax promises are flying around. Here's what's on the table, what is already law and where NZ business owners should focus.
2 November 2026 · 5-minute read · Neutral overview
New Zealand votes on Saturday 7 November 2026. There are some meaningful tax proposals in the mix, but a promise is not a tax rule. Here's a practical, non-partisan rundown for small-business owners, families and investors.
The 30-second version.
Five areas worth watching. These are proposals unless we say they're already in force.
🔧 Buying equipment
Investment Boost exists now. Labour proposes a different $10,000 small-business write-off; National proposes keeping Investment Boost.
🧾 GST registration
$60,000 is the current threshold. Labour proposes $80,000 from July 2028; National proposes reviewing the threshold.
🏢 Company tax
28% today. NZ First proposes 20% for qualifying SMEs; the Greens and Te Pāti Māori propose higher rates for some or all companies.
🏡 Property and wealth
Proposed capital gains, wealth and land taxes vary considerably between parties. None of those proposals is automatically law.
New tools or equipment? The rules could look different.
Today: Investment Boost can give an upfront 20% deduction on the tax cost of eligible new assets first available for use on or after 22 May 2025. Eligible depreciable assets are then depreciated on the remaining 80%.
Proposals: National plans to retain Investment Boost. Labour plans to replace it with an immediate write-off of eligible assets costing up to $10,000 for businesses with annual revenue under $10 million, from 1 July 2027.
Could you stay out of GST for longer?
Today: Compulsory registration generally applies when taxable turnover meets or is expected to meet $60,000 within a 12-month period.
Proposals: Labour would lift the threshold to $80,000 from 1 July 2028. National proposes reviewing whether $60,000 is still appropriate.
Same business. Different tax-rate ideas.
The standard company income tax rate is 28% today. NZ First proposes reducing it to 20% for companies with turnover below $30 million. The Greens propose 33% for those above $30 million, leaving smaller companies at 28%. Te Pāti Māori proposes 33% across companies.
There's more than one approach on the table.
Labour proposes a 28% capital gains tax on gains arising after 1 July 2027 on certain residential investment and commercial properties, generally excluding the family home, farms, shares and operating business assets. Commercial premises held by a business could still be relevant.
The Greens propose a 2.5% net wealth tax on qualifying net assets above $10 million per individual (excluding the family home), tax on certain large gifts/inheritances, and a $10,000 personal income tax-free threshold. Te Pāti Māori proposes wealth taxes and a $30,000 tax-free income threshold. Opportunity proposes urban and rural land-value taxes and a Citizen's Income.
Party-by-party, in one minute.
A quick snapshot of selected published policy positions. It's not an endorsement or a full comparison of every party programme.
| Party | Selected tax / savings ideas |
|---|---|
| National | No new taxes pledge, retain Investment Boost, review GST threshold; broader KiwiSaver participation and higher default savings over time. |
| Labour | Small-business write-off for eligible assets up to $10,000, GST threshold to $80,000, targeted property capital gains tax. |
| ACT | No-new-taxes position, plus targeted savings proposals including tax treatment of KiwiSaver investment gains. |
| NZ First | 20% company tax for businesses with turnover under $30m; retirement-savings proposals. |
| Greens | Higher company rate for larger businesses, wealth and large gift/inheritance taxes, personal-income tax changes, proposed redirection of Investment Boost towards selected investments. |
| Te Pāti Māori | 33% company rate, $30,000 personal tax-free threshold, wealth and other property-related taxes. |
| Opportunity | Urban and rural land-value taxes, a Citizen's Income, changes to personal tax and KiwiSaver. |
Different parties have provided different levels of policy detail. Election pledges do not automatically become legislation.
What would we recommend doing right now?
Use the tax rules in force. GST, depreciation and current-year tax returns must follow enacted law, not election promises.
Don't rush an asset purchase. Check your cash flow, business case and eligibility before focusing on the deduction.
Build a sensible scenario. Significant property, investment or staffing decisions may justify modelling a possible policy change.
Review after the election. Coalition agreements and enacted legislation will determine what actually changes.
One of these could affect you?
We're here to help you work through the numbers, with current rules and your actual circumstances in mind.