John Key and Phil Goff are ignoring that almost half of NZ does not have enough to live on

Yesterday's Statistics New Zealand report showing that nearly half of all New Zealanders say they have not enough or just enough to live on is more proof our political leaders are detached from the reality of poverty says MANA Party economic justice spokesperson John Minto.

"Our multi-millionaire Prime Minister might be optimistic, and with the $1000 a week tax cut he gave himself, who wouldn't be, but the fact that almost half of our country don't have enough to get by, that over 200,000 children live in poverty and that food parcel handouts have doubled this year show another side of New Zealand which has been written off by successive governments.

"Key's plan is to give the 1% rich people more money and blame the poorest of the 99% for their situation.

"Labour's plans are barely any better. Phil Goff is tinkering at the edges of economic reform.

"MANA is providing a dramatic alternative. MANA will feed all our kids breakfast and lunch at schools; build 20,000 new state homes; abolish GST; make the first $27,000 tax free and raise the minimum wage to 2/3rds of the average wage.

"We will pay for this by taxing the 1% through a Hone Heke Financial Transaction tax; a proper capital gains tax and progressive taxation," Mr Minto says..

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