Today’s inflation numbers reveal more than rising prices; they expose a government failing by its own standards while our most vulnerable pay the price.

“While Christopher Luxon talks about growth at all costs, New Zealanders across the country are being forced to choose between heating their home or feeding their families,” says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.

“We can build an economy that works for people and planet, but that requires decisions that prioritise the wellbeing of all, instead of lining the pockets of those at the top.

“Luxon’s Government is cutting investment and creating the conditions for severe unemployment, shredding the social safety net, pushing thousands into poverty, and then punishing them for it.

“A report this morning from the Child Poverty Action Group showed that rent, food, and utilities now swallow 62 – 98 per cent of disposable income for beneficiary families and over 60 per cent for full-time minimum-wage workers.

“A Green Government will do things differently. Instead of taxpayer subsidies for new gas fields in the middle of the climate crisis and slashing investment in our communities - we would rapidly reduce emissions, reduce the cost of living, and improve New Zealanders’ quality of life.

“Christopher Luxon shows people who he works for in his actions every day. While telling regular people there’s ’no magic money tree,’ he’s found billions for military spending, fossil fuel, tobacco, and landlord tax cuts.

“Luxon’s Government now has the gall to blame Local Government, who have had their credit ratings downgraded because Luxon’s Government pulled the rug out on fixing our water infrastructure.

“A better world is possible, and it starts with the sun setting on this one term Government,” says Chlöe Swarbrick.

Notes:

• CPAG released a report today which found that “Between 2018 and 2024, policy changes slowly reduced the number of households in weekly shortfall. From 2024 to 2025, the trend reverses."
• The CPAG report also found that "Rent, food, and utilities now swallow 62 – 98 per cent of disposable income for beneficiary families and over 60% for full-time minimum-wage workers"

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