MEDIA RELEASE (NZ)

New Zealand must confront its long-term fiscal and productivity challenges with credible and durable policy, says Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), as it launches its ‘6 for 26’ priorities ahead of the 2026 General Election.

CA ANZ’s six policy priorities are designed to strengthen New Zealand’s tax base, retirement settings and productivity, and improve the quality and transparency of long-term decision-making.

“New Zealand faces significant long-term fiscal and productivity challenges that can no longer be deferred. Demographic change, rising costs and a narrow tax base are placing increasing pressure on economic growth, public services and fairness between generations,” said Ainslie van Onselen, Chief Executive Officer of CA ANZ. 

“Our 6 for 26 priorities are practical, forward-looking proposals designed to encourage a more informed and constructive policy debate. They focus on the decisions needed to strengthen New Zealand’s economic resilience and ensure future commitments can be met in a fair and sustainable way.”

“As the election approaches, we are calling on political parties to provide clear and credible plans for lifting productivity, improving long-term fiscal sustainability and building confidence in New Zealand’s future. Voters deserve transparency about the choices being made today and the impact they will have on future generations,” concluded Ainslie van Onselen. 

CA ANZ’s six priorities are:

1. Ensuring that New Zealand’s tax base is sustainable - a long-term tax strategy addressing demographic change, structural deficits, future revenue adequacy and inter-generational fairness.
2. Engaging in a free and frank conversation on retirement settings - a structured, cross-party review of affordability, eligibility, indexation and private retirement savings.
3. Strengthening independent fiscal oversight of policy in New Zealand - an independent fiscal costing unit accountable to Parliament to cost political party policies and assess fiscal strategy and long-term risks.
4. Preserving a high-quality sustainable accounting talent pipeline - maintaining stable education and immigration settings that support domestic pathways and access to global talent.
5. Adopting digital reporting to boost New Zealand’s competitiveness - phased adoption of structured digital financial reporting, supported by infrastructure and training and aligned with international frameworks.
6. Charting the path on sustainability reporting - a proportionate, efficient and internationally aligned regime that provides certainty and supports capability building.

CA ANZ New Zealand Country Head Peter Vial FCA said the lead up to the election should provide space for an informed conversation about choices, trade-offs and the consequences of delay.

“New Zealand’s Chartered Accountants and Accounting Technicians are concerned about the country’s long-term fiscal sustainability and productivity.

“In a survey of our New Zealand members, we found that nearly all were concerned about the country’s ability to pay for superannuation in the future, and three quarters said the next government should focus on infrastructure and productivity, which require a sustainable tax base.

“There will be different views on the answers, but avoiding the debate is not an option. Parties should be clear with voters about how their policies are funded, how they support productivity and how they distribute costs and benefits across generations,” concluded Mr Vial.

CA ANZ will engage with political parties, members and the public on the six priorities ahead of the 2026 General Election.