New Democrats NZ

Health

All New Zealanders should have access to free healthcare whenever they need it. Successive governments have failed to invest in the public health system. The consequences are with us now - understaffing, dilapidated hospitals and inability to keep up with other developed countries in technology, staffing and new treatments. 

A New Democratic government will:

• offering free dental care to all under 30s by 2029, starting with under 24-year-olds in 2027 and covering those under 30 by 2028, covering check-ups, cleanings, and basic fillings.
• Pharmac & Medicines: A commitment to boost funding for Pharmac by over one billion over four years to increase access to medicines.
• Primary Care & Access: Reduce the price of prescription co-payments for low income people and make GP visits more affordable.
• Women's Health: Make cervical screening free for women aged 25 to 69.
• Make bowel cancer screening free for those aged over 35 years.
• Workforce & Infrastructure: Focus on boosting the medical workforce by training 30 more dentists per year and increasing capacity to tackle wait times.
• System Reform: Support the ongoing transition of Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) to improve equity and service delivery.
• Help combat diseases of poverty by upgrading social housing to ensure that all tenants can live in warm, dry homes without overcrowding.
• Work towards ensuring that effective cancer treatments available in Australia and Canada are available here
•  We will work to expand  health services, reduce cost-of-living pressures, and strengthen the  health workforce.

We will improve health outcomes through proactive, early interventions (such as dental checkups) and reduced financial barriers, aiming to lower overall healthcare costs. 

Education

Education should be about preparing people for life.  Parents and families/ whanau are the first teachers. Professional teachers should be working in partnership with parents and guardians in the best interests of the child.

Parents need to be given the right information to be able to effectively participate in their child’s education. Teachers need to be given the respect and resources needed to do a good job. 

We will extend free early childhood education (ECE) to two-year-olds, and implement mandatory financial literacy in schools. Key pledges included expanding school lunches, bolstering vocational training, and increasing funding for classroom resources and teacher training in core subjects. 

• Early Childhood Education (ECE): Work towards extending "20 hours free" ECE to two-year-olds.
• Schools & Curriculum:
  • Make financial literacy a mandatory part of the curriculum.
  • $40 million for alternative education pathways for students who have dropped out or were excluded.
  • Increase investment in "catch-up" learning in maths and literacy for years 7 to 13.
  • Expand the Free and Healthy School Lunches program.
  • Ensure that well-performing schools in lower socio economic areas have sufficient resources to do their job well. 
• Teachers:
  • Retain pay parity between early learning teachers and school/kindergarten teachers.
  • Work in conjunction with Principals and education unions to plan increased wage rates for teachers consistent with sensible budgeting.
• Tertiary & Vocational:
  • Continue vocational education reforms to align with industry needs.
  • Boost university dental school places by 50%. 

• Apprenticeships: rebuild a strong national apprenticeship programme across key trades such as plumbing, builders, electricians, mechanics etc. 

• Integrate apprenticeship schemes with trade training employment opportunities.

These policies aim to enhance equity, strengthen foundational skills (literacy/numeracy), and address cost-of-living challenges for families.