Health benefit reassessments and electronic money management
What it actually does
ACT would require health and disability benefit assessments to be made by MSD-approved designated doctors, with phased reassessment of existing recipients starting with mental-health grants made after the pandemic. Work-ready Jobseeker recipients on a benefit for more than four months would have payments loaded onto a card that blocks alcohol, gambling, tobacco and cash withdrawals.
Source: act.org.nz · 2026-10
The Trump take
“A card that says no to casinos? I used to own casinos, so that's a little painful. But work requirements, very good, I love work. I work harder than any president ever.”parody
Why it scored this way
Welfare
Tighter eligibility checks and restrictions on how benefits are spent
+2
Loves it
On the same topics
Tax-free KiwiSaver earnings, no government contributions
Announced at ACT's 4 October campaign launch, the policy would remove tax on KiwiSaver investment earnings, currently taxed at up to 28%, and end government contributions to KiwiSaver accounts. ACT claims the change could roughly double savings for some workers by retirement.
Six-point immigration plan
ACT proposes deporting resident visa holders convicted of offences carrying 10-year-plus sentences regardless of time in New Zealand, a $6 daily charge on temporary work visa holders, a five-year stand-down from welfare for new residents, and a dedicated Immigration NZ unit targeting an estimated 20,000 overstayers. It also proposes higher English requirements for some visas and an annual review of the skilled jobs list.
NZ Super for citizens only from 2029
NZ First would make New Zealand citizenship a condition of receiving NZ Superannuation from 2029, after a three-year transition. Permanent residents and residence-class visa holders can currently qualify, and Peters has signalled some benefits such as Jobseeker could also require citizenship.