Make improvements at 2000-plus schools
Policies
Compare the parties’ positions on the key issues this election. Explore their policies and see how closely they align with your own views and priorities.
Choose a topic to compare
Start by selecting a broad policy topic that you’re interested in exploring.
Education
The third biggest chunk of government spending, after benefits and health, goes to education. Schools and universities shape the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders, and the learning and research that happens there flows far beyond each institution. But what should be taught in school curriculums, and how does the government balance supporting trades education in polytechs and academic learning in universities?
Choose an area to explore and policies
Narrow your selection by choosing a specific area within your chosen topic. Select the policies you want to explore, pick your favourites and view your results when you’re ready.
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Remove 10% of student loan balance from certain graduates
Fund 1000 extra teacher aides
End charter schools
Pause curriculum changes and new qualifications for a review
Increase places for student teachers to train in schools while studying
Fund further enforcement and create harsher penalties for overseas-based student loan holders
Ban under-16 year olds from social media
Make it easier for people based in other countries to repay student loans
Introduce fees-free tertiary education, universal student allowances and paid placements
Make early childhood education free
Support the online safety bill on a potential under-16 social media ban to select committee
Include te Tiriti and Aotearoa history in education
Forgive student loan interest for returning Kiwis
Create a 10-year education plan
Allocate more support and staffing to early childhood education
Create a Māori Education Authority with responsibility for Māori education
Remove automatic work rights from student visas
Commission a full and independent review of NZ's nutritional guidelines and education
Prevent universities from allocating support of any kind based on ethnicity
Allow children to take any passing school bus, not just buses specifically for one school
Give teachers legal powers to remove disruptive students from class
Get across the policies, candidates and parties
Don’t know who to vote for? Policy.nz is the complete guide to the 2026 general election. Compare the parties, candidates and policies to see where you stand.
Policies
Compare the parties’ positions on the key issues this election
Candidates
See the electorate candidates running in your local area
Parties
Learn about each political party, its leaders and candidate list
Things to know...
Your two votes shape New Zealand’s next parliament. You need to be enrolled to vote.
Read explainerEnrol to vote by Sunday 25 October
You need to be enrolled before you can vote. You can enrol online at vote.nz.
Voting day is Saturday 7 November
Head to your nearest voting place on the day, or vote early from 26 October.
You get two votes
One for a party (the party vote) and one for a person in your area (the electorate vote).
Your party vote is the most powerful
It decides how many seats each party gets in Parliament. That’s what Policy helps you figure out.
