Labour has accused National of offering New Zealanders another three years of spending cuts without meaningful relief from rising household costs.

Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said the party’s fiscal plan failed to address the financial pressures facing families.

“New Zealanders are worried about the cost of living. National’s answer is three more years of cuts, with nothing new to bring down the cost of power, healthcare or getting around,” Edmonds said.

“National boasts about ‘reprioritising’ $50 billion and promises to keep doing it. Kiwis know what that looks like: jobs being cut, projects being cancelled and longer lines at food banks.”

Edmonds questioned why National had not sought an independent review of its financial projections.

“Unlike Labour, National hasn’t had its fiscal plan independently reviewed. Nicola Willis wants New Zealanders to take her numbers on trust, without the independent scrutiny Labour has put its plan through.”

She also challenged the Government’s record on health spending.

“You can’t trust their accounting on health. National claims record health investment every year, yet hospitals have just 54 more nurses in two years and patients are stuck waiting in ED corridors.”

Edmonds claimed divisions between National, ACT and New Zealand First could undermine the proposed savings.

“Then the coalition chaos is plain to see. The only savings in the plan come from cutting foreign aid and welfare, and NZ First opposes both, while ACT is cheering the aid cut on.

“ACT also opposes National’s flagship KiwiSaver policy. Nicola Willis couldn’t even get ACT and NZ First to agree to independent checks on election promises. And Winston Peters wants to borrow billions for a bank that isn’t for sale.”

Labour also raised National’s previous election promise of tax relief worth up to $250 a fortnight for families, questioning whether the Government had delivered on that commitment.

“Last time, National promised families up to $250 a fortnight, only later to admit they couldn’t find a single family that received the full amount.”

Edmonds said Labour would focus on growing the economy and easing household expenses.

“Labour has a plan to grow the economy and ease the cost of living. National’s plan is more cuts, more chaos and higher prices.”