Responding to the Prime Minister’s pre-Budget speech, Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“Christopher Luxon is talking about fiscal responsibility while announcing nearly $3,780 per household in additional government spending.”

“A $2.1 billion operating package is not restraint - it is still $2.1 billion more spending. And increasing the capital package to $5.7 billion, when December’s Budget Policy Statement had it at $3.5 billion, is a $1,065-per-household blowout before Budget Day has even arrived.”

“If the Government is serious about getting debt down and returning to surplus, this should be a ‘zero Budget’ with no new net spending, like John Key’s 2011 Budget. Every dollar of new spending should be matched by a dollar of savings.”

National have seen a small uptick in support in the latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll, while both ACT and New Zealand First have taken a hit. The Coalition continues to be able to form a Government on these numbers.

The poll sees National up 0.2 points to 30.0 percent, while Labour is down 1.5 points to 31.9 percent. New Zealand First drops 1.9 points to 11.7 percent, while the Greens gain 1.9 points to 9.7 percent. 

ACT drops 2.5 points to 6.5 percent, while Te Pāti Māori gains 1.5 points to 4.1%.
 
Headline results and more information about the methodology can be found on the Taxpayers’ Union’s website at www.taxpayers.org.nz/maypoll_2026tucur

For the minor parties, TOP is at 2.8 percent, New Conservatives are at 0.8 percent, Outdoors and Freedom Party is on 0.5 percent, and Vision NZ is on 0.3 percent.
 
This month’s results are compared to the last Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll conducted in April 2026, available at www.taxpayers.org.nz/easter_26_poll
 
The combined projected seats for the 'Government Bloc' (National, ACT, New Zealand First) is down 3 to 62 seats. The 'Opposition Bloc' (Labour, Greens, Te Pāti Māori) is up 3 to 58.

Labour drops 1 seat to 41, while National gains 2 to 39. New Zealand First drops 2 to 15, while the Greens gain 2 to 12. ACT drops 3 to 8, and Te Pāti Māori gains 2 to 5.

In the Preferred Prime Minister ranking, Luxon gains 1.0 point to 21.5 percent. Hipkins drops 2.7 points to 19.0 percent. Peters drops 0.5 points to 11.6 percent, Swarbrick drops 2.0 points to 5.4 percent, and Seymour drops 0.7 points to 3.9%.

Commenting on the results, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesperson Tory Relf said:

"National may be breathing a sigh of relief, but there's still only a hair's breadth between the left and right blocs, and barely a few percentage points between Kiwis' preferred Prime Ministers."

"The final Budget before the election is only a few weeks away. It will be make-or-break for the Government."

"Unsurprisingly cost of living and the economy remain Kiwis' top concerns. With the fuel crisis still dragging growth down, the Government needs to announce serious plans to right-size the state and get the country growing again."

The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s commitment that today’s fuel support package must not drive government debt higher.

“At a time when the books are already under strain, this is a welcome sign of discipline,” Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said. “It shows the Government now understands that every extra dollar of debt is tomorrow’s tax bill.”

"The PM's comments indicate tomorrow's announcement is fiscally neutral. That means that at least equal reductions in spending will be specified to go along with the support package."

“Helping Kiwis with targeted and temporary measures during this crisis is sensible, but only if it’s paid for. Government debt is already at $140,000 for every Kiwi household, as tracked by the National Debt Clock. Shifting the cost onto future taxpayers would just kick the can down the road."

"Any increase in debt is counterproductive. It will drive up inflation and the costs of borrowing."

"As Friday's warning from Fitch shows, New Zealand enters this crisis in a vulnerable state. Despite political rhetoric about 'saving money' the Government's running a larger structural deficit now, than when it assumed office."

"Borrowing more right now would be to adopt a Grant Robertson-style response. Even if on a smaller scale, that would be a grave mistake. We welcome Mr. Luxon's approach."

“Fiscal neutrality means real trade-offs and tough choices. But there is no longer the option to borrow and hope.”

The Taxpayers’ Union is calling for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to clarify media reports that he has struck a backroom deal with Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown to exempt the Super City from the rates cap.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesperson Tory Relf said:

“Any backroom deals between the Prime Minister and the Mayor of Auckland would totally undermine what is already a watered-down policy.”

“As it stands, the Government’s so-called rates cap is more accurately described as a ban on rates freezes. And with implementation delayed until 2029, councils have another three years to jack up rates and set a high baseline for future rate hikes. All the cards are already being laid in councils’ favour.”

“As the Rates Cap Savings Dashboard shows, a two percent rates cap would have saved the average Auckland family $442 over the last three years, and that’s what the PM is signing away.”

“Exempting stormwater in Auckland would render a cap in the Super City meaningless. The Prime Minister needs to explain if he’s sabotaging his own Government’s policy, and if he intends to do the same for other councils across the country.”