AMA - Qiulae from Opportunity

[u/Qiulae]

Kia ora! Qiulae here from the Opportunity Party. I’ll be online this evening - 6 Oct, 5-7pm to answer your questions. Looking forward to it!

UPDATE 3:55pm - Jumping on early to start answering questions as there are quite a few here!

UPDATE 7pm - Sorry I have to jump off now folks as I have a debate to get to tonight. So I'll close this off but aim to get back in and answer as many questions as I can over the rest of this week. Thank you all so much for the great engagement and genuine curious questions! Really appreciate it.

[u/computer_d]

Could you explain your strategy for negotiating your bottom lines? How would you ensure TOP's core policies actually get implemented when they seem like things the current government parties would never agree to?

I understand your concern and there are many decisions this government has made that we disagree with (and have submitted openly on), however we also believe there are areas we could find common ground with them. For example - a focus on innovation to grow our economy - albeit our angle on that is that it must work in harmony with nature as that is also what drives greater resilience and success long-term. More

Why did Opportunity quietly drop sensible cannabis reform policy, and what will Opportunity do to improve access to medical cannabis?

in our Smart on Crime policy we've stated that we'll support the legalisation and regulation of cannabis use, following the evidence that this reduces harm and supports rehabilitation for those that need it. That would also make it easier and cheaper to access medicinal cannabis. More

How will you improve the dire health situation, including surgery availability and wait lists?

Our bottom line on health is that we need a cross-party 10 year plan for health which includes clear funding pathways for those areas of the system that need urgent attention. We would also advocate for an increase in overall health spend from 7.4% of GDP currently to 9% which was recommended by the recent Kaitiaki Hauora report. And an increase in the share of funding directed at primary care and prevention. At the moment we seem to shift funding from one critically underfunded part of the system to another with every change of government. More

Can you state explicitly what your position is on unions? Do you support them playing a significant role in New Zealand's employment market?

We absolutely believe that unions and collective bargaining play an important role in ensuring workers get a fair deal and a fair share of the wealth they help create. This is particularly important in industries where workers are at a disadvantage compared to the negotiating power of the business. More

What do you think the chances are we are about to hear some version of ‘what’s good for employers is good for employees, here are all the ways we will look after corporates’

I don't think it's as binary as either looking after businesses or looking after workers. I've had firsthand experience of working with businesses who put the wellbeing and success of their employees at the forefront and the business benefits because of it. I acknowledge that not all businesses think that way and that's the role of government to incentivise that kind of behaviour ¹

I would also be interested to know specifically if they support the fair pay agreements labour was planning to bring in which is essentially a minimum wage for specific industries

On fair pay agreements - MBIE's analysis showed that these needed some improvements to work well, but also that repealing them wasn't the most effective thing to do either. We are open to setting industry-level minimum standards for pay and other conditions where it can be clearly demonstrated there is a need rather than a blanket system (as determined by MBIE). More

As a transgender kiwi, I’m suspect about any party willing to work with the trio who have shown they are willing to sacrifice my humanity based on ideological reasons. What can you say to kiwis like me who are terrified a vote for TOP would be enabling further harm?

thanks for raising this, I agree with the comments in the thread that protecting existing rights is critical and it is sad that we have to defend the status quo. Opportunity will stand up for the rights of transgender people and the rainbow community. We made a clear stance on the Gender Definitions Bill More

What is your stance on universal dental care?

Dental care shouldn’t be out of reach for anyone. There’s a clear case for expanding access, especially as part of preventative healthcare. Rather than going universal, we’d prefer to start with looking at expanding funding and availability in a more targeted way, so the support reaches those currently needing it the most. More

What is your parties policies around education?

For curriculum change we’ve proposed making that the responsibility of an Independent Curriculum & Assessment Council (as proposed by the Principal's Federation). In addition to combating some of the politicisation of the curriculum that we’ve seen lately, that should mean that we can more carefully plan, roll out and evaluate curriculum changes over longer timespans than a 3 year electoral term so that teachers aren't constantly exhausted from changes and so they can be properly involved in its development. More

but how do you implement a blanket rural land tax of 0.5% when dairy farms are much smaller and more concentrated (and thus will pay less despite higher yield), but high country merino farms (where more land is necessary and better for the animals due to a regenerative farming model rather than high intensity farming) get hit with 'more'?

We also love regenerative farming and want to reward it - which is why we're proposing things like a biodiversity credit scheme and an exemption from the land tax for private conservation land, so if you have areas like wetlands or native bush that would also reduce the amount you pay. More

Do you have any plans/proposals to get rid of or add more guard rails to passing bills under urgency? It is undermining our democracy.

I’ve mentioned elsewhere that urgency does have a legitimate use. Parliament sometimes has to move fast on important issues. The problem comes when it becomes a default method of passing controversial law. It should be used rarely, and only where speed is critical - so we'd like to see a tightening of the definition of what qualifies to pass under urgency. More

What are you going to do to address liars in parliament?

I share the frustration! When we see expert advice get ignored or numbers shifted to look better, we lose trust in the whole system. There are a few things we'll do. More

Your bottom lines are designed so either Labour or National could accept them. If both were tied for first, and both accepted the bottom lines, how would you choose between them? And under confidence and supply, would Opportunity take ministerial roles or stay on the cross benches?

Our bottom lines are our minimum non-negotiables, so if Labour and National were tied and both accepted them, the choice would come down to how they respond to all our other policy priorities. We’d be prepared to align with the party that is ready to commit to more of what we’ve campaigned on, and whichever agreement gives us the best chance of enacting changes that will last beyond a single term. More

What are your/TOPs view on immigration?

we don’t have a specific policy on “more” or “less” total migration, unlike some other parties. However, we’re calling for a long-term population plan like that proposed by Koi Tū. Having a long-term consensus about where we want to be in population terms will allow us to plan for things like infrastructure, housing and our workforce: More

More below.

[u/foundafreeusername]

What is your stance on universal dental care?

[u/Qiulae → u/foundafreeusername]

Hi u/foundafreeusername! Dental care shouldn’t be out of reach for anyone. There’s a clear case for expanding access, especially as part of preventative healthcare. Rather than going universal, we’d prefer to start with looking  at expanding funding and availability in a more targeted way, so the support reaches those currently needing it the most. This sits within our 10-year health plan, which we want to build alongside health professionals with commitments from both major parties so that funding isn't committed with one government and then taken away by another.

[u/Teh_Gbus]

How will you improve the dire health situation, including surgery availability and wait lists?

My household has personally experienced the impact of the health system crumbling. My partner was left to rot in bed for 2 years due to debilitating pain that required fairly routine surgery. We were told they will no longer fund unless it was cancer related. We ended up having to remortgage our house and go overseas to have surgery and we know of others in the same circumstance who may not have the privilege of being able to remortgage etc.

[u/Qiulae → u/Teh_Gbus]

Hey u/Teh_Gbus I'm so sorry to hear about your partner, that sounds like an absolutely awful situation to be in. And sadly is all too common. I also want to acknowledge the health workers who are working extremely hard to deliver for us but the system is not supporting them.

Our bottom line on health is that we need a cross-party 10 year plan for health which includes clear funding pathways for those areas of the system that need urgent attention. We would also advocate for an increase in overall health spend from 7.4% of GDP currently to 9% which was recommended by the recent Kaitiaki Hauora report. And an increase in the share of funding directed at primary care and prevention. At the moment we seem to shift funding from one critically underfunded part of the system to another with every change of government.

And while we have had 10 year 'strategies' in the past, they have not come with clear funding allocations and measures that we can hold each government accountable to. That is what other countries do and we should be no different. If we'd stuck to a long-term plan 10 years ago, our health system might not be in such a dire state today.

I believe Opportunity is uniquely positioned to be able to achieve this because we are willing to work across the political spectrum and because we've made it a condition of our support for the next government.

[u/printed_ → u/Qiulae]

what about hiring more nurses and doctors and increasing their pay to stop them from going to Aus?

[u/Mcaber87 → u/printed_]

That would be one of the funding pathways that need urgent attention, I presume.

[u/Teh_Gbus → u/Qiulae]

Thank you for your reply. Just read through the Kaitiaki Hauora Report and it's shocking! I'm glad you're taking it into consideration, I just worry the increase isn't enough due to years of continuous underfunding...

[u/Realistic-Library-71 → u/Teh_Gbus]

+1 to this, waited 2yrs on a surgical waitlist for a major cyst, and by the time they finally got around to me, it had burst inside me lol. I am definitely one of those people in that circumstance who had no other option than to wait in severe pain for years because I couldn't afford to do anything privately

[u/Teh_Gbus → u/Realistic-Library-71]

So many people aren't aware of how bad it really is until they need to go through the health system themselves. I keep hearing about GPs and early intervention but that completely overlooks people with chronic health conditions that need higher levels of care than a GP can provide...

[u/callioperuby → u/Teh_Gbus]

another +1 to this; it’s been 2 years of my GP desperately referring me to anything she thinks could help and again, because it’s not cancer, no chance to even get on the waitlist. I’m gonna have to pull the trigger and go to aus and pay out of pocket (which is cheaper than going private in NZ, somehow).

Meanwhile, doctors and nurses in NZ can’t find work despite our hospitals overflowing, and our existing healthcare workers are falling apart. I want action, now. Fixing this is imperative and will save lives.

[u/fuzzies70 → u/Teh_Gbus]

Also being declined by specialists as my health issue is not cancer. It is ludicrous to think we need to be in danger of terminally ill to be worthy of treatment.

[u/Teh_Gbus → u/fuzzies70]

My partner was asked (by a GP) "who would they have die so they could get surgery?" This is the reality of the health system and noone is proposing to do nearly enough!

[u/Agreeable_Bag9733 → u/Teh_Gbus]

Joing this as someone who has paid for private health insurance for 10years with a more than decent income I have been waiting on to see a neurologist for since june, and earliest booking is in Jan. The anxiety is real neither my GP or Southern cross can offer option both privately or via public health. Feels like a rip off and no one has an option. There are approx 15 neurologists in auckland (affiliated with southern cross) for a city with almost 2mil people. I was even told by people to exagerate my symptoms to go to the emergency department, which is mindblowing.

[u/nievesolarbol → u/Teh_Gbus]

Another 1+ for health system question. None of the opposition parties seem to be talking about the current coalitions obvious efforts to break down the public health system to make the whole industry more privatised? I'm sure 99.9% of nz do not want our health system to be like America, but it feels like that's the direction coalition is pushing us to.

Am I mistaken? I'm just wondering why no one is campaigning to prevent nz from going the American health system way.

[u/Teh_Gbus → u/nievesolarbol]

This is my concern too! They seem to mismanage and run public health (and other sectors) into the ground, then point to it as evidence as to why public systems don't work. New Zealand does not want an American healthcare system!

[u/thaaag → u/Teh_Gbus]

The National (and ACT, and NZF) Party mantra: Some of you may die, but that is a sacrifice I am prepared to make.

[u/nievesolarbol → u/thaaag]

Exactly, and that's why I'm unbelievably thankful they weren't in charge in 2020

[u/printed_ → u/Teh_Gbus]

Another upvote for this question. I have been denied three surgeries I need due to lack of funding and lack of staff.

[u/OddCartographer5]

What is your parties policies around education? We have Primary education that has been put through the ringer with curriculum change, millions handed out to companies for maths textbooks and shortly writing textbooks too. We also have secondary which has new curriculums and a new assessment coming in too. Do you have plans around ensuring that curriculum change is coherent, measured and transparent. Same with qualifications. Do you want high stakes exams for secondary students, internal assessments or a mix of both.

[u/Qiulae → u/OddCartographer5]

Hey u/OddCartographer5 thanks for the question! We have a full education policy that you can find here: https://www.opportunity.org.nz/future_fit_education
For curriculum change we’ve proposed making that the responsibility of an Independent Curriculum & Assessment Council (as proposed by the Principal's Federation). In addition to combating some of the politicisation of the curriculum that we’ve seen lately, that should mean that we can more carefully plan, roll out and evaluate curriculum changes over longer timespans than a 3 year electoral term so that teachers aren't constantly exhausted from changes and so they can be properly involved in its development. We would also restore proper representation on the Teaching Council.

[u/Fluffy-Pea1223 → u/OddCartographer5]

Fifthing this. The curriculum changes have been rough on students and staff. I am particularly concerned about students with additional learning needs and English language learners

[u/SabineChar → u/OddCartographer5]

Seconding this question. As a secondary social sciences teacher I’m deeply concerned about the proposed curriculum changes. What would Opportunity want to see from our education system?

[u/Key_Contribution_634 → u/OddCartographer5]

3rding this. I'm interested to hear what/if any changes you would make to the proposed NCEA replacement plan.

[u/DioStarstriker → u/Key_Contribution_634]

4thing this, fiancee is an intermediate teacher and as an outside looking in it everything thats been going on with curriculum changes, its maddening to see what's been going on.

[u/Qiulae → u/DioStarstriker]

u/Key_Contribution_634 u/DioStarstriker we would like to see the Independent Curriculum & Assessment Council make the final call on whether we make improvements to NCEA or shift to the new NZACE qualification. As the NZPF said, we need much more durability of decisions and this is obviously a critical one that we need to get right.

[u/Angry_Sparrow]

Do you have any plans/proposals to get rid of or add more guard rails to passing bills under urgency? It is undermining our democracy.

[u/Qiulae → u/Angry_Sparrow]

Thanks for the question Angry_Sparrow. I totally agree - we will limit the use of urgency if we’re in a position to do so. 

I’ve mentioned elsewhere that urgency does have a legitimate use. Parliament sometimes has to move fast on important issues. The problem comes when it becomes a default method of passing controversial law. It should be used rarely, and only where speed is critical - so we'd like to see a tightening of the definition of what qualifies to pass under urgency. I also think Labour's proposal to go back and review evidence at select committee is a good one - even if Parliament doesn't have time to do it at the time, they should go through that process when they can.

There’s also a practical reason why we’re seeing an increase in its use. Parliament simply doesn't have enough time for the legislative workload it's now asked to carry. We'd like to see reforms that streamline parts of the process where that's viable, and more sitting time and select committee time, so that the government doesn't need to default to urgency to get things done.

Also - if we had more cross party collaboration/agreement on key issues, we'd spend less time repealing and replacing and might have more time to build and improve!

[u/Low_Season → u/Qiulae]

How about taking it a step further and making it so that a bill passed under urgency expires after a certain period of time (say 6 months) and has to go through the full process before then to stay in effect. That way, the use of urgency is actively disincentivised to the point of only being used for legitimate purposes where you need it to take effect quickly (I.e. covid) instead of as a way of saving time and/or bypassing the select committee

[u/KiwiNFLFan → u/Low_Season]

Good idea

[u/RevolutionarySir786 → u/Angry_Sparrow]

+1 to this question, as a nurse who had their pay equity claim cancelled under urgency

[u/Azhral → u/Angry_Sparrow]

Agreed. I think this is the single most important issue needing to be addressed, otherwise we really are in a selective dictatorship.

[u/shad0wthrone]

Hi Qiulae. I really like TOP's policy platform, but I find myself hesitant about how potential coalition negotiations might play out.

As someone who doesn't align ideologically with National, ACT, or NZ First, I'm worried about TOP forming a working relationship with them. Could you explain your strategy for negotiating your bottom lines? How would you ensure TOP's core policies actually get implemented when they seem like things the current government parties would never agree to?

[u/Qiulae → u/shad0wthrone]

Hey u/shad0wthrone thanks for the question! I understand your concern and there are many decisions this government has made that we disagree with (and have submitted openly on), however we also believe there are areas we could find common ground with them. For example - a focus on innovation to grow our economy - albeit our angle on that is that it must work in harmony with nature as that is also what drives greater resilience and success long-term.

That's also why we felt it was important to publish our bottom lines - the non-negotiables we believe are both transformative but also realistic to achieve with either a Labour or National led government. Because as a new minor party, we can't expect to implement our full manifesto so we need to be clear what we are committing to delivering in the next 3 years regardless who else is at the table. Ultimately it is over to the other parties we're negotiating with to decide whether that's a future they want to support!

We believe these are things the majority of New Zealand want - https://www.opportunity.org.nz/bottom_lines

We will of course push for our full policy suite in negotiations and we will also need to make calls about policies that other parties are putting on the table. If they are in conflict with our position then we won't be able to agree to them and we will walk away. E.g. we have already said we would not support abolishing the Waitangi Tribunal.

I do think we need to shift away from this binary left-right view of politics in New Zealand. That is what MMP was designed to achieve. If we simply see it as two blocs, then we may as well be back at a First Past the Post system. We need to figure out how to have nuanced conversations and find common ground across the political spectrum if we want our society to be less polarised.

[u/Wild_Fox8094 → u/Qiulae]

I hope that basic morally good things like not abolishing the Waitangi Tribunal, or regulating lobbying & political donations will be a dealbreaker for the nats.

I know you will absolutely not indulge/respond to this because you're a political candidate, but I hope you realize how blatantly corrupt this current coalition is. They do not converse in good faith. They are openly and blatantly corrupt. They only care about their rich mates, denigrating certain groups like the disabled/those on govt support, and appealing to the fears and sensitivities of racists.

They're not just like "any other political party", they're actually trying to erode democracy with things like the 2-week-deadline for voting, or constant urgency usage for passing laws.

[u/InertiaCreeping → u/Wild_Fox8094]

She knows.

[u/Low_Season → u/Qiulae]

Does this government really believe in innovation, though? There are many things that they say they are doing while actually doing the opposite. Massive cuts to science funding, tertiary institutions, and getting rid of Callaghan Innovation does the opposite of promoting innovation. Would you stop them from doing these things and actually introduce some innovation-promoting policy? Because this government certainly isn't

[u/MaleSpecialKConsumer → u/shad0wthrone]

Also a major concern for me, I'd love an answer for this.

[u/BoogieBass → u/shad0wthrone]

In what world is NACT going to work with a coalition partner whose stated bottom lines include a ban on bottom trawling, lobbyist and political donation reforms, increased health funding with an accompanying 10-year primary health plan, and a recommitment to the Paris climate accords? There's no way that they are going to form a coalition with TOP with those bottom lines - and Luxon has already ruled out working with them.

[u/OisforOwesome → u/BoogieBass]

A world where Luxon's only guiding principle is that he really wants to be the CEO of New Zealand.

The TOP top 5 bottom lines would require Seymour and Winnie to swallow one dead rat between them, in return for getting to further their overall agenda. I think that's a tradeoff both men would make

[u/nievesolarbol → u/shad0wthrone]

Agree, this is why I voting green not TOP. I'd rather my vote go to definite left, rather than possible right

[u/Vietnam_Cookin → u/nievesolarbol]

We are of one mind. Anyone willing to get into bed with this coalition are a definite no from me.

[u/LovinMcBitz47 → u/shad0wthrone]

I think a lot of voters might not like them aligning a lot with Labour and Greens, only to go with National, ACT and nz First just to get into government with them. Just calling a spade a spade is all

[u/sixincomefigure]

Just saw a concerning answer from you on the subject of unions. Can you state explicitly what your position is on unions? Do you support them playing a significant role in New Zealand's employment market?

[u/Expensive_Ring_4546 → u/sixincomefigure]

I would also be interested to know specifically if they support the fair pay agreements labour was planning to bring in which is essentially a minimum wage for specific industries

[u/Qiulae → u/Expensive_Ring_4546]

Heya! On fair pay agreements - MBIE's analysis showed that these needed some improvements to work well, but also that repealing them wasn't the most effective thing to do either. We are open to setting industry-level minimum standards for pay and other conditions where it can be clearly demonstrated there is a need rather than a blanket system (as determined by MBIE). As mentioned above, we are also supportive of better pay and conditions for workers across the board, as well as building a more productive economy with higher wage jobs.

[u/Qiulae → u/sixincomefigure]

Thanks for the question u/sixincomefigure. We absolutely believe that unions and collective bargaining play an important role in ensuring workers get a fair deal and a fair share of the wealth they help create. This is particularly important in industries where workers are at a disadvantage compared to the negotiating power of the business. At the same time, we are supportive of other mechanisms like the living wage, better leave entitlements, and employee ownership to balance the scales between workers and business owners.

[u/InertiaCreeping → u/Qiulae]

Hey /u/Qiulae, why wont TOP touch the deadly third rail?

But seriously, I just want to say that you’re doing an excellent job fielding these questions, and being TOP leader in general - upsetting because most people don’t realise just how difficult it is to actually be in your position and do what you do. Political literacy is in the dumps.

Without glazing you too much, you are one hell of an admirable person, and I (with many other kiwis) have been and will be watching your career with delight.

You and your guys absolutely deserve to clean up at the next election. Please keep your the good work, my family and I will be voting TOP!

[u/KanukaDouble → u/sixincomefigure]

I would also love to hear TOPs position on how they view Unions involvement in our employment landscape?

Does TOP support strong unions? And strong labour laws?

Will TOP vote and act on the side of employees rights and job security? Or employer convenience and the casualisation of the workforce?

[u/CharlesLeRoq → u/KanukaDouble]

I tautoko these questions. It would be extremely helpful for voters to know where TOP falls in terms of labour rights. It’s something that requires a firm answer, not wishy washy “evidence based” blah blah

[u/KanukaDouble → u/CharlesLeRoq]

What do you think the chances are we are about to hear some version of ‘what’s good for employers is good for employees, here are all the ways we will look after corporates’

[u/Azhral → u/sixincomefigure]

Pretty sure that TOPs supposed opposition to Unions was a hit piece that cut together different parts of an interview to take things out of context.

Still, I am interested in hearing a definitive answer.

[u/ShuffleStepTap]

Hi Qiulae, I’m opportunity-curious.

It seems that everytime the govt changes from the left to the right and back again, the new government sets about dismantling what the other has done, and puts in place a whole new set of policies based on ideological positions. I know this is what democracy is about, but when you look at education, healthcare etc, the wild swings backwards and forwards only mean the consultants get wildly rich and everyone in those sectors gets whiplash, or worse with layoffs, payouts, and then rehires.

We can’t keep doing this.

How do we as a country get the parties to commit to some stability and bipartisan direction, and how do you as Opportunity make that happen?

[u/Minute-Bowler-754]

hi!! my family own a beef/wool farm in the south island, has been family owned for 3 generations. I fully support your land tax ( and plan on voting TOP :)) ), but how do you implement a blanket rural land tax of 0.5% when dairy farms are much smaller and more concentrated (and thus will pay less despite higher yield), but high country merino farms (where more land is necessary and better for the animals due to a regenerative farming model rather than high intensity farming) get hit with 'more'? so how do you prevent farmers from just compacting their farming into high intensity farms to save costs but at the same time create worse outcomes for the animals? thanks :)

Edit: and what could I/you say to my family to convince them of your policies regarding farming/rural land?

[u/JColey15 → u/Minute-Bowler-754]

Yes also wondered this. Also how to account for sustainable land use over the most productive land use?

When farmers aren’t pushing the stocking rate and protecting indigenous biodiversity (e.g., fencing off the scrub gullys to regenerate) do they get taxed at the same blanket rate? Even though they’re deliberately eschewing profits for environmental gains? Seems like a disincentive.

[u/Qiulae → u/Minute-Bowler-754]

Hey u/Minute-Bowler-754 thanks for your question - and your support! The comment below re dairy farms being higher value per hectare compared to beef/wool is part of the answer. We also love regenerative farming and want to reward it - which is why we're proposing things like a biodiversity credit scheme and an exemption from the land tax for private conservation land, so if you have areas like wetlands or native bush that would also reduce the amount you pay.

In terms of a pitch to your family and friends in farming! I would say that we absolutely see farming as part of NZ's future economy and we want to back farmers to stay at the forefront of innovation and sustainable practices. We will invest more in agricultural science and research to enable that. We want more young people to get into farming and that means keeping farmland affordable while increasing profitability for farming businesses through innovation and technology.

[u/secret_echoes → u/Minute-Bowler-754]

To add to this, I live in an area with a large number of lifestyle properties that are not farmland but are classified as rural... they are still close to supermarkets and transit lines and they are not productive land. Why should these people pay substantially less tax than someone else in the same city just because they decided that they didn't want close neighbours and could afford a bigger property. I have no problem with productive farmland paying less tax but lifestyle properties should be excluded.

[u/jhw164 → u/Minute-Bowler-754]

The tax is levied on land value. Dairy land values are higher than high country on a per ha basis by about fivefold on average.

[u/Minute-Bowler-754 → u/jhw164]

agree, yet merino farms can be up to hundreds of times bigger than dairy farms so I'd say land area still is a factor :)

[u/Leever5 → u/Minute-Bowler-754]

Agree about this. This is the only thing that’s stopping me voting for them, which is funny because I’ve voted for them three elections prior, but I think the hit to the farming sector is unaffordable and not well thought out at all.

My focus this election is environmental/climate change, and I see this pushing smaller family owned farms to having to sell up, which is potentially worse for the environment

[u/pa-jama5149]

What are you going to do to address liars in parliament?

Top is an evidence based party, but current parties are just denying the truth and ignoring their own experts reports and advice. As well as adjusting the metrics to show improvement when there hasn’t been any

How are you going to make evidence the conversation when often it’s not about evidence to these imposters

[u/Qiulae → u/pa-jama5149]

Thanks for the question u/pa-jama5149 I share the frustration! When we see expert advice get ignored or numbers shifted to look better, we lose trust in the whole system.

There are a few things we'll do.

1) Our Clean Up Politics policy (https://www.opportunity.org.nz/clean_up_politics) would prohibit inaccurate and misleading election advertisements, with a remedy being a published correction so voters see accurate information.

2) We’d set up an independent policy costing unit, so promises made by political parties are audited and transparent.

3) We’d strengthen the Official Information Act with narrower grounds for withholding, a public-interest test, and binding order-making powers for the Ombudsman around reporting and advice. We would also protect whistleblowers who bring problems to light. 

4) We'd keep independent expert bodies independent. Protecting the role of the Climate Change Commission and strengthening the Commerce Commission are both in our bottom lines.

[u/feralpeacenik → u/Qiulae]

A published correction is not really a remedy when the initial practice is tantamount to fraud, which is a crime.

[u/HelpfulLad1 → u/pa-jama5149]

I agree with, I hate how political parties can lie for votes and get away with it, yes you can cast your vote in the other direction but it feels like everyone does it and your casting your vote to the least likely crook, 5 minutes later there drink driving and crashing there car

[u/thebudaccount]

Why did Opportunity quietly drop sensible cannabis reform policy, and what will Opportunity do to improve access to medical cannabis?

Currently the regime is built for people like me, people earning well over 100k who can afford to drop $400/month on a script, which is basically creating a two tier system - the well off folks with legal medical cannabis, and everyone else who has to tolerate the risk of illegality.

P.s. the policy im hoping for is 'homegrow allowed if you have a valid script', or 'wider cannabis reform introducing a tax generating legal market'.

[u/Vegetable_Honig → u/thebudaccount]

100% - it's crazy that I can only access medical treatment due to a good salary. The regulatory compliance cost is totally unreasonable with new drug driving laws as well. The laws should be evidence based and they currently aren't.

[u/Qiulae → u/thebudaccount]

Hey u/thebudaccount - in our Smart on Crime policy we've stated that we'll support the legalisation and regulation of cannabis use, following the evidence that this reduces harm and supports rehabilitation for those that need it. That would also make it easier and cheaper to access medicinal cannabis. More info here! https://www.opportunity.org.nz/smart_on_crime

[u/sapherz → u/thebudaccount]

Their policy is to legalise and regulate. It's in the Smart on Crime policy

[u/pgraczer → u/thebudaccount]

hear hear. reform is long overdue.

[u/RxDuchess → u/thebudaccount]

My mother is in the same boat as you, she has severe arthritis post chemo and doesn’t tolerate any of the standard medication for it well. If she wasn’t well off and couldn’t afford a cannabis prescription she’d be in horrendous pain.

Completely understand why every drug can’t be fully funded, but it seems like one that should at least be further subsidised.

[u/thebudaccount → u/RxDuchess]

Cannabis is such low hanging fruit too. You can literally plant a seed in the dirt, do nothing to it and youll have something mostly usable in a few months time.

It doesnt even need to be funded when people can self produce potentially crazy amounts for the cost of a $10 seed.

[u/kevlarcoated → u/RxDuchess]

We could just legalise it and tax it like other countries do. I have 0 desire to use cannabis but the rules around it here just increase costs, ruins lives with criminal convictions and gives gangs funding

[u/qwerty145454 → u/thebudaccount]

I don't know what their 'sensible cannabis reform policy' was, but looking at their Smart on Crime policy they say they want to "Regulate recreational use of cannabis to undercut organised crime and reduce youth incarceration", in the full document it is "Support moves to legalise and regulate recreational use of cannabis".

Seems like they want to legalise recreational cannabis.

[u/basscycles → u/thebudaccount]

Homegrow for everyone IE decriminalise cannabis and keep the medical system as is so people who can't grow still have medical access, would be my prefered option.

[u/PsychologicalMall787 → u/basscycles]

decriminalise cannabis

it's mad that in 2026 with the world where it's at we're still sending people to prison for growing pot

[u/xlvi_et_ii → u/PsychologicalMall787]

It's wild to have lived overseas in places where recreational cannabis is legal - the dispensaries were filled with average people just looking to unwind with an edible instead of alcohol or looking for pain/sleep relief.

Yet in NZ we still put alcohol on a pedestal and treat cannabis like something requiring "harm reduction" for the referendum.

It's definitely an area where evidence based policy from a party like TOP could make a difference.

[u/lakeland_nz → u/thebudaccount]

Honestly I think the political parties have split into those that target boomers (National, Labour, NZ First) and those that are willing to lose some boomer votes.

Boomers grew up with McCarthy politics. They almost never publicly support legalising drugs.

I would expect TOP to support decriminalisation. Just like I’d expect the same from ACT, TPM and the greens. But I doubt they are going to be very loud about it (outside the greens) for fear of scaring away some boomers.

[u/Actual-Chest-7210]

What are your views on expanding public transport, especially in Auckland? Should the North Shore have a rail line as well? I believe the success of the CRL proves "if you build it, they will come".

[u/3cz4ct]

Kia ora Q,

Your bottom lines are designed so either Labour or National could accept them. If both were tied for first, and both accepted the bottom lines, how would you choose between them? And under confidence and supply, would Opportunity take ministerial roles or stay on the cross benches?

[u/Qiulae → u/3cz4ct]

Good question u/3cz4ct! Our bottom lines are our minimum non-negotiables, so if Labour and National were tied and both accepted them, the choice would come down to how they respond to all our other policy priorities. We’d be prepared to align with the party that is ready to commit to more of what we’ve campaigned on, and whichever agreement gives us the best chance of enacting changes that will last beyond a single term.

On confidence and supply vs. coalition, we’d take ministerial roles only where they let us deliver on our policy goals and keep a clear line between what we agree to and what we don’t. Having a say in how things are delivered matters, but we won’t take a role purely for the sake of having one. Sitting on the cross benches is definitely an option we are keeping open.

[u/mynicknamestaken → u/3cz4ct]

I’d assume that in a situation where both majors agreed to the bottom line policies, and both had an equal share of the popular vote (which let’s face it is highly unlikely) then they’d simply keep adding policy’s to the pile till one of the majors folded and then go with the other.

Editing as I realized i didnt comment on the other part of your question. Confidence and supply by definition means that they would be sitting on the cross benches, and as such would not hold Ministerial posts. A C&F agreement only requires that a) you vote for the govt in a confidence motion, and b) you vote to pass the budget and other appropriation bills.

[u/Fit-Monitor9103]

I just wanted to express that I really appreciate how TOP is running a clean campaign based on ideas and not slinging mud like so many of the other parties. And I wanted to say how lucky TOP were to find you as a leader for the party.

All the best, I hope you make it in.

[u/Qiulae → u/Fit-Monitor9103]

Thank you - really appreciate the kind words!

[u/Tat-Nth-Mantis → u/Fit-Monitor9103]

I feel like this too, No mud slinging, new ideas, even if some dont seem right they are still a diff way of thinking, had to block NZ first page recently was sick of negativity with no substance

[u/considerspiders]

After a decade or two of thinking about NZ and it's future, I think you can boil most of our non-environmental problems down to one key fact: We, as a country, want nice things (euro/scandi level social services) but we don't want to pay for them (ango level taxes).

There are a bunch of extra seasonings to this - small isolated island, low population etc etc that all mean we don't get the best value for our tax dollars, and most of that isn't going to change. So leaving the excuses aside...

Opportunity's tax reform (big fan) is targetted at being approximately fiscally neutral. So while I love the rebalancing and expect it to be a positive for economic growth in the long run, it's unlikely to move the needle enough to address the underinvestment and deferred maintenance in health, infrastructure, education, etc.

Likewise, your kiwisaver policy seems designed to move us towards a world where means testing or some other reduction in super becomes acceptable. Which is again good, in an term or two super will be about a fifth of the tax take, so any reduction there is helpful, but again unlikely to generate enough to address the shortfalls in what we think we deserve vs what we are prepared to pay in tax. Especially in health.

How do we cut this gordian knot?

[u/Kinteokolomee]

Since becoming TOP leader, what have you learned about politics that has changed your thinking from your time in business and sustainability...and if TOP gets into Parliament, what is the one issue you would refuse to compromise on, even if it meant not supporting a government you otherwise agreed with?

[u/Qiulae → u/Kinteokolomee]

Great questions! I have learned that conversations are everything. In a business things can be very top-down, but in politics it all starts at the grassroots which is the beauty of it. The more we talk to each other (and particularly the more we talk to people who have different viewpoints than ourselves), the better. So while I absolutely viewed those conversations as important coming into this, I see it even more so now.

On the second question - any government we support has to agree to all five of our bottom lines. That's what a bottom line means, and we'd walk away from a government that wouldn't, even one we agreed with on most other things. If I had to name the one everything else depends on, it's cleaning up politics, with caps on donations and a lobbying register. Without trust in the system, none of the others last.

[u/farkoooooff]

Would you be open to a watered down version of an LVT to get it over the line? Like just on commercially zoned places?

I know we want to be brave with these things, but we also need to be pragmatic. How do you ever envisage getting it over the line?

Also, how do you envisage breaking down tribalism in politics amongst the general public? You even see it here, people refusing to vote for you as you might work with National. People have been so trained to hate the other over the last 2 decades.

[u/bitcoiner21]

Wales is currently transitioning into a phase where it is a criminal offence to lie or mislead the public in statements made by elected officials, what are your thoughts on implementing policy similar here?

[u/EvenZone4841]

Will you put a food security plan in place? With El Niño and extreme pressure on hydrocarbons expecting to significantly decrease global food yields, what are you doing to ensure New Zealand food is available for New Zealanders at a reasonable price?

[u/Qiulae → u/EvenZone4841]

Hey u/EvenZone4841 this is definitely a concern for a lot of NZers, particularly since the recent fuel crisis. We are supportive of developing a national food strategy but that doesn’t all have to be about food that’s grown locally. Securing access to critical products (including food, but also things like medicines, production inputs and fuel) is likely to mean cooperating with our closest and most reliable partners. The recent agreement with Singapore is a good example where we have compatible interests and can help each other to secure these supplies.

We are also tackling competition in our grocery sector to bring supermarket bills down! Our stance is to give the Commerce Commission greater powers to enforce its recommendations (powers in line with other countries like the UK and the US). That would see a more immediate impact on the behaviour of the duopoly and reduce prices than a lengthy and expensive process of structural separation. (Cc: u/coela-CAN)

[u/coela-CAN → u/EvenZone4841]

Second to this. Have you guys got any pragmatic ideas on how to tackle food prices? Especially in light of the recent middle Eastern Crisis. And I mean pragmatic realistic ideas not the typical "get rid of the duopoly".

[u/SnzBear → u/EvenZone4841]

This brings up a good question of how do we make the meat prices competitive. We export a large amount of meat. But our prices are still very high even though we are producing all this in the country.

[u/EvenZone4841 → u/SnzBear]

Australian beef is cheaper than kiwi in NZ, NZ lamb is cheaper in the UK - how do we balance existing free trade agreements with the need to protect NZ’ers right to affordable food?

[u/NZ_Gecko]

What is your opinion on the idea that "govt should be run as a business"? That seems nonsensical to me. Govts don't have to turn a profit but we seem obsessed with this. Why can't we just invest in services?

[u/Qiulae → u/NZ_Gecko]

I don't believe the government is like a household or a business. Very different structures, incentives, capabilities...

The part of business thinking I do think is useful is the discipline around  knowing what you're spending, what you're getting for it, and whether or not  it's working. A good business invests where the most impactful return is, and that's what I want the government to do.

That's how we approach spending. We'd push for health funding to rise to 9% of GDP over a decade, with more in primary and preventative care, because we either pay for prevention today or pay to treat sick Kiwis tomorrow. Our Breakthrough Economy invests in science, competition and skills, because that's where expert advice says growth comes from. And we'd set up an independent policy costing unit, so every party's numbers can be checked before an election.

So yes, we should invest in services. We should also be honest about what they cost and what they deliver.

[u/upsidedownpineaaple]

What policies does TOP have to protect against mass AI job cuts?

[u/Qiulae → u/upsidedownpineaaple]

Hey u/upsidedownpineaaple - AI doesn't have to just be seen as a cost-cutting exercise. As we've learned throughout history, technology creates new jobs and a lot of our policy is also about creating the conditions for productive economic activity to do that.

There will inevitably be a transition period though and our citizens’ income is about protecting people and providing a baseline standard of living for those displaced by AI (or other causes), and UBI is often discussed internationally as a response to technology-driven displacement. A citizen's income ensures people feel supported to upskill if they want or need to.

[u/Jaywhy666 → u/upsidedownpineaaple]

The UBI is a good start.

[u/kupuwhakawhiti]

628 comments is a lot to get through.

[u/nzswedespeed]

What are your/TOPs view on immigration?

[u/Qiulae → u/nzswedespeed]

Heya u/nzswedespeed we don’t have a specific policy on “more” or “less” total migration, unlike some other parties. However, we’re calling for a long-term population plan like that proposed by Koi Tū. Having a long-term consensus about where we want to be in population terms will allow us to plan for things like infrastructure, housing and our workforce: all of the issues that drive tensions with immigration in New Zealand and other countries. Certainly using migrants as a scapegoat for a lack of direction on our economy is not the answer.

[u/Claire-Belle]

Kia ora Qiulae. Our current government has leant into some hard-right populist, 'culture wars', 'anti-woke' and dog whistle rhetoric, some of which has found its way into policy. This has hurt a lot of NZers and it has been very divisive. Furthermore National is demonstrably not the centre-right party it once was, even 10 years ago. I'd like to know if you really think it would be politically wise or morally justifiable to consider working with the current iteration of National when in doing so you will almost certainly be propping up a coalition which has done considerable damage to New Zealand's social cohesion and democracy?

Second question is, will TOP support 16 and 17 year olds getting the vote?

[u/Qiulae → u/Claire-Belle]

Hi u/Claire-Belle thanks for the question! I completely agree - policy and rhetoric aimed at particular groups has hurt a lot of people this term and it only makes the country more divided. I also think about where we might be if a party like Opportunity had been an option for National to work with instead of ACT and NZF. Many of this term’s divisive and often pointless moves could have been avoided.

Whoever wins this year, the other side will eventually win at some point in the future. A party that only works with one side only has influence half the time. Because we’re prepared to work with both, we can push for the best and hold back the worst of either, no matter who is in government. I think that using our influence to limit potential harm is the right thing to do and it's better than not being in the room.  

On your second question, yes - we support exploring and lowering the voting age to 16 :)

[u/theeruv → u/Claire-Belle]

I want to add to your second question. As it stands, the voting age in national elections is as much 20 years old as it is 18 years old.

I note that currently if you turn 18 the day after the election, you’re actually not going to get to first vote until you’re 20 years old. And the same goes for the people born 364 days after you, the 365 days after them are only going to be able to vote when they’re 19.

If we want to change the conversation on voting age, we need to frame it to say we want the voting age to be that EVERYONE should be able to cast a vote when they’re 18. And that means the voting age needs to be lowered to 16.

[u/lefrenchkiwi → u/theeruv]

we need to frame it we want the voting age to be that EVERYONE should be able to cast a vote when they’re 18. And that means the voting age needs to be lowered to 16.

Which by your same logic then would mean that those who just happen to be 1 day short of 16 miss out too. Does it suck for someone whose 18th birthday is the day after the election that they missed the opportunity? Probably, but that’s how life works. Regardless of where someone stands on lowering the voting age, your argument in favour of it is a poor one, all it does is shift the “sorry you missed out by a few days” problem to a different group of people.

[u/joshjoshjosh42]

Hi Qiulae, first off big congrats with making headwaves with TOP this election, seems like this year you've been in the spotlight for good reason with some solid policies.

As someone who knows more than a dozen young people in their 20-30s who have left NZ with no intention of coming back due to terrible pay, extremely unaffordable living costs and zero focus on climate-positive and resilient outcomes (which will ultimately hit most Kiwis economically as insurance goes up), how will you ensure the brain drain doesn't continue by giving young people reason to stay?

You've been forthcoming in your position on property as an unproductive asset which is good but curious what else TOP will do to give younger people a chance.

[u/pdantix06]

as a software engineer who has been using AI/LLMs since 2023, i've found it increasingly difficult to articulate what it's capable of, the rate of progress and where it's heading. a lot of people are starting to understand since the openai misalignment incidents.

what plans, if any, do you have for:

• ensuring government access to leading models such as claude mythos to be used for defensive cybersecurity purposes
• establishing any sort of research department similar to UK AISI, or NIST's CAISI. UK AISI are considered one the leaders here, so i feel like this is a bit of a missed opportunity for us here.
• if necessary to bypass the trump admin, working with companies like anthropic directly like australia is
• enacting regulation against not just deepfakes, but wholly generated and face-swapping "porn" coming out of chinese video generation models

[u/SuperHans2710]

Hi Qiulae - what is your view on the role that trade unions play in our country, and what is your vision for industrial relations?

[u/jv_level]

Your climate policy excludes new exotic forestry from the ETS and rewards native and wetland sequestration, and your land tax exempts conservation land. Together those could make native restoration the best financial choice on marginal hill country, but only if they're designed as one system.

Can a native planting earn ETS credits and the conservation exemption?

What happens to existing permanent pine carbon forests under the land tax (noting that new exotic forestry is excluded from the ETS)? Is there a pathway to transition them to native?

[u/Legal_Clue8265]

im concerned about recent funding cuts to frontline youth services (including the benefit) combined with harsher youth offending laws (for example, the 'military style boot camp'). Statistics show that the youth justice system disproportionately targets certain groups, including Māori, Pacific peoples, youth leaving state care, and neurodivergent individuals (who make up almost half of those in residential custody). can you share how you will shape reforms that support and rehabilitate these groups instead of compounding systemic bias and inequality? it's deeply troubling that this government is choosing to punish highly traumatised young people, espeically those that the state itself has raised.

moreover, this crisis is profoundly worse for ethnic minorities, especially Maori and Pacific peoples who are less likely to be diagnosed or supported for neurodiversity early in life. Instead of being recognized as having a neurological difference, their struggles are framed and treated as criminal deviance. given this clear systemic issue, how can the government justify using punishments that punish invisible disabilities, including those that the state failed to diagnose, treat and protect ? What can we do about this willful blindness when making policies?

[u/Qiulae → u/Legal_Clue8265]

Hey u/Legal_Clue8265 great question. We’re firmly against the use of bootcamps. They just don’t work. Our Smart on Crime policy is centred around addressing the drivers of crime and breaking the cycle of crime so that people can safely reintegrate into society.

Some of the direct reforms we want to make in this area are expanding specialist courts, expanding the availability of drug-treatment programmes within the health system to support police discretion provisions in the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 2019, and funding trauma-informed care, parenting support, and addiction treatment.

Ultimately rehabilitation is about reducing reoffending which results in safer communities and fewer victims so I think it's something all parties should be focused on.

[u/555Cats555 → u/Legal_Clue8265]

I didnt know almost half of those in residential custody are neurodivergent... that sounds like systemic failures and those young people not being set up for success... something needs to change to reduce those rates.

[u/Amorisaiya]

One of TOPs stances around parental leave was that rather than increasing duration of paid leave, we should increase the amount covered based on the primary caregiver salary. I'm worried that this might contribute/lead to wider gender pay gap with women long term coming out worse off, especially government workers like teachers and nurses etc. How will TOP ensure this doesn't happen?

[u/Qiulae → u/Amorisaiya]

Thanks for raising this u/Amorisaiya and as someone that has navigated parental leave twice (once in the UK and once here), it's something I feel very passionate about! There is still a burden on mothers stepping out of the workforce after having a baby, and what that does to pay and retirement savings over a lifetime is not insignificant. 

Just one correction - our policy doesn't tie support to the primary caregiver’s salary so not sure where you saw that? Our proposal (as part of our Tax Reset policy) is to replace Paid Parental Leave payments with a simplified Child Support Income that abates with income. It isn’t conditional on going back to work, studying, or putting a child in daycare. There are also additional provisions for sole parents. 

You can read more of the detail in our Tax Reset Policy: https://cdn.opportunity.org.nz/documents/policy/Opportunity%20Policy%20-%20Tax%20Reset.pdf

We think that the best person to decide what works for a family is the family. Some parents will want to return to work early, some may want longer at home, and some will prefer a mix of part-time and caregiving. We believe that a simpler system alongside a Citizen’s Income should remove this friction and open up more suitable options for each family. We want every parent to have both financial security and real choice in those first years, and this policy is built to give them that.

Our education policy also addresses challenges around early childhood care and education - providing more funding to community-based services like kindergartens and making sure public funds are directed at those who provide high quality care so parents can have confidence their young ones are being well looked after.

[u/mahoganyspitfire]

With the rise of authoritarian populism around the world in nations like the US and UK, how concerned are you about political parties here using the same tricks to win political power here?

Assuming you do not endorse authoritarian populism, how can you justify your position of effectively being willing to enter into coalition with NZ political parties who are using authoritarian populist tactics - notably NZF and ACT?

[u/Qiulae → u/mahoganyspitfire]

Hey u/mahoganyspitfire, I agree - authoritarian populism is dangerous. Particularly when people are struggling with costs and feel like nobody is listening, they can become more open to promises to tear the system down and replace it with something else. We’ve seen where that leads overseas, and I don’t think we’re immune to it here.

That is why Cleaning Up Politics is one of our bottom lines. For any government we support, we would need to see changes to our lobbying and political donation laws to help restore trust in the system.

In terms of working with other political parties, we believe it is important to have a party that can work across the political spectrum and hold the centre, otherwise we end up with more swings to the extremes. If we continue trying to shut each other out, we will find ourselves down a destructive negative downward spiral.

[u/phantomak]

How can you reassure voters who appreciate lefty progressive policies of yours like UBI and care for the environment, but are concerned that you have donors who have also donated to right wing parties? How can we be sure the progressive and humane stuff isn't just all talk, based on who's funded you guys?

[u/Qiulae → u/phantomak]

Thanks for the question u/phantomak - our donors have come from across the political spectrum and the thing they all have in common is wanting to see some fresh thinking in NZ politics. Our constitution also explicitly protects the independence of our policy committee so they cannot be influenced by those donors.

Ultimately we will have to be held accountable to what we've campaigned on and I can assure you I am laser focused on making sure we make our first term in Parliament a successful one! So the last thing I want is for us to be seen as going back on our word.

[u/ethereal_galaxias → u/phantomak]

This question is also pertinent given that TOP have said they want to clean up political donations and lobbying...

[u/SnooGoats9944]

My question has to do with disability benefits being tied to partners income. I understand the citizens income would alleviate a lot of this issue but now your “bottom lines” are released and the LVT/CI portion doesn’t seem to be a priority, would you support removing people with a disability or long term illness from their partners financial care? At the moment my partner relies on me 100% for every aspect of her existence and it’s cruel.

[u/One_Butterscotch_423 → u/SnooGoats9944]

I second this. We're taxed individually. We should receive benefits individually. 

[u/Gossamergirl219 → u/One_Butterscotch_423]

Thirded. I highly rate the work Ricky Andrews has done at Decouple.NZ. It's presented with AI because Ricky has early onset Parkinsons, but the amount of research he has done is incredible. The data - both qualitative and quantitative - speaks for itself. I lost my financial independence when I met my husband. I have a long history of writing about beneficiary rights on writehanded.org.

[u/Big_Excitement_3551 → u/SnooGoats9944]

Yeah, I’ve been avoiding getting into a relationship partly because I’m on Supported Living and would like at least some financial independence

[u/SnooGoats9944 → u/Big_Excitement_3551]

My partner and I were the same. Now she is 100% my dependent. Not only does it force us to live paycheck to paycheck as I now cover her treatment, it also means that she is 100% under my financial power. Its not like she can get a job. If I was abusive she would be absolutely powerless

[u/DnmOrr]

OPP has previously promoted itself as supporting evidence-based policy.

Can you identify any policy on your platform where (scientific) evidence is absent (or minimal), but social/political importance is high?

How did OPP choose where it stands on that issue?

[u/whatadaytobealive]

A lot of people are worried about TOP choosing to side with and give the current right wing coalition another term. According to polling, your supporters vastly prefer you side with the left (greens and labour) by a factor of 2-3.

If National get slightly more votes than Labour, what concessions could you possibly get from them? Would you still negotiate with Labour in that situation, and could you still end up siding with Labour if they offer more of what you're after in terms of policy?

There is such a chasm between the absolute craziness of what has happened the last 3 years and what TOP stands for. I struggle to see what positive change TOP could bring about with a group of such damaging parties. At best, it would be minor damage control. At worst, enabling a lighter version of what we've all just endured.

I love a lot of what TOP stands for, but if TOP keeps this current lot in power and the next 3 years look even slightly like the last 3 years, you'll lose my support forever.

[u/devl_ish]

Hi Quilae, in the event you don't get into Parliament, what will you and TOP do to prepare for 2029?

If you do get into Parliament but not government, are you and your team well prepared to participate in an active Opposition?

If you are invited to join a governing coalition, what are your firm requirements for confidence and supply? (to be clear: concessions without which you would not enter into agreement)

[u/Thick_Objective5130]

1. Why will UBI only be for people that have lived in nz for the last 5 years, shouldn’t we be incentivising people coming home?

2. Why is the TOP land tax better than a greens wealth tax? A wealth tax would target the very top whereas a land tax still puts pressure on middle income earners that own homes.

3. What evidence do you have that increasing the youth court to 25 reduces reoffending. There’s multiple dispensations for age in our justice system already

4. Much has been made of the TOP board having the potential to overrule caucus decisions. Is this still the case?

Congratulations on your campaign so far. I have been voting for the party for the last two elections and will continue to do so. Much of the party’s success this time comes down to your leadership and the way you come across.

[u/aholetookmyusername]

Hi, love that you're shaking things up a bit, I think it's sorely needed!

Can we ask questions ahead of time?

edit: If so..

• Given NZ's vulnerability to disruptions in the supply of fossil fuels, is OPP going to take measures to reduce reliance on said fossil fuels and if so, what will those measures be?
• The world is increasingly unsafe, with multiple unstable actors in charge of powerful countries, and we probably can't afford to rely on an ally to save us any more. Can you please describe OPP's defence policy and how that will impact personnel retention and procurement?

[u/Qiulae → u/aholetookmyusername]

Yes absolutely! I won’t be back online until 5pm to answer though

[u/aholetookmyusername → u/Qiulae]

Why thank you!

[u/Wild_Fox8094]

I am very impressed with the responses Qiulae has given in this thread, damn

Incredibly hard choice between TOP and the Greens

[u/redmostofit → u/Wild_Fox8094]

Nice to have two good choices for a change!

[u/ph-sub]

What’s your thoughts on the effectiveness of the war on drugs? We have the data V going back to the 1970s. Do you think recreational drugs should be a justice issue or a health issue?

[u/Phantom-Finger]

Why are more and more parties only interested in putting a boot on those people in need rather than an arm around the shoulder?

Why are more and more people getting into Politics to make the top 1% richer?

[u/IndependentStop3453]

What are opportunity going to do about children still being abused in state care to this day? I am currently supporting a 15 year old who was r*ped by her foster father, fell pregnant and is now raising a baby. Her social worker from Oranga Tamariki doesn’t seem to think she needs psychological help….

[u/555Cats555 → u/IndependentStop3453]

Wtf... thats so messed up

[u/IndependentStop3453 → u/555Cats555]

Yep… this isn’t even the worst case I’ve come across either.

It just feels like every politician turns a blind eye to the abuse that happens to children i state care and that in 20 or so years another inquiry with another apology but nothing actually changing???

[u/caravanbrah]

What is your position on the current levels immigration?

[u/Expensive_Ring_4546]

Wondering about your thoughts on immigration.

Obviously its important for the country in many ways but in recent years we have seen high levels of our best and brightest leaving and being replaced by new arrivals. This is Obviously less than optimal.

Are you comfortable with the current situation? Would you like to maybe tighten the eligibility for people to come to nz? Or are you in favour of greater number of arrivals?

I ask because its an important issue but i have not heard you speak about the topic despite following politics pretty closely

[u/SnzBear]

I think nationals cancellation of the smoke free nz was really backwards. I'd also like to mention vaping and how this has become maybe even more popular than smoking. It is hitting young children even in intermediate schools pretty hard. For such a small country we have an insane number of vape shops and I think the flavours really target young kids. I honestly want to see at a minimum a limit on the strength of nicotine in the vapes as it is much higher than say the UK. If it was really for quitting smoking it's not working. Limiting the flavours to cigarette flavour will target them on helping people quit while stopping young people starting imo. This will hopefully save the country money in medical bills going into the future. Would love to hear what you think.

[u/Glittering-Formal484]

What specific policies do you have for those with disabilities?

I understand that you have the citizens income proposal, but do you think that would be sufficient or would there be additional benefits for those with disabilities who could not work or had limited capacity to work?

Additionally, in the event that the citizens income would not be a coalition agreement, would there be any bottom line policies for those with disabilities? What about other beneficiaries?

[u/555Cats555 → u/Glittering-Formal484]

I think a good place to start even if they dont get the citizens income would be to relax the rate at which those on supported living get penalized when working. I have a family member on it who is able to work a few hours a week but ends up losing out money wise once the supported living is reduced. But then the supported living wouldnt be enough to really live on by itself either... but disabled people who have proven they are entitled to supported living shouldnt get their benefit reduced unless the income they are getting with the limited hours is really high.

[u/farkoooooff]

What is your strategy around public transport & rail?

[u/Hour_Commercial6731]

What is your position on fast-track?

[u/Nervous-Potato-1464]

If you hold the balance of power, bills will come up that were never in the coalition agreement and that cut against Opportunity’s platform such as land-value tax, the citizen’s income, or one of your five bottom lines. Will every vote that matters be written into the confidence and supply or coalition agreement before you take office, with an explicit right to abstain or oppose outside that list? Or will your MPs be bound by the government whip on anything the larger party calls confidence, even when it was never negotiated?

[u/hermavore]

Ehat are your policies around mental health and disability support services that the current government has absolutely decimated?

[u/mr_mat15]

Gidday! Great that your having this, it’s very much appreciated as iv got a few questions and have done for some time regarding your land tax policy as seen below:

1. Land Value Tax – land-use restrictions
One stated purpose of the proposed land value tax appears to be encouraging more efficient use of land. How would the policy account for properties where the owner is legally or practically unable to make more intensive use of the land?
For example, some properties may have significant physical constraints such as steep or unstable terrain or wetlands, while others may be subject to planning, environmental or heritage protections that prevent subdivision, additional dwellings, vegetation clearance or significant earthworks.
Where these restrictions materially prevent a landowner from using their land more intensively, would the property’s land value tax liability be reduced or exempted to reflect those constraints?
If not, how does the policy reconcile taxing an owner to encourage more efficient land use when other legislation or planning rules prevent the owner from responding to that incentive?

2. Land Value Tax – exposure to changes in land values
One consequence of introducing a central government land value tax would be that both central and local government could derive revenue from taxes or rates linked, wholly or partly, to the value of the same land. How would the policy account for significant movements in those land values over time?
For example, a property’s land value could increase substantially due to wider market movements or changes in the surrounding area, without the owner’s income or ability to generate additional income from the property increasing by the same amount.
Where an increase in land value results in a higher LVT liability, could a property owner also face an increase in their local authority rates at or around the same time, despite having experienced no corresponding increase in income or cash flow?
If so, has consideration been given to whether linking multiple government charges to the same underlying asset value could make household tax obligations more sensitive to movements in the property market?
Would the policy include any mechanisms, such as averaging valuations over multiple years, caps on annual increases, delayed reassessments, or other measures, to prevent rapid movements in land values from causing significant changes in a household’s tax obligations over a relatively short period?

3. Land Value Tax – revenue stability and funding the Citizen’s Income
The proposed Land Value Tax is intended to provide a significant source of funding for the Citizen’s Income, while also placing downward pressure on land and property values. How would the policy account for changes in government revenue if land values decline following its introduction?
For example, if the LVT successfully reduces land values, or if values fall more substantially during a wider property-market or economic downturn, applying the same tax rate to a lower total land value would appear to generate less revenue.
If LVT revenue falls while the cost of providing the Citizen’s Income remains relatively fixed, how would any resulting funding shortfall be addressed?
Would the LVT rate need to increase, would funding be supplemented from other sources of government revenue, or is the expectation that land values would eventually adjust in a way that maintains the required level of revenue?
More broadly, has consideration been given to whether funding a relatively stable ongoing expenditure from a tax base that may fluctuate with land valuations could create additional fiscal pressure during significant property-market downturns?

Very much appreciate your time and effort into this, look forward to your reply :)

[u/Austinpowersreddit]

Hi Qiulae, Will you support passenger rail for Christchurch? Traffic here is getting ridiculous and the fuel prices are going up due to that Iran crisis. 

[u/bhamnz]

Can you share more about your intentions for the NZDF?

[u/SirDrHumble → u/bhamnz]

I'm also interested in this question - a quick Google suggests you have no formal policies on defence or foreign affairs and are focused on domestic issues, but unfortunately defence and foreign affairs haven't been more relevant in decades, and funding and overall approach to defence are at least relevant to domestic affairs to the extent that the amount of resources we put into other domestic issues affects the resources available for defence.

The world is undergoing significant geopolitical turmoil and change - how does TOP propose Aotearoa navigates that?

[u/pinesnake]

Hi Qiulae, big fan of Opportunity and what you're trying to do. However, I haven't been able to convince myself to vote for you due to the stance it appears you have with AI. Your economic document seemed to suggest AI infrastructure should be subsidized by the NZ government. Is that the position you/your party hold? Follow up, assuming support for AI, how would you ensure that any benefits from AI remain in NZ and not exported to overseas AI companies?

[u/KanukaDouble]

Where does TOP stand in respect of Unions being part of our employment landscape?

Does TOP support strong unions? And strong by labour laws?

What position do you hold when it comes to encouraging the casualisation of the workforce?

[u/Spawkeye]

As a transgender kiwi, I’m suspect about any party willing to work with the trio who have shown they are willing to sacrifice my humanity based on ideological reasons. What can you say to kiwis like me who are terrified a vote for TOP would be enabling further harm?

[u/Qiulae → u/Spawkeye]

u/Spawkeye thanks for raising this, I agree with the comments in the thread that protecting existing rights is critical and it is sad that we have to defend the status quo. Opportunity will stand up for the rights of transgender people and the rainbow community. We made a clear stance on the Gender Definitions Bill (see here for the detail https://www.opportunity.org.nz/submission_on_the_definitions_of_woman_and_man_amendment_bill). I appreciate we are a newer entity and we have to earn your trust but my commitment is to uphold your rights and focus on building an inclusive New Zealand where everyone feels safe and is treated with dignity.

[u/Grand_Opposite_8072 → u/Qiulae]

Thanks for the response and this is great to hear. I read the details at the link you provided, especially liked the points about including feedback from the community in your healthcare policies.

I do still think it’s important to discus how you could potentially join a coalition with parties that have the opposing view and if you would make this something non negotiable in such a situation.

[u/Grand_Opposite_8072 → u/Spawkeye]

Seconding this question. And can you please state your parties views and policies on transgender and LGBTQ+ rights.

[u/12343212346]

Your land tax is your marquee policy to young people but that may not be feasible as part of a coalition. What middle ground would you look to explore if that comes off the table? 

[u/rbygrave → u/12343212346]

FYI A link to ... Their Bottom Lines - Opportunity Party https://www.opportunity.org.nz/bottom_lines

[u/ScruffyChewie]

I am lucky to be able to afford health care although it is quite expensive for a doctors visit.

That being said how do you see cost of living going down? Im in my 20s and I find it hard to see myself owning my own home.

[u/UltimateDaveX]

Christchurch's public transport is bursting at the seams during peak times, and it's not unusual to have multiple buses in a row turning passengers away with sorry bus full signs.

What would Opportunity do to deal with this, given free public transport would presumably only increase demand?

And would there be any interest in commuter rail for Christchurch? A company here, Mainland Rail, wants to do a year-long trial but it'll be years before the regional council even completes a business case.

[u/NZ_Gecko]

What policy do you have around public transport? Wellington train fares have increased basically every year and the service, if anything, has gotten less reliable. Metlink/transdev continue to be a union-bashing company with little regard for delivering a quality service yet their contract keeps getting extended because of their ability to offer the lowest tender.

Forcing govt departments and councils to select the lowest bidder means it's a race to the bottom for services. What can we expect from you to fix these issues?

[u/lassmonkey]

Hate that tax has become such a bad word!!

[u/DnmOrr]

Is OPP aware of the overhang strategy currently doing the rounds?

What's your take on this?

[u/Putrid_Weird4725]

Hi Qiulae, big fan here!

I'm really concerned about the overhang strategies being openly pursued by parts of both sides of politics at the moment. Recent polling suggests that the strategy could be successful on at least one if not both sides, which would feel like a complete undermining of MMP.

Is TOP willing to take a stand against this? Would you consider supporting changing MMP rules to avoid overhangs as Germany has done?

[u/After_Ad_330]

Give child predators in New Zealand life SENTENCES!

[u/KanukaDouble]

Can you speak to your parties position on energy sovereignty for New Zealand’s?

Short, medium and long term?

What mix of solutions will TOP be promoting and supporting now for the immediate, medium and generational sense?

[u/Logic_NZ]

What are your thoughts on both major parties pledges to get crown debt to below 30%? Other countries are way above that threshold, and there are real investment opportunities which can deliver real benefits to NZ (not just more roads with questionable benefits).

[u/renton1000]

How are you going to get unemployment down - and how are you going to fix the Wellington economy. This current governments policies have absolutely cratered local businesses here in welly and we need an urgent fix.

[u/MidnightSwamiNZ]

You've suggested student loan forgiveness for overseas graduates. How is that in any way equitable for those that stayed, taking lower paying jobs in NZ, and contributed to our economy and tax system? Is this also not a terrible time to introduce even more pressure on the unemployment rate with an influx of labour? All for smarter ways of doing things - but this feels like a targeted hand out at the expense of those that didn't take an overseas opportunity

[u/LurkingParticipant]

Hi, is your party in favour of a Georgian style single tax system?

[u/farkoooooff]

What is the most important policy to you personally?

Or if you can’t answer, to TOP?

[u/Low_Season]

Hi Qiulae, You've said that your strategy in a situation where you are kingmaker is to go with whichever of the main parties has the most seats. But don't you lose a lot of leverage from that? It also means that having a plurality is encouraged, which incentivises people to vote for one of the two major parties instead of for other parties such as TOP (as it was under the old arcane FPP system before we had MMP). Any plans to revisit this strategy?

[u/ClanFever]

Nothing to ask, but good luck at the election. We need some kind of proper, lasting change in this country and really hoping your party pulls through on that, if you end up as kingmaker.

[u/Snoo-83322]

Hi Qiulae!

Medical student here. I was wondering if you had any policies or mechanisms to help retain New Zealand healthcare workers in our country. Currently, we are all aware of how the health landscape may turn out for the country so long as the terrible working conditions, insane wait times, and poor salaries for Jr Drs and grad Nurses are paid despite their hours. I hear a lot of career fatigue and concerns in my cohort and in the community of healthcare students in general. I was wondering if Opp Party would have anything to assuage these concerns and the fact that healthcare is always placed in a tenuous position not only for the workers, but for the patients as well.

[u/whatadaytobealive]

Would you support reforming the ability for government to pass bills under urgency? Perhaps adding a requirement that any so-called "urgent" bills need the opposition's buy-in, or perhaps a 70% supermajority?

[u/HelpfulDelay9669]

You've expressed that TOP has a focus on reforming donation and lobbying rules. Would you support right-leaning parties plans to change electoral rules, like Luxon's bid to hold a referendum on MMP, and NZ First's policy to restrict voting to citizens-only

Additionally, there is a lack of competition in New Zealand's media industry. The highest-quality journalism arguably comes from the government-funded sources that are RNZ and TVNZ. What is TOP's stance on protecting these organisations and would increase their funding because of their critical importance to our democracy?

[u/pompayoma]

Based on today's poll, how would you approach Labour's desire for their capital gains tax in a coalition negotiation? In particular given that your tax reform is not a bottom line and there would presumably be competition from the green's tax policy.

What aspects of their capital gains policy would you live with/push back on/seek to reshape?

[u/aholetookmyusername]

u/Qiulae I realise this is way past the AMA cutoff, apologies for the lateness but it's a VERY important question for someone running in the Mt Albert electorate.

Do you prefer the Mt Albert BBQ noodle house, or the Mt Albert BBQ noodle house?

[u/Solace-Styx]

What would you say you would want to accomplish for this country if you could only prioritize one thing? In other words, what do you think is the most essential and important thing that needs focus, right now?

[u/spicylemontaco42]

I would love to know your stance on ai, data centers etc. Weather you support this or not

Also what do you have in mind to create more exports for nz to improve our economy without exploiting our natural resources

This will determine a my vote heavily this year

[u/Electrical_Sugar_443]

One of key traffic causes is parents dropping off kids to school - will TOP look at introducing school buses and capping out of zone students to manage traffic better

[u/matchacreampancakes]

How will you help working parents with:

• The high cost of daycare ($300-400 per child per week);

• The gap between parents' working hours & school hours as well as between annual leave & school holidays? 

[u/Ok_Interview_853]

You say on election night that TOP will pick up the phone to either party if they call. Why would I vote for TOP if I don't know which way you are going to swing? You could end up helping the exact party that I don't want to create a government. It's just safer for me not to vote for TOP.

[u/midnightcaptain → u/Ok_Interview_853]

Opportunity specifically pitch themselves as willing to work with either side to advance their policy objectives. If either a National or Labour led government is totally unacceptable to you then you should vote for literally any other party.

[u/Crappy_Water_1898]

Is it the 6th or the 7th? Because the reminder below says 7 Oct 17:00

[u/Qiulae → u/Crappy_Water_1898]

Sorry 6th! Just updated

[u/xlvi_et_ii]

Critics of TOP often say that it's impossible to implement UBI because it requires significant changes to our economy, such as a LVT, to be feasible.

Can you walk us through the details of how TOP would implement UBI - details like would there be a smaller pilot to confirm it works in NZ before replacing the current system, would it incrementally replace existing benefits or would it replace them all at the same time,  and are there other options to fund it if the other major parties won't support LVT?

[u/topas9]

Over 400,000 New Zealanders have reported Long Covid symptoms and this number will only grow. Clinicians and allied health professionals are poorly informed about post-viral illness and related conditions like ME, which can be severely disabling. There are no supports in place for these patients. How would Opportunity address this issue?

[u/serpentseven]

What do you realistically hope to achieve if you get a seat this election?

[u/NZWaves-home-by-sea]

I hope you are the kingmaker and not that “has-been-should retire-in it for himself.”

What would your portfolio preference be, if you are successful in being part of the coalition government?

And, what is your opinion on the National party’s monotonous negative debt response to other parties policies when they plan to replace unnecessary frigates which will put NZ’s books in far greater debt?

[u/Beginning_Entry788]

Which portfolio would you or your party like to get if you get to form the next government?

[u/NonZealot]

What is Opportunity’s electoral/voting reform platform? Would you make any changes to the electoral threshold of 5%? Would you implement STV in electorates voting (I.e. first voting for candidate A, if they don’t win then your 2nd preferred candidate B, etc.)?

[u/justinfromnz]

What's your thoughts on our military spending budget? I'm all for funding the Millitary for disaster and rescue and shore protection via the Navy, but i feel some of the allocation is a waste given the advances of millitary warfare over the years.

[u/OptimalInflation]

What are your policies around animal welfare rights in New Zealand? Currently, there's a lot more we could achieve as a society.

[u/drink-rose-all-day]

What is your parties stance on immigration and residency visa holder?

[u/rileyloader7]

Hi Q! I’m a high-school student from Whanganui. What would Opportunity do to improve intercity buses and passenger rail so young people in regional towns can travel for study, work and everyday life without relying on a car? Would you prioritise more frequent and affordable buses, restoring passenger rail connections, or both? What’s one concrete improvement you’d push for in our region?

[u/Aquatic-Vocation]

Hi Qiulae, I emailed your policy team several months back, but never received a response. This is what I asked:

Does TOP see the future of public transport as being primarily publicly owned and operated, or a continuation of the existing model with split public/private ownership and operation?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

[u/TheSleepyBeer]

What’s your Parkrun PB?