Election 2026: National Party launches campaign bus, parties hold standups and walkabouts
New Zealand political parties have officially launched their 2026 election campaigns, with the National Party focusing on a 'no new taxes' platform. Other parties, including Labour, the Greens, and Act, are also mobilizing across Auckland to engage voters.
Why it matters
The campaign launch marks the beginning of a critical period for New Zealand's political future, highlighting the competing policy priorities of the major parties.
The National Party launched its Campaign Bus at 11.30 today in full pre-election mode.
About 20 National MPs stepped off the bus in East Auckland cheering and holding party billboards.
Leader Christopher Luxon alongside election campaign chair Simeon Brown and finance spokeswoman Nicola Willis covered their policies to date, with their “no new taxes” policy being repeated several times.
The party planned to travel around Auckland today, making several stops to eat and walk. Luxon told media a bigger bus this year meant “bigger ambition and bigger aspiration”. He said karaoke may be on today’s agenda and was open to name suggestions for the new set of wheels.
He’s not the only one hot on the campaign trail.
It’s understood Labour leader Chris Hipkins will also be rubbing shoulders with voters this afternoon.
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