Think you know NZ politics?
Updated
Explore what official figures say about government terms. Each answer names its measure, shows the data and explains the caveats. Changes during a term do not establish a government's effect.
Choose an answer in your mind, then open the details to compare it with the figures.
Question 1 of 10
Who spent more in their last term: Labour or National?
Both as a share of the economy (GDP) and in dollars a year, after inflation.
- Labour under Ardern and Hipkins
- National under Luxon
Show the answer
National under Luxon
government spending has been 32.8% of the economy under Luxon's National government, and was 31.2% under Ardern and Hipkins' Labour government.
In today's dollars, that's about $142 billion a year under Luxon's National government and $126 billion a year under Ardern and Hipkins' Labour government.
The first National budget followed Labour's final budget, and Labour's years include COVID-19 spending.
Show the details
Measure: Core Crown expenses, % of GDP
Shaded: the Labour-led government under Ardern and Hipkins, then the National-led government under Luxon.
Labour under Ardern and Hipkins: 31.2% on average (2017/18 to 2022/23). National under Luxon: 32.8% (2023/24 to 2024/25). By budgets passed, excluding 2023/24: 32.5% under Luxon's National government.
Period rule: Average of financial years to 30 June ending during the term.
1993/94 to 2024/25.
Core Crown expenses (inflation-adjusted, 2024/25 prices). Core Crown revenue, tax revenue and expenses expressed in constant 2024/25 prices, so years can be compared after removing the effect of rising prices. Fiscal years (June years from 1990, March years before). Average of financial years to 30 June ending during the term. Exact averages: National under Luxon $142001.3938825 million; Labour under Ardern and Hipkins $126312.69230016666 million. In 2024/25 prices: nominal × CPI(2024/25) ÷ CPI(period), using Stats NZ CPI all groups (average of the quarters in each period).
The first National budget followed Labour's final budget. Ardern and Hipkins' years include COVID-19 spending.
Source: The Treasury (New Zealand). Source data and definition.
Inflation-adjusted government finances
See the topicQuestion 2 of 10
Were patients more likely to get planned surgery on time under Labour or National?
The share of patients treated within four months of being told they need surgery.
- Labour under Ardern and Hipkins
- National under Luxon
Show the answer
National under Luxon
When Labour left office, 63.4% of patients got planned surgery within four months. Under National it's 72.6%.
Show the figures
| Period | Elective treatment: % waiting less than 4 months (%) |
|---|---|
| Jun 2026 qtr | 72.6% |
| Jun 2025 qtr | 63.9% |
| Jun 2024 qtr | 63.5% |
| Jun 2023 qtr | 63.4% |
| Jun 2022 qtr | 61.0% |
| Jun 2021 qtr | 78.1% |
| Jun 2020 qtr | 68.6% |
| Jun 2019 qtr | 89.6% |
| Jun 2018 qtr | 95.1% |
| Jun 2017 qtr | 97.9% |
Government bands: National under Key and English · Labour under Ardern and Hipkins · National under Luxon
COVID-19 created large backlogs.
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Measure: Planned surgery within four months, %
Shaded: the Labour-led government under Ardern and Hipkins, then the National-led government under Luxon.
When Labour left office: 63.4% (Jun 2023 qtr). Latest under National: 72.6% (Jun 2026 qtr). For context, when Labour took office: 97.9% (Jun 2017 qtr).
Period rule: June 2023 quarter (Labour's last before the election) compared with the latest quarter.
Jun 2017 qtr to Jun 2026 qtr.
COVID-19 created backlogs. The figures come from Health NZ's target series.
Source: Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. Source data and definition.
See the topicQuestion 3 of 10
Under which party was unemployment lowest?
The share of people who want a job but can't find one, at its lowest on record.
- Labour under Ardern and Hipkins
- National under Luxon
Show the answer
Labour under Ardern and Hipkins
Under Labour, unemployment fell to 3.2%, the lowest on record. Under National it's 5.6%.
Show the figures
| Period | Unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) (%) |
|---|---|
| Jun 2026 qtr | 5.6% |
| Mar 2026 qtr | 5.4% |
| Dec 2025 qtr | 5.4% |
| Sep 2025 qtr | 5.3% |
| Jun 2025 qtr | 5.2% |
| Mar 2025 qtr | 5.2% |
| Dec 2024 qtr | 5.1% |
| Sep 2024 qtr | 4.9% |
| Jun 2024 qtr | 4.7% |
| Mar 2024 qtr | 4.4% |
| Dec 2023 qtr | 4.0% |
| Sep 2023 qtr | 3.9% |
| Jun 2023 qtr | 3.7% |
| Mar 2023 qtr | 3.5% |
| Dec 2022 qtr | 3.4% |
| Sep 2022 qtr | 3.3% |
| Jun 2022 qtr | 3.3% |
| Mar 2022 qtr | 3.3% |
| Dec 2021 qtr | 3.2% |
| Sep 2021 qtr | 3.3% |
Government bands: Government term · Government term · Labour under Clark · National under Key and English · Labour under Ardern and Hipkins · National under Luxon
Borders were closed, so employers struggled to find workers.
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Measure: Unemployment rate, seasonally adjusted %
Shaded: the Labour-led government under Ardern and Hipkins, then the National-led government under Luxon.
The series minimum was 3.2% (Dec 2021 qtr).
Period rule: Minimum over the full HLFQ series, attributed by the quarter's end date.
Mar 1986 qtr to Jun 2026 qtr.
35 completed years from Mar 1986 qtr to Dec 2021 qtr. No earlier rate was as low in the published series; the question refers to its observed history, beginning Mar 1986 qtr.
The post-COVID labour shortage contributed to low unemployment. A change during a term does not establish a government's effect.
Source: Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa. Source data and definition.
See the topicQuestion 4 of 10
Under which party did house prices peak?
House prices after inflation.
- Labour under Ardern and Hipkins
- National under Luxon
Show the answer
Labour under Ardern and Hipkins
House prices peaked under Labour, then fell about 27% after adjusting for inflation.
Show the figures
| Period | New Zealand (index) |
|---|---|
| Mar 2026 qtr | 127.1 |
| Dec 2025 qtr | 127.8 |
| Sep 2025 qtr | 129.7 |
| Jun 2025 qtr | 131.0 |
| Mar 2025 qtr | 131.3 |
| Dec 2024 qtr | 132.6 |
| Sep 2024 qtr | 133.7 |
| Jun 2024 qtr | 136.0 |
| Mar 2024 qtr | 137.7 |
| Dec 2023 qtr | 138.1 |
| Sep 2023 qtr | 138.1 |
| Jun 2023 qtr | 138.3 |
| Mar 2023 qtr | 138.9 |
| Dec 2022 qtr | 144.3 |
| Sep 2022 qtr | 151.7 |
| Jun 2022 qtr | 160.9 |
| Mar 2022 qtr | 167.5 |
| Dec 2021 qtr | 173.0 |
| Sep 2021 qtr | 167.7 |
| Jun 2021 qtr | 162.1 |
Government bands: Government term · Government term · Labour under Clark · National under Key and English · Labour under Ardern and Hipkins · National under Luxon
Interest rates were at record lows.
Show the details
Measure: Inflation-adjusted house price index (2015 = 100)
Shaded: the Labour-led government under Ardern and Hipkins, then the National-led government under Luxon.
The series maximum was 173.0 (Dec 2021 qtr; 2015 = 100).
Period rule: Maximum of the quarterly series from 1990, attributed by the quarter's end date.
Mar 1990 qtr to Mar 2026 qtr.
Latest: 127.1 index (Mar 2026 qtr). Exact fall from peak: 26.53453836717916%.
Record-low interest rates and a global house price boom contributed during COVID-19.
Prices are adjusted for general inflation. This index measures price levels, not affordability for buyers.
Source: OECD. Source data and definition.
See the topicQuestion 5 of 10
Did government debt grow faster under Labour or National?
Net government debt as a share of the economy (GDP), per year in office.
- Labour under Ardern and Hipkins
- National under Luxon
Show the answer
Labour under Ardern and Hipkins
Government debt grew by about 3 points of GDP a year under Ardern and Hipkins' Labour government, and about 2 points a year under Luxon's National government.
Both faced big shocks: the global financial crisis and the Canterbury earthquakes, then COVID-19.
Show the details
Measure: Net core Crown debt, % of GDP, change in percentage points
Shaded: the Labour-led government under Ardern and Hipkins, then the National-led government under Luxon.
Labour under Ardern and Hipkins: up 17.1 percentage points (21.6% to 38.7%), about 2.8 a year. National under Luxon: up 3.1 points so far (38.7% to 41.8%), about 1.6 a year.
Period rule: Last full period ending before the term began and before it ended; latest for the current term.
2004/05 to 2024/25.
Ardern and Hipkins' years include COVID-19. Debt has kept rising under National, more slowly.
Source: The Treasury (New Zealand). Source data and definition.
See the topicQuestion 6 of 10
Who took more in tax in their last term: Labour or National?
Both as a share of the economy (GDP) and in dollars a year, after inflation.
- Labour under Ardern and Hipkins
- National under Luxon
Show the answer
National under Luxon
tax has taken 28.3% of the economy under Luxon's National government, and took 28.0% under Ardern and Hipkins' Labour government.
In today's dollars, that's about $123 billion a year under Luxon's National government and $113 billion a year under Ardern and Hipkins' Labour government.
tax take rises with wages and prices even when tax rates don't change.
Show the details
Measure: Core Crown tax revenue, % of GDP
Shaded: the Labour-led government under Ardern and Hipkins, then the National-led government under Luxon.
Labour under Ardern and Hipkins: 28.0% on average (2017/18 to 2022/23). National under Luxon: 28.3% (2023/24 to 2024/25). By budgets passed, excluding 2023/24: 27.9% under Luxon's National government.
Period rule: Average of financial years to 30 June ending during the term.
1993/94 to 2024/25.
Core Crown tax revenue (inflation-adjusted, 2024/25 prices). Core Crown revenue, tax revenue and expenses expressed in constant 2024/25 prices, so years can be compared after removing the effect of rising prices. Fiscal years (June years from 1990, March years before). Average of financial years to 30 June ending during the term. Exact averages: National under Luxon $122576.1185905 million; Labour under Ardern and Hipkins $113285.38911916669 million. In 2024/25 prices: nominal × CPI(2024/25) ÷ CPI(period), using Stats NZ CPI all groups (average of the quarters in each period).
The first National budget followed Labour's final budget. Tax take rises with wages and prices even when rates do not change.
Source: The Treasury (New Zealand). Source data and definition.
Inflation-adjusted government finances
See the topicQuestion 7 of 10
Under which party did the number of nurses grow faster?
Nurses licensed to practise in New Zealand.
- Labour under Ardern and Hipkins
- National under Luxon
Show the answer
National under Luxon
About 20,000 more nurses were licensed under Luxon's National government in its first term, compared with about 11,000 under Ardern and Hipkins' Labour government.
Show the figures
| Period | Nurses licensed to practise (number) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 85,462 |
| 2024 | 78,703 |
| 2023 | 69,621 |
| 2022 | 65,419 |
| 2021 | 62,342 |
| 2020 | 59,866 |
| 2019 | 57,833 |
| 2018 | 56,355 |
| 2017 | 55,289 |
| 2016 | 53,922 |
| 2015 | 52,729 |
| 2014 | 51,385 |
| 2013 | 50,060 |
| 2012 | 49,347 |
| 2011 | 48,527 |
| 2010 | 48,563 |
| 2009 | 51,762 |
| 2008 | 48,683 |
| 2007 | 44,801 |
| 2006 | 44,520 |
Government bands: Labour under Clark · National under Key and English · Labour under Ardern and Hipkins · National under Luxon
Many new registrations are overseas-trained nurses, and licensed doesn't mean working in New Zealand.
Show the details
Measure: Nurses licensed to practise, percentage growth
Shaded: the Labour-led government under Ardern and Hipkins, then the National-led government under Luxon.
Labour under Ardern and Hipkins: 53,922 (2016) to 65,419 (2022), up 21.3% (3.3% per year). National under Luxon: 65,419 (2022) to 85,462 (2025), up 30.6% (9.3% per year).
Period rule: Last full period ending before the term began and before it ended; latest for the current term.
2005 to 2025.
Licensed is not the same as employed in New Zealand; many are newly registered overseas-trained nurses.
Annual records put the current term's baseline in 2022, before Luxon took office. The spans are six and three years; annualised growth is also shown.
Source: OECD. Source data and definition.
See the topicQuestion 8 of 10
Since Luxon took office, has the economy grown or shrunk per person?
Everything New Zealand produces, divided by the number of people, after inflation.
- Grown per person
- Shrunk per person
Show the answer
Shrunk per person
After inflation, the economy is about $1,400 smaller per person than when National took office under Luxon.
Show the figures
| Period | GDP per person, real (chain-volume) (NZ$) |
|---|---|
| Year to Mar 2026 | $53,138 |
| Year to Mar 2025 | $52,979 |
| Year to Mar 2024 | $54,134 |
| Year to Mar 2023 | $54,496 |
| Year to Mar 2022 | $52,908 |
| Year to Mar 2021 | $50,799 |
| Year to Mar 2020 | $51,694 |
| Year to Mar 2019 | $51,354 |
| Year to Mar 2018 | $50,541 |
| Year to Mar 2017 | $49,904 |
| Year to Mar 2016 | $49,184 |
| Year to Mar 2015 | $48,420 |
| Year to Mar 2014 | $47,478 |
| Year to Mar 2013 | $46,749 |
| Year to Mar 2012 | $45,959 |
| Year to Mar 2011 | $45,301 |
| Year to Mar 2010 | $45,108 |
| Year to Mar 2009 | $45,621 |
| Year to Mar 2008 | $46,483 |
| Year to Mar 2007 | $45,516 |
Government bands: Government term · Labour under Clark · National under Key and English · Labour under Ardern and Hipkins · National under Luxon
High interest rates and a global slowdown.
Show the details
Measure: Real GDP per person, inflation-adjusted NZ dollars
Shaded: the Labour-led government under Ardern and Hipkins, then the National-led government under Luxon.
From $54,496 (Year to Mar 2023) to $53,138 (Year to Mar 2026).
Period rule: Last full period ending before National took office under Luxon, compared with latest.
Year to Mar 1992 to Year to Mar 2026.
High interest rates, a global slowdown and population growth affect GDP per person.
The baseline is from before Luxon's National government took office.
Source: Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa. Source data and definition.
See the topicQuestion 9 of 10
Under which party did more people move here than ever before?
Net migration: people arriving to live here minus people leaving, over a year.
- Labour under Ardern and Hipkins
- National under Luxon
Show the answer
Labour under Ardern and Hipkins
Under Labour, net migration reached about 134,000 in a year, the highest on record. Under National it's about 20,000.
Show the figures
| Period | Net migration, 12 months (number) |
|---|---|
| Year to Jul 2026 | 20,348 |
| Year to Jun 2026 | 17,479 |
| Year to May 2026 | 16,325 |
| Year to Apr 2026 | 15,317 |
| Year to Mar 2026 | 14,051 |
| Year to Feb 2026 | 12,542 |
| Year to Jan 2026 | 12,980 |
| Year to Dec 2025 | 11,470 |
| Year to Nov 2025 | 11,148 |
| Year to Oct 2025 | 10,935 |
| Year to Sep 2025 | 10,114 |
| Year to Aug 2025 | 9,232 |
| Year to Jul 2025 | 9,593 |
| Year to Jun 2025 | 10,184 |
| Year to May 2025 | 10,287 |
| Year to Apr 2025 | 11,771 |
| Year to Mar 2025 | 13,690 |
| Year to Feb 2025 | 17,413 |
| Year to Jan 2025 | 19,507 |
| Year to Dec 2024 | 23,747 |
Government bands: Labour under Clark · National under Key and English · Labour under Ardern and Hipkins · National under Luxon
Borders reopened after COVID-19.
Show the details
Measure: Annual net migration, people
Shaded: the Labour-led government under Ardern and Hipkins, then the National-led government under Luxon.
133,738 people in the 12 months ending Year to Oct 2023, the series maximum.
Period rule: Maximum of rolling 12-month totals, attributed by the end date.
Year to Dec 2001 to Year to Jul 2026.
The post-COVID border reopening contributed to the peak. These rolling annual totals include months before the named period.
Source: NZ in Numbers. Source data and definition.
See the topicQuestion 10 of 10
Did pay grow faster under Labour or National?
Average hourly pay, after inflation, per year in office.
- Labour under Ardern and Hipkins
- National under Luxon
Show the answer
Labour under Ardern and Hipkins
Average pay, after inflation, grew about 0.9% a year under Ardern and Hipkins' Labour government and about 0.6% a year under Luxon's National government.
Average pay includes promotions and job changes, not just pay rises.
Show the details
Measure: Average hourly earnings, CPI adjusted, annualised % growth
Shaded: the Labour-led government under Ardern and Hipkins, then the National-led government under Luxon.
Labour under Ardern and Hipkins: 0.9% per year, 5.7% in total (Sep 2017 qtr to Sep 2023 qtr). National under Luxon: 0.6% per year, 1.8% so far (Sep 2023 qtr to Jun 2026 qtr).
Period rule: Last full period ending before the term began and before it ended; latest for the current term.
Mar 1989 qtr to Jun 2026 qtr.
Real means adjusted with CPI. Average earnings include job changes and promotions.
Source: NZ in Numbers. Source data and definition.
See the topic