Luxon rolls out family-focused policy bundle as Labour grapples with gang scandal

Christopher Luxon used a media appearance at the ASB building in Auckland to unveil National's latest election platform aimed at parents, proposing streamlined procedures for child bank accounts, a $1,500 KiwiSaver contribution for newborns, three-day postnatal hospital stays and a 30-week paid parental leave entitlement. He stressed the importance of early financial habits, urging schools to teach investing, compound interest and mortgages, and suggested making KiwiSaver mandatory with higher contributions.

While National promoted these policies, Labour faced turmoil after candidate Kerrin Leoni resigned following footage of her appearing with patched gang members, prompting leader Chris Hipkins to condemn the incident and affirm a zero-tolerance stance toward gangs. The episode has heightened tensions in the final weeks before early voting begins, with other parties commenting on Labour's handling of the scandal.