National launches 2026 campaign in Auckland, pledging no new taxes

National's campaign kickoff took place at Auckland's International Convention Centre, where leader Christopher Luxon, former prime minister Sir John Key and other senior figures addressed supporters. The party reiterated its "no new taxes" message, a theme it used in its 2023 launch and on a pledge card that listed eight promises such as lowering inflation and improving school outcomes. Campaign chairman Simeon Brown warned that tax will dominate the election debate and accused the opposition coalition of seeking to increase the tax burden.

Luxon, after speaking at the Moon Festival, framed the choice for voters as "no new taxes" versus "nine new taxes" proposed by Labour and its partners, including a capital gains tax that Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says would only be introduced if his party wins. The launch aims to rally a "huge number of supporters" and set the tone for the November 7 poll.