Labour’s candidate for Kāpiti, Sophie Handford, says Nicola Willis’ Budget 2026 has failed to deliver the support local families and communities need during the cost of living crisis.
“This Budget was Nicola Willis and Christopher Luxon’s last chance before the election to show they had a real plan to make life better for New Zealanders, and they have failed,” says Handford.
“Across Kāpiti, people are already under pressure. Groceries cost more, power bills keep rising, rents are high, and even seeing a doctor is becoming unaffordable for many families. This Budget does nothing meaningful to ease that pressure.”
Handford says the Budget continued a pattern of cuts and decisions that were making life harder for ordinary New Zealanders.
“At a time when people are crying out for stability and support, this Government is continuing to cut services, reduce investment, and push more costs onto communities.”
Handford said Kāpiti would also feel the impacts of ongoing public sector job losses and economic uncertainty flowing through the Wellington region.
“Our electorate is deeply connected to Wellington’s workforce and economy. When thousands of jobs are cut and public services are hollowed out, those impacts don’t stop at the city boundary. Local businesses, families, and communities here in Kāpiti feel it too.”
Handford also criticised the Government’s housing decisions, including increases to social housing rents and ongoing cuts to housing delivery.
“At a time when more families are struggling to keep up with housing costs, this Government is making life harder. Kāpiti deserves better than rising homelessness, fewer affordable homes, and more pressure on working families.”
Handford said Labour would take a different approach focused on jobs, health, housing, and practical action on the cost of living.
“Labour believes in investing in people and communities, not asking New Zealanders to simply fend for themselves. We need a Government focused on creating good jobs, strengthening healthcare, building homes, and helping young people see a future for themselves here in New Zealand.”
Handford says this November, voters in Kāpiti and across the country have a choice. “We cannot afford another three years of rising costs, cuts, and a Government that is out of touch with the pressure ordinary families are under,” she says.