Labour launches Cost of Luxon campaign targeting National's cost of living

The Labour Party has launched a highly personal election campaign titled “The cost of Luxon”. The campaign uses a document featuring an unflattering photo of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to claim that a typical family with two children is paying significantly more to live than they did three years ago.

Labour campaign chairperson Kieran McAnulty stated that a typical family with two children is paying between $5,857 and $6,302 more annually due to rising costs. This figure includes increases in petrol, power, rates, food, and public transport, as well as higher costs for GP visits and various fees and levies.

National Party officials have dismissed the claims, with Christopher Luxon suggesting the figure is likely "made-up". National campaign chairman Simeon Brown argued that Labour is "throwing stones" and noted that food price inflation was higher under Labour's previous government.

Labour's calculations for the annual increase include $1,558 for children's public transport, $1,490 for petrol, $1,226 for food, $1,001 for rates, $404 for power, $50 for GP visits, and $128 for other fees. These figures do not account for Government relief measures such as the 2024 tax cuts or temporary working parent tax credits.

How it developed

• Tue 13 Oct, 5:03pmNational's Simeon Brown responded to the campaign by comparing current inflation and interest rates to those under Labour's previous government.

Where reports differ

• Labour's reported annual cost increase for a family with two children varies between $5,857, $6,000, $6,235, and $6,302.

Compiled from reports by The Post, Stuff, Otago Daily Times and NZ Herald.