Aotearoa Wellbeing Commitment: Key First Steps

HEALTHCARE

Everyone deserves access to quick, effective, compassionate care if we are sick or injured

First steps:

• Invest significantly in health to ensure all communities have access to the services they need
• Implement free primary health care
• Overhaul health and disability system
• Continue to implement recommendations of the mental health and addiction inquiry

HOUSING

All New Zealanders should have secure, warm, dry, energy-efficient housing

First steps:

• Increase building of state houses
• New state houses to have solar and internet
• Retrofit existing state houses with solar and internet

INCOME SUPPORT

Everyone deserves the means to make ends meet if they fall on hard times and at least a living wage when they are working

First steps:

• Ensure all workers delivering community and public services have secure work and are paid at least the Living Wage
• Implement equal pay across the community and public sector
• Introduce Fair Pay Agreements
• Implement universal income protection for workers, to ensure a just transition when jobs are lost
• Implement Welfare Expert Advisory Group recommendations, which includes lifting benefit levels

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Public transport should allow us to access the places we work, live and play. This in turn will minimise the impact on the environment and make our cities more liveable.

First steps:

• Introduce a subsidised public transport scheme to encourage the use of clean transport options
• Implement a Fair Pay Agreement for bus drivers to improve services and safety

INTERNET

Access to information is a necessity for work opportunities and social connection

First steps:

• Provide free wi-fi in public and social housing, for those accessing disability services, and services for those over 75
• Free internet access in all central and local government buildings
• Work with telco providers to provide a universal Government-funded package for all other users to sign-up to

EDUCATION

No matter where they grow up, all children should be set off with the skills and knowledge they need to fully participate in our society

First steps:

• Provide free, public early childhood services
• Fully fund pay parity for ECE teachers
• More resourcing for children with additional learning needs

BUT CAN WE AFFORD THIS?

You may ask if we can afford the Aotearoa Wellbeing Commitment as we weather the economic storm of a global pandemic? We say we can’t afford not to do it.

Having some people not able to access these services has costs for them and their families, and also for the country.

Modelling by University College London shows this approach to be fiscally neutral and highly progressive.

In New Zealand it would be paid for through government making the right choices on how to allocate funding, re-prioritisation of funding and the Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

To find out what the political parties think of our key first steps check out our journal election scorecard or go to www.letsdoevenbetter.nz/party-positions