New Zealand First Proposes Kiwi Kids Grant to Boost Birthrate

During a public meeting in Masterton, Winston Peters, leader of New Zealand First, unveiled the Kiwi Kids Grant to combat a declining national birthrate. The proposed policy provides a tax-free annual payment of $5,000 per child for the first three years of life, applicable to a family's first three children. To qualify, at least one parent must be a New Zealand citizen. The party estimates the program will cost $400 million over three years, funded through operating baselines and administered by the Inland Revenue Department.

New Zealand First argues the measure is necessary because the current birthrate of 1.53 is well below the 2.1 replacement rate required for population stability. The party cited a 30% drop in births to New Zealand citizens between 2006 and 2025, claiming the policy will reduce the country's reliance on immigration for economic growth.

ACT leader David Seymour criticized the proposal, arguing that similar payments in other countries have failed to produce results and that existing credits already support some income levels.

At the same meeting, Peters announced that former Minister of Defence Ron Mark is returning to the party to contest the Wairarapa electorate in the November 7 election. Mark joins other returning candidates, including former National MPs Alfred Ngaro, Michael Laws, and Harete Hipango-Brownlie.