Growth in GDP doesn't improve living conditions.
New Zealand's economy has reported a slight growth in the December quarter's GDP figures, but this is not translating into better living conditions for its citizens. Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds criticizes the government's policies as being detrimental to Kiwis, stating that the construction sector, crucial for jobs and housing, shrank by 3.1 percent last quarter and 7.3 percent in 2024. This has resulted in 13,000 construction workers losing their jobs and further exacerbating affordable housing issues.
Edmonds emphasizes that New Zealanders are working harder yet not making progress. The government's focus on cutting infrastructure projects, freezing public sector wages, and allowing costs to rise is deemed inadequate by Edmonds. She suggests the government prioritize job creation, health, and housing initiatives instead of implementing policies that negatively impact Kiwis. With unemployment remaining high and wages failing to keep pace with increasing costs, Labour argues that the current approach is unsustainable.