'Conspiracy theories': National rules out increasing GST

Author: Jamie Ensor,
Publish Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2026, 4:33pm

National's Nicola Willis has twice ruled it out. Photo / Mark Mitchell

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National has ruled out increasing GST if re-elected.

Following the pledge from National finance spokeswoman Nicola Willis last weekend of “no new taxes”, questions turned to whether the party would instead increase existing taxes or levies.

Willis on Wednesday told reporters her party had “no plans” to increase existing taxes, but wouldn’t absolutely rule it out.

However, she was willing to rule out increasing GST (Goods and Services Tax), which is a 15% tax charged on most goods and services. Some social media users have speculated a GST increase could be on the cards.

“I can absolutely rule out increasing GST. I am aware of the conspiracy theories on that and I will say it once again, we will not be increasing GST,” Willis said.

Labour’s Deborah Russell asked Revenue Minister Simon Watts, a National MP, in the House on Thursday if he would rule out increasing GST.

Watts didn’t directly answer the question, instead saying, “we will not be increasing any new taxes”. GST is an existing tax, so would not be captured by that statement.

That prompted Labour to issue a press release saying National was “refusing to tell Kiwis whether they’re going to put up GST”.

Willis reconfirmed on Thursday afternoon that National would not.

“I rule out increasing GST,” Willis told the Herald.

Labour itself has ruled out raising GST, which has sat at 15% since 2010 when it was increased from 12.5% under Prime Minister Sir John Key’s National-led Government. That increase was controversial as Key had previously said his party wouldn’t raise the rate.

Jamie Ensor is the NZ Herald’s chief political reporter, based in the press gallery at Parliament. He was previously a TV reporter and digital producer in the Newshub press gallery office. He was a finalist in 2025 for Political Journalist of the Year at the Voyager Media Awards.