The Panel: Louise Upston and Willow-Jean Prime talk new policies

Author: Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2026, 9:29am

National leader Christopher Luxon and social development spokeswoman Louise Upston in Paraparaumu, Kāpiti, last week announcing the party's plan to drug test some beneficiaries. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The election season is well underway, and employment is a key issue for many voters.

National has pledged more drug testing for beneficiaries, to ensure more Kiwis are ready to get into work, and Labour has voiced opposition to this idea.

National Social Development Minister Louise Upston says she's confident the Government's measures to reduce unemployment are working - but there's more to be done.

"We've seen 84,000 people leave welfare into work in the last year, so we're really confident that the measures that we are making are working."

Meanwhile, Labour social development and employment spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime has pushed back on this scheme.

"Labour has a plan, where we are talking about expanding apprenticeship boost, introducing trades training and expanding that - and a new work package, where we're going to create a whole lot of jobs."

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