Nationals Foreign Aid Savings Put More Money Into Medicines

06 Oct 2026, 10:49 by New Zealand Taxpayers' Union · SCOOP

The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming National’s plan to redirect foreign aid spending into Pharmac, with a 10 percent reduction in the International Development Cooperation budget, moving $604 million to help Pharmac fund more new medicines.

Taxpayers’ Union spokesman, Rhys Hurley, said:

“Redirecting hundreds of millions from foreign aid into medicines for Kiwis shows that governments can fund new priorities through savings elsewhere rather than reaching deeper into taxpayers’ pockets.”

“The contrast is significant compared with Labour’s proposal to slap Kiwis with yet another tax, while proposing sending a further $2,662 per household overseas. All while New Zealand is on track to borrow money every year until 2031.”

“That is the sort of reprioritisation taxpayers expect when politicians make new spending promises. Parties should be showing Kiwis what spending they will cut or reprioritise to pay for them rather than squeezing Kiwi families harder.”

Taxpayers’ Union’s Bribe O Meter can be found at: www.taxpayers.org.nz/bribe_o_meter

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