# Chris Hipkins risks job over tax policy

> Labour leader Chris Hipkins pledges no new taxes beyond capital gains tax to ease cost of living.
- Title: Chris Hipkins risks job over tax policy · RNZ | Shortify
- Summary: Labour leader Chris Hipkins pledges no new taxes beyond capital gains tax to ease cost of living. Labour leader Chris Hipkins will not introduce new taxes…
- Keywords: chris hipkins, labour, capital gains tax, cost of living, new zealand, election 2026, RNZ
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/2354786/chris-hipkins-puts-job-on-the-line-over-no-new-taxes-beyond-cgt
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-11-04T22:13:06+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: chris hipkins, labour, capital gains tax, cost of living, new zealand, election 2026, politics, news
## Labour leader Chris Hipkins
Labour leader Chris Hipkins says cost of living was the top issue in 2023 but they didn't have convincing answers.
## No new taxes beyond CGT
Labour will not add new taxes except capital gains tax, which is supported by public and long overdue.
## Capital gains tax benefits
Capital gains tax would provide billions for health system and help small businesses.
## Inflation blame
Hipkins disagrees Labour borrowed too much during pandemic causing current inflation.
## Fiscal plan
Labour plans to balance budget by cutting Investment Boost and directing funds to small businesses.
## Health system changes
Primary care will be free to reduce hospital visits and ease health system pressures.
## Education reforms
NCEA changes will be slowed to avoid overassessing students and a grab-bag of credits.
## Key takeaway

Labour leader Chris Hipkins will not introduce new taxes beyond capital gains tax to address cost of living pressures.