Government Unveils 33-Point Action Plan to Deliver Before Year’s End
By Lion’s Roar News Desk | Wellington | October 7, 2025
The New Zealand Government has unveiled an ambitious 33-point plan it intends to complete before the end of 2025 — a sweeping programme of legislative, infrastructure, and social reforms designed to show visible progress across nearly every portfolio.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the initiative as part of a “get things done” approach that aims to rebuild confidence in government efficiency and execution. The list spans major changes to planning law, housing, education, crime prevention, defence, and regional growth — marking one of the most comprehensive short-term legislative drives seen in recent years.
While the government insists the plan is achievable, critics are questioning whether so many initiatives can be passed and implemented effectively within such a short timeframe. Political observers note that the success or failure of this agenda will heavily influence the public’s perception of the government heading into 2026.
A “Delivery Year” for the Coalition
Speaking at Parliament, Luxon said his Cabinet was focused on “delivery over debate” and would not let bureaucratic delays slow down results.
He added, “We’ve spent months listening, planning, and laying the groundwork. Now it’s time to deliver for New Zealanders — on infrastructure, on housing, on education, and on safer communities.”
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Finance Minister Nicola Willis echoed the same sentiment, calling the plan “a roadmap for action” that combines fiscal responsibility with economic momentum.
The government’s 33 goals have been categorised into several focus areas: infrastructure and housing, economic reform, law and order, social and environmental policy, and education and workforce development.
🔧 1–10: Building and Infrastructure Reform
- Introduce new planning legislation to replace the long-debated Resource Management Act (RMA). The reform aims to speed up development approvals while preserving environmental standards.
- Pass the Fast-Track Approvals Amendment Bill to accelerate large-scale projects deemed nationally or regionally significant.
- Allow small structures under 70 square metres — including granny flats — to be built without council consent, to relieve housing pressure.
- Amend the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act, providing new funding mechanisms for essential projects.
- Establish the National Infrastructure Agency, designed to coordinate long-term national infrastructure priorities.
- Publish the Government’s Budget 2026 priorities, offering an early look at fiscal direction and spending intentions.
- Advance legislation for the Energy Infrastructure Investment Scheme, encouraging public-private partnerships in renewable energy.
- Enable Time-of-Use (TOU) electricity pricing, allowing households to manage power bills based on off-peak usage.
- Begin upgrades on key national roads and regional highways, renewing the “roads of national significance” programme.
- Approve an Auckland Light Rail review, exploring cost-effective alternatives to the previously shelved megaproject.
These infrastructure reforms signal a strong emphasis on construction and growth, but they also raise concerns about environmental impacts, consultation processes, and local government capacity. Urban planners have warned that rushing through the replacement for the RMA without wide consultation could backfire.
🏘 11–20: Housing, Regulation & Economic Growth
- Establish the Community Housing Provider Loan Guarantee Scheme, lowering borrowing costs for affordable housing developers.
- Publish the Defence Industry Strategy, designed to strengthen New Zealand’s defence sector and domestic manufacturing capabilities.
- Announce the “Going for Growth” economic policy framework, outlining a pro-business agenda focused on trade, investment, and technology.
- Pass the Regulatory Standards Bill, aiming to make future legislation more consistent and measurable.
- Introduce the Local Government (Rates Cap) Bill, limiting councils’ ability to increase property rates.
- Pass the Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Bill, enhancing marine biodiversity protection while balancing fishing interests.
- Launch a nationwide review of housing supply barriers, examining how councils can streamline approvals.
- Amend the Arms Act, tightening firearms rules and closing existing loopholes.
- Strengthen provisions in the Crimes Act, including clearer guidelines for citizens’ arrest and public safety enforcement.
- Reform the Building Consent Authority system, simplifying paperwork and shortening approval times.
Economic experts say this set of actions reflects the coalition’s intent to combine growth-friendly deregulation with targeted social investment. However, environmental and community organisations have voiced concerns that rate caps and fast-track rules could reduce local autonomy.
👮 21–25: Social Services, Justice, and Policing
- Make stalking and digital harassment criminal offences, modernising the Crimes Act to protect victims of online abuse.
- Deliver an updated Family Violence and Sexual Violence Action Plan, expanding community-based prevention programmes.
- Expand community policing and neighbourhood patrol initiatives, with extra resources allocated to local stations.
- Begin construction on the new Waikato Medical School, boosting the future healthcare workforce.
- Roll out expanded diagnostic testing capacity in hospitals to reduce long wait times.
These measures underscore a commitment to community safety and public health. The focus on cybercrime and stalking has been widely welcomed, while the expansion of diagnostic services is viewed as essential for a strained health sector.
🌏 26–30: Energy, Environment & Regional Development
- Release a draft National Energy Strategy for consultation, mapping the path toward cleaner and more reliable energy.
- Update the Emissions Trading Scheme reform roadmap, ensuring emissions reductions align with economic growth.
- Confirm a new critical minerals extraction policy, encouraging exploration while maintaining environmental safeguards.
- Deliver a Regional Infrastructure Growth Plan, targeting rural roads, water systems, and digital connectivity.
- Implement renewable energy investment partnerships between central government and local councils.
Environmental advocates say these initiatives must strike a careful balance between sustainability and economic necessity. The mining and minerals policies are expected to spark robust debate over the country’s green commitments.
🎓 31–33: Education, Workforce & Public Sector Reform
- Publish the Workforce Plan 2026–2030, identifying skill gaps in construction, healthcare, and technology.
- Introduce the Public Service (Efficiency & Accountability) Bill, aiming to streamline bureaucracy and reduce red tape.
- Release the finalised English and Maths curricula, alongside drafts for science, social studies, and technology for Years 0–10.
The education updates have generated mixed reactions, with teachers welcoming clearer curricula but unions cautioning against “political overreach” into the classroom.
Meanwhile, the public sector reforms reflect the government’s focus on productivity, with expectations that some departments will undergo restructuring to achieve efficiency gains.
⚖️ Can It All Be Done?
Political analysts are divided on whether the coalition can realistically deliver all 33 promises by December. With Parliament’s calendar already tight, even prioritising 70–80% of the list could be considered a win.
Opposition parties argue that the government is overpromising, risking rushed legislation and poor consultation. They also warn that public confidence could erode if visible results do not follow quickly.
Supporters, however, say the 33-point list reflects the government’s energy, focus, and accountability — a clear signal to voters that action is replacing talk.
A senior government source noted that “not everything will be perfect, but doing nothing isn’t an option either. We’re rebuilding New Zealand’s momentum.”
🔮 The Road Ahead
Over the next three months, Parliament will be a hive of legislative activity. The government aims to pass or advance the majority of its priority bills before the Christmas recess.
Several of these policies — especially the RMA replacement, the rate caps, and energy reforms — are likely to face intense public and parliamentary debate. The coming weeks will test not only the government’s speed but also its capacity for consultation and compromise.
If executed well, this could mark a turning point for the administration — a moment when “delivery” becomes more than a political slogan. If not, the government risks being seen as ambitious but scattered, promising too much too soon.
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