The Opportunities Party
The Opportunities Party (usually referred to as TOP) is a centrist political party in New Zealand. It was founded in 2016 by economist and philanthropist Gareth Morgan and is currently led by Raf Manji. The party is based on the idea of evidence-based policy, with some policies including achieving a “fair tax system” by implementing a "tax switch" (including a tax-free threshold of $15,000) and implementing the "Teal Card" for young people, as well as specific investments for the city of Christchurch. The party received 2.4% of the party vote in the 2017 general election, after which Morgan resigned from the leadership. It received 1.5% of the party vote in the 2020 general election, and on preliminary results has received 2.1% of the party vote in the 2023 general election. The party won an elected office for the first time in the 2022 New Zealand local elections, with one member elected to the Featherston Community Board in the South Wairarapa District. Policies and principles For the 2023 New Zealand general election, the party's policies included: Fiscal policy Phase 1 (2023–2026) Restructure income tax to include a tax-free threshold on income up to $15,000, a 20% tax rate for income between $15,000 and $80,000, a 35% rate for income between $80,000 and $180,000, a 42% rate on income between $180,000 and $250,000, and a 45% rate for income beyond $250,000. Introduce a land value tax (LVT) of 0.75% on urban residential land (excluding rural, conservation and Māori land) while offering to superannuants to defer payment until a change in ownership of their property. This tax is designed to decrease land speculation, offset the cuts in income tax, and shift the burden of taxation from productive work to land ownership. Remove unfair constraints on benefits, such as relationship status determining benefit allowances. Increase income support for people with disabilities by $400 million and streamline the process of accessing that support. Cancel debt owed to the Ministry of Social Development. Extend the In-Work Tax Credit to all children of low-income families ($500 million). Phase 2 (2026 onwards) Replace the Jobseeker Support with a universal basic income (UBI) of $16,500 per year for all adults between the ages of 18 and 65; and to the parents of children under 18, an additional UBI of $2,340. Simplify the personal, company, and trust income tax rates to a single 35% flat tax rate. Increase the land value tax rate to 1.25%. Housing policy Remove the current Bright Line Test and allow tax deductibility of interest for landlords, which is replaced by the land value tax. Require a deposit of 100% of the value of an existing home when purchased for investment purposes. Return the GST on new residential builds back to the local councils to fund further infrastructure development. Establish a $3 billion development fund for Community Housing Associations with the goal of clearing the public housing waiting list within its first 3 years of operation. Support more urban densification for central cities and transit nodes.