National and ACT's proposal for stricter measures for beneficiaries if they get into power is proving unpopular with voters, according to the latest 1News Verian poll, with nearly half of those polled opposed to the measures.
It comes as National leader Christopher Luxon was forced to defend his party's new welfare policy, announced late last month.
Under National, further sanctions would be introduced for Jobseeker beneficiaries who "persistently" do not meet benefit obligations, and could include mandatory community work experience of up to three months, benefit suspensions or reductions, and Work and Income having a greater role in managing a beneficiary's money.
National also announced it would introduce a "traffic light" system to categorise Jobseeker beneficiaries by their obligation compliance.
While main benefits are currently indexed to wages, increasing alongside the median household so they don't lose value, National is proposing to reverse it by linking it to inflation.
Luxon told reporters today that their government would "create opportunities for beneficiaries".
"To be honest, it's the best long-term metric to make sure people's purchasing power is not eroded," he said.
The policy would save the government $2 billion over the next four years.
But experts warn that beneficiaries would be worse off under National's plan in the long term.
"People on income support are actually going to have less income every week which is going to further entrench poverty," ActionStation campaigner Vanessa Cole said.
Benefit recipient Janelle Richardson told 1News she was concerned the blanket approach would be detrimental to beneficiaries.
"Everyone's situation looks different, and that's my concern — National doesn't look at it like that," she said.
In a 1News Verian poll, eligible Kiwi voters were asked: "Do you support or oppose the government reducing the rights and entitlements of beneficiaries?"
The results showed that 47% were opposed to reductions, while 34% were in support. The rest were undecided or preferred not to say.
The ACT Party's welfare policy, meanwhile, would introduce "electronic income management" cards to purchase food and petrol, while restricting alcohol and tobacco.
The cards would apply to long-term beneficiaries and women who have additional children.
"This Labour government has tried to be kind to beneficiaries and all that kindness has created is more dependency," ACT leader David Seymour said.
"Too many kids have too much poverty growing up in benefit-led households and it's one of the most important things we need to change."
While Luxon agreed the move would be "punitive" to women who get pregnant, he was unable to guarantee ACT would not get it across the line should they form a coalition government.
Greens co-leader Marama Davidson told reporters the party is strongly opposed to the measures.
"All of this stigmatising of people on low benefits, of women raising children, it is actually horrendous," she said.
Labour Party MP Carmel Sepuloni agreed, calling National "completely out of step with what they are proposing".
"New Zealanders are much fairer than what National, ACT and NZ First are [proposing]."
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