"GDP fell 1.1% since last June and is 2.8% smaller than June 2023. The economy - effectively our standard of living - is flat lining. The National-led Government’s reaction to this news tells us everything we need to know about its lack of an economic plan and how it’s failing to sell it."-The Post

Politics is broken because the hard decisions keep getting kicked down the road. Future generations deserve a democracy with the courage to do the right thing. TOP's plan for Citizens' Assemblies, lobbying reform, and commitment to cross-party consensus on the big issues is where that starts.

Remember: The GOP’s nonsensical culture wars are meant to distract you from corporate corruption and plunder. [Cartoon by Jace Avery]

It's time for a new New Zealand, built on better ideas. Like a Universal Basic Income to ease the cost of living. A Land Value Tax to make housing affordable and unleash productivity. Or Citizens' Assemblies to break our political gridlock. TOP will fight for the courageous reform we need. Join us.

Here is more evidence that a Universal Basic Income tends to *increase* rates of employment. TOP will bring a UBI to Aotearoa because #KiwisDeserveBetter #NZpol www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12...

The Electoral Reform Bill is in select committee this week. While you sleep your rights and the democratic principles that uphold them are being eroded by the current government. You can read our detailed response to this proposal here: www.top.org.nz/electoral_am... Because #KiwisDeserveBetter

Come out and support TOP member Graeme Tyree in his run for Nelson City Councillor-At-Large. Because- #KiwisDeserveBetter #VoteTOP graemetyree.co.nz

For the first time ever, fewer Kiwis are contributing to KiwiSaver. Families are forced to choose between paying bills and saving for tomorrow, a clear sign the economy is broken. It doesn't have to be this way. TOP will give every Kiwi the opportunity to save for the future. #KiwisDeserveBetter

TOPs universal basic income can help create jobs. As ecomist Guy Standing argues, security breeds capacity. When people aren't living in survival mode, they invest more in themselves and their communities. www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro... #UBI #KiwisDeserveBetter

Now that the time has come to capitalize on our huge investment in Auckland light rail, and build up instead of out, the ACT party is calling this "unnecessary". Will the Minister of Housing have the courage (and support) to do the right thing? Count on TOP to make the better policy carry the day.

We agree with Chris Bishop. House prices do need to fall. It's a bold, honest appraisal. The kind of courage we need in Parliament. But Luxon knows his backers won't support it. TOP in Parliament would help MPs like Bish to do the right thing. Even when their own party won't. #KiwisDeserveBetter

TOP will be campaigning at Takapuna Farmers market this coming Sunday to promote Universal Basic Income and the merits of a Land Value tax and deliberative democracy #CitizensVoice. Please stop by and ask your burning questions. Because #KiwisDeserveBetter

Citizens' Assemblies aren't just theory. Ireland used them to legalize marriage equality. France used them for climate change policy. Auckland used them to guide water infrastructure decisions. Let's bring them nationwide. www.top.org.nz/citizens-voice #KiwisDeserveBetter #CitizensAssembly

How about, instead of lurching left and then right and left again, we instead move *forward* with consensus policies, openly debated, which represent the best evidence we can find? If you just vote for Tweedldee one year and then Tweedledum next time, nothing will change... #KiwisDeserveBetter

Ngā mihi to Dr. Bloomfield for raising the call for a thoughtful, long term, non-partisan approach to health care delivery in Aotearoa. TOP would use tools like Citizens' Assemblies to support this mahi. As the party that works with all sides, we can make "the 10 year plan" a reality.

When Government offered them a briefing on NCEA changes, they didn't respond, then turned it down. That's not leadership, that's political theatre. TOP promotes a cross-paty approach to long-term issues like education. We'll work with anyone to get lasting results because #KiwisDeserveBetter

Great nations make it easier to vote not harder. By shutting the roll 2 weeks before election day, this Government is making it harder for Kiwis to have their say. At TOP, we believe in a democracy that hears every voice at every election. Stand with us. #KiwisDeserveBetter than dirty politics

Why Universal Basic Income will be a net benefit to New Zealand's economy...

Sir Ashley Bloomfield, the Covid Crusher, will be giving a TOP Talk on an evidence based, non-partisan vision for the future of healthcare in Aotearoa. The presentation will be held at Victoria University's Memorial Theatre on Wed August 13th, starting at 6pm. www.top.org.nz/top_talk_sir...

Stats NZ estimates unpaid work contributes over $40 billion to the economy each year. TOP backs policies that honor work, whether its paid or unpaid. Policies that give people the freedom to study, retrain, start something new or care for family without falling into poverty. Universal Basic Income

Change must be built on evidence, deliberation and broad consensus. Not on nostalgia or ideology. We call on Government to seek input from across the political spectrum, to listen to educators and experts, and to design a system we can all get behind. One that lasts. #KiwisDeserveBetter

The political pendulum swings again, this time on oil and gas exploration. What a waste. This policy is already dead in the water. A Citizens' Assembly on infrastructure or climate could break the deadlock. Find our proposal here: www.top.org.nz/citizens-voice #KiwisDeserveBetter #CitizensVoice

Sir Ashley Bloomfield will be the featured speaker at the next TOP Talk in Wellington August 13th. Sign up to watch here: www.top.org.nz/top_talk_sir...

"I interviewed myself". That's what MP Shane Jones said after handing himself the power to decide unilaterally who pays to clean up after oil and gas companies. TOP believes in transparency, accountability and polluters paying their fair share. #KiwisDeserveBetter than one man talking to himself

The Coalition government has been doing its homework... www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...

TOP encourages all voters to check their registration info. Current government is trying to make it harder for the workers to vote with this bill currently in Parliament. www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic... #LetUsVote #DemocracyForAll # KiwisDeserveBetter vote.nz/enrolling/en...

An affordable home is one of the foundations of civil society. But previous left and right leaning governments have lacked the spine to address this issue. That's why The Opportunities Party is here. We're willing to work with anyone committed to making the bold, long lasting changes needed.

The Government cares about the wording on our passports. TOP cares about the young people who are using it to leave because they can't buy a home or earn what they deserve. Fix the housing market. Lift wages. Support education, fund healthcare. #KiwisDeserveBetter than distractions

$20/ kg?! - It's why we're fighting for: Universal Basic Income and fair taxes to put money back in your pocket Smarter market rules to break the grip of overseas companies on our essential businesses A real plan to lift wages by backing innovation and job training www.top.org.nz/policy

Get ready for another election cycle full of creative cost estimates and big fiscal holes after ACT and NZF killed the policy costing unit proposal. Nats and Labor can't agree on a way forward. TOP in Parliament will make it happen. Here's our statement: www.top.org.nz/policy-costi...

The question of who pays is a hard one to answer. Issues of fairness, finances, planning regulations, insurance and personal responsibility make this a complex and emotional predicament. It's the kind of issue ideal for a Citizens' Assembly. top.org.nz/citizens-voice #KiwisDeserveBetter

it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…WC 1947

If only there was a centrist party that based it's policies on best evidence instead of populist tribalism.....oh wait. #KiwisDeserveBetter

TOP party members' submission on the Regulatory Standards Bill in Parliament. www.instagram.com/reel/DL6pyWj...

The calls for deliberative democracy are getting louder...check out this event: www.fabians.org.nz/index.php?op... #Citizens'Voice #KiwisDeserveBetter

Kia ora Aotearoa! Here is yet more commentary which highlights the need for an evidence based, non-partisan voice in NZ politics. www.top.org.nz/citizens-voice With so many parties ‘ruling out’ working with other parties, is MMP losing its way? theconversation.com/with-so-many...

Tired of juvenile behaviour from your elected representatives? Our Citizens' Assemblies will help build consensus and stop the pendulum. top.org.nz/citizens-voice #KiwisDeserveBetter archive.ph/bNz9w

Follow the evidence, forget the ideology. #KiwisDeserveBetter #CitizenVoice www.top.org.nz/citizens-voice

Universal Basic Income. Fair Tax reforms. Welfare that works. Lobbyists scrutinised. Healthcare funded. Emissions scheme fixed. Fast track consents halted. Schools supported. #KiwisDeserveBetter Our Policies share.google/MXt03MENsk5A...

With Citizens' Assemblies backed by an independent Parliamentary Commissioner, everyday people can lead where the politicians have failed. It's democracy, done differently. A better way to make big decisions on the issues that matter. youtu.be/_DdnQ7xC-sQ?... #KiwisDeserveBetter

Politics isn’t working. Incoming governments dismantling major initiatives started by their predecessors cost us time, money, and momentum. What if we tried something different? What if the people had a real seat at the table? Find out more and get involved here 👉 loom.ly/hjsqMcE

Deliberative democracy or laws passed under urgency...which would you rather have? youtu.be/Tg-FQDR_i68?...

The Coalition government has committed to passing the RSB into law. "In effect, a minor political party that attracted just 8.6% of the total vote in the general election is being permitted to bypass the democratic process that has three times rejected the proposed bill" -Prof. Jane Kelsey

The Regulatory Standards Bill is divisive and makes it harder to fix broken systems. It’s facing overwhelming opposition. But the Government isn’t listening. TOP’s Citizen Voice policy offers a better way. www.top.org.nz/citizens-voice #CitizenVoice #NZPol #StopTheRSB #KiwisDeserveBetter

Improving regulation-making processes and enhancing the accountability of the executive to Parliament are worthy objectives. They should be advanced through a less nakedly ideological frame and take account of the full range of societal interests in the outcomes of regulation.

“Democracy is the slow process of stumbling to the right decision instead of going straight forward to the wrong one.” —Anon www.top.org.nz/citizens-voice

The Opportunities Party is bringing deliberative democracy to Aotearoa. Ordinary citizens empowered to examine tough issues and present solutions to Parliament - for action. loom.ly/eK7aRD8

Another year, another budget. Rinse and repeat...

Nicola Willis’s "No BS" Budget relies on a last minute dismissal of 33 active pay equity claims.