Random drug tests for Jobseekers and a lower rate after two years on the benefit
Pitched as a firm, fair and affordable welfare system focused on getting people who can work into jobs.
π National: A firm, fair and affordable welfare system, October 2026 β
What it does
- Random drug testing for Jobseeker recipients as part of MSD work-readiness planning, starting with 10,000 tests in the first year. A second failed test triggers an alcohol and drug assessment, and continued non-compliance can lead to sanctions. RNZ reported a cost of about $1.5 million a year.
- From 1 April 2028, people who have received Jobseeker for two of the previous three years would move to a lower rate. At current rates RNZ put the cut at about $48 a week for a single person without children and nearly $82 for a couple without children, with a smaller cut for households with children.
- People who repeatedly leave jobs without good and sufficient reason would face a 26-week stand-down, up from 13 weeks.
- From 1 April 2028, the minimum residence period for main benefits would rise from two years to five.
- More intensive, work-focused support for 30,000 jobseekers who have been on a benefit for more than a year. RNZ reported expected savings of just over $580 million from 2027/28 to 2030/31.
The debate
Louise Upston said the policy is not about punishing people who have not found a job but about reasonable expectations to be work-ready. ACT leader David Seymour backed drug testing but called the lower rate a "cop-out". Labour campaign chair Kieran McAnulty called the idea "frankly rubbish", Green co-leader Marama Davidson said it picks on people who are already struggling, and NZ First leader Winston Peters also criticised it. The Salvation Army's Emma Hunter said there is no evidence that drug-taking is related to unemployment.
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Key milestones
National announces five-point welfare plan
Louise Upston said a re-elected National Government would bring in random drug testing for Jobseeker recipients, a lower rate after two years on the benefit, a longer stand-down for repeatedly leaving work, a five-year residency rule and more help for long-term jobseekers.
Costs, savings and the size of the cuts
RNZ reported drug testing would cost about $1.5 million a year from MSD baselines, with savings of just over $580 million over four years. At current rates the lower Jobseeker rate would mean about $48 a week less for a single person without children.
Opposition parties and advocates criticise the plan
Labour's Kieran McAnulty called the idea frankly rubbish and Green co-leader Marama Davidson said it picks on people already struggling. ACT's David Seymour backed drug testing but called the rate cut a cop-out, and the Salvation Army said there is no evidence linking drug-taking to unemployment.
Sources
- National: A firm, fair and affordable welfare system (policy page) β
- Firm, fair, affordable welfare (National Party, 8 Oct 2026) β
- National promises random drug testing for jobseeker beneficiaries (RNZ, 8 Oct 2026) β
- Labour, Greens slam National's promise to drug test unemployed beneficiaries (RNZ, 8 Oct 2026) β