The incoming National, ACT and NZ First Government has arrived and laid out its plans and aspirations.

Amongst those policies were a few surprises, including:

1 – Rentals for ‘a very good boy’ with pet bonds

In his “signing ceremony” speech, ACT leader David Seymour was excited to announce a policy change for pets and rental properties.

“Tenants will have a greater chance of having a place to live, particularly if they have pets and especially if that pet is a very good boy, in which case pet bonds will be available,” Seymour said.

Legislating for “pet bonds” would allow landlords to require an extra bond payment from tenants with pets. Seymour said that should mean more landlords would allow pets.

2 – Make English an ‘official language’

The policy agreement between NZ First and National called for new legislation to “make English an official language”.

In 1987, the Māori Language Act officially made te reo an “official language”. The NZ Sign Language Act 2006 also states that NZSL is an official language. There is no “English Language Act” saying the same thing – but it’s worth noting that all of these acts are written in English.

3 – Slash the public service head count by about 15,000 full-time staff

While National had campaigned to cut jobs in the public service, it had not put a target this high.

In August, when the National Party released its tax plan, it sought cost-cutting of 6% across most government departments. At the time, Stuff estimated that would require about 6500 full-time public sector employees to lose their jobs.

But the National and ACT party coalition agreement potentially doubles that number.

It wants to return the public sector headcount back to 2017 levels. Since 2017, a further 15800 people have been employed in the public service. There is a caveat: It only wants to cut “back office” roles – defining that could be tricky.

National leader Christopher Luxon also said that given changes to the fiscal environment and his agreement not to introduce a foreign buyers’ tax, that more cuts would be needed to public sector spending to afford promised income tax cuts.

4 – Allow cigarette sales to Gen Alpha

Last year, the Labour Government passed some of the toughest law in the world to tackle tobacco. Its policy, to progressively lift the age of cigarette sales, would have meant that Generation Alpha would never be able to legally buy smokes. After New Zealand passed that law, other countries – including the UK and Australia – have looked to follow suit.

The law meant anyone born after January 1, 2009, would never be able to buy a cigarette.

However, the NZ First and National coalition agreement promised to repeal the changes.

5 – Launch a new Covid inquiry

NZ First will get its new “independent” Covid inquiry, different from the ongoing royal commission of inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic.

Its policy document also ensured all vaccine mandates would end.

However, the entire Covid-19 response Act expired in August, so there were no Covid-related regulations left in operation.