Matt Ball: NZ Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager on Labour deciding to keep landlord interest deductibility
episodeTranscript
jump: chapters · speakers · find in transcriptTranscript
Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Why did Labour decide not to cut interest deductibility for landlords?
Possibly a surprise, possibly a desperation play, but Labour will not be cutting interest deductibility on investment property. So the tax cut for landlords, that was another one of their catch cries, wasn't it? The two billion dollar tax cut for landlords. They ran that for the last three years. That amounts to hot here given they're not going to change it after all. Now Matt Ball is the Property Investors Federation advocacy manager. He's with us morning. Good morning, Mike.
How did Matt Ball react to the surprise tax announcement?
This one come out of left field for you?
Um, have to admit didn't expect it. They were talking about waiting until after pre few before going through the numbers and then um announcing this tax. So uh left field, but it's good news.
It is good news. Will it have a material effect? In in other words, it doesn't change anything. So does not changing something change something?
What impact does keeping interest deductibility have on renters and rental prices?
Actually, yes, it
really does. It's a huge relief for rental owners and for renters. This is a terrible tax because it's a straight hit to the bottom line. So the consequences pass straight through to the tenant. Higher rent, less maintenance, less investment in their properties, and eventually fewer rentals. So every renter in New Zealand should breathe a sigh of relief about this change. They are more secure in their home. rents won't skyrocket and landlords can now get on and invest in in and improve their property.
Is Labour’s decision driven by politics or genuine concern for tenants?
Do you reckon Labour's work that out or do you reckon they're in trouble in the election so this is political and does it matter?
Um doesn't matter. I look, they've definitely worked it out. We spent the last two years talking to them about this. It shows the value of talking to people and making a coherent, evidence based argument. We're not going to take all the credit for this, but we've been working on it since the last election. And what we've done is show Labour how this really hurt mum and dad landlords, but also how it hurts their tenants, our tenants, and it's paid off. Is it political?
How did the Property Investors Federation influence Labour’s policy change?
Well, it makes them a smaller target and it takes away a huge bone of contention. There are over three hundred thousand landlords. And I can promise you, if Labour had announced this tax, we would all be going to our tenants and telling them exactly the consequences.
Because you can't argue with the results, can you? I mean, look at the rental market at the moment. It's not great for the investor who wants some sort of game, but I mean rentals are flat, there's plenty of choice. The market seems to be about right.
Yeah, it does.
What does the current rental market look like after the policy decision?
And if you look back in time, the three years, the last three years Labour were in power when they brought this policy in, rents went up twenty five percent. Twenty five percent over three years. It's devastating for people in a cost of living crisis. So this is the right decision. And Hitkins hinted at this yesterday. He talked about not wanting um landlords to put rents up on tenants. Um clearly the message got through. This is
good. All right, nice to talk to you. Appreciate it very much, Matt Ball, New Zealand Property Investors Federation Advocacy Manager.
For more from the Mike Asking Breakfast, listen live to News Talks Ed B from 6 A.M. weekdays or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
No segments match your search.
Select any passage to copy it with its citation or turn it into a shareable card.
Chapters
6 chapters
1
Why did Labour decide not to cut interest deductibility for landlords?
0:00–0:22
2
How did Matt Ball react to the surprise tax announcement?
0:22–0:44
3
What impact does keeping interest deductibility have on renters and rental prices?
0:44–1:12
4
Is Labour’s decision driven by politics or genuine concern for tenants?
1:12–1:46
5
How did the Property Investors Federation influence Labour’s policy change?
1:46–2:13
6
What does the current rental market look like after the policy decision?
2:13–2:49
Speakers
1 identifiedMore from The Mike Hosking Breakfast
Tony Alexander: Independent Economics Commentator on ANZ revising its OCR forecast, potential for interest rates to reach 4%
Todd Lauchlan: JLL New Zealand Managing Director on New Zealand ranking among the world's most transparent property markets
Penny Simmonds: Tertiary Education Minister criticises Fees Free scheme as new briefing reveals it cost over $2 billion
Richie Barnett: Former Kiwis captain talks the Warriors semi-final loss to the Knights
Commentary Box: Andrew Saville and Jason Pine discuss the Warriors finals exit, NZ Rugby's financial woes
Full Show Podcast: 21 September 2026