Election jitters: Traders fear left-leaning Government could worsen cost of living

Wellington Business Editor·NZ Herald·4 Nov, 2026 05:00 AM4 mins to read‌Financial markets could react quite differently if National leader Christopher Luxon (left) was re-elected Prime Minister, as opposed to Labour leader Chris Hipkins.There are jitters among some traders in financial markets over the prospect of a left-leaning Government worsening the cost of living.The concern is that more unfunded, untargeted spending, as well as policies aimed at lifting wages without raising productivity, could put upward pressure on inflation. Some observers are also